Scales

[omega59]

anyone know what causes the scales to stick out on a fish all over the body? it looks kind of bumpy.

 

[Colin_T]

It’s usually caused by an internal bacterial infection. The fish's organs sometimes rupture due to disease and their bodies fill up with a bacterial soup (fluid). The fish bloats and the scales stand out.
The fish normally dies soon after the symptoms appear. If other fish eat the sick one they can pick up the bacterial infection. I would suggest removing the sick fish and euthanasing it. My preferred way is to put it in a small container of tank water and pop it in the freezer. As the temperature drops the fish goes to sleep and eventually dies. If you have access to Clove Oil, available from health food shops, you can add a few drops of that to the container with the sick fish in and it makes the fish go to sleep. It doesn't die, it just sleeps. You can then put the sleeping fish in the freezer to kill it.

 

[omega59]

i'm treating with internal parasite meds

 

[Colin_T]

Internal parasite medications won't work. Bacteria and parasites have different symptoms. Internal parasites usually cause the fish to lose weight over a course of weeks or months. Small thin red worms can often be seen hanging out the fish's butt.
If the fish swelled up overnight then it is a bacterial infection or organ failure. Quite often both with the bacteria causing the organ failure. Once it has happened there isn't a lot you can do. You need to get the right amount of medication inside the fish but if the organs have ruptured the fish is doomed anyway.