Swolen Celestial Pearl Danio!

Upon close inspection it looks like all of its scales are 'up' and away from the surface of its body?
Its spine area seems to be swollen too... I cannot find any pictures like it online... 

Looks like dropsy, but i have no idea how I am going to save these fish. It's midnight so the earliest I can get to a fish shop is tomorrow....

The bloated fish is still bloated but swimming undercover now, and now a second CPD is acting strangely and hovering just under the surface, under some water lettuce. He doesnt seem to have any symptoms other than strange behavior. My third CPD is a juvenile, I'm hoping it will survive.

Any advice on what to get to attempt to treat this? or is it just too late. What can I do to limit any kind of spread?
 

I'm afraid Cod's probably right.

By the time the fish is showing symptoms like the ones you describe its often too late to save it.

Here's a useful article about Dropsy.

http://freshaquarium.about.com/od/termsandtables/p/Dropsy.htm

Hello again,
This morning the one CPD that was acting strangely seems perfectly normal. Maybe it was just sleeping or something? (lol)

The puffed up one actually looks slightly less swollen and its eyes do not appear puffed out anymore. It's spine area is still slightly swollen and it is 'wider' than normal but it is less extreme than last night. Maybe this is a miracle turn around? or just a temporary reduction in symptoms?

I am pretty convinced that it is in reaction to the change of using some RO water as it was so soon after, although I will keep an eye out for anything else that may suggest otherwise.

I will do a 40% water change with standard tap water and check water params.

I will try to setup a hosptial tank with some salt in it and work on getting that med. Hopefully this will save the fish.

Thanks for the advice so far guys.

The swollen fish does not seem to be getting better.
I'm worried that with such a small fish adding salt will kill it, there is very little information about this as the CPD is such a new fish...

It looks pretty advanced and I am considering euthanasia.

Please see the attached pictures and tell me what you think?

(Pine cone effect and swelling of body compared to head...)

(bad picture, but slight swelling on the spinal area.)

If it were me I would try a salt bath for 24 hours.

Most fish with scales should be able to tolerate relatively high concentration,  but I would add the salt gradually, watching for signs of distress. I'd probably go no higher than 1 teaspoon per 5L.

It might pay to increase the temperature gradually

Things will probably change in 24 hours for better or worse.

Good luck.

I will have to setup a new hospital tank and go out and get the needed salt/meds, is it really worth it at this stage? most people are saying when it gets to the pinecone stage it is too late for the fish.

The fish has been dispatched with. I hope this doesn't spread to my other fish which all seem to be acting normally.

I was thinking of adding a pair of bolivian rams in the next few days but should I hold off and let the tank settle after this? Or does it make no difference?

Thanks for all the advice, maybe it will save someone else's fish if they come here.

Sorry about your fish Barney.

I know it's a bit late now but just to let you know I bought some eSHa 2000 yesterday and it cost £4.60.  It is only a small bottle but you douse as per the size of your tank and as I am using it in a 19 litre QT there is plenty for many more douses if needed in the future.  If you do want to get any I suggest going to an independent LFS as the chains I tried first didn't stock it.  There is always on line of course.

Anne