We've Got "pine Combing"

[Kara101584]

One of my oldest and largest Goldies is bloated and "pine comb" shaped, what's the best way to treat this? I do have some Tank Buddies brand Fungus Clear... any good?

Thanks!!

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

"Pine coning" is a result of dropsy, which is a desease brought on by bad constipation or internal bacteria or both- to be on the safe side, you should treat the fish for both. Cutting down on dry or high protein foods and feeding the fish a small but high veg diet (cooked, de-shelled pea's are good for goldfish, you can also get frozen cubes of veg designed specially for fish) will treat the constipation, and treating the fish with a med like "Anti Internal Bacteria" by Interpet will treat the dropsy itself.

Also make sure you keep up on regular water changes on the tank (you should do at least do a 30% water change on the tank once a week with dechlorinator) and keep the substrate clean as well to help lower any deseases levels present in the tank .

 

[black angel]

Heat the water to 80c and add 1/8th of a teaspoon per 5 gallons epsom salts. Its 99% incurable im afraid and those that do get over it get it back again.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Actually because the desease is bacterial, heating the water will do no good- heating tank water only works on parasites (to speed up their life cycle). Its a difficult to treat condition, but its not incurable.

 

[Tolak]

Pick up some Maracyn & Maracyn II at your lfs, and dose according to the directions. I would use more epsom salt than 1/8 teaspoon per 5 gallons, I start with a teaspoon per 10 gallons, increasing by a teaspoon per 10 gallons for a couple of days for a maximum of three teaspoons per 10 gallons.

Dropsy is a symptom, not an ilness in itself, it usually indicates an internal bacterial problem. The antibiotics will help with the bacterial infection, the epsom helps to draw out fluid. It is difficult to treat, I had around a 50% success rate with platys some time ago.

 

[black angel]

Lifting the temperature kicks the immune system up a gear and helps to fight the bacteria.