Tiger Shovelnose

[Arial_Sky]

Got one just like it at almost 18", would probably be 19-20" if not for the curved snout. It gets worse and worse as they grow. It's definitely a deformity. From all acounts it's more than likely that the plates on top of the skull fuse together and kinda grab onto the sutures that let the skull grow in it's normal path. The skull continues to grow and follows the only path availible, which is downward. Mine went from just mildly curved to now his lower jaw completely protrudes in front of his upper. He can still eat, but I have to chop up his shrimp small enough for him to get his mouth around. He still stalks the shrimp and strikes lightning fast, just the difficult part is him getting the food in his mouth.

I wish I could get mine to eat prepared food. So far he only eats live food.

 

[duke33]

he will eat and eat and eat.lol

 

[Arial_Sky]

maybe little trait prob..but still OK i guess..feed him well..

Where do I get a Dorado?? Or a Temensis ???

 

[Arial_Sky]

he will eat and eat and eat.lol

If that's yours in the picture, he's beautiful!!! I wish Mine looked like that! *sigh*

 

[duke33]

that was a month ago, in q/t. you should see him now! Beut!

 

[jconley]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, he's NOT deformed, his grandmother had a one night stand with a dolphin!!

 

[necrocanis]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, he's NOT deformed, his grandmother had a one night stand with a dolphin!!

she must have really liked that dolphin cause these things are popin up everywhere.

 

[Cole Phail]

Same thing here- Bent Nose. Still not sure if it's a genetic trait (like the Arowana's One Eye pointing Downward regardless of perfect water conditions and varied diet) or if it's from a broken nose growing back crooked as some have suggested? The Broken nose is very plausible since at only 12" long he has on multiple occasions rammed his head into the side and top of his 150 gallon tank causing a big gash on the top of his nose and then heals. Often he has very violent striking or swimming surges in the middle of the night. Went thru a long period of time of timid eating but now is eating very well.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

It's a well known genetic defect in farm raised TSN. We get culls in the ornamental fish trade.

 

[Cole Phail]

It's a well known genetic defect in farm raised TSN. We get culls in the ornamental fish trade.

Good to know, Thanks!