New Cherry Barb has a curved spine!

I'm trying to stay calm....but I am so mad at myself for missing this in the store! As the pictures show, one of the males has a curved spine. What are your thoughts? Illness, injury, deformed from birth? Thank God I'm quarantining. I really hope I don't lose them all, and that I wasted all my money.

 

Typical genetic problem in massproduced fish. *shrug*

Can't do anything about that and it looks like the fish still managed to grow the same size as the other. Expect a little shorter lifespan.

Always expect the least severe explanation. I see no signs of illness. If it was an injury the fish would be in critical condition already.

 

Typical genetic problem in massproduced fish. *shrug*

Can't do anything about that and it looks like the fish still managed to grow the same size as the other. Expect a little shorter lifespan.

Always expect the least severe explanation. I see no signs of illness. If it was an injury the fish would be in critical condition already.

Thank you, MacZ. This is a major relief. I was terrified it was TB. I'm assuming that's very unlikely...? Also, I'm assuming that over 3-4 weeks of quarantine I would see more symptoms if it wasn't just a genetic problem? My main tank is doing so well. If I brought a disease into that tank, I'd be wrecked.

 

I was terrified it was TB. I'm assuming that's very unlikely...?

Only 1 out of 100 suspected cases is indeed Mycobacterium. All the others are just aquarists panicking because they read an article about it. The spine deformation is also a late stage symptom. The fish looks otherwise much too healthy.

Also, I'm assuming that over 3-4 weeks of quarantine I would see more symptoms if it wasn't just a genetic problem?

Yes. And remember, even a deformed fish can have other diseases or parasites. So even if it should show something, do not jump for the worst case explanation.

 

Only 1 out of 100 suspected cases is indeed Mycobacterium. All the others are just aquarists panicking because they read an article about it. The spine deformation is also a late stage symptom. The fish looks otherwise much too healthy.


Yes. And remember, even a deformed fish can have other diseases or parasites. So even if it should show something, do not jump for the worst case explanation.

Thank you! I didn't realize it was a late symptom. I'm sure he's good if that's the case. I really appreciate the help. It's just a little scary to put your fish at risk or even your family in the case of TB.

 

It's just a little scary to put your fish at risk or even your family in the case of TB.

Yeah, but it's also unbelievably hyped. Especially all videos on youtube make it appear worse than the plague. There are dozens of diseases more dangerous to humans and more likely to contract than this stuff. Don't worry too much.

 

Yeah, but it's also unbelievably hyped. Especially all videos on youtube make it appear worse than the plague. There are dozens of diseases more dangerous to humans and more likely to contract than this stuff. Don't worry too much.

Good to know! Thanks again
Unfortunately, he is hiding away from the other one and darting towards them.

 

For what it's worth, I believe that one of my males (purchased March 2022) also has a slightly curved spine. I chalked it up to just a genetic quirk. Weirdly, he and a female bred while in quarantine, so there's another little red male with a slightly less "curved" spine. Mine appear happy and healthy, and it doesn't seem to impact their lives. Maybe it's okay after all?

 

For what it's worth, I believe that one of my males (purchased March 2022) also has a slightly curved spine. I chalked it up to just a genetic quirk. Weirdly, he and a female bred while in quarantine, so there's another little red male with a slightly less "curved" spine. Mine appear happy and healthy, and it doesn't seem to impact their lives. Maybe it's okay after all?

I really appreciate you sharing this. It definitely gives me some hope. Mine is doing pretty well. He is smaller than the rest. They have all out grown him at this point, but he eats, and is not thin. He keeps up with the rest amazingly. I finished quarantine the other day, and I made the decision to move him over to the community tank. Fingers crossed.