HELP!!! BN bloat, or filled with eggs?

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tropics007

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Jul 26, 2008
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Wilmington, NC
I was doing a water change, and seen the pleco come out of a piece of driftwood. My mouth dropped when I seen it's belly. It looks like it ate a golfball.

It's breathing and appetite is normal.

The pleco is around 2.5-3"+ in size, and does have small bristles. I have heard that some female plecos may have bristles too. It is in a tank with 8 other bn plecos. ( confirmed 3m, 2f and all the rest are unsexed).

Do you think it has bloat, or is possibly pregnant?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

1st picture flash, 2nd picture no flash.


 

pinkertd

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May 29, 2007
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Any way you can get a clearer picture? That pleco doesn't look full of eggs. Somethings wrong.
 

pinkertd

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Could be bloat, do you have epsom salts?
 

tropics007

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Jul 26, 2008
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Wilmington, NC
Could be bloat, do you have epsom salts?

yes I do. I try to keep about one of everything on hand. ( just in case...)

On another forum I was just told to transfer the pleco into a isolation tank, and add epsom salt.

When I do, should I use the plecos tank water, new water, etc.?

I just don't want to overstress the fish out.
 

pinkertd

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Put it in an isolation tank with water from that tank. I use 1 tablespoon of epsom salts per 10 gallons. If there's no results in 4 hours, you can add another 1 tablespoon per 10 gallons. It's worth a shot, and won't harm the pleco in any way.
 

tropics007

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Jul 26, 2008
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Wilmington, NC
Put it in an isolation tank with water from that tank. I use 1 tablespoon of epsom salts per 10 gallons. If there's no results in 4 hours, you can add another 1 tablespoon per 10 gallons. It's worth a shot, and won't harm the pleco in any way.
Thanks. The pleco is a a seperate tank, and I just added the epsom salt.

Will update again tomorrow to let you know how the pleco is doing.

Thanks so much for your help.
 

Bubbles2112

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Jun 22, 2008
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Yikes! Any info on how your pleco is doing? Hope all is well with it now.
 
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