Dropsy or No Concern

[feeeesh]

I received a Christmas Wrasse from my LFS. The fish is currently undergoing week two of observation by myself after my LFS put it under 90 days copper treatment. Starting today I’m kind of noticing a little bit of a bulge in its stomach. See attached video. Do we think this may be dropsy or maybe I’m overreacting? Water parameters are fine and it’s acting normal. Let me know what you all think. Thank you

 

[MysticBlue]

I received a Christmas Wrasse from my LFS. The fish is currently undergoing week two of observation by myself after my LFS put it under 90 days copper treatment. Starting today I’m kind of noticing a little bit of a bulge in its stomach. See attached video. Do we think this may be dropsy or maybe I’m overreacting? Water parameters are fine and it’s acting normal. Let me know what you all think. Thank you

I can’t see the video sadly could you please post a pic? How much have you been feeding it?

 

[feeeesh]

I can’t see the video sadly could you please post a pic? How much have you been feeding it?

Feed it once a day of frozen mysis and tdo pellets. No more than what it and its observation Tank mate (flasher carpenter wrasse) can eat in a few seconds. See photos

 

[MysticBlue]

Feed it once a day of frozen mysis and tdo pellets. No more than what it and its observation Tank mate (flasher carpenter wrasse) can eat in a few seconds. See photos

I wouldn’t be to concerned with it as of now. I would wait for about a week and see if it changes at all. Usually dropsy is caused by something bacterial or parasitic any symptoms of anything else?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Video is very short and fish appears to be swimming normal. It appears overfed if anything. What foods are you feeding ?
Is the breathing normal or rapid?
Cant see from video but are scales extended from body ?
Us it currently eating ?

 

[vetteguy53081]

I wouldn’t be to concerned with it as of now. I would wait for about a week and see if it changes at all. Usually dropsy is caused by something bacterial or parasitic any symptoms of anything else?

Dropsy is not parasitic and given name when belly falls or distends and can be bacterial yes but mainly liver disese or other internal issue. Overfeeding and changes sudden in temperature are major causes.
Parasitical is more with Freshwater fish such as Livebearers

 

[MysticBlue]

Dropsy is not parasitic and given name when belly falls or distends and can be bacterial yes but mainly liver disese or other internal issue. Overfeeding and changes sudden in temperature are major causes.
Parasitical is more with Freshwater fish such as Livebearers

Well I do have to disagree to a point I had mollies in a reef tank that had a parasitic worm and they also had dropsy. So that kind of why i said that

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I received a Christmas Wrasse from my LFS. The fish is currently undergoing week two of observation by myself after my LFS put it under 90 days copper treatment. Starting today I’m kind of noticing a little bit of a bulge in its stomach. See attached video. Do we think this may be dropsy or maybe I’m overreacting? Water parameters are fine and it’s acting normal. Let me know what you all think. Thank you

True dropsy is pretty much unheard of in marine fish. Dropsy is from kidney and/or liver failure where the fish's body tissues floods with water due to osmotic issues. That makes the scales stand up like a pineapple. Marine fish tend to dehydrate, so they don't get dropsy.

Marine fish do get constipated and they can also develop ascites (loose fluid in the abdomen).

This fish looks pretty good. It may just be a bit constipated. Is it still eating well?

Jay

p.s. - 90 days of copper? That is a really long treatment. 30 days is the target.

 

[feeeesh]

True dropsy is pretty much unheard of in marine fish. Dropsy is from kidney and/or liver failure where the fish's body tissues floods with water due to osmotic issues. That makes the scales stand up like a pineapple. Marine fish tend to dehydrate, so they don't get dropsy.

Marine fish do get constipated and they can also develop ascites (loose fluid in the abdomen).

This fish looks pretty good. It may just be a bit constipated. Is it still eating well?

Jay

p.s. - 90 days of copper? That is a really long treatment. 30 days is the target.

Thanks everyone. I meant 30 days of copper. Fish is eating well and swimming normal. I do rarely see it go to the bathroom. Any guidance on how to promote better bowels?

 

[MysticBlue]

Thanks everyone. I meant 30 days of copper. Fish is eating well and swimming normal. I do rarely see it go to the bathroom. Any guidance on how to promote better bowels?

I use garlic juice mixed with there food that seems to do the trick.

 

[feeeesh]

I use garlic juice mixed with there food that seems to do the trick.

Would garlic guard work or Does it need to be pure juice?

 

[MysticBlue]

Would garlic guard work or Does it need to be pure juice?

That should work as well. It really boosts the immune system on the fish as well just don’t add any of the juice to the water because it can burn there gills.

 

[Chrisv.]

How's your fish doing?! Any updates on the dropsy?