Is this dropsy? Please help identify

[Don0101]

My sister left her betta at my house in August while she went on vacation but never came back for him. I went to the fish store 30 mins away and asked the worker there what I need to take care of him. Not blaming him or anything like that but I listened to what he said without looking online. Seeing these posts and other websites basically is telling me I did it completely wrong and hopefully I get the chance to make it better for him.

I named him Bob. I was told this 1.5 gallon tank was good enough. He said I didn't need a heater as he has 5 that he keeps at 68 degrees. Bob's tank is 71 degrees. Because of the type of tank, I was doing about 50% water changes every week. It's been 9 months now without a problem but on Friday I realized he was ill.

He is sitting at the bottom of the tank and only comes up for air. He doesn't want to eat at all. I think his scales are protruding but I wasn't sure if that was bloating or dropsy. Now he is on his side. I'm guessing dropsy. I want to make sure I do what I can to attempt to treat this. I moved him to another tank for now so he can easily reach the surface. The artificial plant and hammock were in his way in the main tank. I tried feeding him peas earlier which is what you can see in the picture. He didn't eat it. I will be changing the water out.

I also have tried Epson salt baths 3 times now. he doesn't pass out but also isn't getting noticeably better.

I can get medicine from a store but I want to be sure so I don't harm him any further. Can any tell me what this is? I truly appreciate you reading this.

 

[JuiceBox52]

Did he swell up overnight?

What are your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels?

When viewed from above do his scales stick out like a pinecone?

 

[Don0101]

an edit to my post. he is upright right now and not on his side.

no idea on the nitrate levels.

i noticed he was getting bigger last monday so over a week ago. i fasted him on friday but when i noticed no poop i did saturday as well. he pooped on sunday but we noticed he didnt want to eat and just wanted to stay at the bottom of the tank.

the pinecone from above looks notice in the front where the swelling but the back is slight. i looked at other pictures on the internet and it doesnt look like the extreme ones

 

[JuiceBox52]

In case its constipation feels him a boiled shelled pea.

If it is dropsy he may not make it, you can try getting medicine for a bacterial infection and it may help

 

[Don0101]

i tried the pea but he wont eat anything at all. he just comes up for air and immediately goes back down.

 

[JuiceBox52]

Its probably dropsy. You can try to get him bacterial medicines but he may not make it. It's usually caused by poor water quality. Do you have a test kit?

Do a 75% water change, that might help but either way it should be done

 

[Don0101]

i dont have a test kit unfortunately. i will change the water in the main tank and wash everything. i did a full clean 2 weeks ago and just used hot as i can water and nothing else. i do use a filtered water for his tank all this time and have not added anything in the tank since december. that is when i got him a moss ball.

thanks for your help

 

[JuiceBox52]

i dont have a test kit unfortunately. i will change the water in the main tank and wash everything. i did a full clean 2 weeks ago and just used hot as i can water and nothing else. i do use a filtered water for his tank all this time and have not added anything in the tank since december. that is when i got him a moss ball.

thanks for your help

No problem dont do a full water change, it will destroy any beneficial bacteria that may be there. If you wish you could do 90% tho.

 

[JuiceBox52]

If he survives I would really reccomend a 5 gallon tank with a filter and heater, they should have a temp of 78 degrees and needs much more room.

 

[Don0101]

definitely did not know that. i will make sure to not change all the water.

yep hoping he makes it through as ill be throwing out all the stuff and getting him the works. this whole time hes been on the dining room table so he truly is part of the family. i give him his own placemat and "seat". he doesnt get moved when company comes over. they have to just sit further down the table.

 

[JuiceBox52]

definitely did not know that. i will make sure to not change all the water.

yep hoping he makes it through as ill be throwing out all the stuff and getting him the works. this whole time hes been on the dining room table so he truly is part of the family. i give him his own placemat and "seat". he doesnt get moved when company comes over. they have to just sit further down the table.

That's cute I hope he makes it too. If you are considering buying a new betta if he dies the I would reccomend getting the new tank etc, it will give him a little bit more of a chance. However if you think you will just be done if he dosent make it it may not be worth it to you

 

[Don0101]

yep ill make sure to go with bigger and everything else and it all be proper. i figured it was fine based on the fish store but now i know. hopefully Bon recovers so i can make it up to him.

thanks for your help in all of this!

 

[JuiceBox52]

yep ill make sure to go with bigger and everything else and it all be proper. i figured it was fine based on the fish store but now i know. hopefully Bon recovers so i can make it up to him.

thanks for your help in all of this!

Yeah pet store employees usually know next to nothing about fish, I learned that the hard way, as did many other members on this forum.

If you really want him to be spoiled a 10g would be great as well

 

[Don0101]

im hoping theres a tank that is big enough yet small enough so he can keep his seat at the table. not sure i can pull off 2 seats at the table

 

[JuiceBox52]

im hoping theres a tank that is big enough yet small enough so he can keep his seat at the table. not sure i can pull off 2 seats at the table

A standard 10 gallon is 20×10×12 inches, a 5 is 16x8x10