bloated lifeless fish

Question
For several months my fish has been reall fat and swimming really slow. Three weeks ago it started swimming upside down. Now it is laying on the bottom of the tank, upside down doing nothing. The fish's sides even split open. I have been treating the water with melafix and the sores are getting better but it is still lying on the bottom of the tank upside down. It doesn't even move much any more. What should I do to make it better? I don't want it to die. Oh I have tried the green pea thing for the swim bladder too and it hasn't worked either. Pleasehelp!!!

Answer
Hi Andrea;

It really doesn't sound very good at all. There has probably been advanced organ failure and he developed "dropsy". Dropsy can also be caused by internal infection. Dropsy is a symptom of organ failure (usually kidneys) and is from fluid buildup inside the body cavity. His body swelled so much that it finally ruptured. Poor guy. If the sores are getting better that's a good sign, but I really can't say whether or not he could ever swim properly again.

Since diseases that cause dropsy are very hard to diagnose we just try everything we can and hope something works. You might try using "Maracyn 2", an antibiotic for fish. It absorbs inside the fish to get where there may be an infection. Keep using the melafix and it will continue to aid in the healing process.

Also keep his water very clean. I would replace 25% every day right before the day's dose of medicine. The medicine is too old to be useful anymore after several hours in the tank so it's okay to make the water changes during treatment. Just put it in right after that day's water change. The clean water will help avoid more infection and help boost his immunity.

Poor guy. I hope he feels better soon....

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins