I was wondering if anyone could help me with a problem I have with one of my fish.

He's a large Ryunkin who was having a little swim bladder problem. I wasn't that concerned, until I noticed that his scales were sticking out, and his eye bulging and having lost a fish to dropsy before, I wanted to try to nip it in the bud.

I moved him to a hospital tank with temp of 86 degrees and epsom salts. Treated him with Maracyn 2 and saw IMMEDIATE improvement.
After a week, he was doing so much better that after progressively lowering the temp, we put him back in the regular tank.

A couple of days later, I noticed the scales starting looking like they were sticking out again.

So, back into the hospital tank. This time I treated him with Maracyn and Maracyn 2...and soaked all his food with the antibiotic before giving to him. I also treated for fungus since his fins seemed to develop some fraying and fluffy material from the stress.

He seemed fine. I went through the treatment, and he seemed fine after a week and a half. I did the water change, and started putting in Melafix to help the fins grow back (which they are).

But now, the scales have started again. What do I do? Is this a lost cause? He appears fine otherwise. But all of a sudden there is a black spot on his back, that I have no idea what to make of.

Please help?

Maybe you could try feeding the antibiotic food for a longer period of time. I have read that you can use a medicated food such as MediGold for up to two months.

I once had a goldfish that was the same as yours, and unfortunately, the dropsy kept recurring and I eventually lost that fish.

Not that I am suggesting that you should give up, but I do think that once a fish has dropsy, they seem to be very prone to developing it over and over.

There is a terrific thread going on over at koivet.com in the disease section about dropsy. I would post the link but I am computer illiterate and tired.
Go too www.koivet.com
click on message boards
click on the disease section
and then just look for the recent dropsy thread
The info is incredible and most of it is given by one of the foremost keepers of koi, however it is basically the same for goldies.

Thanks for this, I will go and take a look.

Sometimes goldfish that have dropsys repeatly will need a tank that stays at or atleast 78F or more. My Dede is this way. Shes had it twice and Popeye

also if you live in the USA you can get Metrogold feed to to him for atleast 21 days. This helped Dede too. Shes still alive going on a year since her last time with it.

Thank you for your replies. Unfortunately, we lost Sakai on Saturday--which was weird because he actually seemed ok. Can anyone tell me where to get the Medigold? I've never been able to find medicated food anywhere.

In the U.S. at http://www.goldfishconnection.com

In Canada at http://www.fishsempai.com

I am so sorry to hear that you lost your fish. I was hoping that she would be a survivor

That is too bad about your fish. 3 of my fish have dropsy and they have had it for close to 2 years now. It is rather easy to control - sometimes. The best thing to do, in my opinion, is to treat the whole tank.

Are his tank mates showing any signs of dropsy? The symptoms of dropsy usually don't show until it is too late. Once again, I am so sorry about your fish.