hidden barb

[Crystal]

my friend has a 25gal with some barbs in it, and one is hiding and according to him "a bit pudgy" He said it took a while to even find it, and is wondering if it is okay. Any ideas guys? I posten in emergency becuase I want to give him an answer asap. Thanks!!

 

[The-Wolf]

Pudgy? do you mean fat or bloated?

fat could be an indication of being eggbound and that may explain the shyness.

bloated could be something more seriouse, like constipation, internal bacterial infection, dropsy or even TB.

 

[Crystal]

Thanks Paul,

The fish is no longer bloated, but is shy, breathing hard, and discolourized (pale).
ammonia is at 0
nitrite is at 0
nitrates were safe (his words, they were at the safe area on the color chart)

he does not have a hospital tank yet.

 

[The-Wolf]

The fish is no longer bloated, but is shy, breathing hard, and discolourized (pale).

This is more and more leading me to belive that its a internal disease problem, possibly the Early stage of systemic bacterial infection. It's very seriouse and you need to treat asap with an anti-bacterial medication, such as chloramine-T, potassium permanganate or antibiotics(from a vets).
I am fighting Systemic bacterial disease (in which bacteria invade the fish’s body and damage internal organs), myself at the moment and so far it looks like it is 100% fatal.