Tiger Barb about to blow up

[AyntRyte]

I just noticed that one of my barbs has gotten *very* fat. I would
dismiss it as a pregnant she, but its eyes are bugging out too. Any
insights?
--
\\// Robert

[Justin Boucher]

How fast has this come on? Are the scales raised off the body giving the
fish a textured look? Cloudy eyes? Any other symptoms? Water parameters?
Feeding schedule?

There can be a whole list of things. Without additional information, no one
can give you a proper evaluation.

"AyntRyte" > wrote in message
...
> I just noticed that one of my barbs has gotten *very* fat. I would
> dismiss it as a pregnant she, but its eyes are bugging out too. Any
> insights?
> --
> \\// Robert
>
>
>

[AyntRyte]

Justin Boucher wrote:

>>I just noticed that one of my barbs has gotten *very* fat. I would
>>dismiss it as a pregnant she, but its eyes are bugging out too. Any
>>insights?

> How fast has this come on?
P.D.Q. Just noticed last night, though I may have just overlooked it.

> Are the scales raised off the body giving the
> fish a textured look?
Yes, now that you mentioned it.

>Cloudy eyes?
No

>Any other symptoms?
Acts pretty normal, except it seems a little shy (stays in the shadows)

>Water parameters?
The setup is about 2-3 weeks old. Under-gravel, 2 power heads in a 29
gal. Haven't got a test kit yet. Water's still a little cloudy. Was
hoping it would have cycled by now.

> Feeding schedule?
Damn near starving 'em (3 Barbs, 3 Danios, 2 Corys) until the water
clears up.

> There can be a whole list of things. Without additional information,
no one
> can give you a proper evaluation.

Thanks,
--
\\// Robert

[luminos]

You just sacrificed this fish to cycling.

[Justin Boucher]

Your Barb may have Dropsy.
According to "The Manual of Fish Health" (Drs Andrews, Exell and Carrington:
Tetra Press: 1988) Dropsy is characterized by a swollen belly, protruding
scales, reddening at the vent or base of fins as well as other symptoms
including pale gills and a "pop-eyed" appearance.

It indicates that treatment is difficult and recommends removing the fish to
a separate tank providing best food and ideal water quality conditions. A
borad spectrum antibiotic may also be used. (I know there's stuff on the
market for dropsy.)

Causes are listed as bacterial and/or viral infections and metabolic or
nutritional disorders as well as simply being in poor conditions.

You indicated that your tank is still young and cycling. You have 8 fish in
a 29 gal tank and that you do not have any test kits.
Cycling takes about 4-6 weeks if conditions are good.
I believe you have too many fish for cycling a new tank. Also, test kits
are very critical during this time. I strongly recommend an Ammonia,
Nitrite (not Nitrate, there's a big differance) and pH test kits.

Due to the amount of fish in your tank, you may need to do partial water
changes to ease them through the high stresses of a cycling tank. One quick
way to cycle your tank is if you know someone who already has an established
tank. If so, ask them if you could have a little bit of their filtering
media. You are using an UGF so getting a cup or so of gravel from someone
who already has a running tank using an undergravel filter would be great.
Don't rinse it and do keep it wet. Just dump it in your tank to get things
going quickly in the right direction. Doing the partial water change
routine every other day or so will help lower the toxic levels of ammonia
and nitrite but it also means extending that 4-6 week period out longer as
well.

Justin

"AyntRyte" > wrote in message
...
> Justin Boucher wrote:
>
> >>I just noticed that one of my barbs has gotten *very* fat. I would
> >>dismiss it as a pregnant she, but its eyes are bugging out too. Any
> >>insights?
>
> > How fast has this come on?
> P.D.Q. Just noticed last night, though I may have just overlooked it.
>
> > Are the scales raised off the body giving the
> > fish a textured look?
> Yes, now that you mentioned it.
>
> >Cloudy eyes?
> No
>
> >Any other symptoms?
> Acts pretty normal, except it seems a little shy (stays in the shadows)
>
> >Water parameters?
> The setup is about 2-3 weeks old. Under-gravel, 2 power heads in a 29
> gal. Haven't got a test kit yet. Water's still a little cloudy. Was
> hoping it would have cycled by now.
>
> > Feeding schedule?
> Damn near starving 'em (3 Barbs, 3 Danios, 2 Corys) until the water
> clears up.
>
> > There can be a whole list of things. Without additional information,
> no one
> > can give you a proper evaluation.
>
> Thanks,
> --
> \\// Robert
>
>

[Flash Wilson]

On Sun, 8 Aug 2004 17:17:05 -0700, luminos > wrote:
>You just sacrificed this fish to cycling.

That's a harsh comment, it doesn't give the original poster any
idea on why or how to avoid it in future.

My money's on dropsy too. But I've cycled a tank with tiger barbs
as a newbie and they were pretty damn hardy. Never lost them
to anything except old age or injuries from other tigers.

--
Flash Wilson
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Lowering the tone since 1975.

[AyntRyte]

Justin Boucher wrote:
> Your Barb may have Dropsy.
> According to "The Manual of Fish Health" (Drs Andrews, Exell and Carrington:
> Tetra Press: 1988) Dropsy is characterized by a swollen belly, protruding
> scales, reddening at the vent or base of fins as well as other symptoms
> including pale gills and a "pop-eyed" appearance.
>
> It indicates that treatment is difficult and recommends removing the fish to
> a separate tank providing best food and ideal water quality conditions. A
> borad spectrum antibiotic may also be used. (I know there's stuff on the
> market for dropsy.)
>
> Causes are listed as bacterial and/or viral infections and metabolic or
> nutritional disorders as well as simply being in poor conditions.
>
> You indicated that your tank is still young and cycling. You have 8 fish in
> a 29 gal tank and that you do not have any test kits.
> Cycling takes about 4-6 weeks if conditions are good.
> I believe you have too many fish for cycling a new tank. Also, test kits
> are very critical during this time. I strongly recommend an Ammonia,
> Nitrite (not Nitrate, there's a big differance) and pH test kits.
>
> Due to the amount of fish in your tank, you may need to do partial water
> changes to ease them through the high stresses of a cycling tank. One quick
> way to cycle your tank is if you know someone who already has an established
> tank. If so, ask them if you could have a little bit of their filtering
> media. You are using an UGF so getting a cup or so of gravel from someone
> who already has a running tank using an undergravel filter would be great.
> Don't rinse it and do keep it wet. Just dump it in your tank to get things
> going quickly in the right direction. Doing the partial water change
> routine every other day or so will help lower the toxic levels of ammonia
> and nitrite but it also means extending that 4-6 week period out longer as
> well.
>
> Justin

Thanks Justin.
My experience has been with Oscars, but this is my first aquarium in
about 5 years. I'm conditioning water in a 5 gallon bucket and will use
it in a few hours.

--
\\// Robert