Penyakit Sisik Nanas (Dropsy): Signs, Causes & What You Can Do
Penyakit sisik nanas (dropsy) is when a fish swells up and its scales lift outwards, so that from above it looks like a pineapple (nanas). It is not one disease. It is a symptom: fluid building up inside the body, usually because the kidneys or other organs are failing, often after a bacterial infection. Some fish recover if you catch it very early, but many don't. This guide explains how to spot it, what to do in the first 24 hours, and how to stop it happening again.
Malaysian keepers see it most in ikan laga (bettas), fancy goldfish and guppies, but any fish can get it.
Signs of Penyakit Sisik Nanas
Look at the fish from above and from the side, with a torch if needed.
| Sign | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| Pinecone scales | Scales stick out instead of lying flat. This is the classic sign and usually means fluid is already well built up. |
| Swollen belly | Round, bloated body, sometimes on one side only |
| Bulging eyes | Often both eyes, from the same fluid pressure (see our pop eye guide) |
| Pale or stringy poop | Fish may stop eating or pass white, stringy waste |
| Lethargy | Sits at the bottom or the surface, breathes faster, clamped fins |
| Red streaks | Redness at the base of fins or on the belly in some bacterial cases |
Is it dropsy, or just a fat fish?
A fish that is simply overfed or full of eggs (a female betta, a pregnant guppy) has a round belly but scales that lie flat. Constipated fish also swell, but they usually still behave normally and the swelling goes down after fasting. If the scales are raised all over, treat it as dropsy.
What Causes Dropsy?
Dropsy happens when the fish's body can no longer control water balance. Freshwater constantly soaks into a fish through its gills and skin, and the kidneys pump it out. When the kidneys are damaged, water builds up.
Common triggers:
- Bacterial infection, often from bacteria that are always present in tanks but only attack weak fish
- Poor water quality: ammonia and nitrite from an uncycled tank, overstocking or a dirty filter
- Long-term stress: overcrowding, bullying, sudden temperature swings, a tank in direct sunlight
- Old age or internal problems such as tumours or organ failure
- Poor diet, such as only one cheap food for months
In Malaysian homes, the warm water (often 28–31°C) means bacteria grow faster and water quality drops faster if you skip maintenance. That's one reason small, unfiltered betta containers are a common place to see sisik nanas.
Is Dropsy Contagious?
The swelling itself does not spread, but the bacteria behind it can attack other weak fish in the same water. So always move the sick fish out, and check the main tank's water.
What To Do: Step by Step
1. Isolate the fish
Set up a hospital tank or a clean plastic container with water from the main tank, a sponge filter or air stone, and a lid. A plastic tank works fine. Keep the temperature the same as the main tank.
2. Test the main tank
Test ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. If any is high, do a water change in the main tank with water treated with anti klorin. Dropsy in one fish is often a warning about the whole tank.
3. Epsom salt (garam Epsom)
Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate, not the same as garam ikan (sodium chloride). It is used to help draw excess fluid out of the body. Hobbyist doses vary, so start low: about 1/8 teaspoon per 4 litres in the hospital tank, dissolved in tank water first. Use plain, unscented Epsom salt only. Do not use it in the main tank with plants or sensitive fish.
4. Antibacterial ubat ikan
If the fish is still eating and you caught it early, an antibacterial fish medicine labelled for internal or systemic bacterial infections gives the best chance. Choose one from the medication section, dose for the real water volume and follow the label for how many days. Remove carbon from the hospital tank's filter if it has any.
5. Feed lightly
Offer small amounts of good-quality food. If the fish refuses food for several days, the outlook is poor.
6. Watch for change
Improvement looks like the scales slowly lying flat again over one to two weeks. If the fish gets worse despite treatment, keep it comfortable in clean, oxygenated water.
Prognosis: The Honest Answer
Most keepers find that once the scales are fully pineconed, recovery is uncommon, because the organ damage is already done. Fish caught at the "slightly swollen, scales just starting to lift" stage have a better chance.
If a fish is clearly suffering, cannot swim and has stopped eating for a long time, some keepers choose humane euthanasia. If you're unsure, ask an experienced keeper, a fish-savvy vet or the seller for advice. Never release a sick fish into a drain, longkang or river. That's harmful to local waterways, and releasing fish can break state rules on releasing fish into rivers.
Prevention
Since dropsy is mostly the end result of stress and poor water, prevention is about the basics:
- Cycle new tanks before adding fish, and don't overstock.
- Change water regularly. Small bowls need more frequent changes. See our cara tukar air akuarium guide.
- Always use anti klorin. Malaysian tap water is chlorinated, as explained in our tap water guide.
- Quarantine new fish for 2–4 weeks before mixing.
- Feed a varied diet and don't overfeed. Uneaten food rots fast in warm water.
- Keep temperature stable: out of direct sun, away from aircond vents.
For bettas specifically, our betta care guide covers tank size and water routines that prevent most of these problems.
FAQ
Ikan laga sakit sisik nanas boleh sembuh tak?
Boleh, tetapi peluangnya lebih tinggi jika dikesan awal, sebelum sisik betul-betul terangkat. Asingkan ikan, guna garam Epsom pada dos rendah dan ubat ikan antibakteria. Jika sisik sudah kembang seperti nanas, ramai ikan tidak dapat diselamatkan.
Apa punca penyakit sisik nanas?
Biasanya kualiti air yang teruk, jangkitan bakteria dan stres yang lama. Sisik nanas ialah tanda organ dalaman, terutamanya buah pinggang, sudah rosak.
Can I use normal aquarium salt instead of Epsom salt for dropsy?
They do different things. Aquarium salt (sodium chloride) reduces osmotic stress, while Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) is used for swelling. Some keepers use a low dose of aquarium salt alongside medicine, but don't combine high doses of both.
Is dropsy in goldfish the same as in bettas?
Yes, the cause and treatment are the same. Goldfish are larger and messier, so poor filtration is a more common trigger. Fancy goldfish can also look bloated from swim bladder or gut problems, so check the scales.
Should I treat the whole tank?
Usually not with antibiotics, because they can harm filter bacteria. Treat the sick fish in a hospital tank and fix water quality in the main tank. If several fish show signs, ask an experienced keeper before medicating the whole tank.
Keep a hospital container, test kit and basic medicines ready before you need them. Browse ubat ikan and treatments, water conditioners and healthy bettas from Malaysian sellers on FishyHub.