Why does it look like my fish is going to pop?

Question

I thought my pardise gourami was pregnant but it looks like the scales are messed up on the swollen part of it's stomach. It usually sits at the top of the tank and the male gourami checks on her. Is she pregnant or is something wrong?

Answer 1

If the scales are pineconing (popping out at almost 90* angles), it is dropsy. Dropsy isn't a disease, rather, a symptom. It is caused by fluid buildup in the abdomen. It is generally incurable, but you MIGHT be able to save it if you can keep the water EXTREMELY clean for the next week. You may be better off euthanizing it by freezing it. When the water gets too cold, the fish will just "go too sleep" until it finally freezes... Sorry to hear, but I hope you can save it!

Soop Nazi

EDIT: Fin rot would have different symptoms like "melting" fins... I think it is safe to say that it is dropsy, which there are no sure-fire-ways to treat...

EDIT 2: Gouramis don't get pregnant, and unless you specifically bought a female, you almost certainly have a male. Females are rarely sold. Also, fish carrying eggs would not display pineconing scales, nor would constipated fish.

Answer 2

Hi,
In my opinion i think ur fish either has dropsy or fin rot. I would treate it with a broad spectrum anti-biotic from Mardel. Go to a pet store and check for the mardel category and pick up the one that closely resembles your fish condition. I would also add some aquarium salt @1 teaspoon for every 5 gallons of water. This would help to reduce the stress. I would treat him in a seperate tank. Make sure to remove the carbon from the filter cos carbon removes the medication. I hope its still not too late.

Before u add any medication, just check the water parameters ammonia 0 and nitrite 0. If your parameters are not proper i would recommend a 20-30% water change and then add the medication according to the directions on the bottle.

I hope this helps and its not too late for your fish to respond to medication.

--Vamsi--

Answer 3

I wouldn't euthanize a fish. Their nervous systems aren't too compex in the pain category. Go to a local private fish store.

Answer 4

She has dropsy, meaning either cancer or poor conditions. It is incurable. It is best to euthanize her.

Answer 5

post pics, it would help to see waht she looks like.
shes either
- pregnant
- her stomach is over filling due to something
- she is being fed to much
- she is just a fat *** fish :)

brent

Answer 6

Its just pregnant

Answer 7

its most likely pregnant

Answer 8

She could be blocked and not passing poop.