Re: URGENT HELP NEEDED
#4
So sorry to hear this. From what you've described and from the photo, I'm 99.99% sure that he has developed dropsy, and the prognosis (outlook) isn't too optimistic, I'm afraid.
When I had fantail fish, they frequently suffered from swimbladder problems, and one even spent frequent periods of time floating on the top as you describe over the course of 9 months. A dose of aquarium salt sometimes helped the situation overnight and, if that didn't work, then the swimbladder treatment. However, in this case, if the scales are resembling a pinecone in the way they're sticking out (and the fact that you mentioned them suggests that this is the case), then it's dropsy.
DON'T feed him but you could try one of two things:
- if you have, or can get some medication for dropsy this evening (from a pet/aquatic store that is open OR you may need to contact a vet with aquatic expertise), that would be my recommendation [I see that Interpet's Anti Internal Bacteria treatment treats this but there will be other brands that treat dropsy].
- if you don't/can't get that this evening, then try a dose of some aquarium salt if you have some of that - and raise the temperature slightly where he is. This MIGHT help.
Let us know how he is now, and if you have or can get either of these ie treatment for dropsy or aquarium salt. We'll then advise further if we can help in any way. Fingers tightly crossed for you/him!
PS. [Post edited with this afterthought]: Also, do you have a larger container that you could put him in? The basin he's in will be fine for a short while but something a bit bigger would be better if you have it.