What to do with a Betta with a crooked spine?

I have this female betta that has a crooked spine since she was a fry. Yes, I've had this female betta since she was actually an egg. She didn't develop the crooked spine until recently (maybe 1 month ago). It was difficult for her to eat at first competing food with the other fish, but at the moment, I have her in a nursery with plants in it. Should I keep her in the nursery until the end of life?

I tried moving her to her own 3.5 gallon tank, but the filtration was to strong for her. What ended up happening was she was being swept with the current into circles.

 

I have this female betta that has a crooked spine since she was a fry. Yes, I've had this female betta since she was actually an egg. She didn't develop the crooked spine until recently (maybe 1 month ago). It was difficult for her to eat at first competing food with the other fish, but at the moment, I have her in a nursery with plants in it. Should I keep her in the nursery until the end of life?

I tried moving her to her own 3.5 gallon tank, but the filtration was to strong for her. What ended up happening was she was being swept with the current into circles.

How old is she? You could put a filter sponge on the output that is what I did to my 5 & 3 for my Bettas. I am sry she has a bend in her spine.

 

She is six months old.


Do you happened to know how that bend occurred? Is it genetic or some disease?

 

I think it is just a fish that should have been culled.

I would try the indoor water slide, free of charge.

 

Awe...I was thinking of that, but every time I go to feed her, she just looks up at me with those two eyes and I just can't do it.

 

Awe...I was thinking of that, but every time I go to feed her, she just looks up at me with those two eyes and I just can't do it.

It could of been genetic or she broke her back on something. I would put her down with Clove oil cuz it got to hurt and as much as you love her. But I would wait and see by this weekend if she is not eat good still I would put her down sorry.

 

It could also have been poor diet as a fry.... Either way, as a breeder, you are responsible to cull any fish who have a lessened quality of life, which she clearly has. She should have been culled. Do her a favor, if shes not eating then don't let her suffer.

 

heres my boy that had/born with a crooked spine that I got from MM (an amazing betta breeder by far) ....he lived 3 years and was an amazing boy...although he couldnt swim very well, he was very interactive with all humans who came near his tank....he lived in a breeders box with live plants close to the surface of my tank....

 

poor baby

and shawnie that is a beautiful beta

 

ty ! he was striking for sure...JR was totally bent at his spine unless he saw another betta boy (rarely) and I got a flare like this

I wouldnt cull her if shes eating and still happy...but I would get her closer to the top of the tank as struggling to get air, can be rough for her but that's just me

 

Lets see a picture of the bend?

 

I don't think I ever mentioned that she was suffering or not eating. What I mentioned is that it was difficult for her to compete for food with the other fish. She's eating (definitely a piggie) in a breeders box near the surface with live plants.

 

If that's the case then just keep an eye on her.

 

I don't think I ever mentioned that she was suffering or not eating. What I mentioned is that it was difficult for her to compete for food with the other fish. She's eating (definitely a piggie) in a breeders box near the surface with live plants.

My mistake I miss red it. If she is eatting and swimming than I would just watch her for any changes and make a decision from there. But a pic would help to see how bad the bend is.

 

Lets see a picture of the bend?

concentrate on post #8

 

I don't think I would have the heart to put one down. especially my own. That's why I got out of that business to begin with.

I am no expert, and I know nothing about a crooked spine. But she is your pet, and if you think its not effecting her quality of life and shes still a happy fishy I say don't do it.

 

I don't think I would have the heart to put one down. especially my own. That's why I got out of that business to begin with.

I am no expert, and I know nothing about a crooked spine. But she is your pet, and if you think its not effecting her quality of life and shes still a happy fishy I say don't do it.

I agree...only YOU can decide what's best

 

concentrate on post #8

I understand that some times the bent spine can be lived with, but, if you are going to breed you can't just be saving all the bent guys and deformities. And if it does effect their quality of life they do need to be put down. I said, watch the fish, if it gets any worse then put it down, if she stays the same or gets better then let her be.

 

I understand that some times the bent spine can be lived with, but, if you are going to breed you can't just be saving all the bent guys and deformities. And if it does effect their quality of life they do need to be put down. I said, watch the fish, if it gets any worse then put it down, if she stays the same or gets better then let her be.

I'm not a breeder though. I don't know where you got that one too.

 

...where did you get the egg 0.o

 

I understand that some times the bent spine can be lived with, but, if you are going to breed you can't just be saving all the bent guys and deformities. And if it does effect their quality of life they do need to be put down. I said, watch the fish, if it gets any worse then put it down, if she stays the same or gets better then let her be.

The OP never suggested he was breeding her...your comment of "Either way, as a breeder, you are responsible to cull any fish who have a lessened quality of life, which she clearly has. She should have been culled. Do her a favor, if shes not eating then don't let her suffer" was YOUR belief and not a suggestion for the OP question of this thread.

 

I have a glowlight tetra in my tank that has a very bent spine. It developed well after I got it from the LFS. At first, I was tempted to cull, but couldn't bring myself to do it.

That little guy is still in my tank today, a member of the original inhabitants to my tank. He has been in there since 2009. He is as active as all the other tank-mates, one of the first to get to the surface for dinner.

My point? As long as the fish is happy, eating, moving etc, and not struggling, I think you'll be fine.

And, if/when the time comes, you'll know

 

concentrate on post #8

that post kinda made me tear up...


oooh I'm such a girl right now

 

The OP never suggested he was breeding her...your comment of "Either way, as a breeder, you are responsible to cull any fish who have a lessened quality of life, which she clearly has. She should have been culled. Do her a favor, if shes not eating then don't let her suffer" was YOUR belief and not a suggestion for the OP question of this thread.

The OP siad they raised her from an egg as well, you don't typically have betta eggs unless youve bred.

 

The OP siad they raised her from an egg as well, you don't typically have betta eggs unless youve bred.

Let's drop this now and bring the topic back to helping the op.

You gave your suggestion as did others.
There's no need for interrogation.