It's hard to see the pineconing, but it's pretty obvious in real life.
Please Help! Dropsy!
Just now, I noticed one of my bettas pineconing. I was feeding him, and he seemed really hesitant about coming up to greet me, not like his usual self. I don't know what to do, the only meds I have on me are AQ salt and epsom salt and some oak leaves. I've noticed that he's been "off" for about a week now, but I haven't thought much about it. He's paler in color, but still eating. Another of my bettas has fin melt. Could this be bacterial? Please and thank you!
Housing
What size is your tank? 10 gallons
What temperature is your tank? 80-82
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? 1 other betta, previously a tankmate to the betta with fin melt.
Food
What type of food do you feed your betta fish? Ocean Nutrition
How often do you feed your betta fish? Twice a Day
Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change? Once a week
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change? 50%, sometimes 75-80%
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change? Prime
Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? If so, what are the following parameters?
Ammonia:
Nitrite:
Nitrate:
pH:
Hardness:
Alkalinity:
Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed? Pineconing and Bloated
How has your betta fish's behavior changed? Not as "hyper"
When did you start noticing the symptoms? Maybe a week or two ago
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how? Tried epsom salt last week
Does your fish have any history of being ill? No
How old is your fish (approximately)? Maybe 8 months - 12 months. i got him on AquaBid
Housing
What size is your tank? 10 gallons
What temperature is your tank? 80-82
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? 1 other betta, previously a tankmate to the betta with fin melt.
Food
What type of food do you feed your betta fish? Ocean Nutrition
How often do you feed your betta fish? Twice a Day
Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change? Once a week
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change? 50%, sometimes 75-80%
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change? Prime
Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? If so, what are the following parameters?
Ammonia:
Nitrite:
Nitrate:
pH:
Hardness:
Alkalinity:
Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed? Pineconing and Bloated
How has your betta fish's behavior changed? Not as "hyper"
When did you start noticing the symptoms? Maybe a week or two ago
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how? Tried epsom salt last week
Does your fish have any history of being ill? No
How old is your fish (approximately)? Maybe 8 months - 12 months. i got him on AquaBid
1 - 10 of 10 Posts
Dropsy
•Symptoms: Your betta will have a bloated belly and raised scales. They will look like a pine cone. This is usually a fatal disease caused by an internal bacterial infection resulting in internal organ failure but many have had success bringing fish back when treated quickly.
Early Symptoms: Swollen eyes (important), Gray belly (important), Clamped fins, Lethargy. If your fish has swollen eyes and a gray belly, I suggest that you treat it for Dropsy.
•Treatment: If you spot the early signs of Dropsy then treat him/her with ES at 1-2tsp/gal and Jungle’s Anti-Parasite pellets while performing 100% daily water changes. It helps to increase the temperature to 84*F. If he/she has begun Pineconning then do the full course as described below:
Performing daily 100% water changes. 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.
I would go out and get medication right away. The Epsom salt you have is good, use the 1-2 teaspoons per gallon like it says. AQ salt won't help in this case.
•Symptoms: Your betta will have a bloated belly and raised scales. They will look like a pine cone. This is usually a fatal disease caused by an internal bacterial infection resulting in internal organ failure but many have had success bringing fish back when treated quickly.
Early Symptoms: Swollen eyes (important), Gray belly (important), Clamped fins, Lethargy. If your fish has swollen eyes and a gray belly, I suggest that you treat it for Dropsy.
•Treatment: If you spot the early signs of Dropsy then treat him/her with ES at 1-2tsp/gal and Jungle’s Anti-Parasite pellets while performing 100% daily water changes. It helps to increase the temperature to 84*F. If he/she has begun Pineconning then do the full course as described below:
Performing daily 100% water changes. 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.
I would go out and get medication right away. The Epsom salt you have is good, use the 1-2 teaspoons per gallon like it says. AQ salt won't help in this case.
I have him on Tetracycline, hopefully that will work as well and epsom salt as well as a few oak leaves. He seems more bloated, but sorta active... he still eats.
Could you try posting a picture from the top? Like you side that picture doesn't show pineconing at all. Usually dropsy attacks quickly.
I can't take a picture right now, but it is definitely dropsy. It's really prominent from the top. I have had fish in the past who have had dropsy and the didn't make it, so I'm hoping he can get better
I believe you that it's dropsy. Looking from the top it is obvious I'm sure. I hope he does get better with the treatment. Keep us updated on him.
Thank you for your help!
I'm losing hope that he can make it... His bloating's definitely got worse. Any miracle stories?
If hes started pineconeing then its too late since the kidneys have already failed and are filling him up with fluid :-( The best thing to do is to put him down
1 - 10 of 10 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Betta Fish Forum
A forum community dedicated to Betta fish owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about breeds, health, behavior, tanks, care, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Top Contributors this Month
View All
JackTheCaptain
106 Replies
Rose of sharon
83 Replies
TropicalFlow3
51 Replies
Recommended Communities
