Overweight Fish?

Question

Ok so I have 12 fish in my tank, along with a few other things (snails, loaches, frogs, etc.). I have two fish that are food hogs, and pretty overweight. Is there anything I can do? (The other fish get food, but these two guys are really getting fat, it can't be healthy?)

Answer 1

Which fish are the hogs (what species)? And what others do you have in the tank?

Some fish are more naturally heavy bodied than others, and as one answer already pointed out, females with eggs or young will also look heavier. It may be that the "fat" fish are getting a constipation problem, or if the scales are sticking out from the body, it could be a condition called dropsy.

Answer 2

Loaches are a kind of fish, not eel, if that's what you thought they were because you listed them under "other things". Just thought I'd point that out. The other fish should be fine, they are just more aggressive than your other fish. That is a common problem, people don't know how their fish will behave in certain situations like feeding time. It should be okay if your tank is big enough for your fat fish to swim and burn off some weight.

Nosoop4u

Answer 3

I have to agree with Copperhead here some fish are heavy bodied fish i.e. goldfish, however there are a number of other fish that are also naturally heavied bodies. Fish do not get FAT. The more they eat the more they poop and the more they grow. It is extreamly difficult to have overweight fish.

I would have to say they are meant to be that way. Fish are not like people. They eat when they are hungry and no more.

If you are feeding the tank normaly there is no health issues to worry about. Have you considered they may be full of eggs? Do you know if they are males or females?

Answer 4

I don't think there is really anything you can do unless you wanted to hold the fat ones in a net to let the smaller ones get some food.

Answer 5

maybe theyre actually females and are pregnant. so they need the food! you never know!