I beleive that when your fish's scales are black and pop out like a pinecone, thats fungus. So I got some treaters and dropped them in the tank. Scales are stil repesenting a pine cone. Is it Fungus or something else?
2007-09-27 09:25:25 · 6 answers · asked by Mindy R 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
Not fungus, but dropsy. Despite everyone telling you the fish will die, that may or may not be the case. Dropsy isn't a disease itself, but a symptom that something else is wrong. Whether or not the fish will recover depends on what that "something" is, and your ability to identify it.
A good first start is a water change. This condition can appear just due to poor water quality (best case scenario). It may also be cause by overmedicating or using some chemical to which your fish may be particularly sensitive. In either case, doing the water change and using just water conditioner in the replacement may help.
If that alone doesn't work, add a small amount of Epsom salt (not aquarium or other salt) - 1/8 teaspoon per 10 gallons. If this still doesn' work in two days, treat for internal infection. I've used Mardel's Maracyn 2 successfully for a betta that had dropsy.
Unfortunately, if the dropsy is advanced, or if the cause is a tumor or kidney disease, there may not be much you can do.
2007-09-27 10:13:23 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What you have is not fungus, fungus is grayish white and fuzzy and forms in patches around cuts or scars or in the mouth. Sadly what you have is a non curable and fatal symptom called dropsy. Usually occurs when the liver or kidneys have already been long eroded by infection, fluids fill the body cavity and the scales stick out. There is nothing you can do to save the fish now. Get it out of the tank and euthanize. Do not dump meds into the tank, it won't help and will stress the survivors. It will also kill the beneficial bacteria in your filter. You cannot cure dropsy and its always fatal sorry.
2007-09-27 16:57:24 · answer #2 · answered by Sunday P 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Awwww, hon, I'm sorry to tell you this, but it's something called "dropsy" and sadly, it is untreatable. Unfortunately, the fish/any fish that is exhibiting this is going to pass away.
Dropsy is caused by bad water quality over an extended period of time. Fluid builds up in the body cavity and essentially causes the organs to begin failing, and death is inevitable.
Any fish in the tank that do not look sick, I would take out immediately, and there's a chance that they will be ok, but dropsy is highly contagious.
A good way to avoid this happening in the future is to learn how to take care of your fish tank properly. I am giving you a link on how to care for an aquarium. Water quality is the leading cause of disease and death in fish tanks. http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_cleaning.html and http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Disease.html (will explain about care and disease)
I'm so so sorry, i wish there was something else I could tell you, but there isn't. Once they hit that pinecone shape, there is no turning back.
Please e-mail me if you would like to talk about this further. Again, I'm sorry.
Good luck. ;o(
2007-09-27 16:30:17 · answer #3 · answered by MrsCrabs 5 · 5⤊ 2⤋
Fungus looks like white cottony growths on your fish. What you're describing is "dropsy".
Edit to add:
I didn't realize there was already an answer here. Copperhead's recommendation is sound advice. :)
2007-09-27 18:21:58 · answer #4 · answered by Quiet Tempest 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry. I agree with Mrscrabs. You really need to take good care of your water for your fish.
2007-09-27 16:42:41 · answer #5 · answered by magicmike2you 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I heard the same thing. So I think it may be.
2007-09-27 16:28:42 · answer #6 · answered by blah123456789 3 · 0⤊ 5⤋