Synodontis With A Pot Belly

[moochy13]

hi, im new here, had my tank for a couple of years now, but over the last few months ive noticed my synodontis getting a very round belly. ive had a quick google and come up with words like dropsy and consitpation, sounds bleak. my other fish all seem pretty happy and healthy. i havnt got any water tests at the moment so not sure what they are. the synodontis is one of the original fish when i got the tank, and is by far the biggest in the tank. he/she seems to be acting the same as it always has done, resting vertically up against some tasteless fake greek architecture !! it doesnt seem to have any problems swimming or resting, and other than its fat belly looks fine. theres no disease in my tank that i can see, and for sure nothing picks on it. there aren't any scales sticking out, which is something else i read about.

ive just fed them and the synodontis was gobbling up bloodworm as normal. he doesnt eat anything else i put in the tank (flake, catfish pellets, plec discs)

i cant say ive ever noticed what his #105### looks like, but to be honest i dont look for it either. there is another synodontis in the tank, but its a lot smaller and i have no idea what sex it is. it was sold to me as a fantail screamer ?? i dont even know what type the fish in the pictures is. the smaller one is a bit paler with dark spots and white flashes on the trailing edges of its fins.

ideas ? thanks in advance. id rather all my other fish die before this one does.

 

[gbailey141]

Hi there,

as has already been mentioned in your other thread the probable cause is stunted growth. Also you aren't going to win many friends on here by saying you would rather all your other fish die before this one. Please do something positive to help these fish before it is too late.

 

[moochy13]

i wasnt saying i wanted all my fish to die, i was making the point this is my favourite fish. thanks for the help though is stunted growth a lost cause, or can the fish 'grow out' of it in a larger tank ?

 

[WILDER]

Don't over feed bloodworms they cause bloating.

Don't feed for a few days.
Peas help flush the fish throw.

Research the fish diet needs.

 

[moochy13]

peas as in your normal peas you have with your roast dinner ?

 

[gbailey141]

Yes but squeeze them out of the outer shell first. As for the stunted growth option, i'm not sure if it can be cured but those fish need moving to bigger tanks asap. Maybe someone on here may be able to assist in re-homing or contact your local fish shop.

 

[WILDER]

Yes.
Fozen peas. Just cook the peas for a few minutes it boiling water. Pop out of shell and chop into small pieces.
Add to the tank.
The fish might turn it's nose up them the first time. Keep trying.
Remove uneaten food.

You must remove the shell as fish can't digest the shell part.

 

[moochy13]

thanks for the help. ive fed a couple of blocks of daphnia over the last 4 days, and ive just dropped a slice of cucumber in. the syno is still looking a bit podgy, but i think i can already notice a reduction in his belly size. was surprised how well recieved the cucumber was, almost everything wanted a bit. except the krib, who was more concerned with trying to eat the corn on the cob screw being used as weight. the syno didnt even know it was in, but when he found it he annhialated it. at this rate i suspect in 10-14 days he might look a bit more normal.

 

[WILDER]

Have you fed the peas.
Daphnia is good in a fish diet as it helps the fish digest it's food.

 

[moochy13]

no havnt got round to peas yet. is it worth doing if im getting results as is ? can you put peas in like you do cucumber, just every now and then as a 'treat' ?

 

[WILDER]

Peas are a laxative for a fish. They flush a fish throw.
Feed the peas.
If the bloating going down it sounds like it might be constipation.

Over feeding bloodworms can cause bloating. So cut down on feeding them. Don't feed them more than twice a week.
There very rich in protein.