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I have had a school of 7 Harlies who had been doing well up until about a week ago. Then, my one female became rather large and bloated looking. I honestly thought she was about to lay eggs or something and didn't really worry about it too much. (I did keep my eye on her though.) Then a couple days ago I needed to leave town for about 2 days (someone was at home to care for my fish, of course). When I returned home my female had died.

Now, I have another Harlie who has become very large and bloated looking.

What immediate action should I take so that he/she doesn't end up dying like my female did? Or is it possible that this is another female about to lay eggs? How do you know the difference? (I think this one could be a female, but I am not 100% sure.) He/she is still eating, swimming with the school, acting normally, etc.

I have heard that frozen blood worms can help if this is a matter of consitpation, is that true? (Unfortunately I do not have any peas in the house at this time, but will definitely be buying some tomorrow.) What are some of the best ways to keep this from happening again?

I have a 20g tank. Ammonia and Nitrite at zero, Nitrate is just under 30. Temperature at 76-77 degrees (F).

Thanks so much to whoever can give me some advice!

I have heard that frozen blood worms can help if this is a matter of consitpation, is that true?

Think you got yourself a bit confused there....peas will help with constipation as they're high in fiber. Most any veggie will work I'm fairly sure. Frozen blood worms are actually bad as they're heavy in protein. Fish can go a few days without food easily, so for now I'd @least hold off on foods.

^_^[hr width='40%']"Cause you can't jump the track,we're like cars on a cable
and life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button girl,
So cradle your head in you hands
And breathe, just breathe..."

Thanks for clearing me up about the bloodworms!

I'm going to hold off on food for tonight, get some peas tomorrow and see how things go. Thanks for the help Babelfish.

neurotica1983

If it is constipation I certainly would used "cooked peas" mine get a mix of pea, corn & carrot regually a few times a week (same time as we have them for a meal) I squash them up and spread them over the tank. Skins and all.

There are several food pellets you can buy that are good constipation. I suggest you use some thing like that in your regular feeding program.

Regardless of all that it pays to have a good variety in all the food you use this helps to maintain healthy fish.

Keith

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I gave my fish some cooked peas/corn/carrots today... Most of them went crazy for it and loved it. However, the one fish I am worried about didn't even seem at all interested in it... Now what am I supposed to do?

Any chance you've got a fry net or qtine tank ready you could put the one in? If you can, then hold off on feeding regular foods to that one and keep trying with the peas . If it is just a matter of constipation it'll get hungry soon enough and will go for the peas. I've had a betta that was even a pea lover after awhile :%). Is he responding to the food @all or ignoring it compleatly? If he is responding than it's possible that garlic, an appatite enhancer, could work added to the pea.

^_^[hr width='40%']"Cause you can't jump the track,we're like cars on a cable
and life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button girl,
So cradle your head in you hands
And breathe, just breathe..."