Platy With Big Swollen Belly

[BIG BAD BARRY]

Noticed yesterday that one of two red wagtail platies looked swollen/pregnant but is a male.

It looked slightly better last night but got worse this morning.
Is not eating and has not gone near any boiled peas i put in either.
It is moving ok but much slowly.

Thought it could be swim bladder disorder but the scales are becoming pronounced now so likely to be dropsy.
Water treated with Interpet 9 anti internal bacteria this evening.

Lost one molly earlier in the week with no obvious symptoms.
Water stat are fine:
ph 7.6 as normal.
ammonia 0ppm
nitrite 0ppm
nitrate 20-40ppm

Anything else i can do?
Photo below using mobile so not good

 

[Luzi]

Salt dips help to restore the water balance. Platies are pretty tolerant, so a quick 10g/litre for 10 min should help. If the fish looks very distressed, put him back in the tank
Good luck!

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

Thanks Luzi.
He's had his dip and was fine.
Used tank water and aquarium salt. Is that ok?

 

[Luzi]

Great job! Is he doing any better? Underfeed him to make sure he's not just bloated, and if more scales stick up or he gets lethargic it may be worth treating with bacterial meds

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

50% water change done yesterday and second dose of Interpet 9 anti internal bacteria meds added.
Was looking less swollen earlier and has only eaten one small piece of flake food in last 5 days. It has managed to poo also.
Fingers crossed!
Thanks Luzi

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

The platy is almost back to normal size.
He is more active and eating but not as before.
On one side of the body the scales now appear slightly out of alignment.
On the other side of the body there is a white patch on the body. Is this where the scales have been permanently damaged? Is it liable to infection?
Is there anything else i can do?

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

Good news!

The white patch has almost completely gone and he is swimming and feeding normally.
He is also back to normal size, which took quite some time.

Big thanks to Luzi for his advice.

 

[guppi]

Fantastic result.