Yellowheaded jawfish stomach bloat?

[Jeff70227]

Hello,
I was hoping someone might help me identify if my yellowheaded jawfish is having an issue. It looks like his stomach is big, but directly behind it, it's sunken in, almost like he's arching his back. He's eating fine and does not seem lethargic whatsoever. But I used to keep FW neon tetras and they had a disease where they like folded in half. Was hoping the jawfish didn't have something like that or if he did there was someone who could identify what's going on and provide some treatment ideas. All parameters are good, I have a protein skimmer and also a cheato refugium. Tank mates include a 6 line wrasse, royal gramma, and bicolor blenny - none having any issues at all.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[nezw0001]

Hard to say from the pictures but the other thing on your rule out list could be egg bound?

 

[ichthyogeek]

That's super interesting. It's almost like the muscle's atrophying, or the fat stores are going away, even though the fish has a full stomach.

What does the fish' waste look like?

What are you feeding the fish?

 

[Jeff70227]

That's super interesting. It's almost like the muscle's atrophying, or the fat stores are going away, even though the fish has a full stomach.

What does the fish' waste look like?

What are you feeding the fish?

Hi, sorry for the late reply...

I haven't seen him poop in a long time, so I can't say.

I feed him frozen mysis shrimp and frozen brine on alternating days. Then once a week I feed some spirulina/mysis along with the other.

His back is getting more bent by the week, so it's almost like he's arching his back and sucking in his stomach or something. But his belly looks full, he swims fine and he still eats. Could he just be getting old? I've only had him for about 7 months.

 

[ichthyogeek]

The only other things I can think of, is a vitamin deficiency, maybe C or D. It could also be intestinal parasites, since the fish is eating, and not gaining weight. The final option is that it could be a genetic issue, I've seen something similar in zebra danios.... @Jay Hemdal ?

 

[Jeff70227]

The only other things I can think of, is a vitamin deficiency, maybe C or D. It could also be intestinal parasites, since the fish is eating, and not gaining weight. The final option is that it could be a genetic issue, I've seen something similar in zebra danios.... @Jay Hemdal ?

Thanks for your insight.
How would I treat for the vitamin deficiancy? Would prasipro work for the parasite? If not, is there something I should try? He's a cool little fish and would hate to have him die on me without trying something for him.

 

[ichthyogeek]

Read the stickies in this subforum There’s a good internal parasite treatment there.

As for vitamin deficiency, try feeding selcon or other food additives. Feeding high quality pellets with known vitamins (like ascorbic acid), might also help as well.