Mandarin Dragonet Bloated or Getting Fat

[SeaHorseQueen]

Hi, does it look like he’s bloated? I’ve been feeding him a lot of fresh bbs, copepods from culture tank, and frozen foods along with the other fish. I’ve been trying to fatten him up more but he kind of looks bloated to me? Or does he look like he’s putting good weight on? I know they should be well rounded. He’s very active and doesn’t like his picture taken so they’re not supper clear.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Hi, does it look like he’s bloated? I’ve been feeding him a lot of fresh bbs, copepods from culture tank, and frozen foods along with the other fish. I’ve been trying to fatten him up more but he kind of looks bloated to me? Or does he look like he’s putting good weight on? I know they should be well rounded. He’s very active and doesn’t like his picture taken so they’re not supper clear.

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It's a male it does look well fed recently, don't worry it will go down but yes it looks like a full belly, and a happy fish

 

[SeaHorseQueen]

It's a male it does look well fed recently, don't worry it will go down but yes it looks like a full belly, and a happy fish

Thank you. That makes me feel a lot better knowing he's not just bloating like he's getting sick. He constantly hunts. Last night, I put in probably enough for a highly concentrated 16oz bottle. I use a 40 micron sieve so I have to watch how much to culture. I still need get a 200 micron sieve just for adult copepods.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi, does it look like he’s bloated? I’ve been feeding him a lot of fresh bbs, copepods from culture tank, and frozen foods along with the other fish. I’ve been trying to fatten him up more but he kind of looks bloated to me? Or does he look like he’s putting good weight on? I know they should be well rounded. He’s very active and doesn’t like his picture taken so they’re not supper clear.

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These guys will feed all day if a food source is available. While it looks full, keep an eye on it to assure its just that and not liver or constipation issue

 

[SeaHorseQueen]

His spike just started growing and just found out they start growing them 6-8 months old. I didn't know how old he even was since he was bought from an LFS. I've had him since October 29th. Kind of nice to know I have one about a year old now and not an older one with an unknown age. No damage to his top fin either so it aligns with the timeline and his size.

 

[SeaHorseQueen]

These guys will feed all day if a food source is available. While it looks full, keep an eye on it to assure its just that and not liver or constipation issue

How do I know if it's liver or constipation verses a full belly? He has constant food supply.

 

[vetteguy53081]

How do I know if it's liver or constipation verses a full belly? He has constant food supply.

really by reducing food availability and see if it thins. If internal issue as mentioned, fish would slow down with feeding and poop white.

 

[DaJMasta]

I don't think he looks especially bloated - maybe well fed but it hasn't filled out the back section entirely yet, but if gets any more pronounced it may be good cause for concern.

As a side note, a female with eggs will frequently look this 'swollen' or more, but I don't usually see males proportioned like this in the long term.

 

[SeaHorseQueen]

I don't think he looks especially bloated - maybe well fed but it hasn't filled out the back section entirely yet, but if gets any more pronounced it may be good cause for concern.

As a side note, a female with eggs will frequently look this 'swollen' or more, but I don't usually see males proportioned like this in the long term.

He was like this only today. He might be different tonight after I get off work since they're like humming birds. I put enough to last nearly a week but I will keep an eye on the population as it goes. I was trying to culture the tigger pods in the culture tank so I tried to leave as many in there as possible. There's an explosion of copepods in there that it nearly blocked the sieve taking half the culture water out to feed him last night. So I'm betting he may have gorged himself last night. I've never seen him with a rounded belly like this. If he was a female, I'd have my bets on eggs but I'm betting just a full belly. I need to pick up a bottle of selcon for the bbs and frozen foods. I have probably 5-7 types of frozen that the fish are ignoring since I release the live BBS. Crabs are definitely not running out things to eat. I'm hoping the mandarin is eating some of the frozen that fell in that I bought directly for him since the two clowns are going nuts for the live that they're chasing the copepods a little bit too. I may just go ahead and culture my own frozen BBS and do it that way.