Ugh.. I Think Marius Has Dropsy

[Amunet]

He's been a bit bloated for a couple of days now. I thought I had just overfed him so didn't feed him for a day, but today when I got up, he's been hiding behind his filter. He's just now started to come out and swim around and I noticed that he's still bloated.
So I go get a pea and when I'm about to drop it in, I notice that his scales are popping out
I've never had to deal with this particular thing before and it's freaking me out honestly.
I feel so bad for my betta but I don't even want to touch the tank... it's just really freaky looking and I dunno.. weird.

I'm hoping that it's just severe constipation or just a little bit of fluid..but I dunno.. it looks so bad.
This just came on so suddenly for no reason. The tank is cycled, he's never shown any signs of sickness prior to this, he ate whatever I gave him.. and then BAM.. this happens........ SIGH

When I get some epson salt.. I'm gonna try a salt bath to see if that helps any....

 

[modaz]

good luck with sorting it out, keep us up with what happens

some of mine had it a while ago caused by dodgy bloodworm, dont feed them bloodworm anymore and never had it since, i just stick to daphnia and BShrimp

 

[Amunet]

I don't feed mine bloodworm.
I did try feeding my bettas some frozen brine shrimp the other day and I think that is what started it all.
They usually only get pellet food, but we got some frozen bshrimp for the new bumblebee gobies. I decided to see if the bettas would like some... the 2 other bettas were totally fine after eating it, but Marius just bloated. Like I said, I thought it was just him overeating, but then the raised scales happened.

UGH.. dropsy is so freaking creepy to look at. I've seen pics of it of course... but to actually see it in person... it's just... bleh.. I feel so bad b/c I don't even want to look at my poor lil betta.

Anyways... I gave him an epson salt bath. Little less than a tablespoon of salt in a little less than a gallon of water. Kept him in it for about 20mins.

How often should I keep doing the baths? How quickly should I see improvement IF it works?

I can't tell if he's improved or not. He was hiding behind the filter for most of the day but he's been swimming around some.. not much though. He'll swim some and then rest on the plants or tubing or whatever. Scales are still raised.. he's still pretty bloated as well.
Fiance said that it looks like he's smaller though *shrugs*

 

[Amunet]

Ugh.. he is SO bloated. I can't tell if he's getting worse or not though.. can't tell if he's getting better..... He's swimming around, but defintely not his normal self. He comes up to the front when I look at him.. so I guess that might be a good sign?



EDIT:
Giving him another epsom salt bath with a little more salt. I think his bloating has gone down some, but the scales are still sticking out like crazy. I did a water change in his tank as well and added triple sulfa... an anti-bacterial med. Hoping this will help him.... *crosses fingers*

If not though.... I really hope he doesn't last for very long... I don't have the heart to euthanize and it's going to break my heart watching him suffer like this before he passes.

 

[Amunet]

Just a small update...
I don't think he's gonna make it. His scales look like they've come down slightly, but he's breathing very heavily.
I'll update again tomorrow when I wake up. Poor lil guy

 

[Amunet]

Updating...

He's definitely not doing better... just drifting wherever the current takes him.. still breathing hard.
Looks like his whole body has swollen up some... and of course scales are still sticking out. I don't think he has much longer at least I'm really hoping he doesn't... I hate seeing him suffer.

 

[jenis]

I'm really sorry to hear this
My Oscar was fine one day and the next he was bloated.. I have no idea why.. maybe I didn't clean him enough I really don't know.
He was happy, healthy and active up untill a day or so ago and now he's just sort of floating around.. I'm surprized he is still alive to be honest.
I hope you have better luck then Oscar and I have.
He's been like this for weeks It's heart breaking to watch.
Best wishes to you and your fishy.

 

[Amunet]

We went out earlier to various places, and when we got home I found Marius dead laying on the gravel
I wish I could say it looked like he went peacefully but with the way he was breathing and looked... I don't think he was in much comfort when he did finally pass on.
I guess I'm just glad though that he's not suffering any longer..

RIP lil buddy... unfortunatly I didn't know you for very long, but I hope I made your life better the time we spent together.

He's been put into my flower garden along with the rest.

 

[jenis]

We went out earlier to various places, and when we got home I found Marius dead laying on the gravel
I wish I could say it looked like he went peacefully but with the way he was breathing and looked... I don't think he was in much comfort when he did finally pass on.
I guess I'm just glad though that he's not suffering any longer..

RIP lil buddy... unfortunatly I didn't know you for very long, but I hope I made your life better the time we spent together.

He's been put into my flower garden along with the rest.

Sorry for your loss