How to Cure Fish Dropsy

Dropsy is the symptom of an internal infection or a parasite that has affected a fish. Symptoms of dropsy include lethargy, swelling of the body, a bulging stomach, poor appetite, popping eyes and a loss of scales. Because dropsy has a high risk of being fatal, it is important that pet owners take immediate action to try and cure the sick fish.

Things You'll Need

  • Separate fish tank
  • Aquarium salt
  • Water
  • Air stone
  • Antibiotic
  • Fish food
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the fish that are suffering from dropsy and place them in a separate tank. Dropsy is sometimes contagious, so it is best not to take the chance of infecting the rest of the fish in your tank.

    • 2

      Add 1/2 teaspoon of aquarium salt to the fish tank for every gallon of water it contains. This is called a salt bath. It will reduce the swelling associated with the dropsy.

    • 3

      Set one or two air stones in the bottom of your fish tank. This increases the oxygen level in the water to help replace any oxygen that your fish may have lost.

    • 4

      Obtain an antibiotic from a veterinarian. Tetracycline or chloromycetin can be used to cure dropsy. Follow the dosage instructions on the antibiotic's product label to mix the antibiotic with the fish's food.