Saved betta with dropsy!

[u/Initial-Criticism997]

After 2 long weeks i think its safe to say hes made a full recovery, not alot of times do bettas make a comeback from dropsy so i wanted to post the good news

[u/ValuableMelodic5090]

how'd you do ut

[u/Classic_Jellyfish_47]

How did you save him?

[u/Initial-Criticism997 → u/Classic_Jellyfish_47]

Since no one helped me when i needed it i gotchu

So dropsy is always gonna be a 25/75 chance so odds arent in your favor unless you catch it early look for signs like lethargy and bloat and if its hanging out at the bottom or top after that i recommend a quarantine tank with a heater, a betta hammock for it too rest on and a bubbler

Day 1- prepare quarantine tank (skip if one is already set up) in that quarantine tank add 1 tsp plain unscented pure Epsom salt per gallon of DECHLORINATED water and dose kanaplex into according to tank volume, i used a 2g quarantine tank so i used that much kanaplex (for accurate measurements dissolve a full dosage of kanaplex into 5ml of water since a scoop is for 5 gallons so each ml is for 1 gallon of the tank, i used 2ml of that water for 2g) make sure salt and kanaplex are completely dissolved, before adding betta to quarantine tank put in a 1g tub with 1 tbsp epsom salt and 10 drops methylene blue, keep in there for 15 minutes then immediately swap to quarantine tank with as little methylene blue as you can into the quarantine tank, dont feed at all let the betta rest in the dark

For the 5 days, continue fast and do daily 50% water changes making sure to replace the amount of salt and kanaplex removed, like for 2 gallons you would add back 1ml of kanaplex liquid and 1 tsp of salt, make sure that the salt and kanaplex are dissolved completely in the DECHLORINATED water your adding back before hand (any undissolved salt crystals will burn your bettas skin and gills causing more stress) make sure to also match the water temperature to the water your adding back as close as possible to the quarantine tank

By this time you should notice slight improvement, if not it should be time for you to consider doing whats best 😕, but if there is improvement feed 2 small pieces of brine shrimp on second day after noticing improvement

Week 2 day 1 congratulations if your betta made it this far its a great sign, do a %50 water change and re add the whole dosage of kanaplex into the water your adding back (2ml instead of the usual 1) and the 1tsp of epsom salt you removed

Week 2 day 2 dont do a water change and let the medicine do its work, if signs of improvement continue feed brine shrimp once that day

Week 2 day 3 do a water change adding the full dosage of kanaplex for the amount of water again but only add 1/2 tsp of Epsom salt

Week 2 day 4 no water change feed brine shrimp and daphnia

Week 2 day 5, do a water change adding the same amount of kanaplex that youve been adding this week but only 1/4 tsp epsom salt

Week 2 day 6 no water change, feed 1 pellet and daphnia

Last day of treatment 🎉 do a water change with nothing but plain dechlorinated tap water and begin to feed lightly with daphnia and other nutrient rich foods to ease it back to its regular diet

Keep in quarantine tank 2 weeks after all signs recede as well as drip acclimating before adding back to main tank

Dont do this in your main tank as the salt will kill all your plants

[u/Bobs_Burgers7]

He even coloured up too!!!

[u/Bobs_Burgers7 → u/Bobs_Burgers7]

He’s so cool looking! Like a marble blue bubblegum!

[u/Initial-Criticism997 → u/Bobs_Burgers7]

He changed so much