Dropsy.

[guppygirl]

Hi all,
I have a serious emergency here.
My gourami has a bad case of Dropsy, and I don't want to lose him. His mate might have it too. WHAT DO I DO!!!!??? Is there any medecine I can give him?
Please help ASAP!!
Robin

 

[timbo_ska]

Hey robin, try Interpet #9 Anti Internal Bacteria. ADD (1 tsp/gallon) of aquarium salt and whack up the temp a small bit, dropsy is a tough one, you sure its dropsy?

Symptoms: swollen or hollow belly. scales might stick out , lack of feeding and the fish might be a bit off colour.

Good luck let us know how its going ive got a neon and glowlight with it atm, use a QT if possible

 

[sonspd2004]

Treat the fish with octozin a.s.a.p ( if it is dropsy)

 

[guppygirl]

He looks like a big fat prickly pineapple, ya i think it is dropsy. Where can I get those medicines? Does Drs Foster and Smith have them? My LFS might have some, but I've never looked.
Thanks SOOOO much for the advice!!!!!!
Robin

 

[guppygirl]

Oh ya 4got to add...
Can you use those medicines with a planted tank? He's in a 10 gallon.

 

[st.cichlid]

go to an lfs and ask whats the most POWERFUL drug they have for dropsy

 

[stan83]

Sadly, dropsy will many times, take the life of the fish despite your efforts. So dont feel you never treated right or anything if the worse should happen. Its a pretty nasty disease.

I agree with above. Go to the LFS and as for the most potent stuff they got. Make sure the person behind the counter knows what they are at as well. Too many times these people are totally braindead when it comes to fish. Last week I was told that an oscar and a newt would be fine together... too many problems with that to list...
anaways, off topic..
Just get the meds asap and do your best with it.
Its something we all have to face unfortuatly sooner or later. Consider it a learning experience. Maby you should watch the water parameters a lil more closely. (might of been problem)

Good luck with it!
steve

 

[angelgirl2003]

Gourami's are notorious for dropsy. It is very hard to cure and if you do go to you lfs, they will probably tell you not to waste your money on a "cure" How long has your fish had it.....what is the temp of your water now and what else is in the tank other than them> An easy solution is 1 tbls epsom salt per gallon of water....25% water change every day and replace salt removed. If you have a pleco in the tank, take it out as the salt is not good for them. AIRIATE!!!!! the more oxygen the better (don't blow them outta the water though) I fought dropsy and won with an oranda gold fish. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[guppygirl]

Ya we've had like three filters in that tank, it doesn't have much flow. I'll try to get a bubbler in there.
Robin

 

[guppygirl]

Is it ok if i use regular aquarium salt?? I have some. Unfortunately, I don't have any medication left that treats dropsy. I will have to go get some.
Robin

 

[mrV]

How do you feed your fishes? Bad and wrong food usually cause dropsy. E.g. if fish is herbivore, you shouldn't feed it same as carnivores. -> infection in intestine + bacteria => dropsy. It's important to give right, fresh and different kind of food always. It's also important to store food right. Food-can is never kept in warm place (usually near aquarium or even worse, on light cover!) or thus that cover of food-can is open... They should also be kept in cool.

 

[st.cichlid]

waaaaaaaaaaaait the med that can treat dropsy(and almost any thing else) if mardel that can clear fungus in 2 days!!! DONT EUTHIZE(i cant spell ) )

 

[guppygirl]

I just feed them(well actually my mom feeds them, It's her tank. I have 4 others that I care for, feed, maintain.) flake food and a little homeade mix of tetramin, freeze-dried tubifex and freeze dried bloodworms.
Robin

 

[guppygirl]

to Angelgirl2003-
Is it ok if I add salt to the tank when there are two otos in there?
I got a bubbler in there, the guppies love it. it increases flow but he's still sitting at the top breathing air. (and water)
temp is about 78 degrees
We have a variety of fish in there-
guppies (lotza them, most are babies!)
4 two spot barbs
3 long finned zebra danios
2 otos
1 mystery catfish
1 corydoras julii
1 clown loach
2 gouramis
1 banjo catfish
3 cherry barbs
3 xray tetras
1 black molly (need to get rid of)

If it sounds overstocked, it is. I keep getting rid of guppies by means of tiger barbs, but there are still lots in there. I will have to trasfer some other fish out of there too.
Would cleaning the filter have anything to do with this? We cleaned it like last week.
hope I cleared things up!
reply soon!!!!
Robin