Constipation or Ascites

[dahon]

Sailfin tang is bloated. Was wondering if this looks like constipation or if it is ascites. Best picture I could get as the fish keeps hiding. Has been like this for >24 hours. Was active and eating a few days ago, but is now hiding and not eating.

Other forum posts indicate ascites is not treatable, so do I just wait for death?

Any recommended treatments if it is constipation?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Sailfin tang is bloated. Was wondering if this looks like constipation or if it is ascites. Best picture I could get as the fish keeps hiding. Has been like this for >24 hours. Was active and eating a few days ago, but is now hiding and not eating.

Other forum posts indicate ascites is not treatable, so do I just wait for death?

Any recommended treatments if it is constipation?

Well, it looks like ascites to me, constipation would be more localized where this seems to involve the entire body cavity. That said, ascites doesn’t usually come on that fast….it isn’t treatable though as it either involves liver or kidney failure.

 

[MnFish1]

Agree with Jay - I would comment - or at least ask - how old is the fish - and if any other fish are sick? Did you change food lately? And is the fish still eating? It looks like a 'small tang' - I dont know the size - and I would imagine that younger tangs are not prone to liver or kidney disease unless they have been harvested with a toxin of some sort - so I would say there is a chance - it could pull through - have you tried feeding more greens - assuming it will eat - or have you tried a new food. @Jay Hemdal ? a parasitic obstruction - could metronidazole/etc - help?