my new paradise female

[pica_nuttalli]

so i recently acquired a female paradise fish and she's slowly growing quite the potbelly. i know she's not overeating because the buenos aires tetras and guppies finish off all the food as i watch (and there's not any fry in there right now). she is eating and her coloration is just great, so i'm not concerned that its dropsy or anything similar.

i think she's just egg-laden.

if i recall, its not good for betta females to be full of eggs for forever, but is this also true for paradise fish? is this a something which might rectify itself (reabsorbtion / spontaneous laying) or do i need to get her a male?

i don't want to breed paradise fish; i just want her to be ok! right now she's in a 60g community tank w/ low level plantings (48x12x24). the stocklist is in my profile. do you think a male paradise would be helpful or a terror?

 

[sylvia]

Are you sure it isn't constipation or a parasitic infection? Feed her a pea/some daphnia and watch for her poop anyway.

If it realy is just eggs, she should be able to handle this naturaly. Raising the temperature a little bit might also help. Adding a male would be fine in a 60 gallon but be prepaired for a little chasing and maybe add some more hiding places when you do add him. In the long run, you might appreciate having a pair.

 

[ncjharris]

She may or may not be egg laden.

Ours is chubby anyway, as was her predessor.
ALTHOUGH
today we have just had some spawning action, so she could have been carrying a few eggs.

However, she's only recently been introduced to the tank, so thats a week from meet to lay eggs, unless she was preggers before.

EDIT: adding a bloke paradise fish is a good idea, although take onboard what Sylvia said.

EDIT 2: We like her name!