Feeding red nori?

Humblefish · Dec 1, 2014

Just wondering if anyone else has ever had this same issue feeding red nori...

Long story short... roughly 5 years ago I bought my PBT and put her in QT. She liked green nori; so I thought why not also feed her a sheet of red nori. First time I did that her stomach got all bloated, and she started swimming at the top of the water in circles. Reminded me of swim bladder disorder. Now, it took me several times of feeding her red nori before I finally made the connection - same thing would always happen afterwards. I've speculated it might be causing an intestinal obstruction (i.e. constipation) or maybe she's even having an allergic reaction to it.

Fast forward to today - her stomach is looking all bloated, but at least she's not doing the swimming in circles thing (yet). I had been feeding Rod's food over the past few days (thawed too much at one time), and according to the ingredients that contains red nori (unbeknownst to me). :ooh: I finally got her to eat some boiled peeled peas tonight, and in the past that has seemed to help relieve her.

Anyone else ever experience anything like this with red nori before? I don't know whether or not my other fish would react similarly to red nori, because I dare not feed it. :neutral:

fragman4 · Dec 2, 2014

Interesting, i have never heard of such a thing. I am curious so tagging along.

Damon · Dec 2, 2014

I never experienced that, but of course feeding them different colored, just some would like one more than the other. But thats about it. I have used the green, red and if remember the other was purple..

That before I just starting buying it from the store or Amazon.

But no, never experienced that one. But I would think it sounds like an allergic reaction also..

Humblefish · Dec 2, 2014

Well, her stomach is looking a little less bloated today so I guess that's a good sign. She's still not eating (which I'm thinking is a good thing right now). I've been debating all day whether to try & catch her, or just let her ride it out. Her swimming appears to be normal.

Humblefish · Dec 5, 2014

So, I caught her tonight and put her in a 20L QT. She is too weak to even go in my frag tank at this point. She hasn't eaten (or pooped) for days. She's swimming face down & breathing heavy; basically, all the symptoms of swim bladder disorder. I've started dosing Epsom salt in at attempt to relieve the constipation.

Greenwave jack · Dec 5, 2014

That sucks. I don't know what to tell ya.

TJ's Reef · Dec 5, 2014

Very odd, have never had any reaction to Red Nori like this. Red and Brown Nori are by far most of my fishes favorite, including all 5 Tangs, 5 Wrasses, 3 Gobies, 2 Blenies and my Flame Angel. Even the Bangaii's and 4 Anthias eat it readily. I normally feed it mixed with the Green and they always eat the Red first.

Cheers, Todd

Kworker · Dec 5, 2014

My Tangs don't touch red. Love green and purple though.

Humblefish · Dec 5, 2014

She seems to be doing a little bit better this morning. Swimming slow laps around the QT, instead of just facing downward. I've lowered the temp to 75, to reduce the demand on her metabolism. I tried feeding some boiled peeled peas last night but she wouldn't eat. What would be a good "soft" food I could try her back on? She hasn't eaten in almost a week.

Humblefish · Dec 11, 2014

So, just to update...

Today her stomach looked pretty much back to normal. She just kept pacing back & forth in the QT, looking at me, refusing to eat anything. So, I decided it was time to put her back into the DT. I felt I had done all the good I could for her in QT - feeding peas, Epsom salt, 3 rounds of antibiotics.

I put her back in and of course, the Chevron is gonna show her who the new boss is. :wink: But I think things are already settling down. I just fed the tank mysis and she ate like a champ! :bigsmile: First real meal I've seen that fish eat in over a week now.

Marshall O · Dec 12, 2014

Glad to hear! Sounds like your intervention was necessary, and hopefully it makes it full recovery for you.

Steven@ · Dec 12, 2014

What a journey... good to hear it turned out OK.

Connie · Dec 15, 2014

Here's an article I found. Facts about Red Marine Algae

Humblefish · Dec 15, 2014

Thanks for that, Connie. I found this last part interesting/disturbing:

Despite having so many uses, certain species of red marine algae can sometimes be toxic if they contain traces of arsenic, which can prove fatal to humans. If you intend to use this seaweed for food or medicinal purposes, make sure you buy the product from a reputed manufacturer and are fully aware which species you will be consuming, to avoid any harmful side effects.

Don't guess I'll ever know what it is about red nori that just doesn't jive with my PBT. I'll just need to be more careful in the future, reading the ingredients of the foods I feed her. She's doing great now. Back in the DT - like nothing was ever wrong.