Raphael catfish with huge belly

[FishNewbie82912]

I’ve had this Raphael catfish for 2 months. He has this huge jelly belly. It’s been a couple weeks with it. Is this normal for them? I rarely see this fish because it’s always hiding. The other one isn’t as puffed up looking as this one. Any ideas? Normal water parameters. Eats left over cichlid flakes and pellets. Thanks!

 

[FishHobby99]

I’ve had this Raphael catfish for 2 months. He has this huge jelly belly. It’s been a couple weeks with it. Is this normal for them? I rarely see this fish because it’s always hiding. The other one isn’t as puffed up looking as this one. Any ideas? Normal water parameters. Eats left over cichlid flakes and pellets. Thanks!

i looked it up because I like catfish and haven’t heard of this kind. Is it a Rafael striped one? It said they eat everything & can get fat. Here‘s a pic I saw. Sounds like one of my goldfish.

 

[FishNewbie82912]

i looked it up because I like catfish and haven’t heard of this kind. Is it a Rafael striped one? It said they eat everything & can get fat. Here‘s a pic I saw. Sounds like one of my goldfish.

Yes he looks fat! I even took him out to push on his belly. It was like gelatin in there.

 

[FishHobby99]

This is my favorite catfish, Tom. Nocturnal & hides all day.

 

[Lecturemode]

I had a pair of these back in the UK before I moved over to Aus. Both were almost round and had grown to around 4" in length, and were still growing when I gave them to a LFS when I moved. Both looked fit to burst, although 1 definitely larger than the other, but seemed happy & healthy.
On my wish list for my next tank.......