Bloated Blenny?

[chrisstie]

Hey everyone. This isn't your usual question regarding ich or flukes. I have a tailspot blenny who has been with me for a good 6 months.

No new fish to the tank except a temporary tang to fix an invasive algae problem. No other fish affected.

The tailspot's entire abdomen is swollen as if he has an obstructed bowel. Still tries to eat, breathing is elevated, not sitting in his normal places, looks like he's just trying to be comfortable.

I fear I'm going to loose him if I don't do something. Not sure what to do, but would rather try and fail than not try at all.

This isn't your typical fat blenny syndrome either, I have one of those. This is obviously a problem, it looks like he's going to give birth to something but there's no opposite sex to stimulate him/her so I'm pretty sure its a bowel problem.

Any advice on what action to take?

 

[joyski58]

I have run into this before with a blenny. Never could get an answer as to what this type of this is. Has kept me from getting another.

 

[chrisstie]

I appreciate the response, unfortunately this is a quiet forum but I'd hoped it'd be more active so we know what to do when our fish friends get sick.

My only response would have to be to not let it prevent you from getting another! I have a bicolor in another tank as well as a sailfin and they are mighty fine pets. I'm not sure if this is an unknown blenny specific disease or some type of dropsy bloat (still not sure if i'd be able to medicate or be treating the wrong problem) but my other blenny has been fine.

Out of curiosity what was your blennys diet? I have been adding extra veggies to the tank he's in because I have a young tang in there awaiting my friends 375 when its ready. He helped with some problem algae and now I have to feed a lot to keep him from being too thin. I'm wondering if the extra pellets/nori on top of frozen formula 2 is a cause? Dry food in general? Was just an idea my LFS owner gave me. For now I'm leaning more on the frozen stuff and planning to do extra water changes to keep up the way this tang eats.

 

[stingythingy45]

Blennies can develope a condition called bloat if they eat too much
carnivor food instead of greens.I lost a L.M. blenny to this last year.I also fed pellets,they love them,but I think the pellets led to his demise.

 

[chrisstie]

Maybe pellets were the trouble. Like eating a big bowl of rice then having it expand in your belly. I have changed up the diet since noticing his condition and am hoping it will go away before he does.

Wouldn't you say an escensius blenny is more of an omnivore though?