FAT oscar, never poops!

drop some laxettes into the tank , the fish will nibble at it and the crap
will come flowing out...

I`ve never heard of a fish not crapping before...
is it still swimming ok ??
you sure it`s not developing dropsy..

Brad...


"dave" wrote in message
om...
Hi,
Ive got an oscar w/ a problem. He can't poop! Ive had him for a
couple of years now, and have never seen him poop. Occasonially he
cough's and throws up. I asked around and everyone at the local fish
stores thinks Im crazy.. they say he must be going to the bathroom,
and that I just dont see him do it. I keep a very close eye on my
aquarium, and would really know if he was. It was never much of a
problem, and I always had the hope in the back of my mind that I was
wrong, so never did anything about it. Now, he's starting to have
some problems. He has a HUGE buldge just before his vent. It looks
like there is an inch wide marble stuck in his gut. He's also just
kind of looking unhappy and sick lately.
I first noticed the problem because I'd see him hack and throw up
about once a week. I payed close attention to him and noticed that he
never went to the bathroom. At that time I tried all kinds of
medications and salt water dips, and just about everything my local
pet store would sell me, and nothing has made any difference. I
haven't seen him throw up in weeks now, and the buldge on his
underside just keeps getting bigger. Im afraid he may pop!
Does anyone have any ideas of what could be wrong? Could he have
something stuck in him blocking him up? if thats the case, is it
possible to have surgery on a fish??

Thanks

Hi,
I am really 100% serious... I think he has gone over a year w/out
going to the bathroom.. He used to hack really bad and make himself
throw up to cycle the food out of his stomach. Now that he isn't
doing that anymore, he's developing that buldge.
I will look up droopsy and see what other symptoms there are. His
scales are still smooth and flat on his body, and he's always seemed
pretty healthy otherwise.
I cought him in a net last night and touched the buldge.. it is very
soft, almost like a plastic bag w/ water in it.
Personally, I think he's got a blockage, or a genetic problem, like
his vent can't open. He is in a 75 gallan planted aquarium w/ a few
other cichlids, who are all very healthy.
Ill try the epsom salts.. can't hurt!
Any more thoughts on the matter would be appreciated.

dave,

I am really 100% serious... I think he has gone over a year w/out
going to the bathroom.. He used to hack really bad and make himself
throw up to cycle the food out of his stomach. Now that he isn't
doing that anymore, he's developing that buldge.

I'm sorry. While you may be 100% serious, this is simply not possible. I
would have an easier time believing he had not eating for over a year. What
goes in must come out. It's as simple as that.

Any more thoughts on the matter would be appreciated.

I've read that feeding fish too much of one thing can cause constipation
(although, again, not on the scale you described). You might recheck what
you are feeding him and the quality of that food. Maybe it's time for a
change?

Jonathan