Loaches Online Forum

I have a 4 to 5-inch weather loach in my three-foot tank (indoor freshwater), along with two other goldfish. The loach is (possibly) just three years old, but for some time has been developing swellings in the abdominal region. At the moment it has a swelling about a third of the way down the body, and another bulge just behind and towards the anal cavity. It almost looks pregnant three times over. The swellings are not actually on one side of the body but seem to go around underneath and to the other side as well.
I have no idea what is wrong. The loach seems ok otherwise although it is breathing rapidly; not especially active but does move around the tank and spends time hiding in a small pot. I can't tell whether or not it is eating, though.
Is this a gut blockage? or a female with eggs? (I did have another very old loach in the tank till last Christmas).