'Pinecone' scales on one side?

[Stella]

Today or yesterday one of my fish developed the dropsy-like pinecone-scales on one side only.

She is breathing a little rapidly and her eyes are maybe slightly protrusive (hard to be sure).

What would cause this and what do I do about it?

Background:

Had been a little slack on the waterchanges but recently stepped it up as she started getting little fluffy growths (common in her this time of year - several recent spawns and the temperature rising). The fluffy growths have mostly gone now, after a few good waterchanges. The other fish seem fine.

[Stella]

no ideas?

She is still looking the same today.

[Caryl]

Perhaps rather than dropsy she is just tipsy? :slfg:

Is she bulging on one side too or just pineconing?

Is it possibly an egg problem?

[Stella]

hmmm, ok she isn't actually bulging at all, but rather the 'pinecone' scales make her look a bit bulgy on one side.

And definitely pinecone scales on one side only. They really are sticking way out.

I don't think she is gravid at the moment, and seems otherwise fine. Maybe a little less active, but fins all erect, colour fine.

[Caryl]

Weird. I am sorry I have no suggestions as to what it might be :dunno:

I wonder if there is a tumour on the inside causing the scales to pinecone but I would have thought you would be able to see that.

[livingart]

maybe mechanical damage of some description

has she been gravid and breeding marks?

to have raised scales on only one side would possibly rule out infection

unless it is something that had got under scales and caused them to lift

parasite or fungal?

but as she is appearing normal :dunno:

i tend to only treat my natives with salt baths or in the tank

[Stella]

Well, this is odd, but it seems to have been going down today. Looking less pinecone-y. The area hasn't changed size (as far as I can tell) since I first noticed it a few days ago.

Will keep up the waterchanges and hope for the best.