Bristlenose Plec With Swollen Belly

[Tracey Kidd]

Hi Guys

Can you please help me.

Last night I noticed my male bristlenose plec had a fat belly. I have attached photos. Here is the back ground.

I got him from a friend on Tuesday night (last week). He has been hiding a fair bit which I thought was him getting used to his new tank. I also have 2 females which I have had for about 2 years. When I got home from work last night I noticed his stomach was swollen and balloon looking (first day like it). He has spent most of last night and this morning lying on his back under the air tube as per the photos attached. He is still moving around if he gets annoyed by another fish but always ends up back in the same spot.

Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate 5.0ppm
PH 7.8
Our tap water measures 7.8 as well.
26 deg
20% water change fortnightly
160 liter tank

3 pearl gouramis added 2 nights ago. They are from the same tank the plec was from.

There is plenty of wood in the tank for them.

I would really like to save him if I can. Any ideas?

 

[WILDER]

Hows the fish now.

Are the scales sticking out.
What do you feed the fish?