Dropsy or not?

[mailman62]

got a koi that has been unusually fat since spring and did not think much of it till now cause it’s showing signs of some soreness and scale protruding at rear at base of tail ,not sure if dropsy or what.recommended treatments if any ? Thks

 

[Tula]

Can you please post a picture of this fish ?

 

[Mmathis]

@mailman62 I’m so sorry to hear about a sick fish! Yes, as @Tula said, please post some good quality pictures of the fish. Can’t give recommendations to treat without knowing what’s going on with the fish.

Also, please tell us about your pond. I see you joined in 2010.

• How many gallons?
• How many and what size fish do you have?
• What kind of filtration do you have?
• Do you have aeration?
• How long has this pond been up and running?
• Was this a new koi or one you already had?
• How are the other fish acting?
• If you test your water, what are your values?
• Was going to ask where you live but see that it’s in RI.

And I don’t see (unless I missed it) where you’ve ever told us anything about your pond.

 

[mailman62]

I have a koi that has been a bit fat all this yr but seems healthy as far as eating and swimming goes but just noticed a red sour spot at base of tail, anus area. Scales are laying flat but not sure how to treat. I just quarantined him in a large plastic tub and treated water with Melafix. Would some salt also be a good idea? Will try to upload a pic or two. Thks

 

[Mmathis]

Ouch, that looks painful! I can’t give treatment advice, but it’s good that you separated him/her. I usually do at the very least a salt bath, but someone else will have to chime in to follow up on that. There are some medications/treatments that are contraindicated and/or can adversely react with salt. @MitchM might be better able to advise you.

 

[mailman62]

Pond is about 1200 gals, have 6 koi about ft long ,have 100 gal tub filtration and water fall slimmer ,been running 6 yrs,other 5 koi are fine, have the fat koi in 30 gal tub now , and gave it a 15 min epsom salt bath in another tub. Not sure if it’s egg bound. Is there anything else I should do at this point? Thks

 

[MitchM]

If it's since this spring, it may be egg bound and hopefully will reabsorb the eggs.
Have you been monitoring water quality at all?
Can you increase the water temperature in the 30 gal tub?

 

[Mmathis]

@mailman62 You have 2 threads of the same fish issue. I have asked the forum mods to combine those 2 threads. It will be a lot less confusing if all the symptoms and advice ate in one thread instead of 2.

 

[Becky]

@mailman62 You have 2 threads of the same fish issue. I have asked the forum mods to combine those 2 threads. It will be a lot less confusing if all the symptoms and advice ate in one thread instead of 2.

I have merged these two topics now

 

[mailman62]

If it's since this spring, it may be egg bound and hopefully will reabsorb the eggs.
Have you been monitoring water quality at all?
Can you increase the water temperature in the 30 gal tub?

What temp would u recommend raising to.?

 

[Tula]

I don't think this fish has dropsey. Like @MitchM said, she could be egg bound. It looks to me like she has an ulcer....is it located near her vent?

 

[MitchM]

What temp would u recommend raising to.?

78-80F at a rate of 3F/day

 

[mailman62]

I don't think this fish has dropsey. Like @MitchM said, she could be egg bound. It looks to me like she has an ulcer....is it located near her vent?

Yes looks like near vent, do Epson salt baths help.?

 

[Mmathis]

@Becky Thank you! I just realized I had a typo and said “if all the symptoms and advice ATE in one thread......”. Of course, that was supposed to be “ARE,” LOL!