Prolapsed rectum

[DoggieVogue]

One of my swordtails has a prolapsed rectum. Has anyone dealt with this before? He seems relatively okay- he's eating and not really lethargic. Its hard to tell if he feels bad though- he's always hung out at the bottom and moved slow. He seems sort of... embarrassed (for lack of a better word). Any time a fish swims by him he kinda hides or shys aways. I've looked online and haven't really came up with much more than he may or may not make it. :rolleyes: Does any one know any thing I can do to help him?

[special]

I don't have any advice to offer, just sympathy. He probably shies away from the other fish because he knows something's wrong with him and feels vulnerable.

Let us know what happens! Would someone at a fish store know, do you think?

[DoggieVogue]

I talked to the most knowledgeable person I know at the fish store and he said that my fish is pretty much screwed. Those were his exact words. He also said that I could try antibiotics, but that they probably wouldn't work, and its always a danger to medicate a whole tank for one sick fish. (I don't have a hospital tank, unfortunately) On the plus side, after about a week, the protrusion was smaller today. Like, considerably smaller. So maybe it will fix its self? There were a few success stories I found on a fish forum where the fish were just well one day. I'm hoping for the best. Thank you for your sympathy, Special, and keep your fingers crossed for my little guy! :)

[DoggieVogue]

Okay I jinxed myself. My fish was not, in fact, doing better. I swear, right after I posted this update I walked by the tank and saw that the poor guy was gasping for air. When I checked him closer, his whole intestine was hanging out in a string. :( He has gone to fishy heaven.

[Irish_Lass]

Aw the poor wee fella...you never think about problems like that when it comes to fish.