Dropsy Treatments?

[KrystaK]

I have a 30 gal tank (36x12x18) (stock listed in my sig)
I recently (within the last two weeks) changed substrates and have done 'round about weekly 30% water changes.
So I assume the water is relatively clean? (Though I did put in a new filter pad recently and I'm told that was a bad move as it'll mean I have to restart my cycle?)

Anyways my two male Molly's are both sowing slightly protruding scales. Not enough that I notice from a distance that they're sick, but they are just noticeable protruding, almost like early signs of dropsy. (I've never managed to save a fish from dropsy, but I'd like to save these two.)

I don't know if it'll spread but none of my other fish show any signs of having problems.

I've done some research and assuming it's a bacterial infection that led to this, would tetracycline work? (I've never heard of it, but another website that I trust suggests it works, I just want others opinions)
Does anyone have any other suggestions? I just did a 50% water change and added some salt (Even though that's not good for my cory's) in an attempt to save my boys.

 

[Dieses Madchen]

Quarantine them and treat with an all around medication (treats fungal, bacterial and paracytic) and maybe give empsom salt baths twice daily. The epsom salts will draw some of the excess fluid out and help with swelling, but I hate to tell you, if its gotten to this point, it may be too late. I hope you can cure them!

 

[KrystaK]

if i did empsom salt baths I assume i'll have to do daily water changes? oy vey

and I'm still optomistic(sp?) for them, they're both very hardy, fighter not lover sort of fish. And I think I've caught it rather early - even though the protruding scales are some of the last signs of an infection....

Is there a particular ratio of salt I should use? 9Such as a tsp for 5 gal?

 

[Dieses Madchen]

That i am not sure. if you search the website you may find your answer, or hopefully someone will chime in. I have only had one experience with dropsy and it took my fish rather quickly

 

[KrystaK]

I had a break out of dropsy in a group of guppies I bought and that was my first experience with it.
its too bad all the empsome salts in my house are scented, otherwise I'd get started right away, but as it is I'll have to set up my hospital container without any salt to use. Would normal aquarium salt do anything in your opinion?

 

[Dieses Madchen]

IM really not sure. Let me see if I can get someone else to help.

 

[pern]

From what I read before treating my fish (unsuccessfully) for dropsy, you need Epsom salts - aquarium salts won't do it - 1 teaspoon per gallon (3.75 litres). I had my boy in a hospital tank and gave him 15-20 minute 'baths' in the Epsom salt mixture twice per day in a separate container as I had Furan 2 in the hospital tank. Good luck - I really hope you have success!

 

[afremont]

Would normal aquarium salt do anything in your opinion?

I think that is what you should use. Either type of salt will make it easier for the fish to carry out osmoregulation. I would save epsom salt (MgSO4) for shorter term operations since it is also acts as a laxative. So, in my opinion, you should use the regular aquarium salt (NaCl) since you can leave it in as long as you like. You can easily go as high as 1 tablespoon per gallon, but I'd start in the vicinity of 1 teaspoon per gallon and raise it in steps to acclimate the fish. They're mollies so they should have no trouble with salt. Dip out some tank water to dissolve the salt in and then pour it back in to prevent the fish from trying to eat it.

It might not be a bad idea to give an epsom salt bath in another container and also feed the fish a pea in case it's just constipated. No flakes for now.

Are you sure the scale are truly pineconing? I ask because you said the swelling wasn't very great yet and usually the fish has to get pretty swollen before the scales start turning up.

 

[KrystaK]

I have them in a clear tote as my hospital tank turned into my Betta tank about a month ago.

I checked this morning and they seem a little better - but I say that hesitantly. I have the Aquarium salt at 1 tsp for 5 gal. (So 2 tsp of salt). There's a drug store down the road so I'll go there and get some empsom salts this afternoon.

I don't know if it's actually dropsy as neither were swollen at all, but the scales along their backs between their dorsal and tail fin were raised, on top and bottom.
I've never seen or read anyone else talking about just these specific scales raised so I just assumed it was what i knew caused scales to rise.
But I checked some pictures and their scales used to lie flat. Could it just be that the water hadn't been changed in a while so they were stressed? I just had exam week and I put off cleaning the tank in favor of studying for three days...But I thought mollies were hardier than that, if anything my Panda's should have been stressed out.