why is my swordtail fish bent & not looking well?

Question

fish is approx 2 years old has low activity, has a curve or bent look to it, what does this mean.?anything I can do to reverse this? Is it in pain? Is it dying? when you know a fish is on the way out is there anything you can do to prevent it from suffering, they dont go to the vet like other pets, any advice would be helpful in all questions here. thanks

Answer 1

There are several reasons for a fish to develop a crooked spine - magicman mentioned two, and there is a third - cammalanus, an intestinal parasite. There is no way to reverse the problem and the outcome for the deformed fish is the same, regardless of the cause. It will have to be euthanized. Amlee gives good advice on how to do this.

The reason I brought up the parasite, is that if this is the cause, any other fish in the tank should be examined and treated if they (or your affected fish) show signs of the worms. Cammalanus shows up best in smaller fish when they're inactive. What you want to look for is small red "threads" poking out the fish's anus. They only exert while the fish is not moving - otherwise they're inside the fish's intestines & rectum. There is a treatment for this, but it's not something you can get from a fish/pet store - you need to go to a farm supply to find it. It's called Levamisol, and it's a dewormer for livestock. It's safe for fish, even up to 4x the recommended dosage, but will drop you pH somewhat. Here's a link to the directions: http://www.thekrib.com/Diseases/nematodes.html#3 This treatment, unfortunately costs about $20-25.

If there are no signs of the worms, another possibility is that the fish has contracted fish tuberculosis - the "nasty bacterial problem" MM mentioned. Here's some info on this:
http://www.fishdeals.com/fish_diseases/curved_spine/
http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/management/Keefer_FishTB.html
http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/management/Lawler_Tank_Safety.html

I mention this because if this is the cause, 1) other fish could be susceptible, 2) it's a sign of (usually) poor water quality, and 3) it can be transmitted to humans, so you should take precautions while cleaning the tank & equipment.

Answer 2

A bend in the spine of an older fish (that's older for a swordtail) is usually due to 1) Malnutrition or 2) a particularly nasty bacterial infection that deforms the bones. Assuming you are feeding the fish well then I would have to assume it's the infection which is impossible to cure and will only get worse until the fish dies.

My best advise is to humanely euthanize the fish. Sorry to have to tell you that, but it's the truth.

MM

Answer 3

It could be an injury caused by another fish, it could be malnutrition, it could be that the water quality is not suitable.... it could be a lot of things. (although, it sounds like scoliosis... it's usually irreversable, and very painful) If you think he's bad enough that he's going to die, then put him in a zippy bag full of water, and then put it in the freezer. it is the most humane way to euthanize a fish, they feel no pain. It is a very difficult thing to try to treat this problem... I am really sorry....

I had a goldfish that did that, he was 6 years old, the other fish nipped all it's fins and flippers off, and then it started that curved thing, rolling over and over... it was best to put him down...

I'm really sorry... You might want to check all of your water perameters, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, ph, ... just to see that it's not because of the water. if it is, there's a chance that fixing the water will fix the fish...

good luck, hope everything works out for you...

Answer 4

oh dear. i got a guppy from a petstore, and didn't notice this until i got home with him, but his back seemed bent and he was swimming off balance....he died not even 2 days after i got him. im not quite sure what you can do to fix him... you could watch him for a few days or so, but there could be a chance that he is sick and may die. to answer your question on fish euthanasion *Spelling?* ive been told by many books and multiple sources that it is easier and more peaceful to put the fish in a bag of water and sit him in the freezer so his body shuts down slowly and its like he's falling asleep. i've had 3 fish put down by this method, though i do question it. but what is better flushing a fish that is still alive and in pain? or letting the cold put him to sleep? i wish there were better ways all around...

Answer 5

if the bends is a recent thing...it could be dying...if it has been this way for a long time it is more likely a defect. i think only once we had a molly recover from it...i dont really know what causes it...maybe shock from going from one water temp to another that wasnt close enough alike. when ever i have a fish that i know for sure is not going to recover, and it is suffering...i take it and pinch its head hard...this is the fastest way i know how to kill it, therefore the kindest. i know it sounds cruel, but the fish doesnt know anything once it is dead...and it IS a kindness.

Answer 6

im afraid to assert there aint alot u can do. some situations they're down in the nook no longer because of pressure yet because of ailment etc proper ingredient is to do widely used water transformations say each and every 4-5 days 15% water and attempt some commonplace tonic in the water

Answer 7

Im sorry but your fish pry has dropsy and is finished. Is it a male? 2 years is an average life span so it will pry die, you can always replace him

you can try melafix in a hospital tank if you want to bother

Answer 8

There's air bladder disease, too, and he'll die an agonizing death at the surface of the water. Put him in a small water-filled container in the freezer. In 12 hours, you can bury him in your back yard. Of course he is experiencing pain.

Answer 9

your fish is dying male sword tails often do what you describe when they are dying.sorry.