Egg Bound / Bloated Tetra?

[powerdyne6]

Over the last couple days this Tetra has developed a blockage of some sort.

The tank and fish have been in this tank for over a year and a half. I have made no additions to the tank except for some plants a few months ago.

Currently the tank has 10 Yoyo Loaches, 10 Penguin Tetras and 9 Blue Tetras. They are all eating including the affected one.

I clean the tank and replace roughly 50 to 60 percent of the water typically every Sunday.

I first thought she might be egg bound but I am not so sure anymore. I previously had another one of these Tetras become egg bound about 6 months ago and she did get quite bloated but she was able to pass the eggs and of course they were quickly eaten.

PH: About 6.8/7.0
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 20
KH: about 3 drops so 50 or so ppm
GH: same as KH

Thanks

 

[powerdyne6]

I should add that the fish in question didn’t become bloated like this over the last couple days. It has slowly became fat over the last 2 to 3 weeks.

It was this thing protruding which has started over the last 2 days

 

[fishorama]

To me it looks like it could be a prolapse, a part of internal organ sticking out of the vent. I've never had that happen, but I think the treatment may be an Epsom salt dip. (it's the magnesium salt sold in the foot care area of drug & Walmart type stores. Mine looks like milk carton) It can help reduce the swelling. I'm not sure of the dosage. Dips are usually a stronger amount in a bucket of tank water than if you have a hospital tank where you'd keep it at a lower dose for several days or longer. Dips are usually for a short period of time, 15-20 minutes. It's also stressful to have to catch the fish if repeat treatment is needed. I haven't done dips, I usually have a temporary hospital tank available.

You can also dose the entire tank at the lower amount, but then you'd be dosing all your fish. Epsom salt is pretty safe but if you have to do that, add it over several hours & remove it over several days via water changes. & keep a close on all your fish for any adverse reactions.

Wait for someone more knowledgeable to give you better advice. But don't wait too long, a day or 2 more. It looks like it might not be able to poo & that's not good at all. Do a search on Epsom salt dosage while waiting for more input. Be sure to see the dip vs quarantine/hospital tank amounts. Also look up "prolapsed vent in fish" to see if that matches your fish. That may help to explain why this might be happening. Might be more frequent in soft water like yours or maybe some species are more prone to it. I believe female fish are the more usual in all species but I'm not sure. The vent is the only opening for both poo & eggs. Your fish looks female to me.

Good luck! Let us know what you decide to try & how it works out. I wish I knew more to help.

 

[powerdyne6]

Thanks for the reply

Shortly after I made this post the fish went downhill very quickly. It was swimming in little circles right at the water line and slightly leaning on its side. Sometimes it would stop swimming for extended periods.

I left it for a little while longer then removed and euthanized.