Dropsy Prevention - great article Carl

[Deleted]

Hi Carl/All,

I have had fun today poking around on the various links from the forum. Thanks for this article on Dropsy:

www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2006/11/betta-with-dropsy.html

I have had a few tiger barbs get dropsy over the years..... the disease never passes on to other fish. In researching, I did find that small barbs are particularly prone to "Dropsy" (calling it "Dropsy" to save time). Mardel Maracyn Plus did heal one (set up in a hospital bucket that time) - but I lost him later to a slash from the featherfin catfish.

I have a tiger barb right now that I moved from my 75 gallon that is showing early signs. She is Queen of the tank in my ten gallon and is doing just fine now - She doesn't mind being the only barb. I will let you know how long she lives and then will tell what all I did to help her. I may add an Epsom salt bath to her treatment. She is a $2.00 tiger barb, so not worth extended amount of time and money. Her problem? The other three tiger barbs are more aggressive.

Judy D.

[Carl]

This is difficult to treat, with prevention most important and even then even optimum conditions do not guarantee the kidney issues or other causes of Dropsy will not occur.

Osmotic function is the key, which you use of a bath with Epsom Salts can help with.

Sulfa based drugs can help with this too as you noted

Carl

[parker002]

Second what Carl says. While the cause of dropsy is generally a bacterial infection that can be treated with antibiotics, the antibiotics by themselves will not usually alleviate the primary symptom of bloating.

Epsom Salts contain Magnesium Sulfate, which is a desiccant and will not only help with osmotic function but will also help with the bloating or retention of fluid. Humans use Magnesium salts in this fashion all the time (most common use is in laxatives actually). I actually use Epsom Salts as preventative maintenance, along with aquarium salt and Wonder Shells.

[Deleted]

Thanks, I have Epson Salt - but don't remember now if I got one with scents added (I needed it a while back to soak my feet)... I need to check.
Right now she is doing great, but I may try the Epsom salt bath. I don't plan on using any medication with her. I should have my Wonder Shells soon...

The little gal got stressed by the three boys chasing after her.

Cheers,

Judy

[devonjohnsgard]

Yeah that bath will be good, then the wonder shells.