Internal growth on clownfish?

[jdflaig]

Hello. I have a trio of clownfish and they get along great. But I’ve had some health issues with them. The largest clown was not eating and it went on for about 2 weeks. I did a freshwater dip and two days later the problem was solved. But recently on the middle sized clownfish the stomach is way larger than normal. My lfs wasn’t sure what it would be but I wanted to see if it was possibly an internal growth of some sort and if there was anything to do about it. Behaves completely normal

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hello. I have a trio of clownfish and they get along great. But I’ve had some health issues with them. The largest clown was not eating and it went on for about 2 weeks. I did a freshwater dip and two days later the problem was solved. But recently on the middle sized clownfish the stomach is way larger than normal. My lfs wasn’t sure what it would be but I wanted to see if it was possibly an internal growth of some sort and if there was anything to do about it. Behaves completely normal

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

There are a variety of reasons that a fish may have a swollen abdomen. You can’t always tell the reason just by looking. In this fish’s case, it looks like ascites. Here is an article I wrote that discusses all of the possible causes:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/causes-of-abdominal-swelling-in-fishes.1098720/

 

[jdflaig]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

There are a variety of reasons that a fish may have a swollen abdomen. You can’t always tell the reason just by looking. In this fish’s case, it looks like ascites. Here is an article I wrote that discusses all of the possible causes:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/causes-of-abdominal-swelling-in-fishes.1098720/

Hey jay thanks for the reply. I read over the link but as far as ascites go do u think it’s fatal or will it cure over time. Because eveything about the fish is normal and it behaves fine and this bulge tends to come out for a few days and go away for a week or so and come back again.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello. I have a trio of clownfish and they get along great. But I’ve had some health issues with them. The largest clown was not eating and it went on for about 2 weeks. I did a freshwater dip and two days later the problem was solved. But recently on the middle sized clownfish the stomach is way larger than normal. My lfs wasn’t sure what it would be but I wanted to see if it was possibly an internal growth of some sort and if there was anything to do about it. Behaves completely normal

This is how a couple of my clowns look when they are egg-bound but cant confirm this being the case

 

[jdflaig]

This is how a couple of my clowns look when they are egg-bound but cant confirm this being the case

Yea I have heard that too. But I’m pretty confident this is one of two males as it’s the medium sized clown of the trio

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hey jay thanks for the reply. I read over the link but as far as ascites go do u think it’s fatal or will it cure over time. Because eveything about the fish is normal and it behaves fine and this bulge tends to come out for a few days and go away for a week or so and come back again.

Ascites doesn’t come and go like that, it’s caused by organ failure. Egg development and food excess can cause abdominal swelling that comes and goes.

 

[jdflaig]

Okay.

Ascites doesn’t come and go like that, it’s caused by organ failure. Egg development and food excess can cause abdominal swelling that comes and goes.

I feed once a day and it’s mysis shrimp. I don’t know if that’s iver feeding. But I will say the belly has been big for about 5 days now which is the longest I’ve seen. And possibly it’s a female but I always thought the biggest clown is the female. Possibly in this case would the middle sized clown be the female?

Ascites doesn’t come and go like that, it’s caused by organ failure. Egg development and food excess can cause abdominal swelling that comes and goes.

as of today the clown refuses to eat

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Okay.

I feed once a day and it’s mysis shrimp. I don’t know if that’s iver feeding. But I will say the belly has been big for about 5 days now which is the longest I’ve seen. And possibly it’s a female but I always thought the biggest clown is the female. Possibly in this case would the middle sized clown be the female?

as of today the clown refuses to eat

Well, you can rule out food-related causes here.

I do think this is ascites, sorry.

 

[jdflaig]

Well, you can rule out food-related causes here.

I do think this is ascites, sorry.

No worries man. I think I’m just gonna keep an eye on it but now without it eating I’m starting to worry that it won’t make it but I appreciate your help.