Reef Tank Water Quality Parameters

What is Goldfish Dropsy

Goldfish dropsy is caused by an internal bacterial infection that affects the kidneys of a goldfish and is more common among goldfish than any other fish species. A goldfish uses osmoregulation and osmotic pressure to help regulate the concentration of fluids inside its body; the kidneys of a goldfish with dropsy will retain these body fluids and cause swelling in the belly of the sick goldfish. Early diagnosis of dropsy is difficult since there tends to be few external symptoms. The common symptom of a swollen belly with outward protruding scales is found in the late stages of a dropsy infection. Once this symptom is observed, goldfish dropsy is often terminal and the chances of curing an infection are low. Even if a treatment is successful, organ failure often follows.

If a dropsy infection is diagnosed early on, a goldfish can survive. Early stage symptoms can include: lethargy, loss of appetite, color loss, sunken eyes, hanging out by the surface or tank bottom and a goldfish that in general does not look healthy. Many of these symptoms are common among other goldfish diseases and if a goldfish only displays a few of these, it is not necessarily dropsy.

How to Cure Goldfish Dropsy

1. Remove the infected goldfish and place it into a small quarantine tank with optimal water conditions. Goldfish dropsy is not contagious and the treatment for dropsy can be harmful to healthy goldfish, live aquatic plants and biological filters.
2. Add Epsom salt into the quarantine tank. 2.5 teaspoons (7.5 grams) per 10 gallons (38 liters). Epsom salt contains magnesium sulfate; it will help draw out excess fluids from the goldfish and relieve built up pressure.
3. Add Maracyn-Two to treat the dropsy bacterial infection. Follow the provided instructions carefully. Be sure to have plenty of water circulation; Maracyn-Two will cloudy the water and lower the oxygen levels in the water. Turn off the tank light and remove any carbon filters since they lower the effectiveness of Maracyn-Two. Note: An overdose of Maracyn-Two can be harmful to the kidneys of a goldfish. -OR- Treat with Kanamycin: add 125-250 mg for every 10 gallons ever 48 hours (for ten days). Do a 20-30% water change before each treatment. Kanamycin absorbs into the kidneys better than Maracyn-Two.
4. Feed the infected goldfish an anti-bacterial fish food or food soaked in Neomycin to aide in the goldfish dropsy cure.

How to Prevent Goldfish Dropsy

The difficult nature of diagnosing goldfish dropsy early on makes prevention the best solution. A major contributing factor to many goldfish diseases is poor water quality. In terms of goldfish dropsy, it is high nitrates that are most harmful. It is essential to preform routine water changes and maintain optimal water parameters. Vacuum the gravel substrate and remove any rotting plants or uneaten food particles to remove sources of nitrates. Poor water quality creates added stress in a goldfish which leads to a weak protective slime coat, making it more susceptible to illness. It is a good idea to add a stress-coat solution whenever a goldfish is injured or sick to encourage healing and an elevated immune system.

Information courtesy of HowtoTakeCareofaGoldfish.com

338. Dead fish in the reef. Ammonia in the Reef Tank. Battling algae in the reef.