Treating Pinecone Disease (Dropsy) in Blood Parrot Cichlids

Pinecone disease, or dropsy, is a highly contagious bacterial illness in blood parrot cichlids with under a 50% cure rate and often fatal within days. Isolate the sick fish at once and treat with salt-and-baking-soda or antibiotic baths, adding medicated food for severe cases, while keeping water clean and temperature stable to prevent it.

White Spots and Rot on Blood Parrot Fish: Causes and Treatment

White spots with rotting tissue on a blood parrot usually mean ich (from water below 25°C) or a water-mold infection (from stale water or an untreated wound). Raise the temperature, salt the tank, and isolate severe cases — and remember that clean water prevents most of it.