Red Robin Gourami

[ChrissyBoy]

I had a Robin Red Gourami in my tank until about a week ago. Towards the end of his life, he looked ridiculous, he had lost a lot of his colour and was really really bloated. I also noticed that his scales were up on end and poking upright, probably where he was so bloated. He didn't look like he was too uncomfortable and was swimming OK. He was taking refuge from the current in my tank between the filter and the glass though...

Asked my LFS, but they didn't know what it was. Then he died

Anyone know what this could be?

Chris

 

[Curiosity101]

What you were seeing was the result of something called dropsy. However I don't think drospy is actually a disease, more a symptom of a disease. when the fish swells up the scales stick out and it's referred to as pineconing.

Where you seeing any other disease symptoms?

 

[ChrissyBoy]

I didn't notice any other symptoms apart from the ones that I have mentioned.

I can see why they call it pineconing. I thought he was just getting a bit beefy at first, then it became obvious that there was something wrong.

I just wanted to know what it was so I know what to look for next time (if there is one, hopefully not).

Are there any cures or remedies?

 

[Curiosity101]

You can do something called a salt bath, this draws the excess liquid out of the fish. But as dropsy is more of a symptom than a disease it's sorta like taking paracetamol to get rid of a headache. If that headache was caused by something more sinester they you wouldn't be curing it, just temporarily easing the symptoms.

Often drospy will be fatal, but there are meds on the market for it, and I'm certainly no disease expert. So I'm sure they'll be someone who knows more who can answer that question better.