Can my Powder Brown Tang be obese?

[marc nichols]

I've had a sweet powder brown tang in our sps tank for about 10 days and he is looking kinda porkey! His abdomen has become noticeably larger (thicker) than when I got him and it seems to me, larger than it should be. I have fed him anything he would eat ( which is everything that goes in the tank, he's not picky!) to help him transition and relieve stress, which seems to be non existent.

Should I suspect an intestinal problem? He acts and otherwise looks just fine.

M

 

[biger]

I would watch him closely and make sure he's not constipated. That could be more serious.

 

[marc nichols]

I'm not sure how to ID a constipated fish and what to do if it was. Any suggestions out there?

 

[biger]

Just make sure you see him go cause if he keeps eating and doesn't go that is not good.

 

[JHemdal]

We just saw a recent case here where the person thought their tang was constipated, but it turned out to be kidney failure and the symptom they were reporting was edema, or flooding of the fish's tissues with excess fluids - often fatal. Look back a few days in this forum - they posted a picture of their fish. Edema will result in an overall swelling of the fish, although there is a related issue called ascites which is fluid build-up in just the abdominal area. I believe that is related to liver malfunction. Both are serious, untreatable problems.

Constipation is rare in tangs - in fact I've never routinely seen it in any fish other than fancy goldfish.

Can you post a picture? Since the fish is really eating well, it may just have been underfed prior to your buying it, and what you are seeing is normal.

Of course, this begs the question - powder browns frequently develop Cryptocaryon (Ick), since you have it in a tank with SPS, I'm guessing it wasn't quarantined? Totally unrelated to the issue you reported, but I just thought I'd mention it.....you might want to keep an eye out for white spots.

Jay

 

[marc nichols]

Good information and I will check this out. The Tang looks a little better this morning. I cut back on feeding (no food last night) and just a little this morning. She is actively feeding. Have not noticed bowel movement, though early yesterday there was a large wad of what appeared to be fibrous/nori like material at the anal opening briefly. (I did have nori in the tank for 2 days prior)

Correct, I did not quarantine as I don't have the facility and only two other fish; most focus has been on SPS.

Yes, I have been watching for ick and anything else to develop during this critical acclimatization period. I occasionally see the odd whitish spot, some like ick, some like fungus but only a couple spots and they are gone within the day. My impression is that the fish is fighting off those predatory attacks and so far, successfully. On my part, keeping params on target and limiting my intrusion into the display (other than hand feeding to which she responds).

M