Oranda Trouble Vol. 2

Question
Thank you for your quick response. I looked at the sites (links) you sent. The wen spot may be a darkening due to netting. The spot on her gill cover may be the same thing ? it doesn't look like something on the surface, it looks like it is in the tissue, almost underneath the bit of fat? on the gill cover. However, the one on her mouth does look like it is on the surface. I did a parasite dip/fluke dip using 1 pt hydrogen peroxide and 9 parts tank h20 (recomended by pet store) It didn't release. I was told this dip removes parasites and both types of flukes.? This was last done 4 days ago. Should I dip again? If so when, How often? What about treating the main tank? I am also using the "clean h20 every 12 hour" method (moving her from 5 gal. bucket w/airstone to new 5 gal... every 12 hours. To keep her from potentially infecting my other girl and to help stimulate her immune system.  My usual tank maintence routine is to do a 25% h20 change once a week /vacumn gravel. I havent tested for nitrate yet but am more than willing if you think it is needed. The healthy girl in the tank seems ok. But today the dropsy like swelling is back but very slight. Help! Thank You. :)

Answer
Hi Lynne;

Sounds like you have done everything right so far. You are probably right about the spots being from netting. It happens sometimes. I wouldn't treat for parasites anymore.

Don't worry about nitrate since you are keeping up with weekly changes. It's probably low unless you overfeed. It's pretty common and we all do it from time to time. We just have to clean up after ourselves when we do.

The dropsy problem is very difficult to treat. There are many possible causes for it so you just have to try everything you can. The best method I know of is with epsom salt baths. Here is a good article with more info on it;

http://badmanstropicalfish.com/articles/article24.html

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins