Strange Deaths

Hi, My fish have been balloning up and then exploding, could anybody tell me what could be causing this to happen in my fish tank and how I can stop it,
thanks,
Ricky... ??? ??? ???

 

that sounds awful. what's the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate readings? I doubt I can help, but i'm sure the person who can will need that info!! good luck

 

Sorry to hear about that. Do they literally explode? By the way great looking swordtail.
Tom

 

it is more like there bellies just open and all of their insides come out. thanx for ya help ??? ??? ???

 

Wow, that IS weird! I have never heard of fish literally exploding! Good luck figuring it out! :-\

 

OMG that's awful.

 

Could you be overfeeding them by any chance?
Maybe they're eating so much that they're literally exploding?

 

That sounds an awful lot like dropsy to me.  If that is the case, its a condition caused by a secondary nature - such as a bacterial infection.  The kidneys become infected which cause the fish to not be able to release toxins from its system.  The body starts to balloon and will eventually "explode" through their abdomen.  Dropsy itself is not contagious, but if it is caused by an internal infection, the bacteria can infect other fish and make the 'condition' contagious. 

Medications like Metronidazole (Emtryl), and Clout are usually your best chance at fighting Dropsy (or Bloat as it is sometimes called.)  Interpret #9 Anti-Bacterial or Octizon can be used to treat the infection as well if you can't find the first two.  You can also do salt baths with the fish to help release the toxins.  Add 2 Tbs. per gallon of water (same temp and parameters of course) and let the fish swim in it for no more than 30 minutes one to two times per day.  Remove them at the first sign of stress.  This creates a diuretic effect.  If caught early enough, you can cure the infection before organ damage occurs.  Once the kidneys have been affected, the fish usually will not recuperate well, but can soetimes survive.  If they shut down completely, they will die.