otto carrying eggs?

[Jason20679]

I have 3 ottos and all was good until last week when 1 of them started getting a bit of a belly on it.
I spoke to Nick from rareaquatics and he reckons that it could be carrying eggs.
Trouble is it's always swimming round on it's own.
How would i know if it's carrying eggs?
How long till she lays them?
Or could it be something else?

Thanks

J

 

[Lornek8]

It could be eggs or bloat. There is a subtle difference in appearance that's a bit tough to describe. If you could get pics it may help.

If it is eggs, "she" could hold them indefinitely. Fish, unlike many other egg layers, don't need to lay eggs once they become gravid. If conditions aren't suitable they could hold them & in some cases even reabsorb them.

 

[Jason20679]

If it's bloat how would i help get rid of it?
and
How would i sex Ottos?

 

[Lornek8]

Tough to do with the mix of fish in your tank but watch how much animal proteins you feed. This would include looking at the commercial foods & seeing how much animal stuff is in it.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,
If they are eggs you should be able to see them, from underneath, as a yellow slightly horse-shoe shaped block in the abdomen. If the female is on the front glass and the light is quite bright you can actually pick out the egg shapes from this ventral view.

cheers Darrel

 

[Jason20679]

I've finally managed to getsome pics of the Otto in question if it helps.






Thanks

J

 

[FF MkII]

Dont like to say it but that does look a little like bloat

 

[Jason20679]

Ah ok.
It's been like that for ages now and doesn't seem to be bothered by it and it's the only fish like it.
What can i do for it?

J