Foxface bloated

Forfoj · Jul 15, 2020

The fish gulps air. I assume he is trying to eat the protein film at the surface, but I'm not sure. I've noticed him doing this for a couple of days now but, he only got bloated today. I tried removing as much of the protein film as I could but he still gulps for air. Is he trying to eat the protein film? and what could I do to stop this?

Big G · Jul 15, 2020

Sometimes fish will display that behavior "pipping" when it needs more oxygen. It's possible that the fish may have flukes within the gills preventing the fish from getting the O2 it needs. Have you seen any other symptoms like scratching the gill area on rocks, equipment, rapid breathing or labored breathing?

Ruskin · Jul 15, 2020

Hard to tell from the pictures but in both his fin seems to have the same white spot. Could it have ich?

Forfoj · Jul 15, 2020

Big G said:
Sometimes fish will display that behavior "pipping" when it needs more oxygen. It's possible that the fish may have flukes within the gills preventing the fish from getting the O2 it needs. Have you seen any other symptoms like scratching the gill area on rocks, equipment, rapid breathing or labored breathing?

not really, the only odd behavior I noticed was the gulping at the surface. He's acting completely as usual otherwise. He is slightly less bloated now but, it's still visible.