Irridescent Shark sick?

Question
QUESTION: Hello Christy - over the last few days I noticed my 4 year old iridescent shark has developed a 'sack' underneath on her belly, looking like she is pregnant, but I am not sure if this is it or if she is sick. She is acting and eating normal but there is a definite abrupt change in her appearance. There are other fish in the 40 gallon tank but no other sharks. Do you know if it could be a tumor of some sort? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks! Chris

ANSWER: Hi Chris
Iridescent sharks don't breed in the home aquarium.  I'm guessing it's because they grow so large, and can't attain their full size to get to their breeding size-just my opinion there.  But I'd say it's most likely she's not full of eggs.

Is the growth outside of the fish or is it inside, like her belly is distended?
If it is outside of the fish, what's it look like?  If you can get a photo, you can email me at christiie911@yahoo.com and just put fish picture in the subject line so I know it's not spam.

Christy

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QUESTION: Hi - thank you for the fast response. It is not on the outside. It is like her belly is enlarged from something inside. I can try to get a picture later tonight. Thanks Christy.

Answer
Hi Chris
I'll keep an eye out for the email, it probably won't be till later tonight that I can get to it though.  Also, let me know what other fish are in the tank and how many.
If there's any newly added fish or anything else new to the tank(plants, rocks, snails).
If you have a test kit, what's the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels.
Also, any other symptoms she may have, rubbing on objects in the tank, is she pooping normally-it should be the color of the food she's eating also, color loss, laying on the bottom, etc.

Christy