Bichir Sinking

[elbeatch]

I've seen a few forums about sick bichirs floating. I have one who's fairly pale and sinking. She's the bichir I've got who usually is the most active and eats the most, even though she's not near the largest.
You can tell she's having a hard time swimming to the top, she's still eating but looks terrible. Any suggestions as to what she's done? I think because of her rabid eating habits she may have swallowed some gravel, but I can't be sure.
Any help greatly appreciated!

 

[elbeatch]

forgot to add, she's always been lumpy, but is more so now. here's what she normally looked like, her tail end never seemeed to grow.

 

[Infblue]

is that the angle of the fish or is its back at an angle like that?

 

[elbeatch]

nah it's looking for food with it's head down. But the stomach is like that now, only bigger and she's pale.

 

[Infblue]

is there also red streaks lining the scales? or is it just a bloated stomach? and when did this start?

 

[deangelo]

looks like its bloated or having a hard time passing something..from the looks of it, it might have swallowed some of your substrate...

 

[elbeatch]

here's a pic from today, she's looking better but still a tad concerned, it started 2 days ago or so. No redness I can see. She probably did just swallow a bunch of sand or something.

 

[deangelo]

sorry elbeatch but that does not look better..it does look like it has bloat..

 

[elbeatch]

oh.....oh god that's a rough looking bichir in that pic. I'm hoping for the best. Thanks for the input, I'll keep you posted on the outcome.

 

[elbeatch]

I'd hate to speak too soon, but she's gonna be OK!