Is dropsy contangeous to my other fish???
One of my prized bettas, Makai has dropsy, im really upset because he was my first betta and now he has dropsy. Please help!!!
People say it is, people say it isn't.
No one seems to have a definite answer.
I would isolate him though.
If he's at the pine-cone stage then I'm sorry, but he most likely will not make it
What I have been told/read is that it is not contagious but what caused it is. Try some anti-bacterial treatment for the other fish. Hopefully the other more experienced members will post with their advice. Good luck.
I'd isolate him - even if it's not contagious, he needs the peace and quiet to recover. You said he's not at the 'pinecone' stage, just bloated with clamped fins? He may have dropsy (AFAIK, 'dropsy' is a word referring only to the swelling, which can be caused by several things. I think that's why it's sometimes said to be contagious and sometimes not). He may also be severly constipated and/or have an intestinal blockage.
I'd isolate him, keep him warm, turn the lights down/off (this will help him rest, and some meds like Tetracycline break down faster under light) and do large daily water changes to keep his environment pristine. Antibacterial meds may help, if his condition is caused by an infection. If he's still interested in eating, I'd try feeding him a little thawed frozen pea - just squeeze it out of the shell and feed only the inside. Adding some epsom salts (MgSO4) to the water will help if it's constipation, as will the pea. Withold all other food, it could worsen the problem and foul the water. Keep us posted.
BG....are you sure it isn't just constipation or bloat ? If his belly is all rounded but the scales aren't protruding....I'm guessing maybe constipation.
Try treating him for that anyway...couldn't hurt...
Stop feeding for 2-3 days and then offer him a few bite sized pieces of cooked frozen green pea...cooled off... Wait a day or two and see if he leaves a package for you. If not, feed him another few pieces of the pea and do the same.
If he has dropsy, there really isn't much to do for him....from my experience with that issue anyway.....though I have heard of a few cases of recovery, not many. These folks treated with some kind of antibiotic...before the scales began protruding.
OH...and like Ems said...keep the water good and clean !! Very important !
Best to your little guy there...I hope it's only constipation !!
difficulties balancing in the water is another symptom of constipation. When they get all plugged up it affects the swim bladder. Sometimes the betta will spend alot of time on the bottom just laying there and only coming up occasionally for a gulp of air.
Here's a pic of one of my girl bettas with dropsy...
and another of one of my boys..who died the day after this pic was taken...notice the protruding scales...
Both are in the extreme stage of dropsy in these pics...no turning back at this point...
