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I came home from work tonight and found one of my multi's lying on its side. Still alive, though apparently just barely, here's a couple pics. I don't know what's protruding from the vent(?)
Any idea/s what the problem is, and whether it's likely to affect the others?

After being moved a little, normal/healthy fish would have swam away when touched:

I don't know what's protruding from the vent(?)

That is the genital papillae, signifying a male.

I cannot distinguish anything from the picture as to what is wrong.
Is there another male it was fighting with?? It does not look damaged in that way though.

What else is in the tank with it?

What has it been fed with and how much?

Did you check water parameters?

A few questions, but if answered might help determine a problem or a cause.

Isolate if you can, even into a net as a different tank may be too traumatic and check water parameters.

Birger

The other fish in the tank are 5 other multi's and 2m/1f ahli's. It doesn't look beat up or damaged by other fish.
That tank is fed once daily, either spirulina-based flakes or Omega One small pellets for the last couple weeks.
Can't check water parameters at the moment, no clue what my wife did with my master test kit. I saw it last on the shelf under the tank, but she insists on "cleaning" while I'm at work...
The fish has made his way under cover, but his mouth appears to be wide open rather than opening/closing normally.

It looks in bad shape - synos are exremely tough & suffer badly when they start to succumb to something.

Isolate with separate good quality water & high aeration - don't feed, don't use artificial illumination.

Monitor both tanks closely.

have any cleaning products contaminated the tank?

I'd perhaps also treat with a med for bacterial infections - with subsequent water changes: top quality water is vital

I've had fish run themselves into the glass and then lay on the bottom for a while before finally dying. This happened with mbuna and not catfish, but I imagine that the process is the same. I've also seen cichlids get bitten on the head hard enough to stun and kill them but not so violent to cause any external injuries.

I did another partial water change, though considering the relatively light stocking I doubt that water quality was the cause. Are the genital papillae on males normally so prominent? I've never noticed them before, even when the group was against the front glass "surfing" the hob filter flow.

toddnbecka wrote:I did another partial water change, though considering the relatively light stocking I doubt that water quality was the cause. Are the genital papillae on males normally so prominent? I've never noticed them before, even when the group was against the front glass "surfing" the hob filter flow.

It doesn't look particularly bigger than normal

He's still alive, possibly gaining strength since he's not lying on his side any longer. He still isn't very active, but does seem to be swimming a bit better.

toddnbecka wrote:He's still alive, possibly gaining strength since he's not lying on his side any longer. He still isn't very active, but does seem to be swimming a bit better.

That's a good sign - multis not being able to hold a correct position always concerns me

toddnbecka wrote:considering the relatively light stocking I doubt that water quality was the cause

I wouldn't count on that, it's always best to do water tests if a fish seems ill for no apparent reason.

Chrysichthys wrote:

toddnbecka wrote:considering the relatively light stocking I doubt that water quality was the cause

I wouldn't count on that, it's always best to do water tests if a fish seems ill for no apparent reason.

I always think the water should be tested regularly whether there is a problem evident or not - when you look at some of the fish we keep it pays to be careful & considerate to their needs - water quality can change extremely rapidly in certain circumstances