Hi Marilyn, Maybe this will help. Found this at goldfish connection. FAQ about Dropsy With a true case of dropsy your goldfish's scales will stand out like a "pinecone". What is the cause of Dropsy in goldfish ? Dropsy can be caused by a bacterial infection which causes kidney failure in goldfish. The problem is, by the time you see the symptoms of dropsy on your goldfish, the damage to the kidneys has already been done. Is Dropsy fatal to my goldfish ? When your goldfish has "full blown dropsy" (pine coned) there is nothing you can do to save them. You can reduce the symptoms, however the dropsy will return. Is there anything I can do if I catch Dropsy before it becomes "full blown" ? Yes. If you treat your goldfish as soon as you see the the first sign of any scales that stand out, (meaning just on parts of the body, not the whole body) our Metro Meds has a very good record of saving goldfish. Is Dropsy contagious? In all the years I've kept goldfish, I've never found dropsy to be contagious , however, I would quarantine the effected fish. The main defense for dropsy is to keep your goldfish parasite free, which will reduce the chances of bacterial infections, which will reduce the chances of a kidney failure .

One side of him is almost flat now - the other side still sticking out a bit - he was like that when this first started, kind of lopsided. Re whats in the water - well I guess I was in the first group of fish owner - total denial - nothing's wrong - then in freakout mode, lurching from treatment to treatment. Salted the pond (very lightly) then found out - no never do that with a bloated fish. Took him out put him in tank with Melafix, then did several water changes over a couple days = 75%, then 4 days of Maracyn 2. I've been done maybe 2 50% water changes over the course of several days, plus put in a fresh charcoal filter (pondmaster filter) Oh. Then more Melafix when the Little Reds were added and now in the process of water changes to get rid of it. I wonder if that stuff is really all that great and might be what was irritating him. He was not flashing/racing as much last night. (BTW, I had sort of an ichy rash on both hands/wrists - I think maybe from putting my hands in the water w/ melafix?) So.... there may be some residue of that stuff, but hopefully not much. Would the proform be OK to use in that circumstance. Ive decided to take out the Little Reds - I think they just annoy and nip at him although they got him out of hiding - and bring in Spot, one of his original pals who has also shown symptoms of parasites at times. Then observe, then possibly treat them together. Mike I gotta thank you for your interest and getting me thinking in a more coherent, less fatalistic way about this. You're the only one (of the many Ive talked to online and in person) who pointed out the social needs of the fish - and indeed what was looking to me like a fish at death's door (cringing, hiding) was him going into survival mode as a prey animal needing to be with others of his own kind. It helps me to know that no matter what happens I did right by him.

DO NOT USE AQUARIUM SALT. Use Epsom salt. Aquarium salt will make a fish retain water, which is not what you want to do with dropsy. You need to do a water change right away. A full one, to get rid of all the salt. Often I see people thinking that they do not need to do water changes while medicating; this is not true. The best defense a fish has against illness is a clean environment. Just take out the activated carbon in the filter and continue doing water changes as usual. Pimafix will not help dropsy; dropsy is not a disease, it's a symptom. Melafix should *only* be used to heal ripped fins and wounds and for nothing else. If you want to try saving your fish, do as much of a water change as you can, first. How large is your tank? I hope it's large enough that you can keep a goldfish and other tankmates, though you should keep only goldfish with goldfish because all other tropical fish will find goldfish temperatures too cold. For dropsy, hit it with a heavy antibacterial such as Kanacyn (kanamycin) or any broad-spectrum antibacterial (gram positive and negative). Once again, I will state this: MELAFIX WILL NOT DO. It is used only to repair wounds and damaged fins. PimaFix won't help either.

Well, she is alive and back in community (hope it isn't contagious but needed space) Still active, and fed peas. Will try castor oil on pea again in case she is plugged up, but really looks like a growth such as tumour (castor oil a real purger). Only on one side so just think some sort of internal growth. Will watch, she is very active and acts and eats normally. Not bacterial I think or she'd be getting worse. I was wondering about being egg bound, but only one one side? hmm, time as always will tell. Meanwhile she is a happy camper in her big 20 gallon community. School of priscella tetras, with wood and large leaved anubias, low lights. New set up and have to say looks pretty nice. The tetras sparkle. Thanks one and all. Sherry