Um what’s this?

[NotDaleGribble]

Ummm what’s happening to my fish?

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

This looks to be an anal protrusion a.k.a. anal prolapse.

[NotDaleGribble]

Seeing different ways to handle this. Kind of leaning toward just leaving him/her alone. 

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

I’ve not dealt with this issue personally, but from what I’ve read, keeping good water quality helps. You’ll want to test the big 3: ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate and change water according to your test results.
 

@Colu@Odd Duck

Edited October 19, 2022 by Chick-In-Of-TheSea

[Colu]

The best treatment for a prolapse are Epsom salt baths 1 table for 1 gallons for no more than 15 minutes for a couple of days as Epsom salt acts as a muscle relaxant to help your fish reabsorb the prolapse @NotDaleGribble

Edited October 19, 2022 by Colu
Typo

[Odd Duck]

This can be a sign of intestinal parasites.  At the least, I would do a 3-4 rounds of Expel-P exactly as labeled.  If that doesn’t improve, then tag me again.  That looks to red to be just a breeding tube.  I agree with @Chick-In-Of-TheSea, looks like a prolapse to me.

Edit to agree with @Coluon the Epsom salt soak may help.  I would still do the Expel-P.

Edited October 19, 2022 by Odd Duck