What's wrong with this fish?

[Jim]

This wrasse has been this way for at least six months. It eats like a pig (obviously) and doesn't show any signs of stress. Does anyone have any idea what may cause this or what to do about it?

 

[LBC]

balloon molly, meet balloon wrasse?

eggs or.. constipated!

 

[chris koci]

i think that fish is just really constipated, because he said its been that way for 6 months

 

[MIKE NY]

LOL...it looks like it has the bloat...it can be fatal, but not always such as in this case...it's caused by many things most commonly an internal bacteral infection or intestinal blockage...gram negative medicines will help if its bacteral.

 

[b-ridge]

looks pregnant to me

 

[NYreefNoob]

not pregnant cause it is the only one of it in the tank, i have to laugh everytime im over and see it but that picture really doesnt show the size of the belly, it is huge, but it does poop on a reg basis

 

[lfsmarineguy]

If the fish is in no visible distress and still functioning properly it could be a large tumor. We had a full grown male compressiceps that steadily grew for a couple years to the point where it looked like it was ready to explode (far bigger than that wrasse). No meds worked on it and when he finally died I cut him open ventrally and before the incision was more than an inch long the gelatinous mass spilled out. I should have taken pics but it looked like a giant mass of connective tissue had just kept growing until it caused too much pressure on the organs and the fish died. That was the only time I had ever seen anything like it.

 

[Jim]

If the fish is in no visible distress and still functioning properly it could be a large tumor. We had a full grown male compressiceps that steadily grew for a couple years to the point where it looked like it was ready to explode (far bigger than that wrasse). No meds worked on it and when he finally died I cut him open ventrally and before the incision was more than an inch long the gelatinous mass spilled out. I should have taken pics but it looked like a giant mass of connective tissue had just kept growing until it caused too much pressure on the organs and the fish died. That was the only time I had ever seen anything like it.

Are there any meds that I can try? I don't believe this fish is suffering. He seems to act normal.

 

[KathyC]

Are there any meds that I can try? I don't believe this fish is suffering. He seems to act normal.

I agree with Jared's assessment of the fish. After 6 months I can't imagine any meds would positively affect the fish and the act of administering them would likely add stress for him. I'd just leave him be. If he's eating, he is probably not in any pain. :fish:

 

[Jim]

Thanks, I guess I'll just leave him be and hope for the best.