serious problem

[jd_energy]

I just turned my light on in my 20g tank and one of by tiger barbs is ballooned out like a puffer fish with its scales sticking almost straight out. This is the first time in over two years of keeping fish that I have ever seen anything like this. I am wondering what it is and what to do about it and if any of the other fish are in danger. All the other fish look fine at this point. I don't have a quarantine tank to put him in either. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also, the other tiger barbs are trying to chase and nip at it.

 

[animal lover]

It sounds to me like he has dropsey, the best thing to do for him now is to freeze him....I haven't read of a cure yet for dropsey, some people say if you notice it before the scales stick out that there is a chance of saving them but once the scales are out its hopeless....sorry about your fish..

 

[TaffyFish]

yes, would go along with the diagnosis of dropsy. as you don't have a quarantine tank it would be best to remove it asap and euthanise. could be bacterial, viral, nutritional or down to water quality

as the cause is uncertain you may be lucky and find no other fish affected, it's more likely that some (if not all) will go down with the same ailment

you say you have no quarantine tank, jd_energy, but checking your signature shows one or two with potential - can you not press one into service, if not for this fish then get one ready for the next? this is not the time to be moving your stock around though, especially in/out of that 20g where the barb is.

animal lover - I disagree with your recommendation to freeze fish as a way to euthanise, you should never freeze any fish that's not already unconscious. to despatch the barb humanely either give it a single sharp blow to the head, or sever it's head with a sharp blade or place it into a bowl with 10-20 drops of clove oil and vodka per litre. Then wrap the remains in paper and throw it in the trash (or incinerate) - do not flush a fish down the pan, alive or dead.

 

[jd_energy]

Thanks for the advise. I went ahead and euthanized the fish. I hope you are wrong taffyfish about the other fish getting sick as well. Whatever it was that the tiger barb had gotten had just come on because i look at my fish closely every day to make sure nothing is wrong with them and it looked fine the day before. If they all go down with this illness I guess I will just have to start over again and sanitize everthing very well. This wouldn't be an issue with water quality because I don't let it get dirty or nutritional. So could be viral or bacterial. I was thinking maybe it might have had a problem getting rid of it's waste, but it seems like I would have noticed it getting bigger by the day if that was the case. I don't know, thanks for the advise you two and I will keep my fingers crossed that none of my other fish will be affected.

 

[Leopardess]

I'd say its dropsy and I'd say if you could at all q-tine it, that I would do it, just in case. I can, unfortunately, almost guarantee that the little guy isn't going to make it Probably has a day or two left.

Not all fish will necessarily get sick from it. It seems to be an individual type disease that *can* be brought on by poor water quality (but *not* necessarily). So, if the water is bad, there is the possibility that other fish could become sick as well...but it could just be a fluke.

It (dropsy with no apparent reason) seems especially prevalent with anabantoids...

To ease his pain (if you can separate him), you can use Epsom salt (magnesium). I've seen the recommended dose of 1 tsp per 10g. It helps to draw excess fluids out of the body to reduce the swelling.

Good luck with your fishy

 

[TaffyFish]

I'd say its dropsy and I'd say if you could at all q-tine it, that I would do it, just in case.

....just in case it makes a staggering recovery from being euthanized? I know Epsom salt is beneficial but it's not that blumming good!

jd - fingers crossed here too mate.

 

[Leopardess]

Um, no. So that it can be treated separately from its healthy tankmates.

 

[jd_energy]

Well, so far so good. It has been almost a week and no signs of illness in any of the other fish in the tank. Hopefully it stays that way

 

[TaffyFish]

Good news jd, hope it stays clear.