Huge abdomen

[Ardeus]

She's been like this for months now and abdomen keeps getting bigger.

Do waspfish even have a swimming bladder?

What can it be?

She acts normal and eats well. I feed her mysis.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Could be either overfeeding or a bladder issue as they spend a large part of day on bottom of tank.

 

[Ardeus]

I don't think it's overfeeding, the male eats about the same and he looks normal.

These fish spend 100% of the time on the sand, do they even have a swimming bladder?

 

[Big G]

Could be eggs, blocked digestive system, or tumor.

 

[Ardeus]

It shouldn't be a diggestive problem because it's going on for months.

If it's a tumour, can it be so symmetrical?

If it's an egg related problem, is there anything I can do?

 

[Big G]

Eggs are either expelled or reabsorbed by the body, usually if there is some sort of blockage not allowing them to be expelled.
Cysts and tumors can be "symmmetrical" in shape. Cysts especially. They tend to be smooth, bulbous and can grow rather large as they contain thousands of spores.

 

[Ardeus]

Thanks. This means that whatever it is, there's nothing I can do then.

 

[Big G]

Still think you should consider the fish has some sort of internal blockage. Sometimes they get so full of worms that their bellies protrude quite a bit. Especially for the bottom dwelling fish. They get more access to worms being on the bottom.
Has the fish ever been treated for worms?

 

[Ardeus]

Yes, I treated with prazi with a dosage appropriate for flukes while in quarentine back in May or June 2019, I think.

 

[vetteguy53081]

+1 on PraziPro if internal and/or worms

 

[Ardeus]

What are the symptoms for each situation (egg problem / worms).

She seems to act normal and eats well and the situation has been going for at least 4 months.

 

[DEWreefing]

Look up Epsom salt cures I think it helps with pooping. I just don't have time to research it.

 

[Ardeus]

Thanks, I will look it up.

 

[Big G]

Epsom salts (plain unscented) can be used a 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons of tank water. Can be repeated once.

Or to treat internal parasites use a mix of "food + general cure + Focus + a dash of epsom salts" to directly feed to the gut.

 

[Ardeus]

Thanks. How long should the epsom salt bath be?

 

[Big G]

Thanks. How long should the epsom salt bath be?

The epsom salts is a long term treatment in the display tank not a bath. Dose. Wait a couple of days and then dose one more time if necessary.

 

[Ardeus]

Thanks , I will look into that more attention tonight.

 

[Big G]

Thanks , I will look into that more attention tonight.

Epsom Salt: Treats eye and other injuries [and as a laxative]. Popeye in one eye usually means injury, but popeye in both eyes usually denotes a bacterial infection requiring antibiotic treatment. Cloudy eye can be a bacterial infection or flukes.

How To Treat - 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons of aquarium water. Repeat only once, if necessary. Use only “USP” grade Epsom salt.

Pros - Reef safe, as Epsom salt is just magnesium sulfate.

Cons/Side Effects - The effects of excessive sulfate in a reef aquarium are not fully known.

 

[Ardeus]

If I understood correctly, it helps with constipation.

If it was a constipation, would it last this long without killing her? The belly is huge, not only downwards but also to the sides. What puzzles me is that she acts normal.

She was a juvenile when I got her and this problem apperared when she was maturing.

 

[Millimylilly]

My lawnmower blenny has a bulge just like your fish. Has had it for months as well, since I got him. No idea...