We've noticed lately that our betta has looked kind of "fat" - bloated stomach. This morning Rob also noticed that his scales look raised and prickly. I looked in the book we bought ("Aquariums for Dummies"), and it said those two symptoms can mean dropsy. I held off feeding him yesterday due to his 'bloated-ness' look. He is currently laying "face-first" at the bottom of the tank, as if he is front heavy.

Any ideas what this may be? If it is in fact dropsy, I've read that treatment is rarely successful. Regardless, we would like to try whatever we can to save Fishy.

Thanks in advance!

Tara

Rob and Tara;

Bummer. Sure sounds like dropsy. Well, I guess your Betta is already buy himself so no need to QT him but if not, might be a good idea. Dropsy isn't usually contageous but better safe then sorry. OK, here's the hard part. Now I don't believe in raising false hopes so I'll give it too you straight. I'm sorry but fish don't usually survive dropsy. As you may know, it's a bacterial infection and very hard to treat so the first thing you need to do is decide what's best for fishy. Treatment or euthanasia. I know you want to save him (as do we all) and I've heard of a couple of different methods so here they are. 1. Get some anti-bacterial medicine from your lfs and maybe add some salt. 1 tsp/gallon. 2. Raise tank temp to 84/85 degrees. Add 1/8 tsp epsom salt and anti-bacterial med. like romet-B anti-bac. food. If blisters errupt, try treating w/oxolinic acid. Then change complete water after 3 days to remove all oxolinic.

When all is done, complete water change of course.

Hang in there and best wishes for fishy.

We came home from work and Fishy is now in the large fishbowl in the sky :(

He had a snail in the tank with him, the snail is fine still. Poor 'Fishy 2' :rip:

sorry to hear about your loss.:(

I'm sorry to hear that. It's always hard to lose a friend. RIP Fishy2. Mr. Snail is probably fine (come to think of it, I'm not sure if snails can get/carry dropsy. Anybody know that one?) but if you choose to get another fish, I think I'd watch him for a week or two first to make sure he's OK. Be at peace.

Late edit on treatment. When I said to add 1/8 tsp of epsom salt, it's supposed to be 1/8 tsp/5 gallons of water. Sorry.