Caper Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Some say it is....some say it is not. What are your opinions on this? Considering I've already lost one fish and maybe ready to loose another to what appears to be dropsy, I'd really like to know what you folks think? From what I've read so far, it seems that the real problem with other fish getting it is if a fish with it actually dies in the tank & fluid leaks out or other fish eat the carcass. If a fish has it, are there special procedures that need to be done to the tank???? Sorry if not making sense here, having a bad week & sick fishies aren't helping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharn Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 you make total sense caper! i have no idea if it is contagious or not, but have always read it can be if, like you say, the fish is left into the tank and fluid leaks/the other fish pick at the body. i would however isolate it, not only for the fact your removing any possiblity of the other fish picking at it/fluid leaking if it dies, but also the stress of other fish around it. alot of fish will pick on the weak ones when they are ailing. also if you are to try medicate its best to just medicate one fish instead of the whole tank, meds can be quite stressful. i am unsure if the tank needs anything done to it or not though sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoandWilly Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 As far as i know its not contagious unless the fish dies in the tank, so i would remove the suspected fish immediately and probably put it out of its misery as theres no known cure, we used to get it occasionally in the tanks that had bad water quality but since then we have improved our water quality and havent had it since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 My understanding is it is contagious, but not very and usually only if you are overstocked. I had one fish with dropsy. Never saw it in others and never had another one with it since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishboi Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 from what i've understand its not unless other fish starts eating it but wouldn't risk it and remove the fish to a hospital tank anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 It can have a number of causes some of which will be communicable. The dropsy is the sign of the fluid retention caused by kidney problems from any number of causes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caper Posted September 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 JoeandWilly wrote: we used to get it occasionally in the tanks that had bad water quality But according to my test kits, my parameters are ok. Tomorrow I'll be using new kits. I don't have nitrate kit, can't get locally. I don't understand what's happening. My water is clear. I am really getting frustrated as I don't know what I could be doing wrong :evil: I would like to get a new filter eventually but not much to pick from here & I don't know when I can go to Halifax again to a "big" pet store. Might be getting laid off work so have to watch my money as well!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishboi Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 i used to get around 2 death by dropsy [gold fish from out side of pond]during summer times ever year until about 3 years ago when i started getting in to my fancy gold fish i have them on a very strict diet according to temperature. haven't had one since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caper Posted September 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 i have them on a very strict diet according to temperature Why according to temperature? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted September 2, 2006 Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 Goldfish can get dropsy because they don't feed when it is cold so diet and temperature are important. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishboi Posted September 3, 2006 Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 Goldfish can get dropsy because they don't feed when it is cold so diet and temperature are important. yep. also during winter times they dont tend to move as much which means they dont digestas well and pass air as well as they would in summer wich can lead to swim bladder problems and so on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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