Something's wrong with my foxface (1 Viewer)

[frankc]

Unfortunately, I don't think this bulge in his abdomen is just from eating a lot. He has been swimming lately some of the time in a sort of nose-up position, say 30-45 degrees, but he can still point down to eat or whatever he needs to do. Today I've noticed he spends some time resting on the bottom or on rocks, like swimming is tiring, although he still spends more time swimming than resting. The bulge looks pretty much the same on both sides. Any ideas?

 

[frankc]

He doesn't appear too bad from the side, and his color is still great. The spots you see are on the glass - he does not appear to have ich.

 

[webster1234]

Looks like a swim bladder issue of some sort.

 

[frankc]

Looks like a swim bladder issue of some sort.

Is there anything that should be done, or just wait it out?

 

[webster1234]

Usually, they will correct themselves. Can be due to an infection and if that is the case, a broad spectrum antibiotic might help dosed in QT. I had a small lamarck angel that would float to the surface if he didn't place himself under a rock. His belly looked like he swallowed a marble. Since I couldn't catch him in my big tank, I just let him be and it eventually corrected on its own.

Google swim bladder issues. I think humblefish had an article about what to do on R2R.

 

[steveb]

@Humblefish what say you?

 

[Humblefish]

Nose up, tail down is usually due to a spinal injury:

5. Spinal injury

Symptoms: Fish swims vertically with its tail down. Sometimes the fish just lays on the bottom of the tank; sometimes swims in a swirling motion. Most believe spinal injuries are caused when the fish jumps and hits a hard object (or swims/rams into one.) However, there is some evidence that internal flagellates and/or harmful bacteria which has migrated to the spinal canal may be contributing factors to spinal injuries. Wrasses seem most prone to spinal injuries, especially fairy & flasher wrasses.

Treatment: The injury can heal if the damage is not too severe. Sadly, this is most often not the case. Dosing Metronidazole (for internal flagellates) + Erythromycin or Enrofloxacin (for bacteria) may help. If the fish is still eating, food soak metronidazole + neomycin as well.

 

[frankc]

Nose up, tail down is usually due to a spinal injury:

5. Spinal injury

Symptoms: Fish swims vertically with its tail down. Sometimes the fish just lays on the bottom of the tank; sometimes swims in a swirling motion. Most believe spinal injuries are caused when the fish jumps and hits a hard object (or swims/rams into one.) However, there is some evidence that internal flagellates and/or harmful bacteria which has migrated to the spinal canal may be contributing factors to spinal injuries. Wrasses seem most prone to spinal injuries, especially fairy & flasher wrasses.

Treatment: The injury can heal if the damage is not too severe. Sadly, this is most often not the case. Dosing Metronidazole (for internal flagellates) + Erythromycin or Enrofloxacin (for bacteria) may help. If the fish is still eating, food soak metronidazole + neomycin as well.

Interesting. He hasn't jumped out of the tank since I've owned him, but he could have gotten scared and crashed into the glass at some time when I wasn't looking.

I didn't see him on the bottom once yesterday and thought he was getting better, but he was sitting on the bottom as I started writing this.

I think I'll just watch him for now, but if it looks like it's getting any worse, try to catch him and try the antibiotics you mentioned.