Pot Belly Pim Pictus!

[julibob]

I have a couple of small Pim Pictus (approx 2") and have had them for a couple of weeks. One of them has a pot belly (it looks a bit uncomfortable!) I gave them shelled peas the other day but it hasnt made any difference Are they meant to be a bit podgy (like Otocinclus), or could he be constipated? He is acting normally, and doesnt seem to be bothered by it at the moment. He wasnt like it when I got him.

Julia

 

[Boxcar Muzzdogg]

Most likely then this is not a problem of gas buildup (alleviated by pease). This is probably another illness.

 

[julibob]

What "other" illness could this possibly be if he/she is acting fine??

 

[tttnjfttt]

Is it possible this fish is about to lay eggs? (assuming there is a male and female in the tank) or about to have fry if they are live bearers?

 

[WILDER]

Also what does it look like when the fish goes to the toilet, is the anus red and inflamed, anything prutruding from the anus.

 

[digital_run]

With any type of carnivore catfish...you should feed them until their bellys swell and look as if the've swallowed a marble...This is perfectly normal and a good indicator as to when they need to be fed. You should only feed your pims once every three days or so....they do not require daily feeding. The peas won't work and i'd be surprised if they even ate them. Don't worry about it....all this means is that one of them is eating alot more than the other...do you only have a pair of them?

Ðigital

 

[julibob]

Dont really know. He has his own little hidey hole and only comes out to feed. Saying that, I have just fed them and he looks fine!!! Very active, but very fat!!!

 

[julibob]

Thanks for the input on how often to feed!!! I have been giving them 1/2 each a Sera Viformo tablet each twice daily, which sounds like far too much. I will feed them less and see if it makes a difference.

Julia

 

[julibob]

Sorry, Me again, yes I just have a pair. Is this a problem?

 

[tttnjfttt]

I doubt it would be a problem. It was just another possiblity for why one looks a little chubby.

 

[digital_run]

They should be kept in groups of 3+ ...The only reason for this is that one will usually become dominant and make the sub miserable with age and time. They also act differently and are much more active in groups. Now saying this you might get lucky and be able to keep them as is..but keep an on eye on them and make sure you have plenty of caves/over hanging plants etc so that they can each stake a little territory.What size tank do you have them in?

Their diet should be suited towards carniverous fish...Mine are on a diet of bloodworms/brine shrimp/sinking carnivore pellets by Hikari/live foods ( Convict fry that i breed myself). I switch these around on a 3-4 day cycle and sometimes mix them together. Right now im feeding a little more often as its extremely hot and my tanks have been a little warmer than normal....with added heat their metabolism speeds up and they require more than usualy.

HIH
Ðigital

 

[WILDER]

Not the writer of this.

Constipation

Some fish are more susceptible to constipation than others. Usually fish with more compressed bodies like angelfish and silver dollars. Symptoms are loss of appetite and swelling of the body. The cause is almost always diet.
Usually, with a change of diet, the condition rights itself. But in stubborn cases try dried food that has been soaked in medicinal paraffin oil. Glycerol or castor oil may also be used. If the diet is changed on a regular basis and live foods offered occasionally this condition may never occur.

 

[digital_run]

This isn't a case of constapation....Stop feeding the pim in question for a few days and you'll see the belly disappear.

 

[julibob]

Thanks Digital Run!!!

They have not been fed for 24 hours now and his tummy is half the size it was BTW that are in a 29 Gallon, and cos I have Malawi Cichlids there are lots and lots of hidey holes for them. In fact they have both adopted a small terracotta flowerpot each!!!

Julia

 

[Boxcar Muzzdogg]

You have pictus cats and malawis in the a 29 gallon?