|
Post by babygeige on Jun 2, 2009 20:46:59 GMT -5
Do fish get scoliosis? My female betta Pink developed a curve in her spine. I think she has a little trouble getting around. For a couple of days, she pretty much stayed at the bottom of the tank, out of the way behind a rock and only came out at dinner time.
To make it easier for her, I put her in the net breeder with a couple of plants to keep her company. She doesn't seem stressed out or anything by being in there. Her appetite is good. Is there anything else I can do for her? How long can a fish last like this?
|
|
|
Post by kagome on Jun 2, 2009 21:28:14 GMT -5
I think this is caused by inbreeding. I actually bought a betta that had this because the people were going to flush him. I had him for over a year. I don't know if he was the exception or the rule but he had a pretty good life with me and seemed to be a perfectly happy fish.
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Jun 3, 2009 8:54:16 GMT -5
I think this is caused by inbreeding. I actually bought a betta that had this because the people were going to flush him. I had him for over a year. I don't know if he was the exception or the rule but he had a pretty good life with me and seemed to be a perfectly happy fish. I agree, I have seen this before, although I do not know all the causes (inbreeding seems to be a major cause IMO, but I have no actual research to back up this opinion). I have seen this in many live bearers as well, and environmental conditions and age seem to be a factor as well. As kagome stated, when I have seen this in younger fish, this does not seem to cut the fish' life too short provided good care is given. As for environmental causes, varied and quality diet seems to be a minor factor, as well as water conditions (such as lack of minerals in the water) Carl
|
|
|
Post by Suzie Q (Lori) on Jun 3, 2009 10:16:21 GMT -5
In breeding Betta, inbreeding is a major factor for young fish...Vit C in the water right after hatching helps. Double Tail geno seems to be the carrier of this defect. Older fish it is usually due to age. I have had several develop it late in life and still be very happy. What you are doing for Pink is probably the best thing...she can easily get to the surface and has a "room" to her self...LOL
|
|
|
Post by babygeige on Jun 3, 2009 11:12:14 GMT -5
Thanks for the info. When I put Pink in the box, I moved Red from the 5 gallon down the 30 where Pink is. I thought I'd see how Red handles being down there without Pink harassing her like she did before. I think it bothers Pink to see Red cruising her tank, lol. She stares at Red a lot.
My plan was that if Red did well in the 30, then I could just move Pink to the 5, where it'd be easier for her. However, I caught Red snipping at one of my rainbows and my platies yesterday. I'm going to have to keep an eye on this and if it continues, I'll just have to put Red back in the 5 by herself and leave poor Pink in the box.
|
|
|
Post by bikeguy33 on Jun 3, 2009 22:31:22 GMT -5
what are the levels in the tank? I spoke with a zoologist i know and he mentioned he has seen these conditions in tanks with ammonia. as well....my roomie had tiger barb whos spine bnt into a 90 degree angle he ate fine and swam in awesome circles. we started with a lil salt and daily 20% water changes. low and behold we looked on day and he was nearly straight again.
|
|
|
Post by goldenpuon on Jun 4, 2009 17:10:39 GMT -5
I have had scolisis develop in young bettas and guppy fry before. Much of the time, even if the scolisos was bad, they still ate well and acted healthy. I actually have a male betta that is almost two years old that developed scolisos about a month ago. I have increased his food intake (he was losing weight as well) and added wonder shells and he is doing better now.
My best advice would be to feed her good quality food, keep the best water parameters possible, and if she is lacking any nutrients, add a wonder shell to the tank. Also, is she showing any other symtoms? In my experience, scolosis is a sign of a deformed fish but not sickly one. If it is scolisos and you take good care of her, she may last a while to come. Best of luck with her!
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Jun 4, 2009 17:38:08 GMT -5
My best advice would be to feed her good quality food, This is a good point and good and varied diet will provide the Vitamin C Suzie Q mentioned, and food is the best way to deliver vitamins to freshwater fish since they do not drink the water around them as SW fish do. Carl
|
|
|
Post by babygeige on Jun 4, 2009 19:40:34 GMT -5
I will have to check the water. It's been probably a month or so since I tested it, so I will have to do that.
She has no weird symptoms or anything. She looks fine, she eats, everything is fine except her spine. I feed all my tanks Spirulina flakes, Aqueon flakes and either frozen bloodworms or frozen brine shrimp once a week. Also since I've had Pink isolated I've given her those Hikari Betta dots a couple of times as well.
I'll post the test results shortly.
|
|
|
Post by babygeige on Jun 4, 2009 21:15:59 GMT -5
Ok, here is what my water tested: Ammonia, Nitrites, Phosphate =0 Nitrates= 10 pH = 7.8 KH = 71.6 GH = 179
It's basically the same as it has been for a very long time, so I don't think that's the problem. I guess it's just a defect that is now surfacing.
|
|
|
Post by fishfever on Jun 4, 2009 23:12:54 GMT -5
We have a baby platy who seems to have been born with this. Noticed him always resting on objects like sponges and struggling a bit to swim. He is also in the slow growing group of fry (about 8 of them). We plan to give most of our fry away when they have grown up but I figure we will keep him because no one will likely want to adopt a "crippled" fish.
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Jun 5, 2009 9:27:07 GMT -5
Ok, here is what my water tested: Ammonia, Nitrites, Phosphate =0 Nitrates= 10 pH = 7.8 KH = 71.6 GH = 179 It's basically the same as it has been for a very long time, so I don't think that's the problem. I guess it's just a defect that is now surfacing. Based on what you have said and your excellent care of your fish, this would be my guess. Carl
|
|
|
Post by babygeige on Jun 8, 2009 22:49:24 GMT -5
I moved Pink to the 5 gallon today, where hopefully she will have an easier time. I'd really like to find one of those leaf hammock things that I saw in TFH for her to rest on near the surface if she feels like it.
Red seems to have calmed down and doesn't look to be giving any of her tankmates a hard time anymore. If she does decide to cause problems, I'll just divide the 5 and she can share the tank with Pink.
|
|
|
Post by bikeguy33 on Jun 8, 2009 23:18:43 GMT -5
glad to hear this great news
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Jun 9, 2009 9:10:42 GMT -5
I moved Pink to the 5 gallon today, where hopefully she will have an easier time. I'd really like to find one of those leaf hammock things that I saw in TFH for her to rest on near the surface if she feels like it. I think this leaf hammock seems to be a good idea, since the manufacturer is well known (ZooMed), it should not be too hard to find. I will keep my eye open as well when I go down to the LA wholesalers next week. Carl
|
|
|
Post by demfish on Jun 9, 2009 19:34:07 GMT -5
I also have a few platys like this, glad you asked...Seems like when they get the curve going, mine don't last to much longer...Nice to know the other fish don't get it...
|
|
|
Post by babygeige on Jun 10, 2009 11:48:11 GMT -5
I also have a few platys like this, glad you asked...Seems like when they get the curve going, mine don't last to much longer...Nice to know the other fish don't get it... I was a little worried about it being something contagious too, but I feel better since I asked. I don't know how old Pink is. I bought her in October at Petsmart, so it's anyone's guess. I remembered this yesterday. Actually my mom reminded me. Occasionally since I purchased her, we'd notice her being bent a little weird, but then she'd straighten back out again. I guess it just got to where she couldn't get it straight. Oh well, I'll just make it as easy as possible for her however long she has left.
|
|