I think my goldfish had dropsy

[helios99]

Recently one of my goldfish has been showing signs of dropsy. Its scales have started popping out and sits at the bottom of the tank. It hardly eats. I have tried taking a few pictures, without success. I am really worried as I have had this one for 3 years now.:( What is a possible solution? and can it spread?

EDIT: SORRY FOR THE TYPO IN THE TITLE.

[Lexi_D]

I think that there are medications to treat it... I don't think it's contagious. Could you post water parameters? Tank size? Inhabitants?

This might help: http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/Dropsy.html

[riddle4sphinx]

the bad news is that normally when a fish shows signs of dropsy, its too late. Dropsy is a symptom, not an actual disease. The most likely cause with goldfish is bad water, sudden water temperature changes, something that could send it into shock. For this, a goldfish's kidneys shut down and it starts to retain fluids which make it swell up and its scales stick out like a pinecone. I would check on all of your water parameters because if it is bad water, that is a way others could get it. Medicines might help slow your fish's condition, i've heard of using epsom salt before (i dont remember how much though) as this will drain some of the fluids, but i really am sorry that it doesnt look good...

[Flaringshutter]

I agree. Dropsy symptoms are the beginning of the end. They generally signal kidney/liver failure and there is no effective treatment.

Terribly sorry about it. I know it's very sad to lose a fishy friend. Best of luck to you.

[helios99]

I think that there are medications to treat it... I don't think it's contagious. Could you post water parameters? Tank size? Inhabitants?

This might help: http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/Dropsy.html

I went to the site you suggested. I looked up all the meds and couldnt find anything here. It's hard to find meds specifically manufactured for aquarium use in this part of the world (India).

However I did manage to get hold of : Tetracycline Hydrochloride Capsules (250 mg)

The site mentioned tetracycline as treatment for dropsy.

"Medication:Medications: Tetracycline, Metro-Med, Medi-Gold, Maracyn Two, and Nitrofura-G (http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/typesoftreatment.html)
Tetracycline: Gill disease, Bacterial infections (tail rot, ulcers, sores, dropsy, popeye) Columnaris, Aeromonas, Pseudomonas and Chondocuccus"


So how do I go on about using this (if at all I should). I dont have a hospital tank, as I'm still in the process of constructing one myself. But I could put him in a big plastic bucket and do water changes daily.

I need some big help on this, you guys are all I have. And my fishie is showing some spirit. It's nice to know I have guys like you with me on this. Thanks so much!!

[riddle4sphinx]

what kind of a tank do you have him in now? size? other tank members? live plants? tell us anything you can

[Flaringshutter]

oxytetracycline hydrochloride is a broad-spectrum antibiotic. you may have some success, but it all depends on how quickly you begin treatment and how committed you are to treating the fish. also, stable water parameters and clean water are CRUCIAL.

you don't mention if these capsules are filled with powder or if they are a solid-type capsule. if there is powder inside, you will need to open the capsules and you can try one of two methods: mixing with food or adding to the water. if they are solid, you will need to grind them up to a powder.

mixing with food is more targeted and will treat the fish without killing off the bacteria in your filter, but is more difficult since you said your fish "hardly eats." if you want to try this method, you can mix a little cooking oil with the antibiotic, just enough to make a slurry. mix that with a good pelleted food and feed that to the fish. my trusty manual of fish health (has never steered me wrong) recommends a dosage of 60-75 mg per kg of fish, to be fed for 7-14 days.

probably an easier method of feeding medication is to find some Jungle Labs Medicated Anti-Bacterial food. it's a great product and also a broad-spectrum antibiotic. see here: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=12828&cmpid=aff-_-ls-_-Ponds-_-Anti-Bacteria%20Medicated%20Food&ref=3665&subref=AA&GCID=C12188x007

if you would rather mix the meds with the water, be aware that you will likely kill off all the bacteria in your filter and therefore the tank will start a new cycle. which means you will need to monitor your water parameters very closely. recommended dosage is 20 mg/liter of water (1 liter is 34 oz or .26 gal) for five days. if there is no improvement, do a 50% water change and repeat treatment.

this all, of course, assumes that your tank size is suitable, and the fish lives alone in the tank.

if you are really, really committed to keeping your fish alive, contact your local fish vet (if you don't have one, try finding one on aquavetmed.info ). the vet can draw off accumulated fluid in the fish's body cavity - this is what causes all the scales to stick out - to provide it some relief.

good luck.

[helios99]

Flaringshutter thanks so much for the advice. For not wanting to waste time I had started the treatment before I had read your thread. Since my fish would not eat much, I dissolved 30mg/liter (as suggested by the link in the first post) after I had placed my Goldie in a 7 gallon bucket as my main tank had other goldies and did not want to kill off the bacteria in the filter. However, it does not have a filter, but I felt I had to take action before it was too late, so I put him there. The bucket does have an air stone attached to a pump though. I have also covered the bucket with dark paper as I have been told that tetracycline is photo-sensitive.

So what should be the next step? It's been almost 36 hours since I started the treatment. Thank you so much Flaringshutter and everyone else.

[Lexi_D]

The next step I'd say... keep the water really clean (daily w/c's) and just monitor your goldie's condition. (if there's anything I missed please post)

[Inka4040]

Dropsy is almost always a sign of sub par water quality. Aside from kidney failure, bacterial infection can also cause such symptoms. Adding epsom salt can also apparently alleviate your fish's suffering. Additionally, metromeds, a medicated food which can be purchased through goldfishconnection can often help with the recovery, though since it must be ordered and shipped, it may be too late. Either way, goldfishparadise.com is another great forum where you may be able to find some help treating your fish. Though dropsy is most often fatal, I personally have brought 3 fish back from the brink, and the key, beyond proper treatment, is absolutely pristine water quality. I suggest revamping your maintenance schedule asap lest any of your other fish begin to get sick.

Here's a good thread on dropsy for you to read as well:

http://www.goldfishparadise.com/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=31438&highlight=dropsy+salt

[Flaringshutter]

Inka, you took the words right out of my mouth! :iagree:

Indeed, dropsy is almost always caused by poor water quality and inadequate filtration or inadequate filter maintenance.

I would perform filter maintenance on the main tank today as well as a large water change (50%+) and a thorough gravel vacuum.

Also, adding aquarium salt is a great idea. It hadn't even occurred to me, but it will probably help your fish feel comfortable. Since freshwater fish have a higher salt concentration in their bodies than in the fresh water around them, their kidneys are normally very efficient at pushing out water and reabsorbing salt from urine before it's excreted. Dropsy is usually a symptom of kidney failure, so your little guy is likely suffering from salt loss and stress, making it harder for him to get better. Adding salt to the water will help him retain the right amount of salt and will probably just plain make him a lot more comfortable.

How large is the tank and how many inhabitants?
You may not have enough filtration. Goldfish tanks usually need double the filtration of the average tank. Type of filter is important, too. HOB filters are probably the worst choice, canisters being the best. Also, be sure to vacuum the gravel thoroughly.

Probably the most common problem is overfeeding. I was so bad about overfeeding I started using a measuring spoon to monitor how much my fish ate. That solved my own water quality issues.

Sounds like you're doing great with the dropsy treatment. You might think about getting a cheap HOB filter to run on the treatment tank. Even though HOBs are terrible at keeping a bacteria colony, the tetracycline would kill off good bacteria anyway, and HOBs are good for simple water movement and mechanical filtration, to keep the water clean and poo-free. :)

Good luck!