Tetra pregnant?

[Ashkay]

Hi so last couple weeks I’ve noticed one of my tetras belly is getting big. I feed them twice a day two small feeding they share a tank with 8 platys and I have a 6 tetras. I don’t really see that one eating more then the others they stay to the bottom and catch food as it come down.

 

[Sweet_Sassy]

It could be egg bound. I don't know all that much about tetras but during research surrounding what tetra eggs look like, I read that tetras don't give birth as they are not livebearers and they only lay eggs. She might have unfertilized eggs inside her. I am not 100% sure though. I hope it does okay!

 

[GobyMaster11276]

Neon tetras have very particular water requirements, so it might be good to test your water for any anomalies (and check against their needs). It is possible it is just egg bound, but I couldn’t say either way.

It’s hard to see from the pictures, but perhaps you could check if its bulge is as extreme as in this thread. Additionally, you may find some help here. If it is severe, you could try feed it shelled peas in case it is constipated (that thread also mentions epsom baths, but I have had limited success with these; perhaps another forum member could help with that, if you make a thread). Hopefully the bloating, whatever it is, subsides soon so you can have one less thing to worry about!

 

[Ashkay]

Neon tetras have very particular water requirements, so it might be good to test your water for any anomalies (and check against their needs). It is possible it is just egg bound, but I couldn’t say either way.

It’s hard to see from the pictures, but perhaps you could check if its bulge is as extreme as in this thread. Additionally, you may find some help here. If it is severe, you could try feed it shelled peas in case it is constipated (that thread also mentions epsom baths, but I have had limited success with these; perhaps another forum member could help with that, if you make a thread). Hopefully the bloating, whatever it is, subsides soon so you can have one less thing to worry about!

All the other tetras seem perfectly fine. As far as the water I’ve had these guys for over a year. So I’m sure everything is fine as far as the water. If she is carrying eggs I just hope they do make it. Because I do change the water weekly and I just hope I don’t suck them up. I do have 8 baby platies that I have In the same tank they were fairly easy to care for. I’ve been cycling another tank just in case I want more fish or in this case if she does have babies. Thanks for the feed back

 

[GobyMaster11276]

All the other tetras seem perfectly fine. As far as the water I’ve had these guys for over a year. So I’m sure everything is fine as far as the water. If she is carrying eggs I just hope they do make it. Because I do change the water weekly and I just hope I don’t suck them up. I do have 8 baby platies that I have In the same tank they were fairly easy to care for. I’ve been cycling another tank just in case I want more fish or in this case if she does have babies. Thanks for the feed back

No problem! I don’t think you have to worry about the eggs; neon tetras require some very... unique conditions to be raised (including complete darkness in a tank for the babies; I knew someone who kept them in an Eski and would feed them in the dark of morning/night - with a towel to cover the opening!). If you are really committed to the idea, I’m sure you could pull it off with a bit of research.

The only other thing that occurs to me about the swelling is whether you have added any new fish/items recently? If not quarantined/cleaned, maybe she had an adverse reaction? I’m not sure why it would be just her, but sometimes fish can be like that.

 

[Ashkay]

No problem! I don’t think you have to worry about the eggs; neon tetras require some very... unique conditions to be raised (including complete darkness in a tank for the babies; I knew someone who kept them in an Eski and would feed them in the dark of morning/night - with a towel to cover the opening!). If you are really committed to the idea, I’m sure you could pull it off with a bit of research.

The only other thing that occurs to me about the swelling is whether you have added any new fish/items recently? If not quarantined/cleaned, maybe she had an adverse reaction? I’m not sure why it would be just her, but sometimes fish can be like that.

I only added 3 more tetras. They weren’t neon tetras, but they lady said they will all be fine together. I’ll do my best to look out for the eggs.

 

[itiwhetu]

The neon's will spawn, at some stage. The fry are light sensitive and won't survive in a normal aquarium environment. She looks just fine to me.