How Do I Prevent the New Inhabitant from Contracting the Disease?

[FuzzyDragon09]

I just found out this morning that one of my Betta fish died. :( About a week ago I thought he was acting a little weird but didn't think anything of it. He wasn't swimming around as much and hid alot so I didn't see him much. On Sunday I got a good look at him and all of his scales were raised and his body bloated. I guessed that he had dropsy. I have never had any fish with dropsy before so wasn't sure what to do. I should have asked someone on here. I treated him with salt and Maracyn-Two (said Dropsy on the box) and he didn't seem to get any better. I was going to try another treatment today but he gave up.

Obviously I'm going to clean the tank out and do a 100% water change but want to really make sure any new Betta I get (whenever I get him) doesn't contract dropsy.

So here are my questions:
-Does the bacteria that causes dropsy hang out in the water? I know it's an internal infection but since my Betta died has it left the body and started floating around the tank?
-If I clean the tank out and put all new water in it will it be safe for a new fish?

I would kinda like to keep the tank cycled. It's a 5 gallon tank and I don't have anything else in it but 2 snails and a clump of Java moss. I have heard that when a disease wipes out a tank that you can clean it out and dry it out but I don't want to dry it out. I would appreciate any help you guys can give me. Thanks.

[JStrider]

dry it, clean it and the filter out. maybe with bleach.

set everythign back up, put the betta in, and then get a piece of dirty filter from one of your other cycled tanks.

[FuzzyDragon09]

What do I do with the snails and moss in the meantime?

[PhishPhreek]

Dropsy is the end result of Kidney Failure. There is no known cure for kidney failure in Bettas. Usually kidney failure is caused by contagious bacteria associated with live food. To treat your tank, you need a serious antibiotic like Kanamycin. Or tear down the tank and soak it in a bleach solution, rinse it and double treat the new water with chlorine removers. In the future you may want to keep an almond leaf in your betta tanks, as it is a natural mild antibiotic.

[FuzzyDragon09]

Usually kidney failure is caused by contagious bacteria associated with live food.

I don't feed my Bettas live foods so I wonder where the bacteria came from. My two Bettas get freeze-dried bloodworms and Betta flakes, both from Omega One.

To treat your tank, you need a serious antibiotic like Kanamycin. Or tear down the tank and soak it in a bleach solution, rinse it and double treat the new water with chlorine removers. In the future you may want to keep an almond leaf in your betta tanks, as it is a natural mild antibiotic.

Since I wouldn't know where to get Kanamycin I think I will try the bleach solution. I can do a dip for the Java Moss but what about the 2 snails I still have? Would they be carriers? Will it be okay if I just rinse them off in clean water? Also where can I find Almond leaves? Are they good for other fish as well? Sorry about all the questions.

[PhishPhreek]

http://store.fastcommerce.com/flguppiesplus/cat-ff808081176dde4c01176ff8b148413c.html

http://store.fastcommerce.com/cat_flguppiesplus_ff808081176dde4c01176ff883a54126.html

tetracyclin will also work

Almond leaves are available on the internet.
http://www.tropilab.com/terminalia-cat.html
There were some at the last HAS auction,
If you are going to attend the HLA meetng I can bring you some.

I have never used freeze-dried bloodworms but I have herd many bad rumors. That may be your problem or they could have hitch-hiked in on some other fish/snail/plant

[Zulaab]

I have only seen very few fish get over dropsy, and like PP said, its a bacterial infection and when the scales extend out that means 99.9% that the kidney's have failed, and in betta's that means about 3-4 days more and the toxins in their body's will kill the fish. :(

[imagirlgeek]

If you need tetracycline, I have a HUGE container of it. I'm happy to give you some if you think you need it.

[szidlon]

I have some kanamycin, but I'm a lot further from you than gg.

[imagirlgeek]

I would kinda like to keep the tank cycled.

I can also give you a sponge from one of our filters if you end up needing to recycle your tank.

[FuzzyDragon09]

Almond leaves are available on the internet.
http://www.tropilab.com/terminalia-cat.html
There were some at the last HAS auction,
If you are going to attend the HLA meetng I can bring you some.

Thanks for the links! I'll probably just get some of the leaves off of the website. Would you happen to know how many leaves come in an ounce? And you replace the leaves after they fall apart right? Hey wait. What's HLA?

If you need tetracycline, I have a HUGE container of it. I'm happy to give you some if you think you need it.

I have some kanamycin, but I'm a lot further from you than gg.

I can also give you a sponge from one of our filters if you end up needing to recycle your tank.

Thanks for the offers! Let me see what I have.......
So I just went rummaging through my stuff (all my fish stuff is thrown into a haphazard pile) and found some Tetracycline! It's a full unused box and treats 100 gallons. Wonder what I bought it for.

How do I dose the tank to get rid of the bacteria? Use it like I would were there a fish in it? Will the one box be enough?

[PhishPhreek]

I usually buy 1 pound of leaves at a time - a few more than 100 leaves.
So an ounce would be 6 - 7 leaves

My last order was for 200 leaves from block-2@hotmail.com you can find him on the box. Most of the tannins are leached from the leaves in a week so you can fremove them berore the start to fall apart. Just add a new one when you do water changes. I use a 1/3 piece to my one gallon containers.
I also put a few leaves in a pot of water and boil them for a while to make a strong tea. (tincture from leaves) I then toss the leaves out and store the tea in the refrigerator until I use it. (its good to drink also but I add a sweetner)

HLA = Houston Livebearer Association.

http://www.houstonfishbox.com/vforums/showthread.php?t=26781

[FuzzyDragon09]

I also put a few leaves in a pot of water and boil them for a while to make a strong tea. (tincture from leaves) I then toss the leaves out and store the tea in the refrigerator until I use it. (its good to drink also but I add a sweetener)

You can drink it? Uh..I think I will stick to my red tea. Sounds interesting though.

HLA = Houston Livebearer Association.
http://www.houstonfishbox.com/vforum...ad.php?t=26781

I have been to the Fish Ranch a couple times. I like it and it's really close to me. Only issues: I'm not a member of HLA and I have class on Saturday mornings. I think I'll have to buy a few ounces online and see how I like them.

Thanks for the help master PhishPhreek! I can't wait to try out the leaves.


So I still have just one question guys: How much Tetracycline do I use in the tank?

[PhishPhreek]

So I still have just one question guys: How much Tetracycline do I use in the tank?

Always follow the mfr directions as to strength, and duration and never stop before completing the recommended treatment. (And try to dispose of medical chemicals in a safe and environmentally friendly manner.)

Be aware of proper handling techniques and possible side effects. When in doubt, look up the MSDS.

[eklikewhoa]

I would check the date on the box.... a lot of active ingredients have a "shelf life".