dropsy?

[Starry]

I don't know much about fish diseases, because good thing I haven't had to deal with many. Now I have a platy who looks very very bloated all of a sudden (he's male, so not pregnancy) and his scales are protruding. I think I remember reading something about this. I'm wondering if it's contagious? The rest of the fish are fine, and even he was swimming around just fine earlier, but for the past few hours he hasn't moved much. I'm suspecting over-feeding may have triggered it. Should I be expecting this to be contagious at all? Thanks

 

[Starry]

Another pic. They were both taken at the same time, he looks a lot worse in the first one.

 

[Rockin_Sunset]

hey

look at it from the top. If it looks like a pine cone then it is dropsy. jugdeing from the pictures i am 99percent sure it is dropsy. I am sorry that you fish has that. I myself do not know of a cure for that. but if you have not already I would isolate your fish from you other fish (if any.) poor little guy)

 

[Starry]

Yeah, pinecone look, which I've never had before (or rather, my fish never had). He's still alive this morning, and seems to be looking better, but you never know. Unfortunately I can't isolate him, no other tank, but it would be too late by now anyway.

 

[PumaWard]

From personal experience, it's best to euthanize the fish. At this point, it's most likely that internal organs have been damaged.

Unfortunately, but the time dropsy can be identified, it's too late to save the fish. To save him the suffering, I would put him in a cup of water that he'll fit into and still be able to move and put him in the freezer.

Sorry about your fish, it's never fun to lose them :sad .

 

[Rockin_Sunset]

hey

I wish you the best of luck. Poor little guy. soon it will be in fish heaven swimming in a endless river.

 

[Starry]

Thanks guys. He's swimming around like nothing happened now, but he still looks like a pinecone. I'll wait it out for a bit more, I can't put him down while he's happily swimming around.

PumaWard - I see you have Endler's. They're cute little things. I've wanted to get some for a while, but I'm afraid they'll interbreed with my platies, which would not be good. Do you know whether or not they do?

 

[PumaWard]

PumaWard - I see you have Endler's. They're cute little things. I've wanted to get some for a while, but I'm afraid they'll interbreed with my platies, which would not be good. Do you know whether or not they do?

I personally don't think they could, endler's, at least ours, stay pretty small, smaller than neons... but there's always the possibility. All I really know is that they will readily interbreed with guppies (which is very undesireable). You may want to ask someone with more knowledge about livebearers.. maybe tricksterpup if he's still hanging around. Sorry I can't be more helpful .

 

[victimizati0n]

Originally posted by Starry
Thanks guys. He's swimming around like nothing happened now, but he still looks like a pinecone. I'll wait it out for a bit more, I can't put him down while he's happily swimming around.

PumaWard - I see you have Endler's. They're cute little things. I've wanted to get some for a while, but I'm afraid they'll interbreed with my platies, which would not be good. Do you know whether or not they do?

if he has dropsy, he is NOT happy...

 

[Blinky]

Hi Starry,
I'm sorry to hear about your little guy. I agree, sounds like dropsy. It's bacterial and most people agree that once you see symptoms like the ones your fish exhibits it's too late (internal organs are damaged and even anti bacterial meds aren't often successful). It's very hard to euthanize a pet but kinder than letting him suffer and possibly pass the infection on to tankmates.