constipation

[JDC]

Can a fish have constipation so bad his scales stick out slightly? If anyone has ever experienced this or has any idea please let me know. Thanks.

 

[khombre]

hi there..

i m not sure if its really constipation ur dealing with

is ur fish really bloated with protruding scales? if yes, then sounds to me like ur fish has dropsy/ascites..
m not really sure though bcoz i can't see ur fish, can u give us a pic?

 

[TheMightyQueenPixie]

Khombre is right...That sounds exactly like dropsy...Dropsy is highly contagious and the fish must be quarantined...You can try maracyn 2, but it is likely he will die...Treat the entire tank with maracyn 2 to prevent the others from developing it...Good luck

 

[JDC]

Thanks guys i was afraid it might be dropsy but was hoping it was possibly something else How long do they normally live with dropsy?

 

[TheMightyQueenPixie]

I have heard anywhere from 5-15 days...not a nice death...consider humanely euthanising...Recovery from dropsy is extremely rare..Definitely hit the whole tank with maracyn2 if he is in a community...Dont wait for symptoms in the other fish.

 

[TKOS]

Agreed. And the maracyn 2 is probably your best bet.

 

[attiladahun]

get the fish out of the tank asap. there is nothing worse than a sick fish. i got a ick-infected pleco from my lfs and it gave my glorious community aquarium a nasty ick plague that killed all my fish but one. :sad: :sad: :sad: (there were about 7 or 8 fish in the tank). it really sucked. even after i identified the disease after 1 day and 3 fish were dead and i started medicating the whole tank, more fish died and my tank turned a funny blue color.

 

[randalizm]

it really sucked. even after i identified the disease after 1 day and 3 fish were dead and i started medicating the whole tank, more fish died and my tank turned a funny blue color.

using salt to treat ich would have prevented that.

 

[JDC]

I know the odds of him making it are slim to none, but he is acting fine, eating ok etc. So today i bought some Maracyn-two and put in his tank. Ive been reading about dropsy and i dont think he will make it from what ive read, but i thought ide try. I bought some epson salt also, i read that it helps with fluid retention that comes with dropsy.

 

[TheMightyQueenPixie]

Even if it doesnt save him Maracyn 2 is an excellent product to have on hand...Treats many common ailments.