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My female Albino is about 10" long and 3.5 year old. Her Tanks mate in a 55 gallon is a Tiger. Not sure what the sex is.

I woke up this morning and she is hugely fat and laying down sideways panting at the bottom of the tank, the Tiger has been very attemtive and staying next to her all day. I am worried for her. Is she about to lay eggs or is she dying? Her color is great and when I pet her she will get energy to swim around.

Help!!!

Originally posted by ritamaejune
My female Albino is about 10" long and 3.5 year old. Her Tanks mate in a 55 gallon is a Tiger. Not sure what the sex is.

I woke up this morning and she is hugely fat and laying down sideways panting at the bottom of the tank, the Tiger has been very attemtive and staying next to her all day. I am worried for her. Is she about to lay eggs or is she dying? Her color is great and when I pet her she will get energy to swim around.

Help!!!

Hi Ritamaejune, welcome to the forums! What you've described probably means your Oscar is ready to pass on. If, by "hugely fat" you mean swollen, then it's likely that internal organs are infected and swelling. First, find a general aquarium medication designed to treat a wide array of diseases. My suggestion is "Clout", which has worked for me in the past, but there's several other brands that will work as well. Using a general med like this is as much to protect your Tiger from disease during this time of stress as much as any attempt to save the albino. Make sure to follow the directions exactly on the medication.

Internal infections of all types cause swelling of the internal organs, so it's really impossible to tell which disease has effected the albino. When it gets to the point that the poor fish has swollen too, a condition commonly called "Dropsy", then it's usually too late for treatment.

Once again, welcome to the forums. Sorry that it's under sad circumstances that we meet. Many of us understand how much us silly humans can get attached to our pet Oscars, so we know what you're going through. Good luck --

--Mark:cool:

Thanks for the advice Mark, you were right and she passed the very next day. Very depressing.

I am monitoring the water levels for right now before introducing another Oscar or others.

Thanks for the help.

Rita