Has My Platy Got Dropsyt

[denismen]

I noticed about 6 weeks ago that my male platy hada typical "pinecone" effect shaped scales and his head seems a bit bumpy also. He seems fine and healthy otherwise but I read up on droposy and the typical pinecone effect struck a cord with me...I would attach videos but they are way more than 300k and although a bit blurry cos he darts about a lot. Sorry about the mis-spelled dropsy in title

 

[attibones]

If it has the pinecone, then yes, your fish has dropsy. Some fish can live a while with it, but others die relatively quickly. I had one that died the very next day.

 

[denismen]

Tnx for the advice.
I am adding some photos so someone may give me a definitive answer.

 

[the_lock_man]

Sorry, I just can't tell from those photos. However, I see the fact that it's swimming around as a good sign. When I had a platy with dropsy, it just stayed where it was down at the bottom until I took pity on it.
 
But if there is definite pineconing and swelling all over its body, then that's a bad sign.

 

[denismen]

Sorry about the photos but he swims so fast its hard to get a still phgoto of him si I will trey get a decent video and put it on Youtube and post the link here.
He is the most lively and active/mischievious fish in the tank and he has been lijke this since I goit him.
I noticed the peculiar shape a couple of months ago but he shows no signs of illness at all.
He has actually outlived 3 othe platy that I had also who all died and comp-letely vanished dfrom tank, presumed eaten.
He is a bit of a bully I think and harrasses one of the fremale platy who shies away and hides from him constantly...he also chases a female guppy constantly so he is very lively and nearly impossible to net without removing everything from tank first so there is nowhere to hide foir him.

Sorry, I just can't tell from those photos. However, I see the fact that it's swimming around as a good sign. When I had a platy with dropsy, it just stayed where it was down at the bottom until I took pity on it.
 
But if there is definite pineconing and swelling all over its body, then that's a bad sign.

 

[the_lock_man]

Which again tends to suggest that it's not dropsy. Fish with dropsy are hugely sick, and not usually noted for swimming quickly. Is the fish definitely male?

 

[denismen]

He is definetely male and has some spry to prove it and is alwaytas after the girls.
heres the youtube link below.
http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZulSEF9buE

 

[the_lock_man]

That is definitely not classic behaviour of a fish with dropsy.

 

[colleen0309]

Try to get a pic of him from above. That definately doesn't act like a fish with dropsy. He doesn't seem sick at all!
 
I just noticed the lovely green and white plant in your picture. If it is real, keep an eye on it. It is not a truly aquatic plant and will eventually rot in your tank and cause all kinds of problems.

 

[denismen]

Tnx for the advice...I regularly trim decaying parets off the lants and change them eventually when too bad.
Any advice on good plants for absorbing nitrates that the fish wont devour also

Try to get a pic of him from above. That definately doesn't act like a fish with dropsy. He doesn't seem sick at all!
 
I just noticed the lovely green and white plant in your picture. If it is real, keep an eye on it. It is not a truly aquatic plant and will eventually rot in your tank and cause all kinds of problems.

That is definitely not classic behaviour of a fish with dropsy.

 
 
Yes he is definiotely a live wire and almost impossiuble to photograph cos he is so active...he never showed any signs of illness I was just concerned he may be a carrier of dropsy and infect the other fish.

That is definitely not classic behaviour of a fish with dropsy.

 

[tomtomtom1230]

What other fish do you have in your tank? If it's alright with your stocking, I'd still be tempted to add some aquarium salt and see what happens. Dropsy is a condition whereby the fish can't process water for whatever reason and takes it on board, swelling the fish and therefore making the scales stick out. It's the number one cause for pine coning, regardless of the fishes' attitude. A higher salinity will aid osmosis and draw out the water. I'd be tempted to try it anyway. It can't hurt!
 
But yeah, I agree it's not classic dropsical behaviour.

 

[denismen]

Tnx but I think I may have added too much salt already and my male guppy is shimmying as a result I think so I am doiung 10% water changes for the past 2 days now

What other fish do you have in your tank? If it's alright with your stocking, I'd still be tempted to add some aquarium salt and see what happens. Dropsy is a condition whereby the fish can't process water for whatever reason and takes it on board, swelling the fish and therefore making the scales stick out. It's the number one cause for pine coning, regardless of the fishes' attitude. A higher salinity will aid osmosis and draw out the water. I'd be tempted to try it anyway. It can't hurt!
 
But yeah, I agree it's not classic dropsical behaviour.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

Huh... curious to watch and see what this turns out to be.

Does he flash at all?

I was wondering if it could be something with his slime coat... maybe it is letting in something like bacteria or fungus between the scales that you can't see but is making them stand out? No idea if that could be it, just theorizing. I too have only heard of scales sticking out from dropsy.

 

[denismen]

I am not really sure what flashing is but he constantly darts around the tank and is very elusive.
Ever since I got him he has a habit of swimming erratically back and forth in an area of possibly 4 or 6 inches for a time and then just swims pretty fast around the tank harrassing the lady platy and guppy.

Huh... curious to watch and see what this turns out to be.

Does he flash at all?

I was wondering if it could be something with his slime coat... maybe it is letting in something like bacteria or fungus between the scales that you can't see but is making them stand out? No idea if that could be it, just theorizing. I too have only heard of scales sticking out from dropsy.

 

[the_lock_man]

Flashing is where he quickly rubs himself on a piece of decor or gravel or whatever, the fishy equivalent of itching himself.