Deforming Fish!

[tomchurchman]

About 2 months ago we noticed one of our leopard Danio's had started to get deformed, his body developed a 'kink' in the middle (We've had the fish for about 10 months) This became more exagerated with swimming becoming visibly more awkward and eventually the poor thing died. I thought it was a one off incident, until last week I noticed something similar happening in a white cloud mountain minnow of about the same age.
I've just had a look for him to try and take a picture, but can't find him in the tank, also another Danio looks like he's going the same way.
Any suggestions?
Tank (80L) has been matured for a couple of years now, water changes (15%) are weekly with 1/2 RO and 1/2 tap water

 

[minxfishy]

A fish with a bent spine, can be a sign of fish tb, or it could be a genetic deformity, but for two of different species to develop is more unusual, can I ask what you water readings are for ammonia, nitrIte, nitrAte and ph as these help rule out any water quality problems.

It could also be a vitamin deficiency (sp?), what foods are you giving to your fish?

 

[WILDER]

Bent spines can mean old age, vitamin deficiency, fish tb, internal parasites.
Any other symtoms besides the bent spines.
Check the anus to see if it looks enlarged or red and inflamed.
Any signs of long stringy white poo, or clear mucas poo.
Do any fish look thin or bloated.
Any fish have sunken in bellys.
Do any fish swim on there sides.

 

[tomchurchman]

Ph - 6.5
NH4 - 0
N02 - less than 0.1
N03 between 5 - 10 mg/l
The minnow has a very sunken belly, very weak, hiding away, swimming on its side, I noticed another minnow swiming on its side earlier with no other symptoms, they are being fed flake. There have been no introductions to the tank for at least 6 months and 4 weeks ago 2 of my 3 hillstream loaches died within 24 hours of each other - no visible symptoms. Some poor quality pics:

 

[WILDER]

How many gallons or litres is the tank.
How many fish and which type.

Poor fish they do look in a state.
If the fish look like there suffering with the bent spines I would put them out of there misery.
Your fish have tb or internal parasites.
What does it look like when they go to the toilet.
Will leave you a tb link to see what you think.
[URL="http/www.torrens.org.uk/NatHist/Aqua/disease/tb.html"]http/www.torrens.org.uk/NatHist/Aqua/disease/tb.html[/URL]

http/www.fishyportal.com/cgi-bin/pub/dia...&did=232361

 

[tomchurchman]

Tank is 80L, bit of a mixture of fish really:
1 x hillstream loach
1 x dwarf honey gourami
5 x danio's
5 x Mountain minnows
I've just been reading lots on TB many of the symptoms seem to fit.

 

[WILDER]

Ok.
Destroy the fish that are showing the symtoms.
I know its awful but once there spines bend best off ending there misery.
Need an antibiotic which is only available through a vet in the uk.
You need minocycline or tetracycline but a vet would perscribe the right one for fish tb.
The beneifical bacteria in the filter wants wiping out so its dosn't matter about adding it to the tank.

 

[minxfishy]

Can I just add, please be careful when handling these fish or putting your hands in the water, whilst unlikely, they have been cases of fish tb being passed to humans, wear rubber gloves when doing tank maintenance.

If you are going to euthanise the fish and Im in agreement with Wilder its the best thing to do, get a jug of cold water, place it in the freezer until a think layer of ice forms over the top, break the ice and place the fish into the water, it doesnt take long at all for them to die and is the best and quickest and IMO the less stressful for both fish and owner way to do it.

Others will say clove oil, or a quick sharp blow to the head or to cut off the head of the fish.

 

[mikev]

TB seems to be a likely possibility.

If it is myco, curing the tank would require long-term use of an antibiotic (Kana, Minocycline, Doxycycline) and an anti-TB drug (Rifampin) and success is not guaranteed.
Before doing anything drastic, you should consider testing the sick fish for mycobacteria.

If TB is confirmed, you have other options than trying to cure: you may consider installing a strong UV to limit the bacteria spread; or you may consider nuking the tank and starting over.

 

[omega59]

awww, that is what one of my platies is looking like. the belly is thin and looks like it is going in. i am currently treating the entire tank with internal parasite medication. best of look to you.