Dropsy

[csababubbles]

It seems like two of my gobies (in different tanks) have developed a sort of bloated stomach. I assume saltwater get can get dropsy like freshwater fish but don't want to assume its dropsy. Basically they two fish look like they are pregnant with fat bloated stomachs. No other symptoms, fish acts and eats normally. The have been bloated like this for about two weeks. I will try to get a good pic of it but the fish get freaked out about the camera. Anyways, if it is indeed a case of dropsy, this is an internal bacterial infection right? Would it be best to let the fish's immune system fight it or would it be necessary to remove the fish and place them in QT to treat them with drugs? Where does this come from? Is it an indication of poor water quality? What exactly is going on inside the fish? I did a search on wetwebmedia but they only talk about freshwater dropsy so I am hoping Lee or others may have some knowledge they can pass on.

Thanks!

 

[Snowboarda42]

I would QT them and try raising your Mg as well as temperature a few degrees. I read somewhere that this tends to help. Dropsy is a collection of fluids in the fish's abdomen if I remember correctly...

In humans, its usually due to a lack of a protein called albumin (egg whites contain a lot of this), which is called hypoalbuminemia. It causes a collection of fluids in the abdominal cavity, due to liver failure. So you might consider feeding it foods that are really high in protein. Hopefully Lee will chime in too.

 

[leebca]

Marine fish can develop a condition which resembles Dropsy seen in Freshwater fishes. The underlying cause(s) in Marine fishes is a bacterial or viral infection.

Put the fish into a hospital tank and treat with an antibiotic that is systemic--like Maracyn Two for Saltwater fish. This antibiotic goes inside the fish to treat the systemic infection which brings on the condition you see. If you use Maracyn Two (which I recommend), start off with a double dose of that recommended on the packaging.

As a separate note:
How comes so many problems with your fish? Are you acquiring sick fish to treat them? For a single hobbyist, even one with a large system such as you have, there shouldn't be so many different ailments and conditions to address.

 

[csababubbles]

I have about 80 fish in my care, spread amongst almost a dozen tanks, there are bound to be some problems that come up once in a while. I QT and treat all my fish before they go in the systems so they never bring in any problems. I have never had ich in all my years keeping fish that made it into my main display systems. I have two cases of bloated stomach (currently), a case of lymph a while back that came in with the fish, and I think thats about all the health problems I have had in my main tanks. Newly aquired fish is a different story, but I am able to treat them for whatever problems they may have due to your stickies and helpful advice in posts that I make. But I do not think I have a lot of problems with my fish. Most of my problems have been with trying to feed notoriously difficult fish like my Idol, Regal, Potter, Copperband, Clingfish, Spike Fin Gobies, Dragon Wrasse, etc. Which are all still alive after many months/years in my care. I think most of my posts that I make are either compatability questions (like which puffer can go with which puffer, etc) or general questions that I never knew the answer to and thought others besides myself would like to know the answers (for example freezer burn). I apologize if I ask too many questions, as I have never met anyone as knowledgeable about marine fish care in captivity as you, and its apparent you are very generous in sharing what you know so I figure it would be ok to ask lots of questions, as long as they have a solid basis behind them and not judt stupid random questions that waste your time.

 

[leebca]

I have no problem with the quantity or quality of your questions. I’m not a very suspicious person by nature. I just don’t want to be a person who helps someone setup a hospital for Marine Fishes.

So long as you post your questions so others may gather information, too, I have no problem with contributing to the answers.

Congrats on your Marine Ich war win. Just read (another) post where the poster claims that MI is impossible to keep out of the tank (with the bottom line being, ‘Why bother trying.’). It’s sad. It can be done. But it takes a great deal of effort, which is why I suppose there are those in the hobby who just blow it off.

Your posts are more than welcome. Ask whatever it is you need to know or post whatever you want to discuss.

 

[Reefreak]

Dropsy is a swim bladder issue. Golbys don't have swim bladders.
Just a note here. I have a couple golbys that if not feed enough nori will gorge themselves on coral sand, "they definitely look prego at this time" don't know why they do this. "Then they manage to poop coral sand all over my plating sps's".
Anyways, you might want to look at diet before you start medicating for possibly no reason. They may not be getting what they need. If you have already moved them to a bare bottom quarantine tank their bellies may go down just from no sand. My 2 cents...Good Luck!

 

[vimal]

does damsel can effect to dropsy..?? in early stage of the aquarium??

 

[leebca]

Not sure exactly what the question(s) is, however dropsy can come on at anytime, regardless of age of marine system, newness of fish to the system, or age of the fish.

 

[jag3534]

We have had a lawnmower blenny that whenever the mag in the tank dropped would develop a "pregnant" looking tummy. We'd raise the mag and it would correct itself. Just our experience, hth.

 

[vimal]

thx lee..the best way to prevent it is..??
my aquarium is 30 gallon..n i added yellow tail damsel..in the same day it got effected to dropsy and die..

 

[leebca]

Dropsy is usually a bacterial infection, internal. You prevent it by the following:

High water quality
Proper filtration (mechanical, chemical, biological, and carbon)
Proper nutrition (not just quantity and quality, but the right kinds of food)
A reduced stress environment and
Choosing healthy fishes

I guess it boils down to doing a good job in the hobby.

 

[vimal]

thx lee..should i use any drugs.??? like melafix or pimafix by API..??

 

[vimal]

reduced enviroment mean how..??

 

[leebca]

Are we talking preventative or treatment? Treatment is antibiotics. Controlling the environmental stressors include:
size of tank
space (for swimming if it is a fish that swims long distances) in tank
proper contents in tank for that species
other inhabitants (fish, inverts, etc.)

 

[vimal]

what kind a antibiotics can help me treat this..? can i treat the main tank..?

 

[leebca]

A systemic antibiotic is used, such as Maracyn Two for Saltwater fishes. NEVER treat the main tank. This treatment is done in a hospital tank.

 

[vimal]

i bought a damsel,i starve it for one day and it was ok..the next day i feed it..after 4 hours..it die..so sad...
so i shoud just let the tank to be empty..?

 

[leebca]

I'm not sure who's advice you are following or where you are getting your information from, but that isn't the best way to start off a tank. Check my post in your other thread.

 

[vimal]

ok..what should i do with the main tank.?

 

[vimal]

what should i do with the main tank...??
if i feed d fish on the main tank..it surely dies on next day..