My oranda looks really bloated today. I recently put him onto sinking pellets instead of having to soak flakes etc, is it possible it's just too much food? I will try the pea thing, but if it doesn't work does anyone have any suggestions?
Swollen oranda?
- Thread starter corrieberry
- Start date
Your best bet is to fast him for a day or two, and then try peas to clear the blockage. You can soak the pellets in water before you offer them and that can help. What kind are they?
Kristina
Kristina
I agree with Kristina. It's possible your pellets are expanding once soaked so if your oranda ate a lot of pellets and they expanded inside his stomach, then that definitely causes bloat. In this case, presoak the pellets first before feeding them to the fish.
Thanks - this has to be what it is as he is normal size today. I can't believe I didn't work it out before. Do you think it would help feeding less rather than soaking? That was the whole point in getting the pellets...I love them dearly, but orandas are like looking after a 14 year old arthritic dog or something!
Yes, it could help to feed less but all the same, it would be better to presoak as a precaution to avoid too much air.
If your fish are bloating, it is more likely to be from bacteria in the stomach creating gas than the expansion of the pellets. Unfortunately, very often goldfish cannot efficiently digest many of the land based proteins used in their food. Feeding less at a time is definitely a good move, but you also need to ensure that your fish have enough fiber in their diets to push these things through as well. Are you seeing bubbles in their poo? What kind of food are you feeding, and what are the tank conditions, size, parameters, inhabitants, etc...
