Angler Problem

[74nautique]

I noticed that for the past few days that my large angler's stomach is swelling up, looks like a big air bubble. This morning he's having a hard time swimming/walking without something to hold on to, he will float around the tank upside down until he lands on something he can hold on to. I thought about taking a needle and popping him but I don't think that's the answer, any suggestions?

 

[74nautique]

Any suggestions?

 

[Rondelet]

Never kept an angler fish and am not too familiar with their physiology. Air could be trapped in the gut, but this would mean the fish was leaping out of the water to eat (which I suspect is not the case). Also, I don't think they have a swim bladder to explain the buoyancy problems. It is possible that what you're seeing is not an air bubbled, rather fluid (ascites) build up from an internal, bacterial infection. Hard to say with out further information. Can you post a picture?

 

[74nautique]

I got some things to try from reef frontiers forum, seems the angler may have a bacterial infection, possibly from eating fresh water fish as food.