Dropsy on one section of platy

[Sylvia]

There's one little section of protruding scales on my fish, and I was just wondering if I could heal her by just feeding her med-soaked food? She's in a fry tank inside the main one, so there's no contact between her and other fish.

Or, can I give her possible salt baths? If so, could you please give me a ratio of salt to water?

Thanks

[Bunny13]

Are you sure its dropsy and not just some damage to her scales, maybe from another fish or from rubbing up against something? I might try water changes and melafix if you think its just damage.

Don't know about the salt baths, sorry!

[Sylvia]

Well, right after her stomach, there's a skinny spot like there was a rubber band around her middle, then on both sides there is a swelling. That's the weird part-it's not even her whole body.

[Roan]

Dropsy is an indication of internal organ failure and it doesn't just happen on one side of the body.

Pictures?

Roan

[TwoTankAmin]

I wonder it what you are seeing is constipation? The treatment for that would be Epsom salt which acts as a fish laxative. Epsom is pretty benign and the only concern is adding it gradually over a period of 12-24 hours to prevent a sudden change in the TDS of the water. Shoot for 3 tablespoons/10 gals. Add it in 3 doses over about a day- 1/3 at a time. Mix the Epsom with tank or dechlored tap water to disolve it and then pour it into the tank. Epsom salts are cheap and should be availabale at any pharmacy.

Dropsy, as noted above:

Dropsy is caused from a bacterial infection of the kidneys, causing fluid accumulation or renal failure. The fluids in the body build up and cause the fish to bloat up and the scales to protrude. It appears to only cause trouble in weakened fish and possibly from unkempt aquarium conditions.

Antibiotic food is the treatment of choice if the fish is eating, if not dosing the water is the next choice of treatment method.

Also, segregating a sick fish in a breeder trap where the water mixes with tank water will not prevent the spread of anything that is contagious.

[Sylvia]

Sorry, I can't do pictures yet. The fish is excreting alternating long, thin strands of white and normal colored poo. It's almost like there's a blockage by her tail (not the actual stomach). The scales are pine cone like. Unfortunately, the fish is black and hard to see clearly unless I look down at her. I think it is Dropsy.
All I have with me right now are aquarium salt and dissolvable medicine tablets. Actually, I think I have Epsom salt somewhere, but is there a difference between that and Aquarium salt?
Thanks again!

[TwoTankAmin]

Yes there is a difference. Epsom is not really salt like you think of in sw or table salt.

White poop is usually a sign of internal parasites. They too can cause a fish to get plugged up, but more often its the reverse- the fish wastes away.

Are you feeding a varied diet which includes some vegetable matter?

[Sylvia]

I feed the fish TetraColor Tropical Crisps. The fish doesn't seem to act weird or anything. She's not wasting away, she's eating fine, acts fine; so do you think I can use Epsom salt, then? If so, how long do you think I should do it for?