Savanna Posted May 28, 2021 Share Posted May 28, 2021 Tl;dr: older betta developed dropsy. Is it "worth" treating him at this point? How do I sanitize the tank when he passes, as I'd like to get pea puffers later? I have a "rescued" male betta that is at least 3 years old, likely older. The first 2 years of his life he lived in a 3 gallon with no heater. I moved him to a 10 gallon with live plants about two months ago. He has always been pretty inactive, even when his previous owners had him, but I noticed about two weeks ago that he didn't seen to be doing well and thought it was old age. He'd be better for a day or two, then back to being unwell. Overnight he started pineconing and I realize now that he has dropsy and most likely won't make it through the night, but I don't know how to euthanize him. My nitrates are at 25ppm after adding ferts today, nitrite is 0, ph is 7.8, his tank isn't gross, I have no idea where it came from. He's in pretty bad shape and I don't know that treatment would even help at this point. What do I need to do to sanitize the tank afterwards? I want to get pea puffers to put in here later on, but don't want to risk them getting it as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sudofish Posted May 28, 2021 Share Posted May 28, 2021 I would try to treat him if it was possible. I'm not a dropsy expert and honestly don't even know what pine-coning is but if it's treatable I would try to. If you had to euthanize I'd use clove oil. The link is for Oscars but should work for any fish I'd think. http://www.oscarfishlover.com/euthanise-your-oscar/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colu Posted May 28, 2021 Share Posted May 28, 2021 I would treat with kanaplex and furan2 for more severe bacterial infection Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savanna Posted May 28, 2021 Author Share Posted May 28, 2021 8 minutes ago, Colu said: I would treat with kanaplex and furan2 for more severe bacterial infection It looks like it would be at least a week before I could get it unfortunately as none of the stores around me carry that 😔 I'll definitely get some on order though in the off chance that whatever caused it manages to get into the tank next to his Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colu Posted May 28, 2021 Share Posted May 28, 2021 (edited) If you can't get those meds I would treat with maracyn and aquarium salt 1 table spoon for 2 if you have live plants salt at that level will harm them Edited May 28, 2021 by Colu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quikv6 Posted May 29, 2021 Share Posted May 29, 2021 I also think it's worth trying to treat. If he is swollen, epsom salt baths can hep with the swelling. If he's still eating, kanaplex in the food (bound with a product called focus) could be helpful, even more that just adding the med to the water column. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savanna Posted May 29, 2021 Author Share Posted May 29, 2021 He passed away this morning unfortunately. What is the best way to decontaminate the tank? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colu Posted May 29, 2021 Share Posted May 29, 2021 (edited) Sorry to hear he didn't make what I use is a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution to sterilise everything also you can leave the tank empty for 2 weeks as well before adding any more fish that usely works Edited May 29, 2021 by Colu 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savanna Posted May 29, 2021 Author Share Posted May 29, 2021 33 minutes ago, Colu said: Sorry to hear he didn't make what I use is a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution to sterilise everything also you can leave the tank empty for 2 weeks as well before adding any more fish that usely works OK, leaving it empty for awhile won't be a problem. I've got plants in there so I don't want to kill them on accident. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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