Pentagons Barbs

[Quinnj3]

Hi all,

Quick question.  I have seven pentazona barbs and all have been healthy for the last year and a half. 
This evening I noticed one high in the tank (not usual) and very bloated looking with scales sticking out.  I know this is likely to be bloat and he’ll probably be dead by tomorrow judging by how he’s behaving.

Anyway my question is what is the normal lifespan of these fish in an aquarium?  All my fish have strong deep colours and appear healthy except this guy.


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[TropicalFishForums]

[plankton]

Around 5 years.
It sounds like dropsy with the "pine-coning", lack of something in the diet maybe or genetic or pathogen problems to cause the water retention.
Sometimes a daily Epsom salts (not marine or normal salt) bath (teaspoon per 10l) in a jug or similar will help. Epsom salts come from the chemist.