gammerus

well I just went to check on Julian and he has just developed dropsy I put him into the 2gal qt tank. He shared a tank with 3 Cory's, should I be worried about them? should I disinfect the tank? How do I disinfect the stuff I put in his tank? (i.e. his net, the python, etc..)

gammerus

I also must add that I don't really see any pineconing, but the bloating is too extreme to be constipation.

Phloxface

Start treatment right away and isolate him. If it is dropsy, the sooner it's caught the better chances are for recovery. Unfortunately dropsy has a very low cure rate after the scales start pineconing but it's always worth trying. You could try the epsom salt bath to relieve the bloating (no more than 1/4 teaspoon per gallon) and keep a CLOSE eye on him while in the bath. Remove him at first sign of distress. Some Bettas have a bad reaction to it (Phlox nearly went belly up after 8 minutes) although from what I've heard, most will tolerate it. You can do this for 15 minutes twice a day. It is very stressful for the Betta but if it relieves the bloat it may be worth it. If he reacts badly don't try it again. Try to use a cup to scoop him out of the tank instead of a net if you can. It's less painful and traumatic.
I don't know what else to tell you except make sure he has clean warm water and no rough gravel. Use a bare tank or glass marbles as he may spend a lot of time on the bottom.* I hope he recovers. I'm going through a hard time now too with Phlox. I'm certain he doesn't have dropsy as his bloating has gone down with fasting but he still looks pathetic. Why do these sicknesses strike us all at the same time. It's so depressing.
Keep on eye on the cories and give them lots of water changes to prevent the bacteria from attacking them.
Try fasting Julian for two days and then feed only pea treats for a couple days. He may have a little constipation as well and with any bloating his digestive system will be stressed. Letting him clean out his intestines can only help him.

gammerus

how do I disenfect my python?

chickadee

There is a really messy product called NET SOAK that disinfects things that have a problem with being in bleach water like nets and such and will work with the Python too but will be totally messy as you will have to find a way to run it through and then rinse it thoroughly. You can also get an old pan and boil the equipment if you can find one big enough I would think. Just put something on the bottom of the pan so the things do not sit directly on the bottom of the pan (like a few old cloths) to keep them from melting. You may want to try this with something inexpensive first. There are alternative disinfectants that can be purchased at some veterinary offices if you check other than bleach that are not toxic to the fish.

Rose

nmwierman1977

If you don't have Epsom salt which I know that it suggests using it, but I would be leery using it. I used Aquarium salt and it will do the same thing the Epsom will do. I think it may be a little safer for Julian. It says to use 1 tbsp per 5 gallins of water. I think that's too much. Royell is ina 3 gallon and I put 1 tsp in, but it still may be a little too much even though the bloating was gone in just 2 days. I would maybe try putting in 1/2 tsp or even 1/4 tsp in and see if it helps. As far as Meds go the first week I medicated Royell I used maracyn 2. I dissolved 1 tablet in 10 oz of water and put 3 oz of it in the tank. It's 1 oz per gallon. The second night I did the same thing. The third night I did a 25% water change and repeated the same dosage. The fourth day the same thing again. The fifth day another 25% water change and the same dosage again. The sixth day I went out and bought Maracyn and combined them. I dissolved them in 2 separate cups, the same amounts as before. I put 3 oz of each med in the tank and I put 1/4 tsp of aquarium salt in the 3 rd day(today) after a water change. I continue with the same amounts and then on day 5 I will do another 25% water change and putting the same amount of each thing in the tank. Day6 if there is still little improvement I will put the carbon in and try Furan 2 or Quick cure and see if that helps. If you want you can go straight Furan 2 if you have any or quick cure because they both help with Dropsy or you can use the maracyns. Maracyn2 is specifically for Dropsy so I know it will help. It has helped Royell tremendously as wellas the aquarium salt.

For the aquarium salt I didn't add more unless I did a water change. You don't want to overdose on that because he can have problems. I hope this helped a little. I figured I would add my advice since I am going though this with Royell and so far what I'm doing is bringing him back to me and to health. Good luck. Getwell soon Julian. I am rooting you as well as Royell. If Royell can come back from this you certainly can. Natalie

cherryrose

gammerus

he seems to have a single pine coning scale

I was using aquarium salt but I was told it would make it worse so I did an immediat water change.


do you think that salt can be used as a disenfectant? or can I just use dilluted bleach (I have cleaned many tanks like this) I will probly just fill my bathtub either way because the python simply wont fit into any pot or bowl.

0morrokh

Well, if only one scale is pine coning, he still has a good chance of recovery. It's good you caught this early.

I have also heard mixed opinions on salt but epsom salt is definately better to use for dropsy.

I don't think salt would be strong enough to use as a disenfectant. I think diluted bleach would be better.

nmwierman1977

I don't think the aquarium salt is that harmfull to them as you think it is. I used it on Royell because I didn't have Epsom salt and he is still alive and doing very well. If he isn't that bloated though you don't necessarliy have to use it all. I only used it to get the bloating to go down because he was literally blown up like a balloon. It helped tremendously. What are you using to medicate him? Make sure it is a med that cures dropsy. Furan 2 and maracyn 2 both do that. Quick cure also helps with if it's bacterial which it probably is. Natalie

gammerus

He blown up, but not drastic enough to slow him down all I have been using is tha anti bacterial medicine that I have.

nmwierman1977

Which med is that? Natalie

gammerus

it is some offbrand.... I am beginning to think it's not dropsy tho... he seems to be getting emanciated..or maybe his stomach is so big it is making his body look small

chickadee

Could it be Swimbladder disorder?

Rose

rip_van_winkle

About the salt -
One thing you have to remember with salt is that it doesn't evaporate. It stays in the tank. So just make sure that it doesn't get too salty in there. They are tropical fish after all. Another thing you could do is check the salinity of the tank water and make sure its not too high. I personally don't have a salinity tester, but they can't be that expensive.


Good luck with your betta
~Hannah

gammerus

I don't think so, I have had fish with swim bladder, he is swimming fine and his bulge doesn't look like it.

chickadee

Can you post a picture of him?

Rose

gammerus

when I get home tonight I will try to take a picture....my camera skills aren't very good tho.