SunnShadow

My beautiful male guppy has passed on. I thought he was acting strange, and then some of his scales started sticking out almost like a pinecone. I quarantined him, both to protect the other fish and to give him some peace, but despite my efforts he died.

Good bye, my Golden boy........

S.

Gwenz

I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope your OK. I'm sure you gave him a happy life.

Gwenz

chickadee

I am so sorry you lost Sirius. I know how painful it is to lose someone (a little fish) that you have cared for and loved. I send you my thoughts and deepest sympathies. I too hope you will be okay and if there is anything I can do please do not hesitate to let me know.

Rose

Boxermom

Sorry to hear that. Sounds like a case of dropsy.

SunnShadow

I'm ok. I just really miss his presence in the tank. He was such a bright yellow guy, and when he darted around (usually chasing the ladies), it was like having a shooting star in my aquarium. Wish I had a pic to share........
At least I have his son Boris, and maybe one of the two other guppy fry will be like their dad.

Boxermom..... is dropsy contagious?

S.

Boxermom

Depends on the cause. Most of the time its not if its due to something like water quality, but if its due to something like an infection, it can be. Unfortunately its rarely cureable.

chickadee

Dropsy is basically kidney failure in a fish. It is actually a symptom of a disease rather than the disease itself. It can be caused by a virus, a bacteria, a parasite,or adverse water conditions. Predisposing factors include stress, poor nutrition, genetic weakness due to inbreeding, or senility. The primary route of the infection is through the gut and usually caused by foraging on the floor of the aquarium or through cannibalism of another infected fish. There are also known to be fish who exhibit no symptoms of the disease while being carriers of the disease and can pass the disease along through the infected waste they deposit on the floor of the aquarium.

Prevention is the key to this disease as cures are not readily available or impossible. Maintain the best possible conditions in the aquarium and isolate any infected fish. Avoid all stress to the fish whether infected or not.

Once a fish is isolated fish may respond to a antibacterial bath for at least 7 days. If the fish does not respond, antibacterial food containing Oxytetracycline or Chloramphenicol for 10 days or Sulphamerazine for 3 days may be effective.

I lost a Betta to Dropsy and it is not a disease that is pleasant. I am so sorry that your little Sirius went through that.

Rose

Isabella

SunnShadow

I think it might have been due to genetics. We all know how badly guppys are inbred. I've been watching the other fish for symptoms and don't see any. I do water changes every two weeks, and have my water tested before and after every change. The only problem I have is an occasional fluctuation in the pH. I think this is caused by my tap water, because it happens after some of the water changes, usually after we have a heavy rain......
Sirius will not be forgotten or replaced. He was a one-of-a-kind guppy, almost as tame as Dante (my Betta).

S.