AboutJonathan Cauble Expertise I can answer all questions relating to outdoor water gardens. Anything from fish & plant health, water chemistry, and pond construction to equipment recommendations.
Experience I worked in a water garden specialty store for three years as assistant manager. I am also founder and president of Aquatech, LLC Aquarium Services of Virginia. I have personally troubleshooted over 100 ponds and countless aquariums.
Question how do you cure a shubunkin that has dropsy? I went to the pet shop and asked. The shopkeeper said to feed it green peas that are peeled. I did that but wouldn't eat it. I have other shubunkins and goldfish but they eat it before he could. Please tell me what to do!
Thx Tsubasa.
Answer I'm sorry to hear that your fish is having problems.
If your goldfish is already showing symptoms, it may be too late. Dropsy is a result of other internal illnesses, that eventually manifest themselves on the outside with red splotches and raised scales.
The problem probably started as a bacterial infection in an internal organ, most likely the kidneys and was undetectable until recently. Unfortunately by the time the symptoms are visible to us, the disease has already practically destroyed the internal organs.
If your fish has been exhibiting symptoms of dropsy for only a few days, there may be time still to try antibiotic injections. These are somewhat costly, but if you can find somebody to administer them, there could still be a chance to save the fish. Keep in mind that this fish would probably behave erratically even if not in any pain just because of nerve and swim bladder damage.
If his condition begins to deteriorate, I would consider researching humane euthanasia for fish. The final weeks of this disease, I can imagine, are painful for fish to experience.
