Knowing possible illnesses and diseases is essential when caring for a betta fish. Dropsy is every hobbyist’s nightmare as it’s nearly impossible to treat. Most owners don’t realize their fish has dropsy until they show late-stage symptoms.
Dropsy in betta fish is nearly always fatal.
It’s challenging to treat dropsy in betta fish. The fish has the best chance of survival if their owner catches it quickly. Those with late-stage dropsy may pull through with the proper treatment, though it’s rare.
It’s best to avoid dropsy altogether. Dropsy develops after a fish is already sick. Keep the tank clean and feed nutritious meals to keep fish healthy.
What Is Dropsy?
Dropsy is a secondary symptom resulting from many internal illnesses and diseases. It is not a disease itself. Dropsy is usually the result of a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection. It comes on once the fish is already severely ill.
Dropsy causes fluid build-up inside the body, forcing pressure on the abdominal cavity.
What Causes Dropsy In Betta Fish?
Dropsy results from something going wrong inside the body. Kidney failure and liver infections are common causes. Dropsy may also stem from a nutritionally deficient diet or poor osmoregulation.
Unhealthy Food & Live Food
Bettas who are eating unhealthy, nutritionally-deficient foods are more likely to get sick.
Betta fish are obligate carnivores that need a protein-rich diet. They cannot survive on tropical fish flakes that do not have a high enough protein content. They need to eat a variety of healthy foods explicitly designed for bettas.
Live foods are more likely to carry parasites which can cause dropsy.
Poor Water Conditions & Overcrowding
Poor water conditions and overcrowding cause ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates to rise. Bettas living in these toxic waters are more likely to develop infections.
Old Age
Older fish are more likely to develop dropsy. They are more prone to kidney failure and are more likely to develop infections.
Symptoms Of Dropsy In Betta Fish
It’s difficult to spot a fish in the early stages of dropsy. They display the same symptoms caused by other illnesses.
These symptoms include:
- Lethargy
- Lack of appetite
- Hiding
A betta fish with dropsy is easy to spot once the illness has become more severe. The fish’s bodies take on unnatural shapes.
Fluid Retention & Swelling
Dropsy causes the liver and kidneys to swell, which causes their whole body to balloon.
Spine Curvature
Many of these fish’s spines curve from the pressure of their swelling organs. The curvature occurs sideways along the body.
A fish whose spine curves vertically likely has fish tuberculosis, not dropsy.
Pineconing
Their scales begin to “pinecone,” meaning they stick outward from the body. A betta’s body looks like a pinecone when viewed from above.
Clamped Fins
Clamped fins are common due to swelling. The fins seem to stick to the fish’s body, and they can barely move them.
Swimming Trouble
Bettas with advanced dropsy have trouble swimming. They may spend a lot of time at the bottom or surface of the tank. Those that lay along the gravel may dart to the surface to get some air. The rest of the time, they lay on their sides.
Loss Of Color
Their gills begin losing color once dropsy gets more advanced. As the fish gets sicker, they lose color throughout their body.
How To Treat Dropsy In Betta Fish
Some hobbyists are able to save their fish by taking immediate action. Sick fish need pristine water, healthy foods, and the right medication.
Once they develop dropsy, betta fish rarely survive for long. Fish who have been dealing with their primary illness for a long time are much less likely to survive.
Catching dropsy during its early stages offers the best chances of survival.
It’s hard to catch dropsy early because most hobbyists don’t know it’s occurring. They simply chalk the betta’s symptoms up to another illness.
Once the fish develops the bloating body and pineconing scales, it’s almost always too late.
Pristine Water
A betta with dropsy needs water that is as clean and healthy as possible.
Test the water in the aquarium. Perform a significant water change if the ammonia, nitrites, or nitrates are too high.
Keep the water levels lower than usual — this makes it easier for them to surface and breathe.
Hospital Tanks VS The Main Tank
Place the betta in a hospital tank if they usually live with other fish. Ensure the tank is smaller than their main tank, and keep the water levels low.
Hospital tanks are generally empty as it’s easier to keep them clean. Place a small decoration or two inside the tank that the betta can swim inside. They’ll feel too exposed and vulnerable in an empty tank.
Hospital tanks often help with faster healing. They also prevent disruption of the main tank.
Bettas can stay in their main tank if they don’t have any tank mates and if there are no plants. Remove plants if there are any, and place them in a separate tank — the medicine will kill them.
Raise Water Temperatures
Keep the water warm to ensure the betta stays comfortable. Temperatures between 78-80°F (25.6-26.7°C) are ideal.
Most hobbyists must equip their tanks with a heater if they do not already have one.
Cold water lowers their immune system and encourages illness. An already sick fish is unlikely to fight an illness while living in cold water.
Use An Airstone For Oxygen
Add an airstone to the water to help with oxygenation.
Bettas have labyrinth organs that allow them to breathe air from the water’s surface. They can withstand low oxygen conditions better than most fish.
They are less tolerant of low oxygen levels when dealing with severe illness.
The medications used to treat dropsy cause the oxygen levels in the aquarium to drop, too. An airstone and daily 15-30% water changes help keep the oxygen levels up.
Aquarium Salt
Aquarium salt is essential for helping bettas with dropsy.
It promotes recovery by drawing fluids from the body and reducing swelling. Aquarium salt also helps reduce stress.
Follow the directions on the package to know how much to dissolve in the water.
Use salt from the pet store specifically labeled “aquarium salt.” DO NOT use table salt or sea salt for saltwater aquariums. These items will kill betta fish.
Acclimate To The Hospital Tank
Make sure to properly acclimate the betta to the hospital tank. Not acclimating them will likely push their bodies to their limits and result in death.
DO NOT use a net to scoop up the betta; it puts too much pressure on their swollen body. Instead, hobbyists should gently scoop them up with their hands or a container.
Most Important — Medication
Betta fish medicine is essential for saving the fish’s life. Antibiotics help the betta’s body fight off whatever infection is causing dropsy.
Common dropsy medications include:
- Amoxicillin
- Chloramphenicol
- Erythromycin
- Kanamycin Sulfate
- Kanaplex
- Maracyn ii
- Tetracycline
Make sure to follow the directions for proper treatment. Remove any filter media from the tank, as it will eliminate the medication.
Dropsy medication is hard on the liver and kidneys. Many bettas die because they are not strong enough to handle the effects of the medication.
NEVER treat a community tank with dropsy medication, as it’s very strong and causes stress and death.
Try dipping the betta’s food in the antibiotic if the fish is still eating. The food will absorb the medication and enter the fish internally when they eat it. Administering the medication this way helps it to work faster. It often increases the fish’s chance of survival.
What If Treatment Doesn’t Work?
Dropsy is a terrible disease that is almost always fatal — treatment will not always work. Sometimes, it is kinder to choose euthanasia.
Many make this decision if the fish is suffering and not responding to treatment.
The most humane method of euthanasia is the clove oil method. Be sure to follow instructions precisely so everything goes smoothly.
How To Prevent Dropsy
It’s best to prevent dropsy whenever possible. The best way to prevent dropsy is by keeping their environment clean and healthy.
Test the water regularly, use a heater and filter, and perform regular cleanings.
Keep the betta in a tank no smaller than five gallons to prevent stress. Only keep them with safe tank mates who will not bully them. Stress is a significant contributor to illness.
Hobbyists should closely watch their betta for any changes in behavior and appearance. As soon as they show signs of illness, it’s time to act fast.
It’s ideal to take the fish to a vet whenever possible for an accurate diagnosis. Many illnesses cause the same symptoms. It’s easy to misdiagnose and treat with the wrong medications.
FAQs
How Long Does Dropsy Take To Kill A Fish?
Death usually occurs between 15 and 20 days after the fish develops the disease.
Remember that swelling and pineconing are more severe symptoms. The fish has already had dropsy for some time before showing these symptoms.
A fish that begins pineconing may die only days after its owner realizes it’s sick.
Is Dropsy Painful For Bettas?
Dropsy is incredibly painful for betta fish. Excess fluids make their bodies swell to unnatural sizes. Their spines might curve, and they can have trouble breathing.
The pain and damage that dropsy does to the body is the reason it is one of the most fatal fish diseases.
