TFA101

About 2 weeks ago, one of my sunburst platies developed dropsy. He had the pineconey appearance. I immediately went out and purchased some Maracyn Plus and I just finished my 2nd round of dosing. The fish is still quite active (for a sick fish) and he eats like a pig. The only problem is his body, it still looks like that of a balloon molly! a prickly balloon molly, and its getting worse...

My question is what do I do? should I just leave him be? The other fish don't seem to be affected in any way, and he is still a sociable fish, occasionally hiding in the plants. Or should I find something better? My parents don't relish the idea of ordering something online, as bad experiences have happened so many times with the waiting game. So?...

mare2009

Im so sorry to hear of your platys disorder I guess if I had one with dropsy, instead of treating the whole tank, I would put him in a hospital tank. I just went through something similar with my platy, as far as deciding to separate her from the community. She did well on Maracyn2. ( it was not dropsy though ). And she did really well alone in the tank. I felt bad, but it was for 14 days and she is back in the 29G. I don't know what to do for dropsy. Except to be sure the tank water is really clean, and keep less stress on the platy.Its very unlikely the other can 'catch' dropsy. Good luck.

TFA101

If dropsy is due to kidney failure, should I really be medicating? If his kidneys failed, his kidneys failed. I don't know if that's irreversible.

But if i do use a makeshift QT tank, like out of a bucket or tupperware, it has to be cycled, correct? and pretty much only has to be a simple setup.

mare2009

ohh darn this is sad... well if thats what you have, but its a difficult call. I guess the best thought is about the possibilty of the other fish bothering him. I keep on hand some TSS, for the emergencies that come up. But Im sure you can use gravel etc for the cycle. So yah if its caused by kidney failure, and your sure thats whats going on, I would stop medicating. A simple set-up would do, unless none of the fish are bothering him? I would be nervous only if i wasn't certain what was wrong with him. Its terrible feeling helpless, I hope that something comes to mind that is best for your fish. sorry your going thru this.

TFA101

thanks for the concern. he's not being bothered really, infact, he and the other male in the tank often fight each, other, and he usually wins. So being the dominant male in the tank, he really doesn't have anything to worry about. I guess I should just cease medicating? If it doesn't help his kidneys, I guess there's no point.

Lucy

I'm so sorry TFA.
You're right about it being a kidney thing, if it's dropsy. Not much you can do but make him as comfortable as possible.
I hate to say it, but you might have to consider putting him down.

TFA101

aw shoot... thats not cool. Mango is already making it difficult for me with his scoliosis, now this. Why?...

whisper

I like to use Melafix. Always have good resulted with it.

TFA101

I have a gourami and a betta (the betta's separated in a guppy box temporarily until I can find a home for him) otherwise I probably would've use melafix. But either way, betta or no betta, I still won't be able to heal him fully because his kidneys have shut down. Poor fish...

heather84

i made a thread a few weeks ago when i discovered what i thought was dropsy in my dalmatian molly.......i had put him in a breeder and left him in my big tank, i was about 95% sure he had dropsy he was very swollen and had the pinecone look.

On day 3 i think it was i decided to try the pea method people mentioned for constipation. I gave him the pea in the evening and the next morning he was visibly much smaller....i didnt feed him AT ALL this day....he continued to get smaller and smaller until he was back to normal. hes been fine ever since

I recomend trying it---it cant hurt him so why not if you can save him. Your continuing to feed him so maybe hes constipated and the food is making it worse? Try the pea then fast him for a day......

just a thought