Is this dropsy? Platy

[skylerjames13]

Hi, I’m a fairly newish aquarium owner. I have a 25G with a mix of platys, guppies, and assorted tetras.
I just noticed this platy with weird scales, I will attach photos. I immediately took it out of the tank. I know it’s not in a proper holding tank but I do not have a hospital tank as my other small 10G tank is currently housing guppy and platy fry.
If this fish is sick, I may have no other choice than to euthanize it. I live in northern Canada and the closest pet store is 800km away. I can get some medicine and fish supplies if I drive 200km, but with the blizzard conditions the past few days and still ongoing I have no options right now. Is my fish sick and possibly contagious?

Every other fish looks healthy so far. This fish is new to the tank as of a few days ago, along with a few others as I came back from the city, but they all seem fine.

 

[tetratopia]

I’m afraid that does appear to be dropsy, fluid accumulation in the tissues. This is a symptom of an underlying issue, such as a bacterial infection, parasites, dysfunctional liver/kidneys, etc… So dropsy in itself is not contagious but the cause of it may be. Best to quarantine and treat as soon as possible.

 

[tetratopia]

I read something about trying aquarium salt treatment to help draw fluids away, but I have never tried this myself. But this may only help the fish with the fluid retention. There are more effective medications available to treat the cause, not sure what your closest pet store carries. And I suppose ordering supplies online would be difficult/slow in your area?

 

[skylerjames13]

I read something about trying aquarium salt treatment to help draw fluids away, but I have never tried this myself. But this may only help the fish with the fluid retention. There are more effective medications available to treat the cause, not sure what your closest pet store carries. And I suppose ordering supplies online would be difficult/slow in your area?

Thanks for the reply. Yes unfortunately shipping is ludicrously expensive as well as insanely slow. I will look into the salt treatment and see what I can do with the fish’s health

 

[tetratopia]

Thanks for the reply. Yes unfortunately shipping is ludicrously expensive as well as insanely slow. I will look into the salt treatment and see what I can do with the fish’s health

You can also do partial water changes and routine maintenance to keep water quality the best you can. The salt treatment can be done on a single fish in a separate container temporarily, or you can treat the whole tank as long as the fish you keep can tolerate it. Good luck, I hope your fish gets some relief and improves.

 

[tetratopia]

Also, if/when you are able, stock up on various medications and other supplies in the event this, or anything else, happens again. Like broad spectrum meds, stress relievers, water conditioners, hospital tank setup, etc. You’ll be better prepared and your fish will have a better chance of recovery.

 

[skylerjames13]

Also, if/when you are able, stock up on various medications and other supplies in the event this, or anything else, happens again. Like broad spectrum meds, stress relievers, water conditioners, hospital tank setup, etc. You’ll be better prepared and your fish will have a better chance of recovery.

Yes I definitely plan on it now. Even 200km away it’s just a small Walmart with very basic supplies.. nothing spectacular. 800km is where there are actual pet stores that stock everything.
I will see if I can salt the fish by itself in a temporary container as I don’t want to risk the fry tank or the main tank.
If the fry didn’t happen yesterday I would have set up the backup tank as the hospital setup but unfortunate timing.
I appreciate the advice, hopefully the fish pulls through.

 

[tetratopia]

Yes I definitely plan on it now. Even 200km away it’s just a small Walmart with very basic supplies.. nothing spectacular. 800km is where there are actual pet stores that stock everything.
I will see if I can salt the fish by itself in a temporary container as I don’t want to risk the fry tank or the main tank.
If the fry didn’t happen yesterday I would have set up the backup tank as the hospital setup but unfortunate timing.
I appreciate the advice, hopefully the fish pulls through.

Even my walmart has some basic fish necessities and meds. That should hold you over until you can get more/better items from a pet store. Just research the salt stuff a bit, there can be misleading info out there and you don’t want to do more harm than good.

 

[Essjay]

I read something about trying aquarium salt treatment to help draw fluids away

It's Epsom salt baths which are used to try to draw out fluids, aquarium salt is a mild antiseptic.
Epsom salts are used as a bath outside the tank, unlike aquarium salt which is usually added to the tank.

The Epsom salt must be pure - a lot has perfume added as humans use it for relaxing in a hot bath. The Epsom salt is dissolved water (warm tank or warm dechlorinated tap water) and the fish placed in the bath for 15 to 20 minutes, but if the fish becomes stressed within that time it must be taken out immediately. The dose rate is 1 to 2 tablespoons Epsom salt per gallon of water.