GouramiGirl1221

I feel so awful...I just figured out that my poor betta has dropsy. I had obviously noticed the bloating, but I assumed it was constipation and was treating for that instead...I just feel like I should have realized before now that it was something more severe. I have given him close inspection, and his scales are NOT pineconing and his eyes are NOT bulged, so I believe those both to be good signs. Water parameters are 0-0-10. I did a water change just to be on the safe side...I figured it certainly couldn't hurt anything even though everything seemed to be normal.

I've researched prior threads, and the amount of information is completely overwhelming, which is why I've posted a new one. I've read that salt baths will help reduce the bloating, but some say to use regular aquarium salt and others say to use epsom salt. How concentrated should the salt be? How long to do I leave him in the salt bath? Should I be using other medications? The onset was sudden, so I believe it to be bacterial. I've read that Maracyn 2 and Erythromycin are both good medications, but I assume I shouldn't use both together. How do I know which one would be the better option? Unfortunately I won't be able to get any medication to him until Sunday after I make a trip home from school...the local Wal-Mart is the closest thing we have to a pet shop and they have almost no fish medication, but I could start the salt baths immediately if someone could give me a direction with concentration and length of time. I'm so worried about him...thanks in advance for any help.

Lucy

I'm sorry your betta isn't feeling well. If it were dropsy, the scales would be pine coned.
How did you treat for constipation? Have you noticed if he's been pooing?

I've read various epsom salt ratios. I had luck with 1 Tbls per gallon of water to help with constipation.
I used tank water in a separate container, only leave the betta in for about 15 minutes. If he shows signs of distress remove him immediately.

GouramiGirl1221

I've tried everything for constipation. Fasting for up to 6 days at a time, feeding peas, feeding daphnia...nothing is working. I've been doing that for about 2 weeks. I don't know what else it could be other than dropsey...he is being a little lethargic but not terribly, just enough for me to notice that it's abnormal behavior from him.

I'll try the epsom salt dips and see if that helps anything.