My fish died with swollen belly. Was it dropsy? How to prevent spread?

Hello, Unfortunately, the condition is most likely a fluid accumulation in the abdomen, often referred to in layman's terms as "dropsy". It is generally a sign of severe disease with a poor prognosis. Here is a video of a veterinarian explaining this in more detail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42DAoriYhVI I hope this helps. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Unfortunately, if it is dropsy by the time a fish is "pineconing", chances of recovery are quite slim. You can try a course of a broad spectrum antibiotic. Look for one with activity against gram negative bacteria. You can find them in the aquarium section of the local Petco. Maracyn Two is an example of an appropriate antibiotic. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment. Maintain pristine water quality via filtration and regular partial water changes as well. Epsom salt can be added to the tank as well to help draw out excess fluid. Dissolve about 1/4 teaspoon per 10 gallons of water in a cup or two of tank water and gently pour it into the tank.

Thanks for providing pictures. Through the pictures, there is a good probability that your fish are gravid and should deliver soon. Hard to tell what species by the pictures (slightly out of focus), but usually with dropsy, the scales rise (pineconing) and the swelling extends more caudally. Dropsy is more a clinical sign and not a disease. Causes include heart, renal, liver or gonadal diseases. There is no one treatment, but depends on the cause. Few are successfully treated, unless a bacterial infection and the proper antibiotics. Hopefully you will have eggs or babies in the next few days.

Thanks for reaching out about Bubbles and including a photo. Abdominal distention (often termed "dropsy") can be due to accumulated fluid, eggs, enlarged organs or displaced swim bladder. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Store purchased medications are a waste of monies and will not fix anything. A diagnosis needs to be made to effectively treat. Good luck.

I am sorry to hear about it. Altered buoyancy is usually due to a swim bladder infection/inflammation. Possible abdominal tumors can often cause these problems as well. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Thanks for reaching out about Darwin and including photos. Unfortunately, medications added to the water rarely get absorbed systemically. This is likely a swim bladder infection, and systemic medications needed. A veterinary visit can assist with diagnostics and/or treatments. Injections of antibiotics are recommended. If dropsy is present, an aquatic veterinarian should be able to aspirate the fluid off, giving some temporary assistance while medications take effect. Check and correct water parameters and diet. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Clara. First, test and correct water quality as this is a common factor in illness. Dropsy is a clinical sign of fluid or a mass in the abdomen. The cause needs to be determined prior to effective treatment. Adding non-iodized salt to the tank could slow down the water gradient into the body but is not a treatment. For a diagnosis, a veterinary visit is recommended. Good luck.