Author Topic: BLOAT!  (Read 3449 times)

Offline JeffroM

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BLOAT!
« on: February 27, 2013, 08:23:49 PM »
Dang it.  My Tropheus have bloat.  Probably a result of overfeeding.   I lost one of the Red Rainbows and 3 more don't look good.  :'(

I did a major water change and treated with Metronidazole.  I will also do another water change and Metronidazole treatment on Friday / Saturday.  Any other things I need to do?
I used to be a people person... but people ruined that for me.

Offline jamarini

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Re: BLOAT!
« Reply #1 on: February 27, 2013, 08:53:42 PM »
If they truly have bloat, once they've stopped feeding, it's usually lights out.  If you got the metro treatment going soon enough, you do have some chance.  Changing water and metro treatments are the best approach I know but the odds are not high that they'll recover.  The only other thing to consider is reducing stress on the fish while you're treating them.  Not knowing how many fish are in the tank, it would be better for those unaffected (so far) be removed to limit their exposure but if the unaffected fish are significantly more numerous, that may be a problem.

Had you changed anything in their feeding routine, other than potentially overfeeding them.  Increased male agression recently?  I've had a little experience with tropheus getting bloat but never from simply overfeeding them.  Sometimes after overfeeding tropheus, especially on dry foods, they can swell up and appear to have bloat but starving them for a couple days will take care of the problem if they don't actually have bloat.  Do your fish have all the typical symptoms including cowering in the upper corners of the tank, gasping and uninterested in eating?

Offline Marty

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Re: BLOAT!
« Reply #2 on: February 27, 2013, 08:59:03 PM »
You could add some epsom salt to the water.  Other than that, feed them some Thera A occasionally to help clean them out.

Offline theoryguru

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Re: BLOAT!
« Reply #3 on: February 27, 2013, 09:50:24 PM »
Sorry to hear, hope things improve.

As Marty noted epsom salt along with a couple days of 'fasting' is one method people had success with.
I'm bloat phobic and the reason why I only stick to one type food.  Only recently I started to add spirulina flakes [knock on wood].

Good luck.

Offline JeffroM

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Re: BLOAT!
« Reply #4 on: March 06, 2013, 08:17:58 PM »
I lost 4 of the 10 Red Rainbows and I don't believe I lost any of the little duboisi maswa or Kachese.  It could have been much worse.  I believe everything is back to normal in the tank.  No signs of bloat and everyone is eating.

Totally my fault for over feeding.   :-[
I used to be a people person... but people ruined that for me.

Offline linuxrulesusa

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Re: BLOAT!
« Reply #5 on: March 06, 2013, 08:37:03 PM »
I lost 4 of the 10 Red Rainbows and I don't believe I lost any of the little duboisi maswa or Kachese.  It could have been much worse.  I believe everything is back to normal in the tank.  No signs of bloat and everyone is eating.

Totally my fault for over feeding.   :-[

How do you gauge overfeeding and was this something specific to tropheus?
« Last Edit: March 06, 2013, 09:02:57 PM by linuxrulesusa »

Offline Nick

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Re: BLOAT!
« Reply #6 on: March 06, 2013, 08:53:14 PM »
I lost 4 of the 10 Red Rainbows and I don't believe I lost any of the little duboisi maswa or Kachese.  It could have been much worse.  I believe everything is back to normal in the tank.  No signs of bloat and everyone is eating.

Totally my fault for over feeding.   :-[
[/quote

How do you gauge overfeeding and was this something specific to tropheus?

Tropheus are more prone to it because of their intestinal track but other fish can suffer from it as well.

First of all your fish should always act hungry. If they are not really excited to eat, you are feeding too much. With Tropheus its hard to gauge that though because they always, always always look hungry and are more susceptible to over feeding. My personal rule is no more than they can eat in 30 seconds...If I went by the 1-2min. rule I have read and heard people say my tropheus would surely be dead and my other fish would have some swollen bellies. I feed 1-3 times a day and no more than the in inhabitants of the tank can eat in 30 seconds.
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Offline Nick

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Re: BLOAT!
« Reply #7 on: March 06, 2013, 08:56:44 PM »
I lost 4 of the 10 Red Rainbows and I don't believe I lost any of the little duboisi maswa or Kachese.  It could have been much worse.  I believe everything is back to normal in the tank.  No signs of bloat and everyone is eating.

Totally my fault for over feeding.   :-[

Sorry to hear Jeff. I have always feared of doing the same to my fish. It wont help if its obvious overfeeding and I don't know if it works at all but about every third week or so I soak one of my tropheus feedings in a bowl with a pinch of metro. Let it soak in for 15-20min and then feed them. I have no idea of this works or not but metro is so safe it wont do any damage....makes me feel good at least.
Nothing but a few empty tanks.

Offline Ron

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Re: BLOAT!
« Reply #8 on: March 06, 2013, 10:02:40 PM »
To avoid overfeeding my tropheus I fed them what I thought might be on the low side initially. If their stomachs start to concave slightly, then feed a bit more gradually until they are looking good. Now you've better identified the proper amount IMO.

Also, more small feedings are better than 1-2 large feedings if possible. Their intestinal tract is long and it takes them a while to break down food. Feeding a lot at once increases a chance of a blockage causing bloat IMO. I also avoid feeding them right before lights out. I've read elsewhere it wasn't a good idea and know it isn't good for people, so why do it to our fish?

I also fast them a day every week or two. In the wild food isn't always plentiful and giving them a day off is good IMO. If anyone disagrees, I've read that Ad Konings does it as well. Would you disagree with him?  ;D
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Offline NorthernAquatic

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Re: BLOAT!
« Reply #9 on: March 07, 2013, 12:15:37 AM »
I feed every other day, except for fry. I have never had a problem.
I once caught a fish this big,  ><((((º>   Shown Actual Size

Offline Nick

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Re: BLOAT!
« Reply #10 on: March 07, 2013, 04:10:48 PM »

I also fast them a day every week or two. In the wild food isn't always plentiful and giving them a day off is good IMO. If anyone disagrees, I've read that Ad Konings does it as well. Would you disagree with him?  ;D

I actually do the fasting as well...More on a totally random basis though. Every now and then I just dont feed them. Usually once every 10 days I bet. 
Nothing but a few empty tanks.