Is my wrasse just fat?

[Reef_Boy-88]

My wrasse looks to have a very big stomach. Maybe i’m just crazy but it’s getting pretty big. Not sure if the pictures show it good enough but it’s getting fat. Should I be worried?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

My wrasse looks to have a very big stomach. Maybe i’m just crazy but it’s getting pretty big. Not sure if the pictures show it good enough but it’s getting fat. Should I be worried?

It does look a bit like me, so - too fat (grin).

There are a few reasons that a fish will look fat like this;

Overfeeding. You can test for this by not feeding for two days and see if the belly slims down.

Ascites: fluid in the belly from liver/kidney disease. Usually, a fish with this issue will show other systemic symptoms - rapid breathing, not eating, lethargy.

Constipation: from improper diet or some intestinal blockage. Usually, a fish with a blockage will stop eating.

Egg binding; I think your wrasse is a male though.


Jay