View Single Post
  #10  
Old 09/15/2005, 09:17 AM
uberfugu uberfugu is offline
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Oak/SF Bay Area
Posts: 327
Bloating is usually caused by:

1) Ingestion of air, but this usually only happens when the fish is removed (netted from the tank). In my experience, they've all burped out the air quite quickly and it hasn't been a long-term issue. You can hold the frogfish underwater, with his head pointed towards the surface and give a GENTLE shake. This may dislodge any trapped air.

2) Your fish could be female and gravid. She will eject her egg raft within 24 hours, male or no male.

3) Excess food. I try to limit my larger (3"+) anglers to 2 feedings of a silverside or two a week. They will eat much more if the food is available but they become more prone to hunger strikes. They can go a week or two without eating if they are healthy. Often, the bloating will subside after a few days as food is digested.

4) Infection. Bloating in frogfish often accompanies cryptocaryon and amyloodinium. Whether it is from the treatment that kills intestinal fauna or simply a case of the animals digestive system shutting down, I do not know. But this kind of bloating from decomposition (be it food or frogfish tissue itself) is usually terminal.