Breeding bristlenose catfish

Question
I'm not sure if my female is pregnant or not. I have heard that they can become bloated. How are you meant to tell whether they are pregnant or bloated?

Answer
Hi Adam,
  Catfish don't get pregnant as such, they are egg layers.  A female can get larger as she fills up with eggs in prepartion to laying them.  As you point out, it can be very difficult to differentiate that from a fish looking bloated.  The only real difference is that if she is full of eggs, and there is a male around, eventually she will spawn the eggs.  Otherwise, in appearance there is no distinct difference.

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
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