Clown Loach - Pregnant, Fat, or Sick?

[jmm197]

Hello everyone!

It seems like one of my clown loaches has doubled in size over the last several days.

Is it pregnant, fat, or sick?

75 Gallon Tank
PH 7
KH 4
Ammonia 0
Nitrates 30ppm

[shari2]

Whoa! I'd say dropsy. The eyes are bulging, belly is round, and even though they have very small scales I think I see them popping out.

You need to treat ASAP.
Unfortunately I'm already late for work!
Look up "dropsy+treatment+freshwater fish" and see what you can find. Quick.

[starsplitter7]

I know Epsom salts are recommended, but very slowly to help relieve some of the pressure. I am not good with treatments so I will leave you to one of the experts.

[LoachOrgy]

wow, i think i just saw something called api general cure that treats popeye and dropsy.

[shari2]

You say this happened over the course of a few days?

the sooner you treat the better. often the bloating is caused by internal organs shutting down allowing fluid to build up in the body cavity. Often by the time you see such advanced swelling it's too late to treat.

internal bacterial infection, viruses, and poor water quality are a few of the possible causes.

dropsy is not very contagious but if the fish dies try to remove it quickly from the tank.

[chefkeith]

Sick fish like this should be quarantined.

Bloating symptoms may not be contagious, but when fish die, they may release toxins that can compromise the health of other fish.