Freshwater Tropical · Goldfish
Dropsy
Bloated body with pinecone-stuck-out scales — a symptom of organ failure, not a disease itself. Prognosis is generally grim.
Severity: Critical
Dropsy is a **symptom complex**, not a disease. The hallmark pinecone-scale appearance results from fluid accumulating in the body cavity, pushing scales outward. Underlying causes include Aeromonas infection, internal mycobacteriosis, viral disease, or organ failure.
Causes
Internal bacterial infection is most common. Kidney failure, internal tumours, and chronic stress can also produce dropsy.
Treatment
Move to a hospital tank. Medicated food with kanamycin or oxytetracycline for 10 days. Epsom salt at 1 tbsp/5 gal helps relieve fluid retention. **Survival rates are low** — by the time scales pinecone, internal damage is usually extensive.
Recommended medications
Antibiotic
Koi Fix For Food
Medicated food additive for koi with bacterial ulcers and open sores. Reaches the bloodstream — water treatments cannot.
from $54.00
Recommended equipment
Hardware that prevents, monitors, or treats this condition — listed with the most important first.
Water Testing
Nitrite / Nitrate Test Kit
Nitrogen cycle imbalance, chronic stress
from $200–$500
View details →
Feeding Systems
Automatic Fish Feeder
Overfeeding, starvation, maintenance
from $20–$100
View details →
Prevention
Maintain pristine water quality; treat any bacterial infection early before it disseminates.
Frequently asked questions
Should I euthanise a dropsy fish?
It depends on how advanced. If the fish is still eating and actively swimming, treatment is worth trying. If it is gasping at the surface or floating on its side, humane euthanasia is the kinder option.