Constipation

Constipation is a condition of the digestive system where an animal experiences hard feces that are difficult to eliminate; it may be extremely painful, and in severe cases lead to symptoms of bowel obstruction and death.

In fish several species are more prone to this problem than others. Mainly this disease is due to our inability to feed the animal the correct type of food for its dietary requirements.

Typically the Gourami group tend to suffer from this as in the wild they feed mainly on insects and so it is difficult to feed them the correct amnount of fibre in their diet.

Symptoms
Swollen belly, no waste material being expelled.

Treament
Try to feed the fish a few peas or spinach, which acts like a laxative, or try a short bath in Epsom salts (70g per litre for 10 minutes) which has the same effect.


 * Try to prevent this disease by varying the type of food you feed your aquatic animals.

Links

 * Constipation by Wikipedia
 * Constipation by the Fish Doc
 * Journal of Fish Diseases