Bent zebra danio

M

MichiganMan

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Sep 21, 2008
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I think I may have pulled a beginner "oops" last night. I have 6 danios in a 30 gallon tall tank - 4 zebras and 2 "gold" color morphs. One of the gold danios was thinner than any of the other fish, and he had a curved or bent spine - something like this:

H____/-----T

where H is the head and T is the tail. He definitely looked different than the other fish, but he would swim, chase, eat etc just the same. Last night I came home and he was keeled over on his side, listless, bouncing off plants, etc. Water params are fine, and all the other fish are hunky-dory.

Thinking that he was not long for this world, I euthanized him.

Now that I've done some research, it looks like it could have been anything from old age to a birth defect to fish TB. He had no other issues that I could see (tumors, lesions, etc) though I didn't do an extensive exam.

At this point I'm going to assume it was something benign like old age. The two golds are (were?) significantly bigger than the zebras, so I'm guessing they are older fish. I'll keep an eye on things, but I don't think there is any cause for panic at this point.

In the future I'll look for a way to isolate / quarantine fish like that. Probably snag a 10g and an extra heater this weekend.
 
This probably isnt much help to you, but I had a tetra once that looked like that and he did not last very long.
 
That happens with some danios and rasboras... I've got two been like that for years and they're still strong and healthy.

Other fish I'd worry about TB - I think some nutrient deficiencies can cause it too...

With Danios- it's just one of those things that happen to them.

That said- if he was keeled over everything- he probably was on his last legs (if he had legs though he probably wasn't a fish... unless he was a darwin fish)...

I did rescue one Cory - just floated upside down- barely moved- even if nudged... was deciding whether to euthenise when he he started a dramatic recovery... still have him today... it's amazing how fish can seem on the edge of death and then suddenly recover over a few hours.
 
The little guy's behavior suggests he wasn't going to make it much longer, so you did the right thing and definitely had the best of intentions. That being said, I ended up caring for a friend's tank and she had 4 or 5 danios in it. One of them looked exactly like you describe. The entire time I took care of the tank, I expected to wake up the next day and see that danio floating at the top of the tank, but sure enough, it was the one that lived the longest of the bunch. So, the hunch isn't a death sentence in and of itself, but again, the overall behavior your fish was exhibiting suggests your fish was on its last leg.
 
My buddy's rasbora's tail is all twisted up and bent but it's been fine for over a year.
 
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