https://www.chewy.com/education/fish/general/aquarium-fish-constipation
Fish, especially goldfish, cichlids, and surgeonfish, are prone to constipation when fed a diet primarily consisting of flakes or pellets, as these foods lack the essential fiber that promotes healthy digestion.
In the wild, herbivorous and omnivorous fish consume plant matter and algae, while carnivores indirectly get fiber from the gut contents and exoskeletons of their prey.
When fish do not receive sufficient fiber, they struggle to pass waste, leading to symptoms such as bloating, lethargy, loss of appetite, and swim bladder issues. Identifying constipation is relatively easy - affected fish produce stringy, hanging feces, while those with Hexamita infections exhibit pale, slimy feces.
This can sometimes be confused with dropsy, which involves raised scales and a pinecone like appearance.
To treat constipation, it is essential to provide high fiber foods like tinned peas (whole or squashed, depending on the species), plants like Elodea and Egeria, or live foods like Daphnia and brine shrimp.
Epsom salt can also be used as a mild muscle relaxant for severe cases. Preventing constipation is straightforward by feeding fish fiber rich foods instead of pellets or flakes.
Herbivores and omnivores should receive plenty of green foods, such as aquatic plants, blanched spinach, lettuce, or cucumber.
Suckermouth catfish benefit from grazing on vegetables like zucchini or even wood, which provides necessary fiber. For marine herbivores like surgeonfish, dried algae sheets (nori) are a good alternative, offering the right nutrients and fiber for proper digestion.
Chewy editorial team shares tips to help you recognize, prevent, and manage constipation so your fish can continue to stay healthy and active.
