Hi everyone,
I'm trying to care for my daughter's betta who I believe has dropsy (very swollen stomach, pinecone scales). Symptoms started about a week ago. At first I thought it was constipation but after fasting for 2 days, the fish's stomach got even larger.
I tried API General Cure for 1 day but then the owner of a LFS suggested Betta Revive. I ran a carbon filter for 24 hrs to remove the General Cure, then made the switch. I have used 4 doses of Betta Revive (over 5 days) but haven't seen any improvement.
I also bought some Kanaplex in case the Revive didn't work and I'm thinking about switching medications.
Should I make the switch now or continue with the Betta Revive a bit longer? (Package says discontinue if no improvement after 7 days).
If I do make the switch, what is the procedure -- should I do a 100% water change first? Do I need to wait X number of days to give the fish a rest before adding new meds?
I put the Revive in the main tank which perhaps wasn't the best idea, but I didn't want to stress the fish out even more by using a hospital tank.
More info:
- 5 gallon tank, heated to 79-80 degrees
- Cycled since Mar 2013 (betta was purchased from Petsmart then)
- Haven't checked water since the Revive went in, but when betta became symptomatic it was ammonia 0 to .25. Nitrites 0, Nitrates 20. PH 7.6.
- Fluval 20 HOB filter
- 1 betta in tank, 1 moss ball, 1 anubias plant, Indian almond leaf
- I usually change water 2x/week. 1-2 gallons at a time. Seachem Prime conditioner. LFS owner suggested Hikari Ultimate which I've also tried.
- Before getting sick, betta would eat 2-4 Omega One betta buffet pellets per day. Now he spits them out and will eat only frozen brine shrimp.
- A week ago I also started adding epsom salt to the tank. 1 tsp/gallon. Am now bumping that up gradually to 3 tsp/gallon.
I know that dropsy is always fatal but this is my daughter's first pet and I want to do anything I can to help him.
Any advice is appreciated -- thank you!
I'm trying to care for my daughter's betta who I believe has dropsy (very swollen stomach, pinecone scales). Symptoms started about a week ago. At first I thought it was constipation but after fasting for 2 days, the fish's stomach got even larger.
I tried API General Cure for 1 day but then the owner of a LFS suggested Betta Revive. I ran a carbon filter for 24 hrs to remove the General Cure, then made the switch. I have used 4 doses of Betta Revive (over 5 days) but haven't seen any improvement.
I also bought some Kanaplex in case the Revive didn't work and I'm thinking about switching medications.
Should I make the switch now or continue with the Betta Revive a bit longer? (Package says discontinue if no improvement after 7 days).
If I do make the switch, what is the procedure -- should I do a 100% water change first? Do I need to wait X number of days to give the fish a rest before adding new meds?
I put the Revive in the main tank which perhaps wasn't the best idea, but I didn't want to stress the fish out even more by using a hospital tank.
More info:
- 5 gallon tank, heated to 79-80 degrees
- Cycled since Mar 2013 (betta was purchased from Petsmart then)
- Haven't checked water since the Revive went in, but when betta became symptomatic it was ammonia 0 to .25. Nitrites 0, Nitrates 20. PH 7.6.
- Fluval 20 HOB filter
- 1 betta in tank, 1 moss ball, 1 anubias plant, Indian almond leaf
- I usually change water 2x/week. 1-2 gallons at a time. Seachem Prime conditioner. LFS owner suggested Hikari Ultimate which I've also tried.
- Before getting sick, betta would eat 2-4 Omega One betta buffet pellets per day. Now he spits them out and will eat only frozen brine shrimp.
- A week ago I also started adding epsom salt to the tank. 1 tsp/gallon. Am now bumping that up gradually to 3 tsp/gallon.
I know that dropsy is always fatal but this is my daughter's first pet and I want to do anything I can to help him.
Any advice is appreciated -- thank you!