BettaBuddy ~ Miley

Sorry about Chopstick. Hope he gets better.

Miley

Chief_waterchanger

Sorry to hear about your fish. However, dropsy is mainly when the freshwater fish's body stops pumping water out that it swells and ends up dying because by the time that is apparent it is almost always too late to identify and treat whatever has caused the situation in the first place. Dropsy is not a disease, but a reaction or symptom to the systems of the fish being out of balance. It is like a chemical imbalance in a person can cause them to be bipolar, depressed, etc, each side-effect of the chemical imbalance is referred to as a disease all its own, when it is really the chemical imbalance that is the disease. (In that analogy dropsy is depression, bipolarism, etc.)

Incase that made no sense to someone, here is another one.

Fever is a human's reaction to infection. Fever is not the disease, the infection, even if unknown or unidentified is the disease. Fever in this case is dropsy, a reaction to a problem, that is viewed as a problem all its own.

Basically if your fish is healthy and has healthy conditions it should rarely if ever occur.

Phloxface

I know it's a symptom, but whatever caused it, by the time it's that advanced, it cannot be cured. I know, I've went through it three times.
Epsom salts may ease his bloating and make him more comfortable but at this point meds are probably not going to help.

Punkrockviolet5: just make sure you don't add epsom salts to the tank with the other fish in it. The others should not be exposed to it if they are healthy. Do you have another small tank or even a new bucket to use? Don't use too much Epsom salt and watch him carefully the whole time he is in there. they can go into shock. If he shows any signs of distress, like going belly up, remove him and put him in fresh water (make sure it's the same temp). I used about 1 teaspoon epsom salt per gallon of water for mine.

Chief_waterchanger

I have a question Phloxface. What is epoxied gravel? I've seen the painted gravel, but never heard of gravel with epoxy on it.

nmwierman1977

Your welcome. Are you going to try to help him first? It sounds like you want to. Good luck if you do. There are meds for dropsy you can try like maracyn 1 and 2.,if you want to try to help. Natalie

Phloxface

I don't really know. I had some like that a while ago. Unlike the colored gravel which is rough, this stuff was smooth. I only use uncolored polished river rock and pebbles now.

armadillo

But maybe you went through it 3 times with the same disease is what I mean. I've gotten dropsied fish back from the brink before, so I wanted to make sure this fish doesn't get flushed on a confusion.

Phloxface

I have nothing against the fish being treated. I always hope that they recover. I just don't want to give false hope. It is VERY rare to be able to cure dropsy, regardless of the cause. There is doubt among scientists that the fish cured of dropsy actually may not have had dropsy. It is fatal 99% of the time. Better to be prepared and have a way to end the suffering humanely.

punkrockviolet5

So, I got some picts this morning. The 'sleeping' medicine should be on its way but for now, this is how he looks:

Dropsy:


Finrot?: (His fins have fallen off in chunks)

BettaBuddy ~ Miley

Poor Little guy!!!! I REALLY hope he gets better!!!

Miley

ricktavious

That is so sad, very sorry for both you and the little guy

BettaBuddy ~ Miley

Ya it is

Miley ♥

Phloxface

Aawww!
I feel so bad for the poor little guy and for you. I know how hard it was for me to watch my fish go through this and nothing I gave them helped. He may pass away before you get the clove oil but at least you'll have it for in case another fish gets sick. At some point you can just tell they will not get better and it's best to ease their suffering.

After he passes do a good gravel vac and a large water change (at least 50%) so your other fish will stay okay and whatever bacteria infected your Betta won't get them too. Maybe do a second water change (about 30%) a couple days later too.

When my first Betta died of dropsy I didn't even realize it was dropsy. I just vaccumed the gravel and did a big water change and put another Betta in without sterilizing the tank. She never got sick and has been healthy since then.

If you notice your other fish acting weird and lethargic at all you can medicate the whole tank as a preventative but if they seem fine then water changes should be enough.

If you don't already, you should use NovAqua+ water conditioner. It contains vitamins and echinachea and anti-viral ingredients which can really help your fish's immune systems as well as remove chlorine and chloramines.

COBettaCouple

poor little guy.. we really do wish you the best and if you can find Methlyene Blue and/or Fish Protector at the store, those could at least reduce his stress and make him a little more comfortable.

Tazmiche

I'm sorry to see what you and he are going through mate!

punkrockviolet5

You guys are the greatest! Thanks for all the love.

I have pulled Chopstick from the 10 gal tank. He is now resting in his original container. The one I brought him home from the store in. With almost no fins, he actually fits 'comfortably' (I use the word very loosley) and can rest or get air without too much effort. He still is not eating, but I have tried anyway. Got an email today saying the clove oil is on its way.

I returned the 6 gal hexagon he was in, that had the attached filter, to the store yesterday. Funny thing, when I exchanged it, they were having a sale and I was able to upgrade to a 20 gal, for THE SAME PRICE!! I transferred everyone over last night (using the water from the 10 gal & adding new) and they are *so* happy.

Here's a picture:



It has 2 filters, cuz I'm scared they're gonna get sick, too!

Spoiled rotten, if you ask me!

nmwierman1977

AW, very nice tank you have there. I hope everything works out for you. Natalie

voiceless_kat

I am so sorry to hear of your sick fish. I recently lost a wonderful betta friend to "dropsy" and it is heartbreaking. You are making him comfortable, and are there with him, that is the best you can do. My Storm fought so hard to stay alive, eating a pea treat the day before he passed, but sometimes the battle is too great and we have to let them go .


Nice deal you got on the 20g and it looks great. Good luck with it. You will get much love, support and advice on fishlore.

Val