Is my dottyback sick...or just fat?

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Hey guys, I'm trying to decide if my dottyback is sick (perhaps a bowel obstruction?) or just fat? He's got a pretty bloated stomach, but behavior is normal. He eats and swims around like everything is fine.

Here are some pics:

 

[KrisReef]

I could post some pictures of my significant other and ask the same question.

Curious to see how others answer this one.

Description of behavior seems normal?

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I could post some pictures of my significant other and ask the same question.

LOLOL!

Description of behavior seems normal?

Yep. He swims around the whole tank grazes like normal off the rocks. Eats when the tank is fed. Swims over and stares at me through the glass. All normal behavior.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

@Jay Hemdal #fishmedics

 

[Sharkbait19]

Does the swelling ever go away/get reduced? Does it overeat at feeding time? Have you seen it pooping?
I’m inclined to say it’s just fat, my royal gramma is the same way.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Does the swelling ever go away/get reduced? Does it overeat at feeding time? Have you seen it pooping?
I’m inclined to say it’s just fat, my royal gramma is the same way.

I honestly hadn't noticed until today.

I haven't noticed it pooping, but I haven't watched for that either. Only fish I've seen poop lately was my wrasse, but that was because he had a man-sized poop that I figured he was probably proud of.

It is reassuring that it might just be a fat fish. I'll watch for pooping today.

 

[fishguy242]

Let us know how everything comes out...

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Let us know how everything comes out...

Hopefully it all...comes out...effortlessly. Haha!

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hey guys, I'm trying to decide if my dottyback is sick (perhaps a bowel obstruction?) or just fat? He's got a pretty bloated stomach, but behavior is normal. He eats and swims around like everything is fine.

Here are some pics:

Given the pretty consistent symmetrical nature of the swelling, I think you can rule out an intestinal blockage. If you haven’t recently really overfed the tank, I would say this is probably unreleased eggs. This can sometimes become an issue if they harden and cannot be released, but most often, they just release them into the water at some point.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Given the pretty consistent symmetrical nature of the swelling, I think you can rule out an intestinal blockage. If you haven’t recently really overfed the tank, I would say this is probably unreleased eggs. This can sometimes become an issue if they harden and cannot be released, but most often, they just release them into the water at some point.

I did wonder if it might be eggs. I don't have a mate for it, but I guess that doesn't necessarily matter?

 

[PharmrJohn]

I could post some pictures of my significant other and ask the same question.

Dude!!!! LOL

 

[KrisReef]

Dude!!!! LOL

Just to be fair I am not in fighting shape either.

I don’t know how the fish will fare but God had his eyes on us and He knows who is full of eggs and He knows who is full with other stuff.

I am pretty sure I’m in the Other category.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I did wonder if it might be eggs. I don't have a mate for it, but I guess that doesn't necessarily matter?

Correct, eggs are produced male or not. In fact, non-releasing of eggs may be more common in fish that don’t have a mate to sort of create normal egg deposition. I see it most often in dottybacks mandarins and then coldwater sculpins.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Correct, eggs are produced male or not. In fact, non-releasing of eggs may be more common in fish that don’t have a mate to sort of create normal egg deposition. I see it most often in dottybacks mandarins and then coldwater sculpins.

How long should it take for the eggs to be dispersed? When should I worry about a problem?

 

[MnFish1]

I could post some pictures of my significant other and ask the same question.

Curious to see how others answer this one.

Description of behavior seems normal?

If the fish is acting normal, etc - I would not do anything - assuming nothing new was added, etc. Fish can have diseases unrelated to parasites, etc - curable issues. And they also have short life spans. PS - agree with the potential of eggs - which IME - are resorbed or expelled. Either way, there is not much to do about it if it is eggs

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

How long should it take for the eggs to be dispersed? When should I worry about a problem?

Good question - I don’t know exactly. If the fish remains swollen for a month, I’d say then that the eggs have “set” and won’t be released.

 

[KrisReef]

Let us know how everything comes out...

Pm those who want a BM report. I’m ok without that nonsense

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Well... I never saw the relief happen, but tonight it seems he's back to normal (albeit well-fed) proportions... I'm guessing everything did, in fact, "come out" alright.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Looks like a little chubby to me. They will eat constant of food is present

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Just an update that Lord Tengen (that's the neon dottyback's name because we're Demon Slayer fans and he's...flashy) is doing great! He does get that super stuffed look occasionally, but it lasts a few hours until we see him looking "relieved." He eats like a pig (and then seems to poop accordingly) and is a great part of our reef tank.