chain loaches

[karl71]

Hi, I've had 6 chain loaches for about 2 months and have noticed that their bellies have developed a small pouch and kind of swollen. Is this quite normal or am I feeding them too much or the wrong type of food. They seem to be active enough and happy. Any help appreciated.

Thanks

[helen nightingale]

would you be able to show us a picture?

what do you feed them and how often?

also, if you are concerns thats its a health problem, can you tell us more about your tank - pH, temperature, harness, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite?

[karl71]

I'm not good at taken photgraphs, Temp is about 24-25c.
I feed them King British pellet catfish food, Prima pellets, daphnia, bloodworm and Aquarian Flakes. Normally about twice a day. I've also got Barbs in the tank who mormally get tto the food first.

[Mad Duff]

Fat bellies on juvenile sidthimunki is very common, they can be absolute pigs and will eat and eat.

I dont think there will be a problem as they are very active and soon work it off

[karl71]

Yeah they are very young and not even an inch long yet. My stats are fine. Do you think I should not feed twice a day? Just out of interest how long do they live for? and how big can they get?

[Mad Duff]

Twice a day is fine maybe just cut down the amount of food a little bit but to be honest I wouldnt worry.

They rarely get over 2.5" and can be fairly long lived, I think the longest I have had one is 6 years and that was already adult size when I got it.

[boggyegg]

wot is best to feed these on,

[piggy4]

Hi Boggy , these wonderful fish will eat a wide range of aquarium foods ,live frozen and dried as long as it is smallish !