|
|
Fat Zebra Danio, Egg bound or illness?
I've had 2 healthy Zebras for over 2 years in a heavily planted 6
gallon tank (with 2 cardinal tetras and 2 rasboras.) One was always chubby and the other slim, so I assumed I had a male and a female, although I have never seen any evidence of spawning (except for the first week I had them, when they were the only 2 in there I saw a couple of zebra fry in the tank). So here it is 2 years later and "male" now has a huge belly bigger than the "emales. He/she is acting normal and does not have the "pine cone" scales, which I've read indicate dropsy. Eggbound female or sick (or fat) male? Can't be a female, can it? Could it have taken 2 years for it to become reproductively mature and start producing eggs? So it must be a male and he's either got some disease or is just a fat load. Perhaps a parasite? I've read that 2 years is pretty long life for zebras, so maybe he is not sick and is just getting a big spare tire in his old age? Thanks. |
Fat Zebra Danio, Egg bound or illness?
On Mar 3, 10:06�pm, "avgeek21" wrote:
I've had 2 healthy Zebras for over 2 years in a heavily planted 6 gallon tank (with 2 cardinal tetras and 2 rasboras.) One was always chubby and the other slim, so I assumed I had a male and a female, although I have never seen any evidence of spawning (except for the first week I had them, when they were the only 2 in there I saw a couple of zebra fry in the tank). *So here it is 2 years later and "male" now has a huge belly bigger than the "emales. *He/she is acting normal and does not have the "pine cone" scales, which I've read indicate dropsy. *Eggbound female or sick (or fat) male? *Can't be a female, can it? *Could it have taken 2 years for it to become reproductively mature and start producing eggs? *So it must be a male and he's either got some disease or is just a fat load. Perhaps a parasite? *I've read that 2 years is pretty long life for zebras, so maybe he is not sick and is just getting a big spare tire in his old age? * *Thanks. Hi there. Just so you are aware, but not saying this is what your "male" has, but Dropsy symptoms don't always include the pinecone look. Dropsy isn't an actual disease in it's self, but a symptom. It's swelling inside the body from excess fluid build up. How's your water change schedule? How much do you change and how often? Were there any new fish added recently? |
Fat Zebra Danio, Egg bound or illness?
It's a 6 gallon tank and I change 2 gallons every 2 weeks. Even with
all the plants, with 6 fish my nitrate level does run in the 45-50 range and I've always worried about that, but the fish seem to do fine. I have not changed or added anything recently so I think I can rule out a parasite. I looked closely and noticed that one Harlequin rasbora (over 1 year old) is also looking a little pudgy. Thanks for the help. |
Fat Zebra Danio, Egg bound or illness?
On Mar 4, 7:19�am, "avgeek21" wrote:
It's a 6 gallon tank and I change 2 gallons every 2 weeks. *Even with all the plants, with 6 fish my nitrate level does run in the 45-50 range and I've always worried about that, but the fish seem to do fine. *I have not changed or added anything recently so I think I can rule out a parasite. *I looked closely and noticed that one Harlequin rasbora (over 1 year old) is also looking a little pudgy. *Thanks for the help. Your problem most likely is not enough water changes. Start doing a 20% water change weekly. You say your fish seem to be doing fine, yet they aren't. They are showing Dropsy symptoms which the #1 cause is poor water conditions. Sorry if that sounds harsh, (not trying to be). You may have heard of "New tank syndrome", well there's also "Old tank syndrome" where the nitrates get too high and start killing off fish. |
Fat Zebra Danio, Egg bound or illness?
Your problem most likely is not enough water changes.
Start doing a 20% water change weekly. You say your fish seem to be doing fine, yet they aren't. They are showing Dropsy symptoms which the #1 cause is poor water conditions. Sorry if that sounds harsh, (not trying to be). You may have heard of "New tank syndrome", well there's also "Old tank syndrome" where the nitrates get too high and start killing off fish. I'll do that, thanks. The zebra died last night and the one rasbora's belly is slowly getting bigger. Is there anyhting I can do in the short term for this fish? In addition to more frequent water changes, would using an antibiotic, lke Maracyn-Two, do anything for this ailment? I still have 4 other "healthy" fish in the tank. Should I isolate the bulging rasbora? |
| All times are GMT +1. The time now is 05:11 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
FishKeepingBanter.com