Very Bad Dropsy

[Hawkins]

I have a female cherry barb showing bad signs of drops for 3 days. she is sitll alive, and is hanging on.

She is not pineconing, but the front of her belly looks like it could 'explode'.

Just wondered if there were any cures for it? I read that once there are external signs of it, it is too late ?

 

[loraxchick]

are you certain that she's not just really bloated? feed her a pea and see if that helps(or starve the tank for a few days and see if that helps).
there is an epsom salt bath that helps draw out the fluid but i dont remember the proportions to mix. do a search around the net for it. this sometimes helps with dropsy.
best of luck,

 

[Hawkins]

No certainly not bloated. the area which has swelled has red patches on it, as though its going to pop through.

It looks like you could remove it with a knife.

But I think it's one of her organs.

 

[loraxchick]

could you add a pic of it? dropsy is usually accompanied by bloatedness and pineconing. is this lump/bloat only on one side? or symetrical on each side?
look into epsom salt baths...i dont remember the proportions to mix
best of luck