has anybody ever seen anything like this? (parasite problem)

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Wow that's harsh looks like he swallowed a golf ball, must be rough on the internal organs. Hope you can get this sorted out.
 
He swims, eats, and poops normal. Might just be some bad organs but I know he has parasites.
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Hey Cam, it is most definitely not parasites. IP's are easy to clear up, and the only time a fish balloons up like that due to IP's it's from organ failure, and the fish usually dies within a day or two after reaching that stage. I would guess that the enlargement is due to either totally screwed up organs (from birth) or a tumour, especially if it is still growing larger.

I haven't had a lot of experience having fish with nematodes (worms) but on the off chance that this is in any way connected to worms (as in a 3 mile long tapeworm lol), have you ever dewormed this fish since you got it with something like Levamisole?
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa091

Also, when you mentioned epsom salt, was this just in the tank water, or did you try the 3% epsom infused food as described in my thread below?
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?339362-Treating-Hexamita-aka-Spironucleus
 
I've done epsom salt in water and also mixed with water and sprayed over pellets. Never tried any deworming meds other that metro which didn't do anything. I actually grabbed the fish earlier to look underneath him and everything looked normal. His belly is very soft too like a balloon or something it smushes really easy. I didn't want to disturb him too much. The fish continues to confuse and amaze me at the same time. Like I said he is very healthy and active and has been like this for months but it just keeps growing larger. I expected him dead or for things to clear up by now.
 
My electric catfish had the same problem. I never really figured out what was wrong, but I thought he might be conjested and be bloated. The problem lasted around one month for those of you think I just overfed him. At first I tried melafix/ pimafix and other things for parasites, but nothing. Then i drasticaly reduced his feeding (maybe once a week) sometimes he wouldn't eat at all. Then after about 1.5 weeks of not eating the next day he was totally normal and started eating normally and has been fine since. I couldn't really find any one that knew what was wrong with him, even on here, and sadly no one could even offer to much advise either. Even if you don't think this is whats wrong with him I would encourage you to skip feeding him for a week or so (it won't hurt him, he could go alot longer without food) and possible try feeding him peas (old goldfish bloat cure) but I have not tried this. Good luck hope he makes at many points I didn't think my E-cat would but he did.
 
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Metro is not designed as a deworming agent, it's main use is for parasitic protozoa, not nematodes.

Check this link out:

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa091

Large larval stages of some nematode species, including Eustrongylides species, may cause physical pressure on organs and abdominal distension.
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As described in the section “Disease in Fish,” fish infected with Eustrongylides species often have grossly distended abdomens, although they appear and behave as normal.
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The bad news is, if that is indeed what your fish is suffering from ......

Control of nematodes that infect areas of the fish other than the gastrointestinal tract is more problematic. For example, Eustrongylides species are typically found encysted within the body cavity outside of the intestinal tract, so common dewormers are ineffective. In fact, surgical removal is the only way to rid fish of internal worms that are not found in the intestine. Fish that contain nematode larvae in their muscles or external areas may be treated by surgical removal of the larvae. This approach is not practical in aquaculture production, and sites of surgery may be unsightly or become infected. In general, affected fish must be culled.
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Goldfish lover, the bloat that you just described is from constipation - most certainly not what Cam's fish is suffering from.
 
Damn.. That looks horrible.. Good luck Cam, I have no idea what it is.. but hopefully your fish makes it.
 
RD. said:
Goldfish lover, the bloat that you just described is from constipation - most certainly not what Cam's fish is suffering from.
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I was thinking that. Don't they feed the goldfish peas to help. I have had a fish that had something close inside was alot of fluid
 
Yes, peas are commonly used to help alleviate constipation in fish. Seeing as Cam has stated that this fish eats & poops normally, that clearly rules out "bloat" from constipation.
 
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