Purple dottyback looks like its going to pop

[Trooper182]

So I have had this dottyback since I started my tank back in Aug 2022 and I noticed for about the past week or so it's gotten huge! Like it looks like it's going to pop. Still eating and swimming but not sure what's wrong with it. No new additions to the tank and all parameters are in check.

 

[MnFish1]

could be eggs, constipation or another internal issue. any more info?

 

[Trooper182]

could be eggs, constipation or another internal issue. any more info?

Really only that. It's in a 75g with 2 clowns, 1 firefish, 1 diamond goby, 1 lawnmower blenny, 1 one spot foxface, 1 sailfin tang, 2 blue chromis, 1 yellow wrass, 1 cleaner shrimp and CUC. Last fish was added over a month ago. My last water test showed PH was a little low and calcium was a bit high but all other parameters were normal.

 

[vetteguy53081]

So I have had this dottyback since I started my tank back in Aug 2022 and I noticed for about the past week or so it's gotten huge! Like it looks like it's going to pop. Still eating and swimming but not sure what's wrong with it. No new additions to the tank and all parameters are in check.

Im not convinced on egg bound but believe constipation. If still eating, pull off foods and offer brine shrimp which often acts as a laxative. Other possibility could be what is referred to as edema where the fish has a hard time maintaining its bodily fluids with the current tank water related to kidney or liver failure.
If you see rapid breathing , it may involve the fish's entire body.
Is fish pooping normal or thick mucus like feces?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

So I have had this dottyback since I started my tank back in Aug 2022 and I noticed for about the past week or so it's gotten huge! Like it looks like it's going to pop. Still eating and swimming but not sure what's wrong with it. No new additions to the tank and all parameters are in check.

There are three basic causes for this: egg binding, constipation and ascites. They cannot always be told apart from one another.... ascites (fluid build-up in the abdomen) is caused by kidney or liver failure. That always causes additional symptoms at some point - not eating, rapid breathing, etc. Constipation is actually pretty rare. I see it in fish that "pick" at food like angelfish, who then eat something they can't digest. Egg binding happens when a female fish is kept in a situation where it cannot lay eggs (no male for example).

I think this is probably egg binding. However, in each of the three causes, there really is no "cure", but constipation and egg binding will sometimes fix themselves.

Jay

 

[Trooper182]

This morning I was able to catch the fish and get better pictures. It's having a hard time swimming and keeps going tail up. Scales look extended.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

This morning I was able to catch the fish and get better pictures. It's having a hard time swimming and keeps going tail up. Scales look extended.

Ugh - the protruding scales are a sign of edema, and that is a sign of ascites from organ failure. I'm sorry, but there isn't anything you can do for this.

Jay