The Dreaded Dropsy

25 17:34:30

Dropsy is a medical condition that causes accumulation of body fluids in the body of the fish. This results in a bloated or "Pine Cone" like appearance of the fish. It is caused by bacterial infection. In most cases if left unchecked, it is lethal.

Causes:

Dropsy is caused by bacterial infections in the body especially the kidney. The bacteria cause the kidney to malfunction and the excess body fluids are not removed. The internal body pressure causes the fish to lose appetite and the weakened immune system makes the fish susceptible to secondary illnesses. These bacteria are commonly found in aquarium water but most of the time the fish's immune system is capable of neutralizing them. Dropsy is caused by long term stress. Minor water quality problems such as nitrate to ammonia spikes and large water changes do not cause dropsy. However if the fish is kept with aggressive tankmates or the water is not changed for a long time, he immune system gradually weakens until the fish succumbs to bacteria. Though dropsy is not contagious, most of the time the whole aquarium falls prey to it because all the fish in the tank are affected by bad water quality.

Intestinal blockage is also mistaken as dropsy but it is a dietary problem and is not caused by bacteria. Intestinal blockage is caused by improper food. If the food does not contain sufficient fiber, it can cause intestinal and digestive problems which cause accumulation of fluids In the body. High protein foods such as California black worms if fed regularly can cause blockage.

Organ failure is often associated with dropsy especially liver failure. In these cases the "Pine cone" shape is not observed rather the belly becomes swollen and the fish loses color. However organ failure is very rare and cannot be treated. organ failure exhibits similar symptoms to intestinal blockage therefore in cases of a bloated body it is better to consider it a intestinal disorder rather than organ failure.

Symptoms and diagnosis:

Early diagnosis is key to successful treatment of dropsy. Dropsy has many symptoms other than the classic "Pine Cone". These are exhibited in the early stages of the disease. Any aquarist who regularly checks his fish for irregular behavior can identify this disease.

Light colored and stringy feces(or "poop" as it is more commonly referred)
Loss of appetite.
Difficulty in swimming.
Loss of color
Difficulty in swimming.
Fish stays near the surface
Clamped fins
Anus becomes red
Gills become pale

But in most cases the disease is diagnosed too late because the abdominal swelling can be mistaken as pregnancy. By the time the fish shows the "pine cone" shape, it is already too late as the internal pressure has already caused internal organ damage. Even if correct medication is used and the swelling subsides, the organ damage cannot be repaired and the fish dies in the following weeks. In many cases the disease returns few months later as the fish becomes weakened overtime due to internal damage.

Treatment:

Perhaps the single most important step in the treatment of dropsy is early diagnosis. The earlier the treatment is begun, the greater the chances of survival. Dropsy is not contagious so the treatment can be done in the community tank but it s recommended that the fish is transferred to a quarantine tank since the medicine might cause stress to other fish. Also most dropsy medicine contain antibiotics which also kill the helpful bacteria in the tank and can cause the bacteria in the biological filters to die. This results in what we call the "new aquarium syndrome". So you will have to cycle the whole tank again and it will result in lowered water quality.

These steps should be taken if the fish is diagnosed of dropsy

Transfer fish to hospital tank
Add salt to the water at 1 tbsp per gallon
Give high quality food
Maintain water quality by regular water changes
Use medicated food if the fish is eating
Use antibiotics designed for gram negative bacteria. Maracyn-Two is recommended. Do this in the hospital tank as this will also kill the helpful bacteria In the tank
Keep the tank bare for easy cleaning
Provide shelter for the fish such as plants of pots.

The antibiotic treatment should be done for 10 days. The fish should be kept in hospital tank for 1 week after the treatment is complete.

Prevention:

Prevention is the best cure. This is no different. Regular water changes will keep you from knowing the names of most diseases including dropsy.