Oh No! Dropsey! Help

[confused mermaid]

I finally got my tank perfect and added my last two fish last week. Now Im pretty sure my powder blue dwarf gourami has dropsey. I am going out of town for a week on Friday and it's not something I can cancel. I was planning on getting one of those 7 day feeders. I don't have anyone I can depend on to do water changes and/or go through a lot of instructions on medicating the tank. For right now I was planning on quarantining him when I get home to a 5 gallon and trying to medicate him till I leave on Friday. If it's simple I can ask the neighbor to go in and drop some stuff into the quaranteen tank. Do I need to treat my 46 gallon for it as well even though nothing else is exhibiting signs of it? I will be beside myself if I come home to a tank of dead or diseased fish.

What do I treat with...epsom salt in the 5 gallon?

HELP!!!!

Advice appreciated.

Thanks

I finally got my tank perfect and added my last two fish last week. Now Im pretty sure my powder blue dwarf gourami has dropsey. I am going out of town for a week on Friday and it's not something I can cancel. I was planning on getting one of those 7 day feeders. I don't have anyone I can depend on to do water changes and/or go through a lot of instructions on medicating the tank. For right now I was planning on quarantining him when I get home to a 5 gallon and trying to medicate him till I leave on Friday. If it's simple I can ask the neighbor to go in and drop some stuff into the quaranteen tank. Do I need to treat my 46 gallon for it as well even though nothing else is exhibiting signs of it? I will be beside myself if I come home to a tank of dead or diseased fish.

What do I treat with...epsom salt in the 5 gallon?

HELP!!!!

Advice appreciated.

Thanks

By the way, test was 0 with everything else....PH 8 Nitrates 5

 

[rl4400]

Is your Nitrite 5? Did you cycle your tank? Can you fully describe your fish's symptoms?

 

[confused mermaid]

Is your Nitrite 5? Did you cycle your tank? Can you fully describe your fish's symptoms?

Tank has been cycled for about two months...Nitrite is 0...Nitrate is 5 The fish is bloated and has some scales kinda sticking up, not just in the bloated area though. It's a little slower than usual but still swimming around and eating. Kinda hanging out by the heater. I didn't know if they laid eggs or what so I left it in the tank this morning because I didn't know what the problem was till I got answers on here. I'm almost positive the fish must have dropsey.

 

[rl4400]

Hey I did some research on dropsy for you heres a quote from one of the wesites: Here is the link:
http/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_dropsy

"Prognosis of fish dropsy is not good. By the time the fish has swollen up enough that the scales begin to raise, the internal damage may be too extensive to repair. Most cases of dropsy are fatal. However, if the fish is placed in a quarantine tank and treated with a broad spectrum antibiotic or a bacterial remedy from any aquatic sales shop, then the fish can make a full recovery in less than a week."

But it sounds like if the scales rise then things aren't looking to good....

 

[confused mermaid]

Hey I did some research on dropsy for you heres a quote from one of the wesites: Here is the link:
[URL="http/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_dropsy"]http/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_dropsy[/URL]

"Prognosis of fish dropsy is not good. By the time the fish has swollen up enough that the scales begin to raise, the internal damage may be too extensive to repair. Most cases of dropsy are fatal. However, if the fish is placed in a quarantine tank and treated with a broad spectrum antibiotic or a bacterial remedy from any aquatic sales shop, then the fish can make a full recovery in less than a week."

But it sounds like if the scales rise then things aren't looking to good....

Ya, I read that website too....I'm going to petsmart tonight to see what they got because that's the only option for this evening....tomorrow I'm going to run to my LFS to see if they have further advice. What crappy timing for this to happen. If my angels or my betta get it I'm going to have fits. Begged my fiancee to medicate the fish in my absense (he wants nothing to do with my fish) and he agreed to it if it's simple. Now I just need to figure out what to medicate with.

 

[Geoff1991]

Stay calm and wait for wilder before you go out and buy meds, she's always been very helpful in this forum and she knows her stuff

Edit: For when she comes on, if you post your tank size, water stats, any other fish in the tank, how long the tank has been set up and any other useful info she'll be able to help straight away.

 

[rl4400]

Remember, the people at pet stores just want your money! They will pretty much give you
the wrong advice on purpose so you'll buy their stuff. There are medications for dropsey: I think epsom salts
could help... Thats what it said on the website anyway. Also you can buy antibiotics for dropsey.. But he's right
talk to Wilder about medications...

 

[confused mermaid]

Stay calm and wait for wilder before you go out and buy meds, she's always been very helpful in this forum and she knows her stuff

Edit: For when she comes on, if you post your tank size, water stats, any other fish in the tank, how long the tank has been set up and any other useful info she'll be able to help straight away.

OK, Wilder. My tank size is 46 gallons. Tank occupants are 1 BN Pleco, 3 dwarf gourami, 5 ghost catfish, 1 betta, 2 kuhli loaches, 4 marbled loaches, 2 angles and 5 red Tetra

Has tested 0 0 0 and Nitrates at 5 for a few weeks now. Ph stays around 8 or a little above. (I have well water) Tank hit the end of the cycle about a month ago. I do approx a 50% vacum and water change once a week.

Thanks guys....I will pm Wilder to alert her to my problem because I get off in two hours and was gonna hit the store.

 

[confused mermaid]

Stay calm and wait for wilder before you go out and buy meds, she's always been very helpful in this forum and she knows her stuff

Edit: For when she comes on, if you post your tank size, water stats, any other fish in the tank, how long the tank has been set up and any other useful info she'll be able to help straight away.

OK, Wilder. My tank size is 46 gallons. Tank occupants are 1 BN Pleco, 3 dwarf gourami, 5 ghost catfish, 1 betta, 2 kuhli loaches, 4 marbled loaches, 2 angles and 5 red Tetra

Has tested 0 0 0 and Nitrates at 5 for a few weeks now. Ph stays around 8 or a little above. (I have well water) Tank hit the end of the cycle about a month ago. I do approx a 50% vacum and water change once a week.

Thanks guys....I will pm Wilder to alert her to my problem because I get off in two hours and was gonna hit the store.

I think I'll isolate him in the 5 gallon and try epsom salt while I'm waiting

 

[WILDER]

If you are issolating him add some epson salts to his tank.
A bacterial med.
Once scales stick out fish rarely make it. Organ failure.
You will need an airstone to increase aeration with the meds.

Link to the salt dosage.
[URL="http/www.fishjunkies.com/Treatments/salt.php"]http/www.fishjunkies.com/Treatments/salt.php[/URL]

 

[confused mermaid]

If you are issolating him add some epson salts to his tank.
A bacterial med.
Once scales stick out fish rarely make it. Organ failure.
You will need an airstone to increase aeration with the meds.

Link to the salt dosage.
<a href="http/www.fishjunkies.com/Treatments/salt.php" target="_blank">http/www.fishjunkies.com/Treatments/salt.php</a>

Thank you Wilder. I didn't get home till late last night and he was resting so I didn't have the heart to disturb him. When I fed them this morning he was even more puffed up and wouldn't eat this time. WHAT A HORRIBLE AILMENT! I feel so bad. He was one of the very first additions to my tank and I have had him for about six months now. I will be isolating him after work tonight and I bought the epson salt last night. I'll get the anti-bacterial tonight. It's kinda rediculous how attached you can get to these fish.

Is there a way to prevent my other fish from getting the same thing being that he has been in the same tank the whole time?

 

[WILDER]

Dropsy can only pass onto other fish if they peck at the dead body.
I would issoalte him.
Good luck.


Dropsy



Symptoms:

This disease is very common among African Cichlids, and is commonly called "Malawi Bloat," even though it affects fish from Lakes Tanganyika and Victoria. Dropsy is also very common within the Carp family and among Anabantids. It is characterized by swelling of the body and especially abdomen, which causes the scales to stand out with a pine cone appearance. Eyes may protrude or cave in. Reddening at the vent and/or base of fins may be observable as well as body ulcers and long pale feces. In advanced cases, skin discoloration and scale loss may also occur. Sick fish will not show any desire for food. They will often hang near the bottom, resting on the gravel, or at the top, gasping for air. In the latter stages of this disease, the fish may lose its equilibrium and hence ability to swim properly.



Cause:

Three main causes for Dropsy have been identified. The over use of salt (NaCl), prolonged exposure to poor water conditions, and improper diet, which lead to a parasitic infection. Other causes include poisoning, internal injuries and cancerous tumors. The swelling is not the disease itself, but rather a symptom, which is caused by a build-up of fluids in the body cavity due to internal organ failure.



Treatment:

Treatment of this disease is difficult, as by the time it is recognized, permanent damage to the internal organs of the fish will have occurred. Immediate treatment must be performed if there is to be any chance for survival. Metronidazole (Flagyl) and or Clout are the best medications for treatment of Dropsy. Notwithstanding, not much is known for certain about the etiology of this disease and some experienced aquarists use antibiotics to fight Dropsy. For oxytetracycline, baths of 20-100 mg/litre for five days is suggested. For tetracycline hydrochloride, treat with baths of 40-100 mg/litre for five days. And for minocycline hydrochloride a dilution of 250mg/10 gallons of water is recommended. On day 2 change all the water and add the medicine again at the same dose for another 2 days. Increase aeration during treatment. Do not use minocycline a third time in a row. Caution: tetracyclines are photo sensitive so turn the tank lights off during treatment and cover the whole tank with a blanket. If the fish is still eating, you can soak the food in a concentrated solution of the antibiotic before feeding.



For more information:

You can read more about this disease, treatment, and how to prevent it in the future by reading our article: Malawi Bloat

 

[confused mermaid]

Dropsy can only pass onto other fish if they peck at the dead body.
I would issoalte him.
Good luck.


Dropsy



Symptoms:

This disease is very common among African Cichlids, and is commonly called "Malawi Bloat," even though it affects fish from Lakes Tanganyika and Victoria. Dropsy is also very common within the Carp family and among Anabantids. It is characterized by swelling of the body and especially abdomen, which causes the scales to stand out with a pine cone appearance. Eyes may protrude or cave in. Reddening at the vent and/or base of fins may be observable as well as body ulcers and long pale feces. In advanced cases, skin discoloration and scale loss may also occur. Sick fish will not show any desire for food. They will often hang near the bottom, resting on the gravel, or at the top, gasping for air. In the latter stages of this disease, the fish may lose its equilibrium and hence ability to swim properly.



Cause:

Three main causes for Dropsy have been identified. The over use of salt (NaCl), prolonged exposure to poor water conditions, and improper diet, which lead to a parasitic infection. Other causes include poisoning, internal injuries and cancerous tumors. The swelling is not the disease itself, but rather a symptom, which is caused by a build-up of fluids in the body cavity due to internal organ failure.



Treatment:

Treatment of this disease is difficult, as by the time it is recognized, permanent damage to the internal organs of the fish will have occurred. Immediate treatment must be performed if there is to be any chance for survival. Metronidazole (Flagyl) and or Clout are the best medications for treatment of Dropsy. Notwithstanding, not much is known for certain about the etiology of this disease and some experienced aquarists use antibiotics to fight Dropsy. For oxytetracycline, baths of 20-100 mg/litre for five days is suggested. For tetracycline hydrochloride, treat with baths of 40-100 mg/litre for five days. And for minocycline hydrochloride a dilution of 250mg/10 gallons of water is recommended. On day 2 change all the water and add the medicine again at the same dose for another 2 days. Increase aeration during treatment. Do not use minocycline a third time in a row. Caution: tetracyclines are photo sensitive so turn the tank lights off during treatment and cover the whole tank with a blanket. If the fish is still eating, you can soak the food in a concentrated solution of the antibiotic before feeding.



For more information:

You can read more about this disease, treatment, and how to prevent it in the future by reading our article: Malawi Bloat

I really appreciate your help. Thanks again

 

[rl4400]

How is the little guy doing today any better??

 

[confused mermaid]

How is the little guy doing today any better??

nope I was going to transfer him to the small tank last night, but he was on the bottom resting with one of his tankmates right by his side and I didn't have the heart to stir him up and upset him...so I have to do it tonight after work. Yesterday he was eating. This morning he looked even more bloated and he didn't eat. He still came over to see me and his fins didn't seem to be clamped or anything but I noticed that there is some brown color starting on his tailfin and overall his color is now more of a yellowish blue. I felt rather silly even though noone was there because I actually teared up for a second. He was one of the first fish I got so I guess he is kinda special to me. He's less than a year old so this should not be happening. Hopefully as I get more experienced at fish keeping the losses won't be so hard to take?