>>1988227bloat just raises scales on the belly.
dropsy raises scales all over the fish.
if the scales are only sticking up on the belly it's probably bloat.
bloat also causes difficulty in swimming upright, because the fish is full of gas. Dropsy can also cause fish to have trouble swimming upright because the animal is weakened and often has swim bladder problems.
the location of the lifted scales is what you look for though. Bloat is restricted to the belly, dropsy is other places too.
>>1988228then people are just telling OP to euthanize his fish no questions asked. Doesn't seem very helpful at all.
>halp /an/ my fish is sick>kill it! 
