What's Happening To My Guppy?

[WILDER]

Thanks for the update.
Keeping fingers crossed bless her.
Let us know how she gets on.

 

[AmyStardust]

Blueberry is pretty much the same today as he was yesterday - tail seems to have stopped deteriorating but he's still huge!

Any idea's how long it might take for the bloating to subside or if it will at all??

 

[WILDER]

Most fish that bloat up never seem to make it.
If its bacterial you have to catch it in time.
The only other thing is epson salt baths.
Don't feed the fish for a few days.

 

[AmyStardust]

Hi!

So, Blueberry is still hanging in there after a week of being sick now...

I haven't fed him now for 2 days and he's still huge - what do I do now??

I've added 2 doses of Anti Internal Bacteria meds and, apart from the fact that his tail seems to have stopped rotting, he's not really showing any improvement swelling wise??

What next??

 

[WILDER]

All you can do now is epson salt baths to help draw the fluids out.
Are his scales sticking out.
Is his anus enlarged or red and inflamed.
Is he still going to the toilet, if so what does it look like.

 

[AmyStardust]

No scales stuck out, pooh is a bit white-ish but not too stringy, anus looks a bit red...

If I get the Epsom Salt stuff is that likely to cure him??? I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle now...

 

[WILDER]

He sounds in a bad way to me.
No the epson salt baths might not cure him.
How is he in himself does he look like he's had enough.

Dropsy



Symptoms:

This disease is very common among African Cichlids, and is commonly called "Malawi Bloat," even though it affects fish from Lakes Tanganyika and Victoria. Dropsy is also very common within the Carp family and among Anabantids. It is characterized by swelling of the body and especially abdomen, which causes the scales to stand out with a pine cone appearance. Eyes may protrude or cave in. Reddening at the vent and/or base of fins may be observable as well as body ulcers and long pale feces. In advanced cases, skin discoloration and scale loss may also occur. Sick fish will not show any desire for food. They will often hang near the bottom, resting on the gravel, or at the top, gasping for air. In the latter stages of this disease, the fish may lose its equilibrium and hence ability to swim properly.



Cause:

Three main causes for Dropsy have been identified. The over use of salt (NaCl), prolonged exposure to poor water conditions, and improper diet, which lead to a parasitic infection. Other causes include poisoning, internal injuries and cancerous tumors. The swelling is not the disease itself, but rather a symptom, which is caused by a build-up of fluids in the body cavity due to internal organ failure.



Treatment:

Treatment of this disease is difficult, as by the time it is recognized, permanent damage to the internal organs of the fish will have occurred. Immediate treatment must be performed if there is to be any chance for survival. Metronidazole (Flagyl) and or Clout are the best medications for treatment of Dropsy. Notwithstanding, not much is known for certain about the etiology of this disease and some experienced aquarists use antibiotics to fight Dropsy. For oxytetracycline, baths of 20-100 mg/litre for five days is suggested. For tetracycline hydrochloride, treat with baths of 40-100 mg/litre for five days. And for minocycline hydrochloride a dilution of 250mg/10 gallons of water is recommended. On day 2 change all the water and add the medicine again at the same dose for another 2 days. Increase aeration during treatment. Do not use minocycline a third time in a row. Caution: tetracyclines are photo sensitive so turn the tank lights off during treatment and cover the whole tank with a blanket. If the fish is still eating, you can soak the food in a concentrated solution of the antibiotic before feeding.



For more information:

You can read more about this disease, treatment, and how to prevent it in the future by reading our article: Malawi Bloat

 

[AmyStardust]

To be honest he only matches half of those symptoms... I couldn't say for definite that he had dropsy...?

His exact symptoms are -

Disintergration of the tail - he's lost about 1/3
Swelling of the abdomen
Redening around the Anus

He's not hanging around the bottom or top of the tank - he's swimming around. He's showing normal interest in food. His scales are normal.

I'm at a bit of a loss...

I'll try the Epsom Salt stuff tomorrow but I'm not overly hopeful now to be honest...

 

[AmyStardust]

Just to add - I've just caught Blueberry doing a poo!! Lol! His anus is looking less inflamed and his poo was very dark brown!

Is this good or bad??

 

[WILDER]

Good.
Its not internal paasites then.
Has the swelling going down with him going to the toilet.
Sorry didn't come back on last night as wasn't feeling to good, chest infection.

 

[AmyStardust]

Swelling's not really gone down... Off out in a mo to get some Epsom Bath Salts!

Is that ok to use with the other fish??

Should I think about investing in a small tank to isololate him in??

**Sympathies for the chest infection, I had one last month - feel better soon

 

[AmyStardust]

Ok - went to the LFS earlier and they gave me API Aquarium Salt - is that ok??

I've added it to the tank and the fish seem ok at the mo...

Blueberry seems happy enough today, just looking fat with an odd shaped tail! Fed all the fish some peas earlier too!

Was thinking of buying a very small (12 Litre) tank with filter to isolate him in but I wasn't sure what to do about transferring some of the filter media from my existing tank over so I left it...?

Can you advise??

 

[WILDER]

The tail can look like its bending when a fish is bloated.
I've bought that salf that it says to use with dropsy, but not sure how affective it is.
Its always wise to have a hosptial tank to treat sick fish in so yes I would buy it.
Depends on the fish you keep with hospital tank size.
I would try and get a 5 gal if you can afford it and have the space.

 

[AmyStardust]

Hiya!

Blueberry is still with us - eating, swimming, still bloated, I haven't really seen him pooping and missing nearly half his tail!

I've just done another water change and it looks like one if not both of his eyes has "popped out"???

Obviously I'm taking this as "not good" but what's the cause of this?? Are the rest of my fish likely to be harmed? What more can I do??

Thanks x

 

[betta fish]

Hiya!

Blueberry is still with us - eating, swimming, still bloated, I haven't really seen him pooping and missing nearly half his tail!

I've just done another water change and it looks like one if not both of his eyes has "popped out"???

Obviously I'm taking this as "not good" but what's the cause of this?? Are the rest of my fish likely to be harmed? What more can I do??

Thanks x

Hi there, sorry to hear of all the trouble you are having with your guppy Blueberry, there is not really much I can suggest that has been suggested and it's sounds like you have done all you possibly can but is it possible you can get a pic up of him as there hasn't been one posted yet and it may help us but I would def isolate the little guy if you can.