How long does it take for dropsy to kill a fish?

Fishnoob78 · 09-17-2006, 01:00 PM

I have a betta that has dropsy. It has been at least a week and a half since I first noticed an enlarged body. Now half of it's body has pine coned.

I have been medicating for 4 days now. I don't think I caught it in time. The fish is still somewhat active (flaring) and hungry. I have fed it hardly any food in the last week.

I don't want the fish to suffer. Once I notice that it is suffering I will euthanize it. If you have had a fish with dropsy how long before it became really ill?

thanks

**Damon** · 09-17-2006, 02:20 PM

Could be days, could be months. Depends on the fish and the conditions. Each fish is different.

Zoe · 09-17-2006, 03:45 PM

I had a badi with dropsy, she dies about 1.5 weeks after her condition became apparent... But that was about 1 week after bringing her home so the stress of moving may have exacerbated it.

Fishnoob78 · 09-17-2006, 06:00 PM

Months..wow.

My betta is very swollen. I can't imagine that he is painless in this condition.

I don't know what to do. I hate the idea that one of my fish is suffering, even if it is just a little. However, there is always that small chance that it can recover. Even if it just a 1% chance. I don't want to do anything until I am absolutely sure it will die.

**Damon** · 09-17-2006, 06:55 PM

Well dropsy is normally fatal. While I don't think there have been tests to determine the survival rate, I'd say they are less than 3%.

**fish_doc** · 09-17-2006, 07:20 PM

Dropsy is not contagious. BUT typically it is a sign of somthing not right in the tank. Make sure your water conditions are up to par or it may seem like you will have a epidemic because all the fish are in the same environment. Because different species have different needs usually when one fish gets it you will notice other fish of the same species will also come down with it. No one is sure what causes Dropsy but it is known that the pineconelike result is exactly that a "result" of somthing else going on. Sometimes nutrition can also play a role in the issue. Make sure you offer a variety of foods for all your fish to help fend off future similar deaths. A third thing that can cause this is pathogens. The only way to figure out which ones would be to wait for the death of the fish then diesect the fish and check out various areas under a microscope. Not somthing most of us have the ability to do. Even then the majority of these pathogens are not contagious.

The best way to keep your fish from getting Dropsey is by water changes, proper food, and a good overall environment. And it depends on which one of these are not sufficent for the fish and how far off it is that will lead to how long it takes to overcome the fish to the point of death.

Fishnoob78 · 09-20-2006, 05:53 PM

I euthanized my betta tonight. It was harder to do than I thought it would be, made me feel rotten. He was getting worse every day. I dont want any of my fish to ever suffer.

This is the only fish that I have ever had that got sick. I also have a 46 gallon cichlid tank and another betta.

My betta was in a 5 1/2 gallon tank. No filter, but I did a 90-100% water change every other day. I also cleaned the insides of the tank every water change and took out rocks/plants often for cleaning.

I rotate between 3 types of food for my bettas.

My other betta, first fish I have ever owned, is kept the same way.

girth vader · 09-20-2006, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishnoob78

I euthanized my betta tonight. It was harder to do than I thought it would be, made me feel rotten. He was getting worse every day. I dont want any of my fish to ever suffer.

This is the only fish that I have ever had that got sick. I also have a 46 gallon cichlid tank and another betta.

My betta was in a 5 1/2 gallon tank. No filter, but I did a 90-100% water change every other day. I also cleaned the insides of the tank every water change and took out rocks/plants often for cleaning.

I rotate between 3 types of food for my bettas.

My other betta, first fish I have ever owned, is kept the same way.

sorry to hear that man.

**fish_doc** · 09-21-2006, 06:32 AM

Its not easy to do. But now he is not in pain anymore.

09-17-2006, 01:00 PM	#1
Fishnoob78 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Age: 30 Posts: 92	How long does it take for dropsy to kill a fish? I have a betta that has dropsy. It has been at least a week and a half since I first noticed an enlarged body. Now half of it's body has pine coned. I have been medicating for 4 days now. I don't think I caught it in time. The fish is still somewhat active (flaring) and hungry. I have fed it hardly any food in the last week. I don't want the fish to suffer. Once I notice that it is suffering I will euthanize it. If you have had a fish with dropsy how long before it became really ill? thanks

09-17-2006, 02:20 PM	#2
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	Could be days, could be months. Depends on the fish and the conditions. Each fish is different. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

09-17-2006, 03:45 PM	#3
Zoe <·)))< Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ottawa Age: 22 Posts: 1,030	I had a badi with dropsy, she dies about 1.5 weeks after her condition became apparent... But that was about 1 week after bringing her home so the stress of moving may have exacerbated it. __________________ 90g pltd: angelfish [black, leopard, platinum, silver zebra & gold vt] · glass catfish · harlequin rasbora · neon & rummy nosed tetra · sterpai & spotted cory · bristlenose pleco 28g pltd: scarlet badis · oto cats · bristlenose 16g pltd: flame & honey gourami · cherry barbs 8g (soon to be 18g): 15 lbs LR · 10 lbs LS · YSP · zoas · shrooms · flame & hammer corals · brittle star · scarlet & electric blue hermits · firefish

09-17-2006, 06:55 PM	#5
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	Well dropsy is normally fatal. While I don't think there have been tests to determine the survival rate, I'd say they are less than 3%. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

09-17-2006, 07:20 PM	#6
fish_doc Advisor to Neptune (Mod) Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern Illinois Age: 40 Posts: 3,835	Dropsy is not contagious. BUT typically it is a sign of somthing not right in the tank. Make sure your water conditions are up to par or it may seem like you will have a epidemic because all the fish are in the same environment. Because different species have different needs usually when one fish gets it you will notice other fish of the same species will also come down with it. No one is sure what causes Dropsy but it is known that the pineconelike result is exactly that a "result" of somthing else going on. Sometimes nutrition can also play a role in the issue. Make sure you offer a variety of foods for all your fish to help fend off future similar deaths. A third thing that can cause this is pathogens. The only way to figure out which ones would be to wait for the death of the fish then diesect the fish and check out various areas under a microscope. Not somthing most of us have the ability to do. Even then the majority of these pathogens are not contagious. The best way to keep your fish from getting Dropsey is by water changes, proper food, and a good overall environment. And it depends on which one of these are not sufficent for the fish and how far off it is that will lead to how long it takes to overcome the fish to the point of death. __________________ Dave (fish_doc) A World of fish

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09-17-2006, 06:00 PM	#4
Fishnoob78 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Age: 30 Posts: 92	Months..wow. My betta is very swollen. I can't imagine that he is painless in this condition. I don't know what to do. I hate the idea that one of my fish is suffering, even if it is just a little. However, there is always that small chance that it can recover. Even if it just a 1% chance. I don't want to do anything until I am absolutely sure it will die.

09-20-2006, 05:53 PM	#7
Fishnoob78 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Age: 30 Posts: 92	I euthanized my betta tonight. It was harder to do than I thought it would be, made me feel rotten. He was getting worse every day. I dont want any of my fish to ever suffer. This is the only fish that I have ever had that got sick. I also have a 46 gallon cichlid tank and another betta. My betta was in a 5 1/2 gallon tank. No filter, but I did a 90-100% water change every other day. I also cleaned the insides of the tank every water change and took out rocks/plants often for cleaning. I rotate between 3 types of food for my bettas. My other betta, first fish I have ever owned, is kept the same way.

09-21-2006, 06:32 AM	#9
fish_doc Advisor to Neptune (Mod) Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern Illinois Age: 40 Posts: 3,835	Its not easy to do. But now he is not in pain anymore. __________________ Dave (fish_doc) A World of fish

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