Loaches Online Forum

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

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?

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.

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

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?

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.

wot is best to feed these on,

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