Molly - Exploding!

[partyof5]

10 Gal tank. 8 fish (2 mollies, pleco, 5 tetras). Paramaters good after 50% water change on Monday May 8th. (vaccuum gravel also at that time)

Fish is a Dalmation Molly we've had for 1 year. She's had 2 broods with us. Only one wasn't eaten.

Symptoms:
She began getting larger (fatter) over the past few weeks. I thought she was preg again (nothing new) It's hard to see her gravid spot since she's spotted black and white so only used size to determine preg. Anyway, she's really huge now and starting to list to one side, she's been acting distressed (back of aquarium, swimming in water stream, rapid breath) for 2 days and now her scales are sticking up. Thought maybe this isn't a preg. Any ideas???

Thanks so much.

[Alshain]

Originally Posted by partyof5

10 Gal tank. 8 fish (2 mollies, pleco, 5 tetras). Paramaters good after 50% water change on Monday May 8th. (vaccuum gravel also at that time)

Fish is a Dalmation Molly we've had for 1 year. She's had 2 broods with us. Only one wasn't eaten.

Symptoms:
She began getting larger (fatter) over the past few weeks. I thought she was preg again (nothing new) It's hard to see her gravid spot since she's spotted black and white so only used size to determine preg. Anyway, she's really huge now and starting to list to one side, she's been acting distressed (back of aquarium, swimming in water stream, rapid breath) for 2 days and now her scales are sticking up. Thought maybe this isn't a preg. Any ideas???

Thanks so much.

I'm pretty certain that is Dropsy. Its not a good disease, hard to cure and high mortality I'm afraid. You can try for a cure but, I wouldn't get too hopefull.
http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/hddropsy.htm

[Zagz]

Unfortunately dropsy is a likely culprit. It should be mentioned that dropsy is a result usually of some other cause. You say parameters good after water change. Two questions pertaining to that. What were the parameters prior to water change? Did you retest right after the water change?

QT with Nalagram, or maracyn is the best chance. Unfortunately I have yet to successfully cure a fish with dropsy.

[richiestang_78]

Yeah dropsy is pretty uncureable, seperate the fish if you can, if you cant dont worry too much as dropsy isnt very contagious to other fish. If hes going to get bettter he'll get better on his own in very rare cases.

[Devilishturtles]

I agree. Dropsy is the after effects of an internal infection, either caused from a bacterial or fungual infection, making it hard to treat. As mentioned, once a fish starts to exhibit the "pineconing" it's usually too late.

In my own experience, I've treated a goldfish successfully with Jungles Fungus Clear Tablets.

You can also try adding in Epsom Salt to your water a 1/4 tsp per gallon. This may help draw out some fluids.

Good luck!