Zebra Danio looks deformed

[Lesmiz4]

Hello everyone...I'm sorry I don't have a picture, and I've searched the forums but can't find anything.

I have a Zebra that has become deformed. It almost looks like his spine has become humped. He's been swimming more at the top and away from the other 2 recently, and just isn't acting like himself. He's still eating fine, but just seems a little listless. I've had him for about 1 year and 3 months.

See signature for tank info
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 10
PH: 7.8 (steady)

Any ideas? Sorry I have no picture, none of them came out very well.

Thanks for your help!

[pokagon55]

a problem with a deformity of the spine could be a sign of fish TB. Do a search on fish TB and see if that fits.

[jgulecas]

While disease is possible, what you describe is a sign of old age. Danios are not long-lived fish.

[beviking]

Don't rule out genetics either. Perfectly healthy fish still have a % rate of offspring that can/do become deformed. It's a small %, but it does happen.

[Mgamer20o0]

dont know how right this site is but saw someone post this. it says this about the life span

Zebra Danio - 5 years

http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/beginnerinfo/a/lifespan.htm

[pokagon55]

Journal of Fish Biology
Volume 13 Issue 1 Page 79 - July 1978
doi:10.1111/j.1095-8649.1978.tb03415.x
Volume 13 Issue 1


Spontaneous skeletal deformities in the Zebra Danio (Brachydanio rerio) bred for fish toxicity tests
R. D. Piron1
Zebra Danio (Brachydanio rerio, Hamilton-Buchanan) tropical fish are easily maintained and bred under laboratory conditions; procedures for maintenance and breeding are described. Intensive inbreeding of this fish gave rise to a high incidence of spontaneous skeletal deformities which appear to reflect a genetic defect rather than an environmental stimulus. This finding casts doubt on the suitability of the Zebra Danio for fish toxicity testing.


beviking was right with the problem on genetics.

[jyanagi]

Does your danio look anything like my video here? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wi-3pFBTSDo

I'm still not sure what this is, but it has happened to two of mine. (One died 2 months later, the other is doing fine, it was 2 weeks ago)

[dontburnthe_pig]

my friend has this same thing. His fish still schools and is as active as his body will allow him to be. So i would be willing to bet nothing is wrong. But i could be wrong

[Lesmiz4]

Does your danio look anything like my video here? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wi-3pFBTSDo I'm still not sure what this is, but it has happened to two of mine. (One died 2 months later, the other is doing fine, it was 2 weeks ago)

Yes, he does look very similar to this! He's still eating fine, but he is hanging out at the top of the tank a bit. I guess I'll just wait it out, and see how he does.

Thanks for all your help!

[jgulecas]

Spinal deformity on its own could be a number of things. Zebras do develop a hump as they age, but the process is not sudden. Spinal deformity combined with other things, some of which the original poster mentioned (listlessness, loss of appetite) could be a sign of disease, and yes, fish TB is a candidate. Have you seen any lesions? If it might be TB, I would quarantine or euthanize the fish.

[jyanagi]

Yes, he does look very similar to this! He's still eating fine, but he is hanging out at the top of the tank a bit. I guess I'll just wait it out, and see how he does.


I had a feeling. Just like yours, mine suddenly looked and acted strange. He got looking kinda scragly and was acting lethargic. In a few days though, he got much better. In fact, now he's only got a slight hump and is almost like he was before. Although he still tends to keep away from the other two danios (he hides on the bottom in a decoration.) This happened with two different zebra danios. The first time was a few months ago and that fish lived for another 2 months.

However, I've been experiencing many guppy deaths in the same tank. This morning, the last died and I was looking at it in sunlight and I saw a 1/8 inch worm swimming around in there. So, I'm pretty sure that they are the culprit causing havoc in my tank.

I was asking on another board and her danios took on the same shape when they were ill.

So, like jgulecas says, I suspect that there is SOMETHING gone wrong in there. Maybe not disease, could be parasites, or possibly even stress. I don't know if it's a fact, but now, I've heard from a couple of sources of a dramatic change like this in their danios when under attack from something. You indeed may want to quarantine the fish, or at least, minimally keep a very good eye on it and the other fishes (what else do you have in the tank?)

[beviking]

beviking was right with the problem on genetics.

:thud:

If the fish is deformed I would suspect spinal deformity from genetics BUT, this shouldn't result in any other behavior out of the norm. Listlessness, not eating, and otherwise poor appearance are signs of disease. :eek:

[Shorgasm III]

i tried posting yesterday, but when i went to reply, the site went down.

anyways, mine does not look like that one in the video. here is a picture of the one with the most prnounced hump, and it hasnt affected him one bit. still very active, and very hungry! if yours looks like this, i wouldnt be worried

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/ShorgasmIII/fish%20tank/IMG_2982.jpg