Bloated Cichlid

Question
Hi Ron.  I have an African Cichlid who has been very bloated in the belly area for about two weeks.  I believe it is a convict (black and silver, stripes go up and down).  I thought it might be sick, but it is not showing any other signs.  It is eating fine, swimming fine, acting perfectly normal other than the big belly.  I don't know if it is male or female, so I do not know if it is pregnant.  I have had this fish for about four years.  Any ideas what it could be and how I can fix it?  Thanks!

Answer
Hi Colleen,
 The trouble is that it could either be full of eggs or bloated -- the two look very much alike. The fact that it is eating well and swimming normally suggests that it may be full of eggs.  In that case, there really isn't anything you need to do to fix it.  

 Do you have a male convict in the tank?

 P.S. Convicts actually come from Central America.  

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
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