wrasse with bulge, swimming strangely

[polarpooch]

Hey all...
I have a Xmas wrasse that has a bulge in its abdomen--and it's definately not the food. The fish is also swimming strangely--straight up and down, a little sideways.
It started about a week ago...it's still eating well and has no discoloration.
Any suggestions what this might be? Some sort of parasite? Fluke? Help!

 

[polarpooch]

I don't store the food in a freezer...
As I look at him, the bulge is well past his stomach--so whatever it is isn't in the stomach.--that's why I wonder if it's a fluke or something.
I think maracyn is a good idea anyway. I won't know if it's bacterial or not anyway...
Could he have gotten it by burying himself in the substrate?

 

[beth]

It could well be a tumor, in which case there is not much that can be done. It would not hurt to isolate the fish and go ahead and treat it with M2......however, that will not work if the problem is a tumor.

 

[polarpooch]

A tumor? I hope not. But it isn't getting any smaller...what would cause the tumor? Any idea?
Sounds like you're saying it doesn't look good for my little fish here?

 

[beth]

It is hard to say what the problem may be. A course of antibiotics would not be a bad idea, but you need to do this in a hospital tank.
Is the fish still eating?

 

[polarpooch]

I Q'd him a couple of days ago--haven't added any medications, though. He's still eating great, just has this bulge and the swimming problem.