Lapradei with strange spinal problems

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K

Keeper of the Ropes

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 29, 2006
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I mentioned this a few weeks back in a thread about a lotta things and it ended up getting buried pretty quick. Anyway, I have pictures of it now, and would really like to figure out what's wrong with the fish.

Background info: Had the fish maybe 1 year and 6 or 7 months, this problem has been around 4 months in development. It's continuing to get gradually worse. She eats every once in awhile, but not like she used to. I don't see her living much longer. She can still swim (not exactly a graceful scene) and does use her tail. The excess slime coat you see in the pictures she just started to develop recently.

:screwy: I'm curious about what you guys think this is, (scoliosis? lol) and what caused it. Genetics? Also, I don't want to jump into a huge discussion about whether or not fish are capable of feeling pain, but I would like to know if any of you would consider "putting her down", because quite frankly, to me, that looks PAINFUL.

Pics: (n yes, I know... I need to do a waterchange... and windex the glass.... lol)

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And you know, I just found another pic of her from a long time ago (uploaded end of June 07, no clue when I took it)... she looks a little weird back then, too. I'm assuming it's from a recent feeding, but worth a look at. (and check out what looks like a 2 headed convict in the back :ROFL:)

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Keeper

ETA: Needed to add a whole year to the time I've owned her... Pregnancy makes me a little confused sometimes :screwy::screwy:

E(again)TA: Needed to add the year to June - that last pic is over a year and a half old, not 6 months. I think I need to go to bed now lol
 
The only theory, though not very good, that I have come up with is that she got stuck by the side fin on my channel cat. I bought it as a baby from my LFS... He moved around a lot and maybe accidentally stabbed her? I took a catfish spine to the toe a few months ago (had to be surgically removed... lol) and I did a little research and found out that the cats inject a steroid-based venom from those fins. I know that made my toe hurt a lot, but could it make a bichir's spine twist like that? Just a crazy idea.
 
If the fish seems in distress and appears to not improve at all, then consider euthanasia.
 
I remember hearing a bucket of ice water is the best way to end their misery. Is that correct?
 
Lupin;2366588; said:
Here's the article. Freezing is indeed one of the methods often approved aside from clove oil.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148361
Click to expand...

I have always used clove oil and i think it's the best and most respectful way there is if if it ever comes to having to do it. I wouldn't freeze as the fish will quite obviously be in distress, where as clove oil will just put the fish to sleep the same as any anaesthetic. I also have used clove oil to sedate puffers to carry out dental work and have never seen a fish that acts like they are negetivly affected by the process. Just get a poly box (that is what i use) and fill it with enough water to cover the fish and add about 20 drops of clove oil to it. Then put the fish in and give it 5 mins. If the fish isn't out cold by then just add the same amount of drops again. But remember that you are overdosing it with anaecthetic so be sure to leave the fish in the box for an hour so that you know for sure he is gane and not just sleeping..

I have had to put a mbu puffer to sleep this way before, he was a much loved fish and i would never have done it a different way, i am well informed on these procedures and my wife is a vet and can get any drug i wanted, but i still chose clove oil over anything else.

My condolences in this matter, it's always a sad day when an animal needs to be PTS.. :(
 
So is that the general opinion? Put her down?
 
If it is a form of scoliosis then as you probably know it isn't treatable as far as a fish would go. If the back has been getting worse over time and any treatments haven't worked then i would put him to sleep personally. The elevated amount of slime coat could be due to the fish being unwell in different areas than just the back. Or the problems with the back are causing internal damage.
I would put the poor little bugger down if it was upto me but that's just me.

And as for the whole fish feeling paid thing, if it bleeds it has a nervous system and to this end is capable of feeling pain..

Unless it's a lepper and that is quite unlikely..
 
if the fish truly needs to be put down then i guess that would be the thing to do... but... i believe in fighting against all odds if it comes to it and hope in what may be deemed impossible. so have hope. i hope your little fish will be okay. i suggest if nothing else doing more research and trying to find any other similar cases if there are any. you might try emailing or contacting a professor of ictology (sp?) (fish studies) at a good university. iv heard that the university of west georgia has a good department regarding this field of study. from personal experience iv had at least one fish that was very bad off and i had serious reservations as of to whether or not it was going to make it. finally, after months of trying to get it well it came around and is once again all happy and feisty (its a betta by the way, my favorite too). point is, dont lose hope. i understand the desire to do what is best but before you make an irreversible decision i advise to weigh all the angles and not just from an emotional view. you never know, it might not hurt the fish, in which case you can/could breath easier and take the time to figure out what is truly going on. good luck, and by the way, what is that fishes name?
 
Her name is Marley. Our favorite fish is the Ansorgii, whos name is Harley, and Marley loves to hang out with her so that's what we ended up calling her. She's a really nice fish. Thanks for the idea of emailing an expert - I think I may see what I can dig up online too.

Putting her down is my last choice, but if there's no way she could ever live a normal comfortable life, then I'm prepared to do what needs to be done. I know it's the responsible thing to do, but if there are other alternatives I'm more than willing to look into them.

Jessie*
 
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