Author Topic: Rainbowfish constipation (Read 12801 times) 26 replies

Beckins · « **on:** June 30, 2020, 05:48:38 PM »

just got home and my rainbow fish is at the top struggling to pass a large poo what do I do???

Littlefish · « **Reply #1 on:** June 30, 2020, 05:56:57 PM »

When you say "struggling" do you mean that the poo is very long and not dropping off?

Beckins · « **Reply #2 on:** June 30, 2020, 05:57:37 PM »

yes hes flapping around at the top of the water with it hanging from him

Littlefish · « **Reply #3 on:** June 30, 2020, 05:59:50 PM »

Normally a long string of poo can be a sign of constipation and/or previous poor diet.
I've seen it with some of my fish, but I've not witnessed them struggling at the same time.
Any chance you can get a picture?

Beckins · « **Reply #4 on:** June 30, 2020, 06:03:46 PM »

here's a pic most of it seems to have dropped but hes still flapping. doesn't look normal either

Littlefish · « **Reply #5 on:** June 30, 2020, 06:07:39 PM »

With the flapping is the fish gasping at the surface, or generally agitated in one area of the tank, or dashing about? Is it trying to rub itself against anything?

With the poo, what colour is it? Did it contain air bubbles?

Is the fish quite pale in general? Are there any signs of illness/infection/fungus/anything?

Have you tested your water parameters?

Littlefish · « **Reply #6 on:** June 30, 2020, 06:08:51 PM »

Is the fish struggling to stay upright?

Beckins · « **Reply #7 on:** June 30, 2020, 06:15:00 PM »

He is struggling to stay upright yes keeps going upside down. kinda looks like he wants to try to swim down sometimes but he cant. Not staying in one place has been all over around the surface. The poo is kinda white/pale brown and stringy looking, not normal. Dont think hes trying to rub against anything hes just at the surface all the time flapping about.

He has got some missing fins on his top edge ...he was like this when I bought him but has been fine for the few weeks I've had him health wise other than that

Beckins · « **Reply #8 on:** June 30, 2020, 06:17:22 PM »

colours look normal on him

nitrite is 0ppm ammonia 0ppm I've not tested nitrates for a couple days but never seen much more than 5ppm

no bubbles in poo

Beckins · « **Reply #9 on:** June 30, 2020, 06:18:51 PM »

Have just started a second course of esha2000 last night....had a few days break inbetween and a water change, not sure if that's relevant or not but all my others seem fine

Littlefish · « **Reply #10 on:** June 30, 2020, 06:22:05 PM »

I'm wondering if the fish has a bit of bloating and/or a swim bladder issue.
Looking at the picture it does look as if the stomach is slightly distended, and being at the top of the tank & struggling to stay upright could also indicate this. It does ten to stress them out as well.
I'm not sure if this could be from over-eating/constipation, or if this is a more serious issue relating to the swim bladder.
I'm going to look for some information as I don't have any experience with these particular fish.
Hopefully some of the others will also be able to offer some advice too.

Beckins · « **Reply #11 on:** June 30, 2020, 06:26:05 PM »

I fed them freeze dried blood worms yesterday, though I always make sure to soak them in tank water for a good time before feeding :/ maybe he ate one that was too big for him? seems to have calmed down a little now and has made a few better efforts to swim downwards but still goes back to the top

Beckins · « **Reply #12 on:** June 30, 2020, 06:29:55 PM »

His belly does looks a bit rounder than my other fish, what can I do about bloating will it sort itself out?

Beckins · « **Reply #13 on:** June 30, 2020, 06:32:45 PM »

Alot calmer and upright now just at the top still :/ better pic here seems to have finished pooping at least

Might stay away from the dried blood worms from now on :-o

Littlefish · « **Reply #14 on:** June 30, 2020, 06:36:58 PM »

At the moment I'd be tempted to think it might be a diet/constipation issue.
I have had individual fish that have been particularly greedy, have eaten more than their share, and ended up with bloated stomachs and constipation.
If you fed the freeze dried bloodworm yesterday I wouldn't have thought soaking them would have been the problem as I would have though the fish would have had issues yesterday if the worms had swollen after eating.
Bloodworms are very popular with most of my fish, so I'd currently guess at over-eating being the possible cause with the issues you're seeing with your fish. The fact that it had managed to poo and has calmed slightly since seems like a good sign.
If it is over-eating/bloating/constipation then it wont hut for the fish not to be fed today/tomorrow, and just keep observing the fish for any further issues. Hopefully things will calm down & return to normal over the next few hours.
I'll make sure I head back to the forum on a regular basis this evening, so please keep us updated on your fish so that we can help if anything develops.

Beckins · « **Reply #15 on:** June 30, 2020, 06:41:34 PM »

The rainbows do always seem to have a good appetite :-o

Prehaps hes just been a piggy then. Hopefully once hes got some strength back he will start to swim back into the tank again :/ has made a couple better attempts ...

These fish are gonna give me grey hair!! Scary to see him flapping about trying to poop

Littlefish · « **Reply #16 on:** June 30, 2020, 06:49:07 PM »

He may still be a bit bloated and may take a while to return to normal.
Over-eating can cause the stomach to press on the swim bladder, causing buoyancy problems.
Keep an eye on him and keep us updated.

fcmf · « **Reply #17 on:** June 30, 2020, 06:51:08 PM »

Yes, absolutely I would think this is a constipation issue - and that was before you mentioned the freeze-dried food which is the likely cause. I would fast the fish for a day or two, then try some pea (shell off, each half chopped into tiny morsels) to induce an intestinal clearout - possibly even trying the pea earlier if the situation deteriorates.

Are all the fish getting the eSHa 2000 treatment? If so, that can be tough on them generally and may interfere with their digestion. Usually, a hospital tank is advised to spare unnecessary treatment for any non-affected fish - a small plastic tank would be ideal but you would need another filter and heater.

Sue · « **Reply #18 on:** June 30, 2020, 07:01:09 PM »

It is possible he has air trapped in his gut. Do these fish usually feed from the surface? Sometimes fish which feed on the surface gulp air in with the food. In these cases, the air passes out again through the anus.

But if this fish dioesn't feed from the surface, that's not the cause here.

Beckins · « **Reply #19 on:** June 30, 2020, 07:16:30 PM »

I was treating the whole tank with esha as thought it might be best to ensure my other fish weren't going to develop any fungus too?

He is pooping again now it looks big :/

My rainbows dont generally go from the top they tend to wait for most of it to start falling, still feed near the surface but occasionally they do go to the very top when they seem extra ravenous and the food hasn't fallen yet.

I do have a spare tank I bought for emergency purposes a fish pod moon 39l for £15 second hand a couple days ago, has built in filter but it's not the best, I do have spare heater too, should I get that set up and take the two tetras out then? Guess the fact it's not cycled doesnt matter so much just for 2 tetra?

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Rainbowfish Constipation

Rainbowfish Constipation

Author Topic: Rainbowfish constipation (Read 12801 times) 26 replies

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