Dropsy attacks

[NuocCam]

After a hard battle with pH fluctuation and bacterial attack... my poor Garp now has Dropsy.

I've been adding epsom salt, maintaining a pH around 7.4, water change every 2 days, feeding him freeze-dried bloodwroms every other day, and adding Melafix for the past week.

Each day goes by and he's getting bigger and bigger =(

Anyone know where I can get antibacterial pellets? (any good brands that work)

[Comet1993]

I'm not sure.. =[ I'm sorry that your fish isn't well. I have heard that feeding bloodworms could contribute to bloating, though.. Maybe you should stop feeding him those while he's ill?

[fightergirl2710]

Hi NuocCam, I'm sorry your betta has dropsy. :(
Could you fill this in so we can help you better: http://www.bettafish.com/showthread.php?t=49233
First thing i would like to tell you is stop putting melafix in the water, it is very bad for bettas.
This is from the emergencies sticky:
Do 100% water changes everyday. Increase the temperature to 84*F.
Add 1-2 tsp/gal Epsom Salt. Use API General Cure OR API Erythromycin OR Maracyn II and/or Maracyn for best results. Feed something containing Metronidazole, for example, Jungle’s Anti-Parasite pellets. If caught early, Dropsy is curable.
This is what is suggested by Darkmoon, our resident doctor. :) I hope it helps you!

[NuocCam]

Housing
What size is your tank? 2.5 gal
What temperature is your tank? 80
Does your tank have a filter? yes
Does your tank have an air stone or other type of aeration? no
Is your tank heated? not at the moment (summer time, no heater)
What tank mates does your betta fish live with? 0

Food
What type of food do you feed your betta fish? freeze dried bloodworms
How often do you feed your betta fish? once every 2 days

Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change? for now every day
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change? 95%
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change? seachem prime and kordon ammonia remover

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

Ammonia:
Nitrite: n/a
Nitrate: n/a
pH: 7.4
Hardness:n/a
Alkalinity: n/a

Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed? dropsy
How has your betta fish's behavior changed? mainly in his little cave
When did you start noticing the symptoms? last week when scales were up
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how? yes, (explained above)
Does your fish have any history of being ill? yes
How old is your fish (approximately)? roughly 5 months

[NuocCam]

Originally Posted by Comet1993

I'm not sure.. =[ I'm sorry that your fish isn't well. I have heard that feeding bloodworms could contribute to bloating, though.. Maybe you should stop feeding him those while he's ill?

if i try feeding him the pellets that i have, i'm just afraid he won't eat it in time and I have to go pellet hunting.

plus i use the same tweezers to feed my other fish, which atm has problems =(

[fightergirl2710]

If you could get a heater and bump the temps to 84 it would be good. But otherwise, get Jungle's anti-parasite pellets, they have an ingredient called metronidazole that helps in dropsy. Don't give him the worms.. Is he still eating?Has he become lethargic?

[NuocCam]

Originally Posted by fightergirl2710

If you could get a heater and bump the temps to 84 it would be good. But otherwise, get Jungle's anti-parasite pellets, they have an ingredient called metronidazole that helps in dropsy. Don't give him the worms.. Is he still eating?Has he become lethargic?

i don't know where to get the pellets, unless i could only order on amazon?

he is still eating like a beast and still full of energy everytime i turn on his light

[fightergirl2710]

Are you absolutely sure he has dropsy? He could be severely bloated? :/ Can you put some pictures up? Usually bettas with dropsy become lethargic and lose interest in food... I think you get those pellets at Petco or PetsMart, I can't say since I live all the way across the world. :)

[kumi]

Petsmart carries them. From experience, you might want to call first to be sure they are in stock.

kumi

[NuocCam]

yes i am 100% because I see his scales raised.

hard to get a decent picture since hes moving and my phone's camera is terrible.

while i was trying to take a picture of him... he is pretty much just laying near the top now. i guess he has no energy now. barely moving.