Fish question-URGENT

[Callie]

Sounds like she may be constipated and, if she survived, here's how to prevent it happening again. Feed them some brine shrimp (fresh/frozen best) to prevent this. It's pretty rich food so don't overdo but see that they get some several times a week to keep them free flowing and healthy.

These types of fish often have very compacted intestinal tracts that make obstruction a real problem unless they have the right stuff to prevent problems.

Wish you all the best.

Callie

[IRescue452]

Still have a problem? Fish rarely get impacted with eggs. This most likely is constipation or a disease called dropsy. Don't feed them for a few days and see if it helps. After that if she is still swollen try a few peeled peas. If her scales are sticking out like a pinecone than she has dropsy. That requires a heavy dosing of antibiotics to cure and sometimes the body stays disfigured even after the fish is cured.

[WELOVESPUPPIES]

Wow, been awhile but I had checked this for several days and there were no responses so I guess I forgot about it. We ended up doing a partial water (1/2) change and of course re-adding our salt and in a few days she seemed to look better. She does not look quite as stream line as she did before all this but she is definately half the side. If it was dropsy it cured itself (if that is at all possible) because I have never put antibiotics in the water. Maybe it was constipation but our fish are only fed 4-5 days a week anyway in the summer and 1-2 times a week in the winter(depending on water temp). I will definately keep these things in mind if it should happen again. Thank you both.

[IRescue452]

Good to hear that all is well. Yes, dropsy can cure itself, especially once you improve the water conditions.

[KittyGurl]

It's great that everything is going well!