Dropsy is a condition in

fish Fish are aquatic, craniate, gill-bearing animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish as well as various extinct related groups. Approximately 95% of li ...

caused by the buildup of fluid inside the

body cavity A body cavity is any space or compartment, or potential space, in an animal body. Cavities accommodate organs and other structures; cavities as potential spaces contain fluid. The two largest human body cavities are the ventral body cavity, and ...

or tissues. As a

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rather than a

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in its own right, it can indicate a number of underlying diseases, including

bacterial infections Pathogenic bacteria are bacteria that can cause disease. This article focuses on the bacteria that are pathogenic to humans. Most species of bacteria are harmless and are often beneficial but others can cause infectious diseases. The number of t ...

parasitic Parasitism is a close relationship between species, where one organism, the parasite, lives on or inside another organism, the host, causing it some harm, and is adapted structurally to this way of life. The entomologist E. O. Wilson has c ...

infections, or

liver The liver is a major Organ (anatomy), organ only found in vertebrates which performs many essential biological functions such as detoxification of the organism, and the Protein biosynthesis, synthesis of proteins and biochemicals necessary for ...

dysfunction.

Causes

The symptoms collectively known as “dropsy” may be caused by a multitude of reasons. Poor water quality, viral infections, sudden changes in water conditions and a prolonged period of stress that may compromise the fish’s immune system may all trigger said symptoms.

Symptoms

The following symptoms may be observed: *Swelling of the abdomen *Eyes that are beginning to swell and bulge *Scales that starting to point outward instead of lying flush with their body giving a "pinecone" appearance *A loss of color in their gills *Clamping of the fins *A curve developing in their spine *Pale feces *Swelling near their anus *A loss of appetite *A lack of energy and movement

Treatment

Because dropsy is a symptom of an illness, its cause may or may not be

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. However, it is standard practice to

quarantine A quarantine is a restriction on the movement of people, animals and goods which is intended to prevent the spread of disease or pests. It is often used in connection to disease and illness, preventing the movement of those who may have been ...

sick fish to prevent spreading the underlying cause to the other fish in the tank community in case the disease causing dropsy is contagious. However, this quarantine is only effective when the disease is caught early. Traditionally, when fish would exhibit dropsy, it was advised to “destroy” it. However recently, it is recommended to “bathe” the fish in water that has aquarium or

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salts dissolved in it, as the process of

osmosis Osmosis (, ) is the spontaneous net movement or diffusion of solvent molecules through a selectively-permeable membrane from a region of high water potential (region of lower solute concentration) to a region of low water potential (region of ...

may help relieve pressure on the fish. Antibiotics may destroy or weaken the pathogen if it is bacterial so that the immune system of the fish is capable of overcoming the underlying disease.

Prognosis

By the time a disorder reaches the point of causing dropsy, it can often be fatal and at the very least the fish is very ill and requires immediate quarantine and treatment.

References

{{Aquarium Fish diseases Fishkeeping