Betta with Dropsy

[Jemina]

If any folks recall about 8 months ago, I rescued a betta that my former co-worker was trying to starve to death. Sam has been doing great in his 7 gallon mini bow since. The water quality is perfect, he has a heater and biowheel filter, and eats frozen bloodworms and betta flakes.

Now however, I think he has dropsy. His belly is very distended, and the scales stick out. He has been very lethargic, and not eating too well.

What do I do? The websites I have looked at do not say there is a definative cause of dropsy, and therefor cures are slim at best. The bettatalk website says he will most certainly die.

Does anyone know what I can do for him? This little guy has suffered enough in his short life.

Thanks,
Jem

 

[A7ESF]

From my understanding, dropsy is fatal once it reaches the point that the fish has swollen up enough to make the scales stick out. Try feeding him/her a shelled pea and hope that helps. Do a search for dopsy on the forums, there are quite a few threads about it that should have more information then I've given.

 

[Emg]

Hello Jemina....

I have had 2 bettas with dropsy over the past year....and both died. Here's a pic of one of them. She was a pretty little things till that happened...

I'm afraid there really isn't much you can do for him Jemina, but keep his water good and clean....and the temps up around 80 to keep him comfortable.

All the best !