WRASSE with Bowel Obstruction

[ssavader]

My Melanuris Wrasse has developed a very distended belly without apparent swimming issues. He continues to eat vigorously. I treated him with antibiotics for 5 days thinking that it may have bloat and/or a swim bladder issue. I saw today that he has stool at his anus that is just showing. So his abdominal swelling would seem to be a bowel obstruction. What now. Has anyone ever caught such a fish and removed the "plug" with tweezers or by messaging the belly. I know this seems extreme, but he will perish if this obstruction is not releaved.

 

[microlady]

Oh my. That's is terrible. Did he swallow a snail whole or something? Anything is worth a shot, but I'd be afraid that he would end up with a prolapse if I pulled on it. Epsom salt and really warm water baths work on freshwater fish. Do you think it might work in this case?