I Think My Fish Are Constipated...

[Cyclsnipas]

I have a Harlequin Rasbora and Cardinal Tetra that appear to be bloated from constipation.

I feed them Cobalt Comm. flakes, Frozen Bloodworms and Fluval Bug Bites.

I've been feeding the flake food for years with occasional bloodworms as treats, however I've only started feeding the Bug Bites in the past week or 2. I believe these may be the issue so I stopped feeding them.

In the meantime, I've fed them mashed up peas in hopes of relieving the blockage.

I'm looking to change there diet completely and would love recommendations for high quality foods that contain the necessary ingredients to promote digestion health. Thanks!

 

[DutchAquarium]

hikari is one of the top brands out their along with cobalt.

 

[Cyclsnipas]

hikari is one of the top brands out their along with cobalt.

Is Cobalt considered high quality? I wasn't sure. I'm looking for food that contains the necessary fibers to prevent digestion issues.

 

[AdamS]

I’m not sure on what ingredients aid in fish digestion but I know when looking at the ingredients list in fish foods, Omega 1 seems like it would be hard to beat. It’s main ingredients are whole fish instead of fish meals which I’ve always thought would be better. I feed it to all my fish along with shrimp and bloodworms and I’ve never had issues.

 

[Cyclsnipas]

I’m not sure on what ingredients aid in fish digestion but I know when looking at the ingredients list in fish foods, Omega 1 seems like it would be hard to beat. It’s main ingredients are whole fish instead of fish meals which I’ve always thought would be better. I feed it to all my fish along with shrimp and bloodworms and I’ve never had issues.

Thanks. I'll look into Omega 1.

 

[Seth15]

In my opinion cobalt is a good quality food, some formulas are even specially formulated to aid in fish digestive health.

As far as your current issue with possibly constipated fish, make sure the temperature is correct and yes you are right, mashed de-shelled peas will help. Also fasting your fish once a week wouldn't be a bad idea.

Hope i helped.

 

[Cyclsnipas]

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately I lost the harlequin but the cardinal is ok. So the pea helped at least one.

I figured Cobalt was quality, been feeding it for a while with no issues. The issues started after feeding the Bug Bites. I'm gonna cut back on feeding those for sure.

My question is how does water temp affect this situation? What is a correct temp?

 

[75g Discus Tank]

I would make homemade food.

My food is kinda like a mush so is very soft and easy to digest. I also put peas in mine so none of my fish get bloat.

 

[Cyclsnipas]

I would make homemade food.

My food is kinda like a mush so is very soft and easy to digest. I also put peas in mine so none of my fish get bloat.

Do u have a recipe? Being a DIY kinda person (im building my own Co2 reactor) I wouldn't mind trying at making my own food.

 

[75g Discus Tank]

Do u have a recipe? Being a DIY kinda person (im building my own Co2 reactor) I wouldn't mind trying at making my own food.

I forgot how much I put in the food, but the ingredients that I used were:
green beans
peas
carrots
romaine lettuce
garlic
earthworms
shrimp
tilapia
grinded pellets

 

[Cyclsnipas]

Do you just mash it together? Make it into a gelatin? Dry it out? Freeze it? Im very interested.

 

[Seth15]

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately I lost the harlequin but the cardinal is ok. So the pea helped at least one.

I figured Cobalt was quality, been feeding it for a while with no issues. The issues started after feeding the Bug Bites. I'm gonna cut back on feeding those for sure.

My question is how does water temp affect this situation? What is a correct temp?

Temperature affects this situation directly. If the temperature is too low the fish won't be able to properly digest their food. The correct temp range would be from 74-79 Fahrenheit.

 

[Deniz Wilson]

Do you just mash it together? Make it into a gelatin? Dry it out? Freeze it? Im very interested.

I used to do that but now I use Glucomannan Powder made from konjac root, it is commonly sold as a weight loss powder, it is very good 1 teaspoon will gel one cup of liquid and the fish eat it. It requires no heating or cooling to gel.