I emailed a professor at Oregon State. Will let you know if I hear anything back.
Any opinions on what this might be?
Any opinions on what this might be?
Lapradei with strange spinal problems
- Thread starter Keeper of the Ropes
- Start date
ummm, ideas on what this could be? im not a biology major... its been a serious consideration but at the moment im not... so unprofessional guesses, and im just listing whatever comes into my head here, so.....
catfish venom like you mentioned,
genetic defect - though if it is a genetic problem it might still be curable in the sense that maybe there is a vitamin deficiency that is causing it... maybe even one specific vitamin. maybe you could try and get foods that literally are its natural diet to make up for any lacking that processed foods have.
perhaps it has certain natural swimming behaviors that it cant exhibit in the aquarium - could your tank be too small?
maybe its a bacterial or viral infection.
cancer
did you say it was pregnant? maybe it has the remains of a poly fetus that failed to eject - i know thats morbid but im throwing everything i can think of out here. just trying to help, hope you understand. im trying to think like an scientist so sorry if thats too gross.
maybe its constipated
autism happens in humans, could forms of it occur in animals too?
missing a chromosome?
are there any pesticides or chemicals near the tank, even vapors like from an air freshener can. i always worry when we spray a deodorizer in the basement if it will hurt my fish. it is also a reasonable thought to mention that such a thing could only affect this one fish as it may be that the nature of the chemical can effect a certain enzyme that only this species makes, and the manipulation of even one enzyme can make a huge difference (i have taken 1 biology class so far lol)
maybe it got bit and things moved around in there and hurts to not be in anything but that awkward position.
maybe its an alien in a poly outfit.... and thats a sign iv run out of ideas, for now. does that help any?
ok well im off to art class, hope that helps some.
catfish venom like you mentioned,
genetic defect - though if it is a genetic problem it might still be curable in the sense that maybe there is a vitamin deficiency that is causing it... maybe even one specific vitamin. maybe you could try and get foods that literally are its natural diet to make up for any lacking that processed foods have.
perhaps it has certain natural swimming behaviors that it cant exhibit in the aquarium - could your tank be too small?
maybe its a bacterial or viral infection.
cancer
did you say it was pregnant? maybe it has the remains of a poly fetus that failed to eject - i know thats morbid but im throwing everything i can think of out here. just trying to help, hope you understand. im trying to think like an scientist so sorry if thats too gross.
maybe its constipated
autism happens in humans, could forms of it occur in animals too?
missing a chromosome?
are there any pesticides or chemicals near the tank, even vapors like from an air freshener can. i always worry when we spray a deodorizer in the basement if it will hurt my fish. it is also a reasonable thought to mention that such a thing could only affect this one fish as it may be that the nature of the chemical can effect a certain enzyme that only this species makes, and the manipulation of even one enzyme can make a huge difference (i have taken 1 biology class so far lol)
maybe it got bit and things moved around in there and hurts to not be in anything but that awkward position.
maybe its an alien in a poly outfit.... and thats a sign iv run out of ideas, for now. does that help any?
ok well im off to art class, hope that helps some.
Keep in mind I've done my research, seeing as how I still have the spine of a channel cat in my toe, and always will. Doctors tell me that doing surgery to finish removing it runs a higher risk of permanently damaging nerves and tendons in the toe than the spine can since my body has already "accepted" it.
from http://www.iowadnr.com/fish/iafish/catfishf.html
"... It is believed that the spines are adapted as defensive structures in the catfish family. A locking mechanism allows the fish to extend the spine outward when attacked or touched, making it hazardous for a predator to grasp it and nearly impossible to swallow. Madtoms and small bullheads have glands at the base of the spines that secrete a mild but painful venom when danger is threatened."
from http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/catfish/
"...Catfish have long, sharp spines on the front edges of their dorsal fins that are connected to venomous glands. Although the spines can tear skin, the glands excrete venom. The venom is irritating and some people have had serious problems with infection afterward..."
from http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/channel_catfish.htm
"...
[SIZE=+1]Catfish are also helpful in controlling populations of insects, fish and other animals. People need to be careful handling them, because of the sharp spines and venom..."[/SIZE]
"...
[SIZE=+1]As a defense, Channel Catfish have a mild [SIZE=+1]venom[/SIZE][SIZE=+1] in their pectoral fins (on the chest) and dorsal fin (on the back)..."[/SIZE]
[/SIZE]
from http://www.iowadnr.com/fish/iafish/catfishf.html
"... It is believed that the spines are adapted as defensive structures in the catfish family. A locking mechanism allows the fish to extend the spine outward when attacked or touched, making it hazardous for a predator to grasp it and nearly impossible to swallow. Madtoms and small bullheads have glands at the base of the spines that secrete a mild but painful venom when danger is threatened."
from http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/catfish/
"...Catfish have long, sharp spines on the front edges of their dorsal fins that are connected to venomous glands. Although the spines can tear skin, the glands excrete venom. The venom is irritating and some people have had serious problems with infection afterward..."
from http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/channel_catfish.htm
"...
[SIZE=+1]Catfish are also helpful in controlling populations of insects, fish and other animals. People need to be careful handling them, because of the sharp spines and venom..."[/SIZE]
"...
[SIZE=+1]As a defense, Channel Catfish have a mild [SIZE=+1]venom[/SIZE][SIZE=+1] in their pectoral fins (on the chest) and dorsal fin (on the back)..."[/SIZE]
[/SIZE]
