:( Should I Sterilize The Tank?

[LindaD]

Well my Gourami with Dropsy is not doing well at all. So it looks like I am going to have to euthanize him. :( He's swelling up like a balloon.

Now my problem is whether to bleach and totally clean out the tank and re-cycle it. Or give it a cleaning and a large water change and try introducing another fish. I was thinking about maybe a small feeder fish.. just to test the waters so to speak. I don't want to restock the tank and have them all come down with Dropsy. But at the same time.. If It's not contagious and I don't need to re-cycle the tank that would be a bonus.

What would you all suggest?

[OrionGirl]

Dropsy is not like ich--it is usually the result of poor water quality, allowing secondary infections and internal organs begin failing, swelling, ect. Ruining the biological filter--or what little exists--is not going to solve your problem. Figure out why the conditions existed for the fish to get dropsy (ie, tank still cycling, over feeding, improper filter maintenance), resolve that issue, and you should be fine.

[beviking]

Agree with OrionGirl. Also, Gouramis are prone to digestive problems by design. If this was the only fish that had bloating, I wouldn't be too concerned.

[KateA.]

I agree. Get your water tested first and see what you are starting with. Do a normal water change and wait until the tank parameters are normal. Dropsy occurs from improper diets, stress, and poor water quality. I personally would wait a week or two before adding fish, just to make myself feel better. Breaking down the tank is not necessary.

[wetmanNY]

To be more sure, do some 100% water changes and let the tank run without fish in it a couple of weeks.

As I said before in this context, the virulent strains of bacteria are the ones in the sick fish. But Mycobacteria and Aeromonads are always everywhere in the system-- just not ordinarily pathogenic. You can't sterilize an aquarium.

[LindaD]

At the first sign of a problem I tested my water. I also got my lfs to test it as well. Results were the same. I did a fishless cycle before I purchased the Male.

Ammo= 0
Nitrite= 0
Nitrate= 5ppm

I do small water changes every 3-4 days.

What I boo boo'd on what putting him in the 10g. Instead of quarantining him in my 5g. The 10g contains no fish. So I quarantined him in there. Stupid on my part. The tank was originally planned for a pair of Dwarf Gouramis. He was in the tank alone for 8 weeks. At the 6th week is when I noticed his color fading.

But unfortunately I ended up euthanizing him last night. :( His entire body from the gills down was very swollen. And hard. Instead of soft from fluid buildup. It started as a small lump and spread to his entire body. He was laying completely on his side on the bottom of the tank. So I knew he wouldn't have made it until morning.

Thanks alot for the help. I'll do a couple of 100% water changes and go from there. I'll start with maybe some small feeder guppies in a couple weeks. And see how they fair.

[OrionGirl]

IME, feeder guppies are not the cleanest/healthiest fish around, and may introduce a pathogen to your tank.

[LindaD]

True enough. I understand your point there.

I should have mentioned the local store I go to have exceptionally healthy feeders. They are quarentined and treated for anything prior to sale. But I will double check and make sure they are still quarantining them before I purchase any.