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these are pictures of zebra i will pick up soon. i just wonder why they look so black? are they healthy? any comment on their condition are very welcome.

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i guess the #1 is female or fat male
#2 is female
#3 is male
ps. feel bad for the zeb to be taken out of the water...

I'd say two females and one male, but I'm not sure wether the first one is just fat or bloated!

Taking them out of water is cruel and not giving the right impression of what kind of condition they're in

why they are so black? and on pic#1 on the right side of the head, why it looks like a hole? (am i just imagine all by myself?) can they be healed to a normal condition if i decide to buy them? any other thread are very welcome.

ps. i ask the guy to take a close up top-view pic with a ruler but i didn't know that he's going to take them out of the water

chanettt wrote:why they are so black? and on pic#1 on the right side of the head, why it looks like a hole?

That's why I was wondering if the fish was bloated.... they will always look darker out of water so I wouldn't worry about that.

But I don't like the shape of them somehow..... they could be bloated..... does catfish get dropsy?

i don't know about that from what i heard this guy put them into 2 feet tank without any other fish. he change the water every week for 40% however, i havn't seen his tank set up yet so i have no idea wether the fish stress come from. maybe better go to see them myself tomorrow

It's very hard to get the zebras in that size in these days. Lucky you! I would say #2 is female and #3 is male. I'm not sure about #1. It can be a very mature female or a super fat male. Again, Congrats!

@ McEve: I have seen cory's with what looked like dropsy several times before, but never a plec! I suppose it is possible though

Personally i would pass on number one, looks like a very unhealthy male to me.
Number 2 and 3 look like a perfect couple to me (2-female, 3-male).
Good luck with your decision.

I would buy them all. You might get lucky with #1 and have the most fertile female ever!!!!!!!! I agree that #2 is female and #3 is male.

Personally i would pass on number one, looks like a very unhealthy male to me.
Number 2 and 3 look like a perfect couple to me (2-female, 3-male).
Good luck with your decision.

i think like you too john. however, this guy will only sell them all in package. i try to buy only 2 and 3 but he doesn't allow. so i guess i have to take a risk on this. so if the first one is bloating, then will it be able to heal to be like other normal zebra?

he (nr 1) will probably have a better bodyshape after a proper diet, but i don't trust the hole in the head on the right side of the picture, you better check this zebra 100% before buying

ok i will, thanks john, i will check them on sunday and already tlod the guy to stop feeding them since this morning. let see how it goes.

The "hole" might be a drop of water?
I wouldnt put the fish in the same tank and I would keep lots of medicine handy number 1 dosnt look healthy at all.

ive had fish with dropsy and i would say number 1 looks alot like it.

any medicine recommend?

Yes, a healthy diet.
My alfa male which became father recently, had the same bodyshape 18 months ago (no hole in the head).
I bought him from a guy where he was in a discus tank eating leftovers from the discus (daily beefhart etc.) i think by now he lost 1/4 of his weight and looks fine and healthy!