Minnow With Curved Spine!?

[Neon.Tetra]

Came home today and one of my minnows has a curved spine, on closer inspection it has a large red flat [almost shaped like a fin] thing coming from its anal area.
It has been acting as normal, and has never looked the way it does. From what I can see there are no problems with its scales. There is a tiny white stringy thing attached to the red thing. At first I thought it was constipation or TB (before I saw the stringy thing) It's making me think its internal parasites, but what is the large red flat thing? Since I first saw it this evening, the red flat thing has got larger, so I suppose its coming out.

I can't get a decent picture, But I'll keep trying. What has made its body shape change literally overnight?

*I appreciate the designation of sections but responses in the Coldwater Section are slow.

 

[LongS]

Im no expert but have you done a water change recently? I read on another post about fish can rupture internal organs with water changes. Possibly shock or chlorine present?

Sorry if thats not clear as im not 100% sure where i read it.

Oh also does the fish have a full fork shaped tail fin? one of my minnows has a birth abnormality and has a thin strip instead. Holds its body a slighty different way to the rest of them.

 

[WILDER]

Does it look like internal organs coming out of the anus.
How is the fish now.
Any of your fish look thin, or any with sunken in bellys.

 

[Neon.Tetra]

Does it look like internal organs coming out of the anus.
How is the fish now.
Any of your fish look thin, or any with sunken in bellys.

Ahh thats terrible, It did look red and wouldn't come out and I hope its not the internal organs, I did a 20% [If not less] water change a day or two before... but the other fish have not been affected, even my betta managed an even larger water change and was fine.

Looking at him now, the shape of his body is still apparant though not as bad as it was, but its still curved compared to the others. The red thing is still there although its smaller now than it was.

Any ideas whats caused it and what I can do?

 

[WILDER]

Dosn't sound good to me.
Curved spine can be injury, old age, vitamin deficiency, fish tb, internal parasites.
Also internal parasites can cause rupture of the organs.
So the red thing dosn't look like a ball of mincemeat with whitebeats in it as that can be internal parasites.

 

[Neon.Tetra]

Thanks for the reply,

His spine has started to right itself and its shape looks more regular now, Infact comparing him to the others at a glance you wouldn't see a difference. The red thing is still there though its not as big as it was. I'm surprised as quickly as his spine changed its gone almost back to normal and this has all gone on within 2-3 days.

He tends to stay in the same spot (and he always seems to go back to it), but he perked up a bit last night swimming with the others.


Two more things:

- My betta had a similar red thing like the minnow, but it went away, and he seemed fine. I didn't know where it was coming from and studied the anatomy of a betta on the internet. Realising that all thier organs are in the first third of thier body! They have such odd body shapes!
- Should I seperate the sick fish? Is it contagious?


Thanks.

 

[WILDER]

Is it possible to issolate him.
As I would add a bacterial med

 

[Neon.Tetra]

If you think it would be best, I can. I have a spare 2.5 gal on my wardrobe that can be set up and filtered with the stuff from the tank they are in now. Until I can get the medicine, what should I do for him.

Seperate him on his own? Or with another minnow?

Appreciate the help, thanks.

 

[WILDER]

I would seperate him on his own, as if he dies don't want fish pecking at his body as that how desease spreads.
When fish have prolapses they usually don't make it.
The organs can get infected so I would use a bacterial med, he might not make it but at least you tryed to save him.

 

[Neon.Tetra]

I would seperate him on his own, as if he dies don't want fish pecking at his body as that how desease spreads.
When fish have prolapses they usually don't make it.
The organs can get infected so I would use a bacterial med, he might not make it but at least you tryed to save him.

Ok I'll set it up now and let you know how he gets on. Thanks for all your help.

 

[WILDER]

Good Luck.

 

[Neon.Tetra]

Ok, Now I've had an even better look at him its quite similar to what you described. Its all red with a white bit on the bottom which can only be seen from below the fish. So It must be Internal Parasites? I should be going out tommorow so I might be able to get something for it. Am I just looking for an Internal Parasite medicine or should I get anything else aswell? Any particular names/brands/medicines you'd recommend?

 

[LongS]

I have just bought an anti internal bacterial med by inter pet. Thats the one i was recommended. Doesn't affect the filter bacteria or anything so thats a bonus.

I recommend interpet brand as that is what i have read are the best on this forum anyway

 

[WILDER]

If the blob looks like mincemeat with white bits yes it sounds like internal parasites.
You will need an internal wormer med.
http/www.thegreenmachineaquatics.com/mal...ol%20001/198936

 

[Neon.Tetra]

Unfortunatly he passed away this morning. I managed to get the meds for him but I think he was already on his way out. He seemed fine when I got up. I went out and came back about half hour later and he was at the bottom. Still, the others appear fine and are currently in the quarantine tank.


Once again, thank you for all your help, advice and support Wilder.