Dropsy Disease

What causes Dropsy?

First of all, Dropsy is a symptom of the illness that may or may not be contagious. The causes of Dropsy can be difficult to diagnose. It can be triggered by poor water quality, often a bacterial infection. Kidney failure or excess fluid due to liver or heart failure are other possible causes.

What are the symptoms?

Swelling of the body cavity due to build of fluid. Its scales become raised and gives the goldfish a pine cone-like appearance when seen from above. Fish may also stop feeding, appear off-color and one or both eyes can become protruded.

It's known that just like humans, fish can get high temperature because of an infection, causing internal organs to fail. Click image to enlarge.

How to cure Dropsy?

It can be difficult to treat and most cases of dropsy are fatal if not treated correctly. You need to test your water quality. Perform a series of water changes to get the water to perfect quality. Reducing the water temperature in the main tank as low as 55-60 degrees in the next few days. You can float(treated) ice cubes on the tank or store a pitcher of tank water in the fridge, use and refill.

Now you need to premix into a 1/4 cup of warm water:
Epson salts: 1 teaspoon per 10 gallons (of tank water)
Baking soda: 1/4 teaspoon per 10 gallons (don't use if pH is high end of the spectrum)

Green baths during the day may also be beneficial. Chlorophyll can help heal your goldfish when treating ulcers, open wounds, tumors, internal and external bacteria infections. This enhances general health and boosts the immune system.

Aloe treatments or garlic treatments will also boost your sick goldfish immune system and help it heal and recover.

How to prevent Dropsy?

Water quality is an important factor in prevention of fish diseases. Water changes will dilute existing disease agents and reduce stress on the tank occupands.

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