Dropsy?

[waysgoose]

Hi all,

I have a 10 Gallon tank with 6 Danios, 2 Zebra and 4 Leopard.I have an internal power filter, and the tank has been cycled.

Tonignt I noticed one of the zebras wasn't out and about swimming as usual. Looking around the tank I noticed it was down in the corner of the tank behind the filter. It was lying on its side, and when it did swim off it couldn't swim straight and just got pushed around by the current (my tank has pretty fast moving water, the Danios like it.) I scooped the fish out to have a closer look, and its scales are pineconed, which I understand is a defining feature of dropsy. Its belly does not appear to be swollen.

The stats are 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrites and approx 20ppm Nitrates. The Zebra Danios were introduced to the tank after it had cycled. I have only had them in the tank 2 weeks, after getting them from the LFS.

The other zebra is hanging at the bottom of the tank swimming back and forth in short stretches, which is unusual, as it usually likes to be up with the gang, being boss.The 4 leopards are still at the top of the tank swimming as usual.

I don't have anywhere to quarantine the fish, the best I can do is keep the 1 sick fish in a container of tank water, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to euthenise it, it looks really weak and lifeless.

Can anyone tell me is it dropsy? Is it likely to spread to the other fish? Is there any treatment for dropsy?

Any info who be greatfully received.

Cheers,

Justin

 

[dh058977]

A photo would help but I will say dropsy is a symptom rather than a disease. Because it is a symptom you cannot tell if it is contagious or not so quarantining is a good idea. You could try an epsom salt bath to draw out the fluid but I hate to say its usually too late to save the fish.

Another thing I will say is that your tank is far too small for those danios. They need a tank of around 4ft.

 

[the_lock_man]

If the scales are pineconed, that would certainly indicate dropsy, although you would also expect to see swelling. Without a photo, I can't be certain if it is dropsy or not.

There is no certain treatment for dropsy, because it's a symptom of a problem, not a problem in itself. To relieve the symptoms, you can try giving the fish a bath in Epsom Salts.

Whatever the problem is, it has caused the fish's internal organs to fail, and this has led to a build-up of fluid within the fish's body. As with humans, organ failure is likely to lead to death. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

 

[waysgoose]

Sad to say that fish passed. And now I have a Leopard Danio with Dropsy. This one definitley has the swelling.I have just ended its suffering. Aaaaaaaaahhhh!!!! I hate to see my fish suffer.

Any ideas on what may be causing this? My water stats are all good, 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrite and Nitrates around 20ppm. Ph is approx 6.8-7.0. I realise my tank is too small, it's 2 foot, should be 4 foot for Danios, but was the result of not enough research initially, as well as pet shop telling me they would be fine. The Leopard Danios all went through a fish in cycle, but the Zebra that died previously went in after the tank was cycled.

I did lose a Leopard Danio a while ago, it started sulking behind the filter, and I found it caught in the suction cups that hold it to the glass. It had taken skin off, which initially seemed to heal well (I was adding Melafix to the tank), but after healing went on to develop into an ulcer. I had to euthenase it.

I do partial water changes at least weekly, regularly monitor water stats, gravel vac, not sure what else I can do to make their environment better.

Thanks for your help,

Justin