Can I do anything about a "minor broken back" please comment

[michael]

Well for the first time I think it happened. My 18" tropical gar took a lunge into the glass and now has a slight arch in its back. The reason I call in "minor" is because it doesnt have the traditional broken back curve to it and he can still float and swim around the tank and all fins including his tail still move. Reason I say its broken or bruised bad is cause if he tries to vigorously swim he has a problem and only his body from the bend forward moves fast the rest kinda just sits there. All other broken backs ive seen the gars still cant float at the top and move there tail and stuff... Comments and suggestions please and under no circumstance will I kill this fish

 

[Miguel]

so, if you won't kill it ( and I tend to agree with you ) if it has a broken back, you'll just have to go along with it.....as long as it feeds and is able to more or less cope, it will still be your fish...

 

[michael]

I have seen a few severe broken back gars that are almost immobile and have to struggle to the surface for air. The only time you can tell its back is messed up is if he tries to swim hard and you can see an unwanted wiggle after the bend

 

[joel]

how long has it been that way? may not be a brake but a sprain or even a spasm. give it time the problem may correct itself. i've actually had a gar with a similar problem once and over time the gar straitened back out.

 

[michael]

it just happened during a water change and I have heard of sprains and/or bruises that heal. Praying thats what it is cause I originally owned this gar over two years ago and finally got it back

 

[Polypterus]

Your fine don't worry to much about it... as long as the fish has full control of the Caudal region your good. This fish will heal over or recover without much problem. If it is a true spine injury, such as obvious dislocated vertebrate without severing or disrupting the spinal cord, the fish will recover however it will be slightly deformed at the break spot. You may see some curvature or change in ways the fish moves and uses it's muscles but this is fine. It is only when there is clear nervous system disruption and disconnect that putting the fish down should be advised.

Good luck and if you do not mind please post a pic...

 

[joel]

if the fish did indeed swim fast enough into the glass to brake its back, i'd think there would probably be damage to the snout as well. I would guess sprain/spasm before brake. if the fish doesn't make it bring it to my office and we will x-ray it and see if there is a fracture.

 

[Polypterus]

if the fish did indeed swim fast enough into the glass to brake its back, i'd think there would probably be damage to the snout as well. I would guess sprain/spasm before brake. if the fish doesn't make it bring it to my office and we will x-ray it and see if there is a fracture.

X-raying gar is not that simple.... It fact it is quite complicated... Gar have hard, thick, bony armor scales.. These scales obscure the fishes interior structure... I know I actually have done this... You can make out a rough idea of things but it is really useless to try or do...You will not make out a fracture in an X-ray only a blob that might be one or might be calcified muscle tissue surrounding a break.

 

[city_of_evil6661]

was the fish spooked cuz if he was then thats what caused it. gar are mellow fish and hardly ever dash across the tank unless they are spooked.

 

[joel]

X-raying gar is not that simple.... It fact it is quite complicated... Gar have hard, thick, bony armor scales.. These scales obscure the fishes interior structure... I know I actually have done this... You can make out a rough idea of things but it is really useless to try or do...You will not make out a fracture in an X-ray only a blob that might be one or might be calcified muscle tissue surrounding a break.

i've never x-rayed a fish before, i also did not take into consideration the thick bony scales. i read x-rays all day so if i could see the bones i could probably find the fx. I know you much more experience with gar then i do, so i would take your advice over mine. I Still think it would be a cool x-ray to do anyway.