Betta with Dropsy

Question
QUESTION: Jaymie,
I have two betta fish. I was keeping them both in a ten gallon aquarium with a divider in the middle. We were on vacation for a few days, and when we came back, I took them out for the cleaning. This is my first fish tank, I put an ajustable heater, two small filters,one on each side(the small,airpump kind)and plants. Keeping the water temperature about 76 degrees, and with an overhead tank light. But we have been having a huge algea problem, and keep getting snails(which keep dying for some reason). So we picked up two catfish related cleaners, the pet store told me that they would be tough enough that the bettas wouldn't hurt them(but they only clean the bottom :(..) So now we have two huge black snails and catfish things, and it was funny to watch the one betta chase the catfish. But the algae is rediculous. I scrub the tank and plants weekly, using a gravel cleaner, and it just comes back just as bad as before. The plants keep dying too, it has been very frustrating.
So, after taking the bettas out, I noticed a small white patch on one's fin, right next to the gill. I was worried it was a fungus, so I didn't put them back in the tank so they wouldn't transmit it to eachother. And after a couple of days I was mortified to see the fin was gone completely! And it almost looked like a wound. Plus he was swollen belly with the scales starting to stick out. I was suspecting fungal infection so I started treating both fish with Pimafix, incase they both had it.There are no fish stores near where we live, so we traveled a long way to find a specialty fish store, where they told us to get Maracyn 2 and use it instead of the Pimafix. which they were out of stock,they tested our tank water and said it was perfect( I always use a water conditioner, and add Stresszyme(to help the good bacteria) and a tablespoon of aquarium salt one each side.) He said all the test levels were fine.
Two days later we found Maracyn 2, and I changed the water and started the treatment. They are currently one fish in a 2 gallon tank and the other in a 1 gallon tank, With Stresscoat and Stresszyme, and aquarium salt. The sicker one is only looking worse, and I worry the other one is showing signs of bloating as well.
It has been 3 days into the treatment, and the sickest fish looks so bad, all scales sticking out and he only moves to come up for air. The other fish has scales starting to lift up as well, it seems like the worst thing is happening, I would do anything to save them. I have been searching all over for somebody who cares and can help me. Last night I started adding Betta Revive to the tanks, because it has methylene blue in it and says it treats fungal and bacterial. 8 drops per gallon. Please give me some advise if you can tell me if there is something more I can do to save them.
Also I have noticed that their side fins seem very thin and eaten. and the big pretty fins have black curled tinges that weren't there before, if any of this information will help you to know what is wrong with them.
         Thank you,
         Amber


ANSWER: Amber,

I am sorry to hear that your fish are ill. Unfortunately, Dropsy is almost 100% lethal. Meaning almost all fish that get Dropsy die from it. It is interesting that the fish store would tell you your water perimeters are fine. I am thinking that the water quality is way off. With the filters, are you removing the activated charcoal or carbon when treating the fish? If not, they need to be removed. When you put the medication in the tank with the filters, the carbon removes all of it. Also, it is not good to change the medication while treating unless your fish is showing dangerous reactions from them. As for the aquarium salt, I am not a believer that it really is a good idea to have that in the water with them all the time. If you can, try to locate a product called "black water extract". While this will not help your fish now, it is an awesome product. You add it to their water every time you do a water change. It makes the water more like the kind they live in in the wild. When you do add the salt, make sure it is fully dissolved before adding it to the tank and never as much as you are adding. Betta's can handle some salt but you are boarder lining too much. If when you look at your fish from above meaning looking down on them, and you see the scales protruding then yes they are affected with Dropsy. If you choose to keep them going there are a few things you can do for them to keep them as comfortable as possible, remove most of the water in the tanks they are in now. That way they don't have very far to go to get the oxygen they need. I would also up the heater to about 82-84 degrees. They like and need warm water. All mine are in tanks with the heaters set at 82 degrees. When you raise the temp of the water, it depletes a lot of much needed oxygen. If you choose to do that, drop an air stone in the tank with them. This adds the oxygen back into their water. I would add a few live plants with them. They will use these to rest on assuring they can get to the top. To relieve the discomfort of bloating add 1/2 tsp aquarium salt per gallon of water. This will help to draw some of the fluids out and relieve pressure. But since you already have salt in their tank, this might not help. Avoid any herbal tonics or remedies that contain Melaleuca like Melafix or Bettafix. These medications are mostly antiseptics and may not be appropriate for serious infections.

I wish I had good news for you. Let me know how things are going and if anything else comes up, please, feel free to ask me anything.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Jaymie,

The really sick one died this morning. I added plants for the one that is still alive, and raised the water temperature for him, slowly. He has been eating. But he still appears bloated, and has some protruding scales. I did not put filters in the hospital tank he is in, for the reason you had also mentioned about the carbon filters and the medication. I am still adding Betta revive, because it has methylene blue. And Maracyn 2. He is still fairly active. I will pick up the airstone and put it in.
The one thing I am noticing that also worries me, it looks like he has fin rot, black and eating holes in the fins. I am so lost on how to get the water right. The apartments that we live in have a black mold problem they said when we moved here. We have always kept the place very aired out, and we havent had a problem with it. Do you think that something like that could have possibly contaminated the water?
When I put the fish in the 2 gallon tank I had put 1/4 of a tablespoon of the aquarium salt, I did not know that it was too much I was following the instructions on the back, and scaled it down for the amount of water. If it is too much, should I do a partial water change to help dilute it?
What does too much salt do to bettas? I know that when I use the water test strips it always shows that the water is alkaline, and I heard that that can eat away the fins, is that what might be happening?
Oh, and somebody suggested adding Tetracycline to the water, but I want to know from you first, because too many medicines could be bad. I really want to save this fish, and would try everything, but I don't want to make it worse. Could the salt levels cause the dropsy?
I will wait until a reply from you before doing any new medications, because you would know much more than pet stores. Thank you so much for the information, I will try my best, and I am very grateful for your help.
         Amber

Answer
Amber,

Sorry to hear you lost your fish. All fish illnesses are mostly due to water quality. If you add a water conditioner to the water before putting it in the tank, that helps them. If you don't, then they get ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, and other chemicals that are in our tap water. No, the salt did not cause the Dropsy.  It is also not a illness that is contagious. If you have another fish with this problem, then it is purely a water problem. Do you use a water conditioner in the tank? If not, that is why they are getting sick. If you are, then I would change the one you are using. I use a product called Black Water Extract. It is an awesome conditioner that makes the water 100% perfect for my Betta's. I would not add any more fish to that tank until you get the water under control. If you don't, you will lose every fish you put in there. Betta's are one of the more delicate tropical fish and they need everything perfect at all times. I breed them and I know how hard it is to keep everything good.

Fin rot is also a good indication of poor water quality. With what you are giving him now, that should be ok for the fin rot. Please, take your water testing strips and throw them out. They are not accurate and that might be where the problem is. Always use a liquid testing kit. They come with test tubes and liquid bottles that you add to the test tube water. They are always right on the mark. I would do a 25% water change everyday until the water perimeters are within normal range.

You can add the Tetracycline, but not until you get the air stone. These medication deplete the oxygen in the water along with the turning up of the heater. The air stone will put that oxygen right back in. I hope your fish is one of the few that make it. I am here if you have any more questions.