Tropical Fish Forum

Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => Fish Health => Topic started by: brecon on February 20, 2013, 09:18:18 PM

Title: Golden Barbs look overweight
Post by: brecon on February 20, 2013, 09:18:18 PM
Hi,

I have just been given 4 x Golden Barbs, they are healthy and free from any visible problems except that they look overweight. Their scales are not raised but they do look a little barrel shaped and not as I have seen them being sold. Never had these before so have no prior knowledge of what they should be like. They are all quarantined as a safeguard for my other tanks. Any thoughts appreciated.
Title: Re: Golden Barbs look overweight
Post by: ColinB on February 21, 2013, 07:23:29 AM
Can you get a picture - it's a bit difficult just from a description.
Title: Re: Golden Barbs look overweight
Post by: Sue on February 21, 2013, 09:40:18 AM
If you were given them, did the previous owner overfeed? Maybe feed them lightly in the QT for a few days and see if they slim down.

And I agree about the pic  :)
Title: Re: Golden Barbs look overweight
Post by: brecon on February 21, 2013, 09:02:44 PM
Hi. Thanks I will try posting a photo tomorrow.
Title: Re: Golden Barbs look overweight
Post by: brecon on February 22, 2013, 11:12:33 AM
Hi

Please see attached images of the barbs.

Thanks
Title: Re: Golden Barbs look overweight
Post by: ColinB on February 22, 2013, 12:10:27 PM
They're not all 'pine-cone' like with their scales sticking out - which is bad.

They look a bit like this:

(http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Minnow385.jpg)

...rather than this:
(http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/fish-pictures/golden-barb-1303849105-800.jpg)

... but perhaps they've been over-fed like Sue said. Are they active and eager to feed?
Title: Re: Golden Barbs look overweight
Post by: brecon on February 22, 2013, 03:54:32 PM
Hi Colin

Thanks, they are like the first image no pine cone effect, eating well and have tried them on very small quantities of flake and a few bloodworm that they quickly ate. Great looking fish, and they came to me with some 2 x Kribs (Breeding pair with 5 babies), 5 x swordtails 4 x neons, 2 x Rummynose, 2 x Black Phantoms, 2 x Julli Cory, 2 x Salt and Pepper Cory and a really beautiful Clown Plec. They came via a friend who had a neighbour who was just going to throw them away as their son had left home and not bothered to look after them. I threw and absolute fit when I heard and asked if I could have them rather than let them be destroyed. They are now enjoying my hospital tank at the moment and I am keeping them there just in case of any hidden diseases or issues. Have never tried to get fish to slim down before so I will keep you posted. Luckily with what I have in my other tanks I think I can transfer them to my other tanks when I know they are healthy. Normally have my tanks at about 60% capacity with oversized filters so I might have to think about another tank.  Thanks to you and Sue