Huge Serpae Tetra, is something wrong??

Question

I have 6 serpae tetra in a 120 gallon with other fish. I noticed last night that one of the tetras belly is absolutely huge, close to marble size round. None of the fish seem unhealthy in the tank and I know females tend to be fatter looking then the males, but I want to ask anyway just in case. Could she have eggs or be sick or is she just a fat tetra? I've had them for about 6 weeks now.

This particular tetra really does still look healthy, she is eating plenty still has good color and everything. She really doesn't act like a sick fish. It's just that I've never had any fish before that got pregnant or had eggs so I wasn't expecting it and wanted to check on here. I'm guessing she really is just getting more food then the others or has eggs.

Answer 1

Aardvark is correct. There's not enough info to make a positive diagnosis. Dropsy is a possibility, but the scales will be sticking out away from the body - you fish would resemble a pine cone.

This could also be bloat or a swim bladder problem. If it's a female, it could be heavy with eggs, or it could just be a little larger and more aggressive of a feeder that your others (it's fat!).

I'll provide a few websites with info and photos of the disorders. You can look these over and see if this matches one of the disorders. Look at several before deciding a diagnosis and treatment. If you have more questions, you can post again, or come bact with an addition here.

http://www.fishdeals.com/fish_diseases/stressdisease.shtml
http://www.fishlore.com/Disease.htm
http://www.goldfishinfo.com/diagram.htm
http://www.goldfishinfo.com/ailment1.htm
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=16&cat=1791&articleid=3313

Answer 2

Since there is no picture of the fish a definitive diagnosis cant be made here (Ellan). But I do suggest you separate the fish until you are sure what's going on. A fish with dropsy will be acting different than normal and since you say they seem fine I'm leaning towards fat, or carrying eggs.

Answer 3

That fish is very ill. It's called DROPSY.
You should isolated it and sorry to say that it cannot be saved.

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