[kathydip]

Our Little Guy has dropsy. He is the one that has had a swim bladder problem for at least a year and a half now it could even be over two years. He also was the one that got stuck in the return net of the pond and was terribly ripped up by it. He recovered with Sasami's help and was doing fine for some time before he developed the swim bladder problem. He has been in a tank with Greta another fancy tail for over a year. I switched him from commercial fish food to homemade food about a month or so ago. Because of this we started to handfeed him. He did well and would always swim up to eagerly gobble down the food. The last couple of days he seemed tired so I handed him the food. Thursday he was spitting it out but I thought he finally got a good mouth full. Yesterday he was not very hungry today was the same. I was worried but never expected dropsy. We were out for 12 hours today. When we got home he had pineconed. We checked the water condition and it was fine but we still did a water change. There was some brown algae on the tank sides. He is now out and in another tank. He is laying right next to te airstone. I tried feeding him antibacterial food. I think he may have gotten one piece down. I don't have anything else in the house that is recommended to treat him. I will go out tomorrow as soon as the aquarium store opens.

What suggestions does everyone have? From what I have read this is not good. I am very concerned it maybe a tumor - and that is what was causing the swim bladder problems.

 

[Sasami]

I really, really hate to say this--but once a fish is pineconing, there's usually not much you can do . At this point, I would just try to make him feel as comfortable as possible. You can try some general antibiotics but it's hard to recommend anything since dropsy is caused by so many things (and if it's a tumor like you think then it's pretty much impossible to treat). Keep the water well oxygenated (adding an air stone will help a lot), especially if you decide to try medications.

Not what you wanted to hear, I know .

 

[kathydip]

No it's not what I wanted to hear but I appreciate you being honest. Thanks Steph.
Besides the airstone - which I do have in there - what else will make him comfortable. I do not want him to suffer. It's so hard watching him go through this because of all he has already been through.

 

[Sasami]

I usually wrap hospital tanks in a towel so that the fish isn't stressed by lights going on and off, people walking by, etc.

:hugg2:

 

[kathydip]

Oh I thought the light would be better on. Should we turn it off? He really isn't doing well. He is laying there and not moving his gills. Although he did try to swim a bit
Thanks so much for your help - it means so much to us. It's amazing how much we love him.

 

[Sasami]

Keeping the light off calms fish down and causes them to rest so it's a good idea (but not a huge deal or anything, just something I've always done).

I completely understand. I recently lost my lemonpeel angel, Angelica, and I was completely devastated. I don't plan to get another one.

 

[kathydip]

I am so grateful for everyone at pawtalk. It's nice to have people that really understand.
Thanks so much.

 

[emmzie87]

try raising the water temp a small bit, they soemtimes appriciate it a small bit warmer, nothing over 23'. like sasami said keep the light off, feed him sinking foods, i reccomend Hikari sinking pellets, and keep up with the regular partical water changes... best of luck, my fish are keeping their fins crossed for him.....

 

[kathydip]

Thanks everyone but he gave up his very brave fight sometime before 7:30 this morning. We buried him beside our little pond out back. I will be posting in the rest in peace section.