Swordtail Bloat? Dropsy?

[WolfFisho1]

I have a red eyed red sail fin male sword tail who has an abdomen that is inflated in size, and scales are poking out all along the stomach and sides, and throat. My first thought was dropsy, but he has been alive for 2 months with this inflated stomach, and I am pretty sure that dropsy would have taken its course by now, as it known as a fairly fast acting problem. So my other thought was bloat?

what do you guys think? and how should i treat it?

 

[navygirl76]

if the fish sorta looks like a pineapple then its bloat. if the fish is all bloated out already, it may be too late to save it (by that time kidney and swim bladder damage has already occurred). i would put it in a hospital tank, and use Metronidazole (Emtryl or Flagyl), or Clout (id prefer to use clout-but be forewarned its strong stuff! lol) .

i would keep the lights off (these meds arent affected by UV like some antibiotics are), and use EPSON salt-NOT AQUARIUM SALT. youll just kill the fish with aquarium salt.

if your other fish are affected then you need to treat the whole tank since bloat is caused by a protazoa (parasite) in the intestines.

 

[WolfFisho1]

that's what i have been doing for a month! using metro and Epsom salts!! in a separate 10gal

 

[WolfFisho1]

so when should i expect him to be getting better?

 

[scottgeeze]

Is it eating.

 

[WolfFisho1]

yes eating quite a bit i am only feeding him spirulina flakes that i feed my tropheus now

 

[scottgeeze]

I'm not exactly sure but I would isolate him in a hospital tank or flush him. Look on-line for some fish websites concerning disease.

 

[navygirl76]

well, if its been a month-i would bet the fish has irreversible organ damage by now-i hate to say it but i would probably flush the poor guy-i dont think he will get better.

 

[Lupin]

I'm not exactly sure but I would isolate him in a hospital tank or flush him. Look on-line for some fish websites concerning disease.

Flushing is not a good means of performing euthanasia on a fish. It involves more pain as the fish goes through the ordeal of survivng the chemicals in the sewers, etc. Either freeze, use clove oil or decapitate the fish.