Tetra with broken back bone

mostlycichlids

mostlycichlids

Cichlid Specialist
Apr 27, 2006
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New Mexico USA
www.freshwatermadness.com
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Paul
I noticed one of my tetras swimming around like he was dying and though we will see in the morning. well in the morning he was still the same way. I kind of forgot about it. When I got home from work he was displaying the same behavior. When I took a closer look I noticed his back end was bent downward and when he tried to move his backside he would twist and turn like a tornado and can not swim straight or horizontal every time he tries its like a fast moving tornado I am pretty sure his back bone neer his tail is broken he does not have any outer injuries. He seems very stressed from it. My question is will he eventually die from stress or should I put him down? I dont like seeing him miserable and I dont know how this happened. I want to put him down but if he might live and be ok I will let it go for a while.
 
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It might not be a broken backbone as you suggest. I have seen many fish when exposed to ammonia get a "broken spine" kind of look. They don't usually got downward as in your case. They look more like an S from above. This is a very bad sign, and it always leads to death in my experience. I'd check your levels if you haven't already. It could just be an actual injury from something, but it never hurts to be safe so you don't end up with a tank full of dead fish. If it is just an injury, I would vote for euthanasia over letting it struggle until it dies on its own.
 
nerdyguy83 said:
It might not be a broken backbone as you suggest. I have seen many fish when exposed to ammonia get a "broken spine" kind of look. They don't usually got downward as in your case. They look more like an S from above. This is a very bad sign, and it always leads to death in my experience. I'd check your levels if you haven't already. It could just be an actual injury from something, but it never hurts to be safe so you don't end up with a tank full of dead fish. If it is just an injury, I would vote for euthanasia over letting it struggle until it dies on its own.
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Yeah ammonia 0 nitrite 0 and nitrate is 5 This tank has been set up for a couple of years and 50% weekly water changes but the tetras are new I think I will just put him down dont want to see him suffer any more.
 
Yeah. In my experience any spinal problems like this will eventually lead to death.
 
I got this from guppyplace:

""Fish Tuberculosis (TB)
Also appropriately named the Wasting Disease. Fish stop eating, become hollow-bellied, emaciated, grow ulcers, eyes protrude, fins rot, colours pale and the fish becomes inactive. Guppies may live months in such condition. All symptoms will not appear, but be cautious if more than 2 show. TB is caused by mycobacterium bacteria, and is passed from fish to fish by feeding on dead infected fish and feces. Guppies can pass TB to their offspring as well, so it is particularly dangerous and action must be immediate. Remove the diseased fish for observation. If there is no improvement, destroy the fish. Be sure to remove any dead or dying fish from the tank, and quarantine completely. If a number of fish die from TB, tear down the tank and disinfect everything with bleach. TB outbreaks can usually be avoided with proper environmental conditions. TB bacterium is pathogenic to humans. Do not reach into the tank water with bare skin, especially if you have any damaged skin, and never touch a sick/dead fish with bare hands. People who contract TB will endure sores which take weeks of antibiotics to cure.""

I've heard that sometime they stay plump instead of wasting away. Some pictures and other sites show/say the fish with a twisted appearance.
 
What is the cause of this infection My water conditions are great. I have only had these guys a month or so. They have all been eating fine and I feed them a variety of foods. Could he have had this when I bought him? Anyway I am going to put him down a little leary about the water should I do a large water change? Should I rinse and clean the other things in the aquarium as well?
 
I have had two fish in two separate tanks exhibit this behavior in the first month or so I had the tanks set up. Both fish had the downward curving tailfin, both swam erratically, and both finally died. No other fish in either tank exhibited the same behavior and all my other fish are healthy now months later. From what I read with mine it seemed to be some kind of swim bladder infection or some sort of thing that was not contagious, but definitely lethal. I tried treating for constipation, peas and fasting, but since no other fish exhibited any symptoms I had to figure those fish were weakened for some reason and nature took its course.
 
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