Boomerang Shaped Guppies

[SarahBravo]

I've just noticed that a couple of my female guppies (who recently were pregnant but aren't any more) look very thin and the rear portion of their body is bending downwards - when you look at them in profile they're shaped like a boomerang. I've searched this forums and TB, malnutrition, old age and parasites are cited as possible causes.

I've done a 30% water change and fed them some garlic. Does anyone have any ideas as to further determining the cause or what to treat with? The tank is treated with melafix anyway, and I have some antibiotics but don't want to use them if they're not called for in case they 'uncycle' the tank.

Will get the test kit out now and post the results shortly.

Any ideas very welcome

Sarah

 

[WILDER]

Once they go into the boomerang shape they are dying i'm afraid can you issolate them.

 

[SarahBravo]

Okay, bent guppies are in isolation, but are looking worse so if they're the same when I get home from work this evening I'm afraid the clove oil is coming out

I don't want the rest of the tank to get sick - some of my favourite fishies are in there. Should I dose with anything, or just do daily water changes for a couple of weeks? I can't put salt in cos there are a couple of cories and a plec in there.

Please help...

Sarah

 

[Elisabeth83]

I am having the same problems with my mollies....

thin
they look bent

yet mine are still swimming and eating

I really don't know what to do...I am hoping it wont spread to my other fish

I am very curious to find out what this is

 

[WILDER]

Fish being thin it can be internal parasites or tb, check to see what it looks like when they go to the toilet.

 

[Elisabeth83]

mine have normal brown poop

 

[WILDER]

Could be fish tb then can you issolate them.

 

[WILDER]

Mycobacterium species (Tuberculosis)



A. Gram positive, acid fast rods (M. marinum, M. chelonei and M. fortuitum are the most common Mycobacterium species involved.)



B. All species of fish are affected. This disease affects both saltwater and freshwater aquariums.



C. Clinical signs of tuberculosis are quite variable. The most common signs are anorexia, emaciation, vertebral deformities, exophthalmus, and loss of normal coloration. Numerous variably sized granulomas are often observed in various organs throughout the body. Often numerous acid-fast bacteria are observed in the granulomas.



D. The aquatic environment is believed to be the source of initial infection with fish becoming infected by ingestion of bacterial contaminated feed or debris. Once an aquarium is infected with this disease, it is difficult to remove except by depopulation of the aquarium and disinfecting the tank. Remember this is a zoonotic disease (atypical mycobacteriosis).



E. Atypical mycobacteriosis may manifest itself as a single cutaneous nodule on the hand or finger or may produce a regional granulomatous lymphadenitis of the lymphatics near the original nodule. Occasional local osteomyelitis and arthritis may also occur.