Dropsy... Treatment guidance?

[teeneythebetta]

I've had my female, Tiny for 9 days. She's been in quarantine. I'm 99% sure she has dropsy... And I'm just... Really sad now. I lost a sorority due to dropsy... I'm currently treating her, I guess what I'm asking for from you guys is guidance along the way... If anyone can help me.

Housing
What size is your tank? 2.5 gal
What temperature is your tank?80
Does your tank have a filter? No
Does your tank have an air stone or other type of aeration? No
Is your tank heated? Yes
What tank mates does your betta fish live with? None

Food
What type of food do you feed your betta fish? NLS & Omega one
How often do you feed your betta fish? 2 x a day, fast once a week

Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change? 2 x a week- 1-50% 1-100%
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change? 1-50% 1-100%
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change? Prime water conditioner

Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? If so, what are the following parameters?

Ammonia: .5 (my tap water contains ammonia so I use prime)
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
pH:
Hardness:
Alkalinity:

Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed? A little bloated;pertruding scales;clamped
How has your betta fish's behavior changed?
When did you start noticing the symptoms? Bloated a few days ago, raised scales today
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how? Epsom salt & maracyn 2
Does your fish have any history of being ill?I've only had her 9 days
How old is your fish (approximately)? Probably around 9 weeks

[LebronTheBetta]

Uh oh... This is going to be hard to treat. I mean, the bloated belly is an early sign of internal breakdown (AKA Dropsy) I suggest to lower the water level and continue the treatment. Add IAL or washed oak leaves for some properties. Can you lower the temperature? I have heard that bacteria thrives in heat. I think that's not relevant but I think 84 degrees is a bit high.

She has a 25% of survival, but it IS possible for recovery. Do as I suggested and lets hope she'll survive. Sorry she's experiencing this. :(

[teeneythebetta]

Originally Posted by LebronTheBetta

Uh oh... This is going to be hard to treat. I mean, the bloated belly is an early sign of internal breakdown (AKA Dropsy) I suggest to lower the water level and continue the treatment. Add IAL or washed oak leaves for some properties. Can you lower the temperature? I have heard that bacteria thrives in heat. I think that's not relevant but I think 84 degrees is a bit high.

She has a 25% of survival, but it IS possible for recovery. Do as I suggested and lets hope she'll survive. Sorry she's experiencing this. :(

I'm so upset right now, I'm tired of dealing with this. How low should I lower the water level?

[LebronTheBetta]

Around 1 gallon. Just to make sure she can easily get some air. It will also help with your medication.

[teeneythebetta]

Originally Posted by LebronTheBetta

Around 1 gallon. Just to make sure she can easily get some air. It will also help with your medication.

Thanks LTB. my tank when filled with 1 gallon is about 4 inches deep because the tank is long. Is that ok?

Thanks so much.

[LebronTheBetta]

I guess it's OK. And your welcome. I hope Tiny gets better! She's really pretty.

[teeneythebetta]

Forgot to mention... I lowered the temp to 80.

It seems like every betta has dropsy! WTF. There were 10 bettas at the store and only 3 didn't appear to have dropsy, tiny being one of them.

[LebronTheBetta]

OK, that's good.

I feel bad for those Bettas... What store were they in? Dropsy is a pain in the butt. -.- I hope that doesn't happen to Lebron. My sponge filter arrived. It's a bit big, though. Great...

[teeneythebetta]

Originally Posted by LebronTheBetta

OK, that's good.

I feel bad for those Bettas... What store were they in? Dropsy is a pain in the butt. -.- I hope that doesn't happen to Lebron. My sponge filter arrived. It's a bit big, though. Great...

I'm sure lebron will be fine because he is in a healthy environment.
The bettas were at petsmart.

[LebronTheBetta]

He should be fine, he likes it when I sometimes aerate his tank. Lol
Petsmart? WHAT??? My Petsmart seems OK. Lebron was there before! Walmart must be worse... O_O