Harlequin Rasboras and Stress

[tara brown]

Hello,

I've got a question about the effects of stress on Harlequins. I was at my LFS to pick some up and i notice in the tank that some had a 'kink' in their bodies: as if they had been pinched or folded. It looked like a deformation to me. The guy at the fish store said it is caused by stress and that is can happen at any time.

Is this true?

Also, 2 of my Harlequins seem to have pinched tails. The tails look pinched at the base and do not fan out properly. If it is do to stress will it go away? Should i take these fish back?

What do you think?

Thanks,

Tara

 

[fishcatch22]

it sounds like a gentic defect to me. as long as they swim, eat, and do everything normally, i'd pay it no heed.

 

[wataugachicken]

if the tails are pinched (clamped) that is definitely a sign of parasites or other illness/stress. i think the LFS employee is full of it and just didn't want to have you back out on the sale. the only signs of stress i've noticed while having rasboras (only one left, but have had them for 2 years overall) is a paleness or fading of color. physical deformation is not stress - it is disease (again, parasites), if not a genetic problem from irresponsible breeding.

 

[tara brown]

Thanks for your comments!

Tara