Hi. I noticed three days ago that my betta was being unusually lethargic. He is not usually very active, but seemed overly lazy. The next day his right eye was protruding from the socket. I have seen pictures online of what popeye looks like and his is by far larger than any I've seen. It also looks as though his mouth is swollen and doesn't shut all the way, he seems to be "inhaling" water in a gulping fashion. Also, the right side of his belly seems a little larger than the other side and the color is also a slight bit lighter. I have treated him for two days now with Maracyn, and it seems to be doing nothing. I don't know if this is dropsy and popeye, or popeye and a gill infection. Any suggestion on what to do?
PopEye
- Thread starter CHill
- Start date
I just went to walmart and they were out of Melafix but I did get Fungus Clear to see if that will help with the white dot on his head, did I mention that before? It also says it treats dropsy. I got a bigger tank then the one he was in and changed him over with some Stress Coat. Now it seems that the swollen eye is almost bleeding, there was some red tissue or something at the bottom where he was sitting. Looking at the eye I can see a little red piece. I will update with anything new. Thanks for the help!
Any idea on what this could be from, I've read dirty water, but the water is changed consistantly. He's not in with any other fish so its not like it was passed to him. The only idea I have is that I recently moved back to school and started using food I had from before the summer (May). I don't know if this food could have spoiled and bacteria infected him this way?
As the night progresses, I'm beginning to think he's got dropsy. Only the scales one of his stomach are slighly protruding and from above I can see that his body seems to bend in that direction. 
I've read the best thing to do is put him down. What are your suggestions on that idea and if you think I should, how do you recommend? Someone will need to do it for me, I can't
I've read the best thing to do is put him down. What are your suggestions on that idea and if you think I should, how do you recommend? Someone will need to do it for me, I can't
My personal suggestion is to cure the dropsy - it's simple enough to do. (And next time check the disease data-base on this site for more reliable info)
http://www.myfishtank.net/diseasedatabase.php#28
http://www.myfishtank.net/diseasedatabase.php#28
I've read that curing dropsy is almost impossible. If he has it, rightnow it is not that bad, the scales are only slightly protruding. I eye has gone down over night quite a bit. What is the recommendation for changing his water now. He is on Maracyn and Fungus Clear. Should I wait 4 days as the Fungus Clear says it is good that long, or should I changed after 3, or daily? Also, do you think it is OK to be mixing these two treatments? Sorry for all the questions, I'm new at this,, and seem to have formed quite the attachment to a little fish.
Its never a good idea to mix meds....unless the box recommends one to mix. (i.e. maracyn and maracyn II can be combined) Read the dropsy article that purple gave you, and also read this article on treating dropsy in bettas http://www.healthybetta.com/articles/Illness Diagonsis/dropsy.html I would discontinue the fungus clear, and continue with they maracyn and add maracyn II if you can find it. Keep him warm and keep his water crystal clean, get a turkey baster to suck out uneaten food and waste daily.
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Hey CHill, welcome to the tank! Sorry to hear about your betta.
If his scales are pultruding, its very likely dropsy, which is a symptom of some form of internal organ failure (like the kidneys) and I am afraid that is not good news.
I had 5 bettas die from dropsy (in perfect water conditions), using all the known treatments, I have never been able to save one, and none of the other breeders I know have ever cured a sick fish from dropsy. (Purple if you have cured dropsy, please tell me your secret, cause about everyone I know that has had dropsy had lost the battle)
I am going to suggest something that everyone has been afraid to tell you.
You need to end his suffering. More anti-botics, salt, fungus cure, ect.. will only prolong his suffering. Likely something internal is permanently damaged. Gasping, light color, popeye, bleeding... he is miserable and suffering.
Take him out of his tank, in a shallow glass of water (1" or so), and put him in the deep freezer for about 30 minutes. Just put him in, and don't come back in 30 minutes (don't check-up on him, it will prolong his death) That or use a pair of scissors and remove his head.
I really love bettas too my friend, but your the only one who can stop his pain. I know its hard to do. I make a ceremony out of it, but it is the most humane and responsible thing to do when an animal is in that much pain.
If his scales are pultruding, its very likely dropsy, which is a symptom of some form of internal organ failure (like the kidneys) and I am afraid that is not good news.
I had 5 bettas die from dropsy (in perfect water conditions), using all the known treatments, I have never been able to save one, and none of the other breeders I know have ever cured a sick fish from dropsy. (Purple if you have cured dropsy, please tell me your secret, cause about everyone I know that has had dropsy had lost the battle)
I am going to suggest something that everyone has been afraid to tell you.
You need to end his suffering. More anti-botics, salt, fungus cure, ect.. will only prolong his suffering. Likely something internal is permanently damaged. Gasping, light color, popeye, bleeding... he is miserable and suffering.
Take him out of his tank, in a shallow glass of water (1" or so), and put him in the deep freezer for about 30 minutes. Just put him in, and don't come back in 30 minutes (don't check-up on him, it will prolong his death) That or use a pair of scissors and remove his head.
I really love bettas too my friend, but your the only one who can stop his pain. I know its hard to do. I make a ceremony out of it, but it is the most humane and responsible thing to do when an animal is in that much pain.
Ya, freezing is argueably not the best, but it is usually quick if they are already ill. A deep freezer in shallow water will drop the water temperature very quickly, and the shock alone usually puts them down.
I've used scissors and freezing. I don't like either one
Fish feel pain. Poke a fish with something sharp, will it jump away? You bet! They have a central nervous system like you and I.
I also believe in not giving up on fish, if it stands a chanse. If it was just popeye or fungus, I would suggest getting the $20 in meds to cure it. But not dropsy, thats just a terrible way to go.
I left one of my gouramies (Earl RIP), live with dropsy for two weeks. He eventually swelled to be 1" wide! Quite a feat for a fish made to be 1/4" at his largest. I froze Earl, I wished I did it earlier.
Treat him for two days, if he makes no progress or gets worse.... you know
I've used scissors and freezing. I don't like either one
Fish feel pain. Poke a fish with something sharp, will it jump away? You bet! They have a central nervous system like you and I.
I also believe in not giving up on fish, if it stands a chanse. If it was just popeye or fungus, I would suggest getting the $20 in meds to cure it. But not dropsy, thats just a terrible way to go.
I left one of my gouramies (Earl RIP), live with dropsy for two weeks. He eventually swelled to be 1" wide! Quite a feat for a fish made to be 1/4" at his largest. I froze Earl, I wished I did it earlier.
Treat him for two days, if he makes no progress or gets worse.... you know