My betta fish has dropsy symptoms: bloated, scales out. What to do?

Related Answers from Veterinarians

• Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

  Licensed Veterinary Technician

  Published on March 17th, 2020

  Check water temperature first. Low temps can affect activity and appetite in fish. Bettas are tropical fish and do best between 78 F and 80 F. Next, confirm stable water chemistry. Use a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing. Aim for an absence ( 0 ppm) of ammonia and nitrites, with nitrates at 20 ppm or less. The local Petco may test water for free or for a small fee. Perform partial water changes to stabilize chemistry and/or to improve water quality. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent further stress or shock.
  By the images, it does not appear to be ich. If it is, it is early on in the infection. Dropsy is characterized by swelling, lethargy and a loss of appetite. A classic sign is a pinecone appearance. If you see this symptom, chances for recovery are very slim. Offer live or frozen blood worms to stimulate the appetite. She should only need 1 or 2 at each feeding. An antibiotic that is effective against gram negative bacteria can be used to treat dropsy (which isn't a disease but a symptom of greater illness). You can find amoxicillin or kanamycin for fish in the Aquarium section of the local Petco. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated.
  Another possible cause may be constipation. You can try fasting her for 3 days then feeding bits of cooked and shelled green peas. This may alleviate any constipation.

  

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• Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

  Licensed Veterinary Technician

  Published on August 31st, 2017

  Your fish is definitely a male Betta. The finnage and vibrant color give it away.
  His condition has several potential causes ranging from bloated/constipation or swim bladder disease (treatable) to tumor (possibly treatable) to dropsy (usually fatal).
  It he isn't defecating or has trouble swimming upright, it may be the first two problems, a mass would need to be diagnosed by a veterinarian experienced in treating aquatic pets, dropsy is a serious concern. If your dishes scaled are protruding giving him the appear of a pinecone, he may have dropsy. Dropsy is a severe bacterial infection that affected the kidneys and other organs causing fluid retention and swelling.
  Many of these conditions are caused by poor water quality or over feeding. Test your water first then correct any imbalances via partial water change using aged or conditioned water. Rinse the filter media and confirm adequate filtration. Check water temperature. Bettas do best between 78 F and 80 F. Cold temps can lead to stress and illness.
  Fast him for 2-3 days then offer bits of cooked, shelled green peas until he is defecating normally. Switch to a quality pelleted diet afterwards and skip a feeding once a week.
  If this does not help, he may have a mass or infection. You can use an antibiotic such as kanamycin or Maracyn 2 to treat infection. These you can purchase in the aquarium section of most pet stores. Follow label directions carefully. help with swelling, dissolve a half teaspoon of aquarium salt (NOT table salt) into the tank. Adequate water quality is key to recovery, if filtration is unavailable, daily 25% water changes should be done. Again, use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent further stress or shock. An airstone can be used to increase oxygenation.

  

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