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About Nathan
Expertise
I can answer all questions related to freshwater aquariums. If I am not available because I am maxed out, you can find me on the Aquarium Plants category. Fish care, fish behavior, feeding, breeding, and diseases are my specialty. To be specific, I am most familiar (though I am familiar with most species) with Livebearers, Tetras, Barbs, Danios, Loaches, Goldfish, Angelfish (freshwater), Catfish (corydoras, plecos, etc.), Bettas, shrimp, and even snails. I can help out with new tank setups, the cycling process (nitrogen cycle), acclimation of fish, and general care. I can also answer questions regarding many species of freshwater plants, including fish compatibility with plants. Additionally, I can lend a hand when it comes to aquarium support equipment questions, such as those regarding filters, heaters, lighting, and thermometers. Questions about aquarium water conditioners and products are also accepted. I will try to answer your question to the best of my abilities, and if I do not know an answer, I will do my best to find out. I do not have much experience in saltwater aquariums, or pressurized CO2 systems, so I cannot answer any such questions. Best wishes, and good luck to your fish!

Experience
I have kept freshwater fish tanks for many years, and I am experienced with a variety of different freshwater species and invertebrates, such as Tetras, Barbs, Loaches, Danios, Livebearers, Cichlids, Goldfish, Bettas, Catfish, Shrimp, and Snails. I have helped people set up aquariums, and I am very familiar with aquarium products and equipment. I have also bred many fish, and I always care for my fish in the best way possible. What makes a good home for tropical fish? Well, all tropical fish, like guppies and Bettas, require filters, heaters, and a good-sized tank. Healthy fish should be actively swimming and feeding, with defined fins and clear eyes. Take a random check of some of your fish daily, to make sure they're thriving!

Education/Credentials
I own an extensive collection of aquarium-related books and magazines, and have read all about, and I am experienced in, many aspects of humane and proper fishkeeping. Through these books and other articles, from reliable internet sources, and from personal experience with fish, I have a thorough knowledge of freshwater aquariums, fish, and freshwater plant species.

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Pet Fish > Freshwater Aquarium > What is the cause of my guppy getting fat?

Freshwater Aquarium - What is the cause of my guppy getting fat?

Expert: Nathan - 11/4/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have a female guppy that's a little fat. I took it out of the tank and put it in a goldfish bowl. I didn't feed it for a day. The next day it's stomach was normal.

Then I put it back in the tank. I then fed all my fish, fish food during the afternoon and green peas at night for a few days. Now I think that guppy got a little fat again.

If it was infected with bacteria or a parasite would it's belly have gotten back to normal like that during fasting?

ANSWER: Hi Dipan,

You're worrying too much! It's perfectly natural for a fish's stomach to become bigger when you take it home from the pet store. Think about it - in a pet store, the small handful of food gets competed by about 40 guppies at once - much different from that quantity you have at home!

Don't worry at all. Your Guppy is OK. Unless it looks like it's going to explode, you're fine. If it looks very big, then there's a possibility of it being pregnant. Guppies are probably the easiest fish to breed. As long as there are two fish, then there's a good chance that one could be pregnant!

On a side note: NEVER EVER put anything into a Goldfish bowl, no matter what. Not even sick fish. It's a one - way trip to fish heaven. Nothing can survive without a filter. If you put a fish into a bowl, expect it to die. Just a friendly reminder!

Good Luck, and Happy Fishkeeping!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: So you don't think that guppy has swim bladder disease? I would like to discuss the guppy with you more to make sure it's okay. When my guppy swims downward it looks different than the way the other fish swim downward. It lowers its head and swims downward and looks like it has to push itself a little. It needs no effort to float back up to the top of the water like something is holding it up at the surface.

It can be seen this way. A balloon needs something to pull it down but can easily float back up in the air because the air is keeping it floating.

Also I have two neon tetras. One has something tiny on the bottom part of its lip and the other one's eyes are a little cloudy.

I noticed this on them about two weeks ago. I don't know if the first tetra's lower lip is just like that or if it has some kind of parasite on it.

What are signs I should look for in the first neon that it has any of the following? Worms, gill flukes, leeches, gyrodactylus, trichodina, or multicellular external parasites?

The second tetra, you have to look closely to see that it has a little white on its eyes. I read on the internet that eye cloud can clear up if you do water changes. If it doesn't clear up, then to treat it. I have always done weekly water changes of 3.5 gallons (13.2489413 liters) in my 12 gallon tank (45.4249416 liters). Anyway it looks like its eyes are improving. What signs should I look for to decide whether to treat it or not for eye cloud? Thanks

Answer
Hi Dipan,

That description DOES seem like Swim Bladder Disease. I couldn't tell from your first question because it simply says that it was fat and you put it in a bowl. Fish that have problems swimming to the bottom, but float back up, have a problem with their swim bladder. Try feeding some more peas. If that does not work, then try using an antibacterial medication, which you'll need anyways, for your other fish.

The eye cloud can be treated with the same antibacterial medication. If you do not treat it, the fish may go blind in one eye. The lip does not seem like a parasite, but rather, an injury, that may become infected with bacteria.

All you need to do for your tank would be to treat it with an anti-bacterial medication, such as Maracyn, Tetracycline, Erythromycin, Sera Baktopur, etc.

Perform a 40% water change first and remove the carbon from your filter.

Good luck!

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