V Sick Fish.

[JohnHammill]

Hi
Just a quick question.
I noticed one of my fish getting v fat over the last 10 days. I took it out and put him in a small tank today, and boy he looks very ugly. Bulging eyes and v swollen belly with his gills sticking out. Now I have search various forums and guess he has dropsy.

I bought some aquarium salt and have dosed the water with that.

Ive now read in a book and also some people who have replied to others on the forum have pretty much made out its fatal and he should be put down humanely.

I guess my question is, and maybe im being too creature friendly how do you put down a 7 inch fish humanely? Should I just leave him out the water? Isn`t that more cruel than letting him die from dropsy? Can i get any treatment that might help? Is it contagious to the other fish?

Anyway your thoughts and help would be appreiciated.

John

 

[SharonCC]

What type of fish is it, John? Dropsy is not really a disease on it's own, but rather a culmination of symptoms. It is often too late when the fish gets to this point. Some say, Epsom salts may reduce bloating. Did you notice any thing not quite right about the fish recently?