What's Wrong With May Bolivian Ram?

[itonlyrains]

I have 4 Bolivian rams for about 2 weeks which I believe are still quite young (~4cm) and today I've noticed a weird lump/stuff coming out of bottom (where anal or breeding tube is, not sure) that ends with something white on the end on one of them. It was not eating and just hanging out quietly at the back of the tank. His colouration is same as other three. Here is the picture:

What could it be? Thanks!

 

[Prime Ordeal]

What coulour is this stuff?
Is it like a lump?
Does it move?
Is he eating normally?
Is there any swelling or discolouration of the anus?
Can you get a picture of it?

 

[itonlyrains]

It is white (I don't see any redness like a worm etc. and it doesn't move) Pictures describe it better, but looks like something is swollen inside and coming out of the anus. The fish was not eating well today when I fed them all, don't recall about yesterday (only fed them once in the morning and did't look who was eating or who wasn't ), but it was definitely eating the day before yesterday. Even now I see from time to time it tries to pick something up from the gravel. Here is another picture:

 

[Prime Ordeal]

It looks like a rectal prolapse, i.e. the rectum is forced outside of the body. If it is that then there's not much you can do but I would be tempted to try an epsom salt bath in case it's a blockage that's forcing the rectum out. It may clear it. Use a bit less than a teaspoon per litre of tank water in a separate container and leave him in it for about 15 minutes.

 

[itonlyrains]

OK, doesn't sound too good

I'll get some epsom salt and try it, but shall I not keep him there for longer than 15min (a few days with no food may be?)

 

[Prime Ordeal]

Definitely stop feeding him, he really needs to be in a quarantine tank on his own. The epsom salt bath is a one off and you should remove him sooner if he shows any obvious signs of distress. You can repeat daily. You could keep him in a much lower dosage of salt for a longer time, say 1 tsp per 10 litres (as well as doing the one-off high dose). I'd probably treat with an internal anti bacterial as well like Interpet number 9.

 

[AshP1986]

what about trying to feed him peas?

 

[Prime Ordeal]

what about trying to feed him peas?

Bad idea in this situation. The epsom salts will hopefully allow him to expel any blockage, if that's the cause, but you don't want to add to the blockage with more food.

 

[itonlyrains]

An update. Did epsom salt batch three days in a row now (no food as well as I'm feeding the rest of the tank while he is away taking salt bath). The white stuff seem to have disappeared but pink flesh that could be seen on the original photos still hanging out there and I can't really see how that can go back to be honest He was pretty stressed after each of the baths but looks OK now (colouration and fins are same as they looked on the pictures). He swims a bit, but not much. Anything else that I can do or now its pretty much waiting game? If he is going to suffer more - shall I not put him away now?

 

[Prime Ordeal]

If this was a human they'd be in surgery having the prolapse pushed in and sutured back in place. Obviously that's out of the question with a fish and I see no way of reducing the prolapse without physical intervention. You'd have to sedate it in some way and use something like a cotton bud to attempt to push the prolapse back in but I doubt you'd be successful. I'd give it a few more days and if no improvement then euthanise.

 

[JayD976]

I had a turtle do this once a good portion of his intestine came out as well it's very common in reptiles more so then fish, very hard to treat. Good luck But usually the outcome is well what we all expect not good.

 

[BETTY BOO]

how your ram doing now?

 

[itonlyrains]

Not really good... Not much worse, but very quiet and slim

 

[itonlyrains]

In the end I decided not to let him struggle... But now I've noticed similar symptom on one of my juvenile platies. Its hard to say for sure due to its small size though (its about 6-7 weeks only). This got me thinking - may be it has something to do with the food? I'm currently giving a mix of tetra min and tetra pro energy. The latter its kind of hard crisps - could that be an issue and may be pure flakes are more digestive?

 

[Prime Ordeal]

It's a shame you couldn't help him but it really would be very lucky for it to heal itself, it needs surgical intervention.

I can't comment on those particular brands of food but in general it's very likely that diet has a big bearing on this. You should vary the feed and occasionally include some freeze dried or live food like blood worms. Also feed de-shelled peas at least once a week if you can get them to eat it (not all will). That'll help move any blockage. Variety is the key.