Zebra Danio looks deformed

L

Lesmiz4

AC Members
Nov 1, 2005
45
0
0
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!
 
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.
 
While disease is possible, what you describe is a sign of old age. Danios are not long-lived fish.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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
 
jyanagi said:
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)
Click to expand...

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!
 
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.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom