Help. Boxfish Bloated

[hazylogic]

Long story short. One of my boxfish has been incredibly bloated for 2-3 weeks. He’s still eating, swimming, etc. I took him out tonight to get a better look at the anus, as I thought it had poop. But it’s just red and inflamed. I’ve been trying peas soaked with Epsom with no luck. Not sure what’s going on with this guy.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Long story short. One of my boxfish has been incredibly bloated for 2-3 weeks. He’s still eating, swimming, etc. I took him out tonight to get a better look at the anus, as I thought it had poop. But it’s just red and inflamed. I’ve been trying peas soaked with Epsom with no luck. Not sure what’s going on with this guy.

These are not recommended fish as they often develop an array of issue. Two things I see on this fish is at anus, it has what is known as rectal Prolapse and may have evolved from constipation. If eating, brine shrimp may help what is stopping up pass through. There is no medication for this but rather ability for fish to get this passed through.
Other appears to be ich which they are susceptible to and will require treatment in a separate tank with added aeration. General cure will be best as it has metro for prolapse issue helping against infection and formalin to address ich in a mild fashion. They can tolerate coppersafe but im always leery with these fish

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

First, peas are an old remedy for bloating in fancy goldfish, it doesn’t work on any other fish. It’s just gotten misapplied all across the internet.

Epsom salts has some benefit for constipation, when fed at 1% to 2% of the diet by weight. Soaking food in it doesn’t work, you need to bind it with the food with agar or gelatin…otherwise it just rinses right off.

These internal issues are tough to deal with: this could be a protozoan issue, constipation/blockage or even nematode worms.

Binding metronidazole in the food at 1% can help against protozoans.

How long have you had this fish? It’s pectoral fins look cloudy and possibly spotty - do they look like that in person?

 

[hazylogic]

First, peas are an old remedy for bloating in fancy goldfish, it doesn’t work on any other fish. It’s just gotten misapplied all across the internet.

Epsom salts has some benefit for constipation, when fed at 1% to 2% of the diet by weight. Soaking food in it doesn’t work, you need to bind it with the food with agar or gelatin…otherwise it just rinses right off.

These internal issues are tough to deal with: this could be a protozoan issue, constipation/blockage or even nematode worms.

Binding metronidazole in the food at 1% can help against protozoans.

How long have you had this fish? It’s pectoral fins look cloudy and possibly spotty - do they look like that in person?

I’ve had it probably a year and a half. Fins don’t really look cloudy in person. It does have a bit of ich, but that seems secondary, as it’s probably somewhat stressed. I know there’s ich in the tank, as I have a spot or two show up occasionally on fish, but am running with an 80w UV to help. He does have more than I’d normally see though.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I’ve had it probably a year and a half. Fins don’t really look cloudy in person. It does have a bit of ich, but that seems secondary, as it’s probably somewhat stressed. I know there’s ich in the tank, as I have a spot or two show up occasionally on fish, but am running with an 80w UV to help. He does have more than I’d normally see though.

I'd try the metronidazole in the food. That may even have some benefit in reducing the ich parasites as well.