Rozski Posted April 25, 2007 Report Share Posted April 25, 2007 Pretty much describes what I have! At Christmas, my male dwarf gourami became S shaped. Like, looking at him from above, he looked like an S. Apart from spending more time hanging out in his plant, he still ate and remained alive. When I went away for easter (friend fed fish during the break for me) I decided to put him out of his misery, as he obviously wasnt going to get better and had just started looking much more sick, floating crooked etc. I hadn't added anything to my tank since maybe October at the latest, and that was a plant. He was the last fish added, and that was in August. Was late December when we noticed him getting bendy. Theres also a female dwarf gourami, a pair of killies (which got added in mid Jan), two small bristlenose and two zebra danios (I had three, but lost one in March, she got a hump back and died, but it may have been old age? I have had them almost a year and they were big when I got them) Thought all my other fish were healthy, and they act it, but looking closely at my killies, they are getting a slight double bend now too. No-one else would see it, but coz my gourami was like this, and I've been looking closely, I can see. Only thing I could see at the time when I did some googling was the possibility of fish TB.... but he lasted for aaaages with it if he did have it Do I need to wipe my tank out and start fresh or what? Hard to treat for something when I don't know what it is Would also rather not lose my killies. Also want to get another male dwarf, but thinking this isnt a good idea if I think theres a disease in my tank Any suggestions? I am at a loss as to what to do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharn Posted April 26, 2007 Report Share Posted April 26, 2007 Bending is sometimes genetic but it is wierd that several of your species seem to be doing it. Sorry i cant help more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rozski Posted April 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2007 Thanks Sharn, yeah the guy at the LFS said twistyness is usually genetic, but yeah, this was an adult that was perfectly fine before And no-one else? Man, if I can't get help here I'm stuffed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpidersWeb Posted April 28, 2007 Report Share Posted April 28, 2007 When I read that my first thoughts were TB also (but I'm not exactly a vet). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southerrrngirrl Posted April 29, 2007 Report Share Posted April 29, 2007 Whats your water like? Have you tested it? I seem to recall reading an article online a while ago that said if you have poor water conditions it can cause bent spines Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted April 30, 2007 Report Share Posted April 30, 2007 Both genetics and old age can cause curvature of the spine. My disease book says: "Is the body of one or more fish distorted by a curvature of the spinal column? Yes - The fish are afected by sporozoa or by tuberculosis." It then goes on the say to dissect the fish so you can examine the dorsal musculature for cysts. :-? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidb Posted April 30, 2007 Report Share Posted April 30, 2007 coud well be fish tb. give it to an ichthyologist to have a look at if you have it frozen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted April 30, 2007 Report Share Posted April 30, 2007 Isn't fishy TB really bad news? In the fact it can be easily transferred to humans and cause alot of pain and suffering? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted April 30, 2007 Report Share Posted April 30, 2007 Fish TB is really bad news Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rozski Posted April 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2007 Yeah, I had always thought TB, but A) woulda thought it would have killed him much faster and B) it usually causes a hunchback type of curvature to the spine, not a sideways bending and even C) if he suddenly got it, where did it come from? He was the last fish intro'd and had had him for a good few months before it showed up. Not sure how long they can carry before displaying disease, anyone know? Haven't tested my water recently, but was regularly testing it last year. Will be doing it when I get a moment, just had a looooong day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herefishiefishie Posted April 30, 2007 Report Share Posted April 30, 2007 Just a question; what do you feed your fish? Well this site comes up with sporozoa or tb http://www.fishyfarmacy.com/fish_diseases/physical_changes.html My med book says FishMB or bad nutrition. S shape horizontally = scolisis S shape vertically = lordosis Cause; FishMB, injury, malnutrition, genetic defect....... Therefore if your diet is fine, then your fish more than likely have FishMB. If that is the case, I would re-start the tank from start.{Sterilization} Kull the fish remaining. Freezing does not kill the bacteria either. Few drugs work & they aren't cheap. FishMB is gram positive bacteria, most drugs treat gram negative bacteria. Doxycycline & similar.{Usually work best in initial stagesonly} Kanamycine is reported to work too. I would say no point, your fish will be to far gone. FishMB is very contagious, as in fish to humans. Don't touch water if you have open wounds. Fish contract the disease..... Most common way is oral; Eating contaminated food {especially mosquito larvae}, by eating other fish or faeces infected with fishMB. Also by external parasites or open wounds. Frenchy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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