Moral Dilema Shorty The Baby Severum

[star4]

In the 3rd batch of baby Rotkeils (see diary) there was about 5 that had bent/deformed spines, they were either making the tails stick up or out to the side, these guys I euthanised as they were having difficulty swimming. However Shorty (as I have called him) has come to light in the tank. I spotted him the other day his spine is almost s shaped making him half the length of the other babies. The thing is he is quite big and swims just as well as the others. I think this is why its taken me so long to spot he is not quite right. Question is he has made it this far and he seems fine, it seems a shame to euthanise him just because he is going to look one ugly little spud if he grows up! should I keep him and let him grow up?

 

[minxfishy]

Having a bent spine could lead to problems as he grows and of course he definately couldnt be bred from, its your decision, you could see how he grows, but then the longer you keep him, the harder the decision becomes.

 

[star4]

Its hard now after 2 days its why I am being a coward and asking here! I know I should euthanise him, but there is a bit of me that says give him a chance, he escaped being euthanised once! He wouldnt be bred from (didnt intend breeding in the first place ) if I did let him live.

 

[tr0p1cal]

give him a chance!!! if hes behaving normally id say leave him, if hes not acting right eating right id let him go. have u got a pic of him?

 

[star4]

give him a chance!!! if hes behaving normally id say leave him, if hes not acting right eating right id let him go. have u got a pic of him?

1 vote for give him a chance! sorry havnt got a camera and he is a bit small for photo's

 

[Anna Robinson]

Surely, unless or until he's suffering he should be allowed to live out his life, however long that is.

I had a very deformed Synodontis once; he lived about half the lifespan of a normal Synodontis but he seemed happy enough all that time, waddling about the tank. One day I just found him dead. His deformity probably made it harder for his organs to function, so I think he did pretty well to live as long as he did.

 

[rdp50734]

Give him a chance!

 

[snowflake311]

Let nature take it's corse. He is still very young and might not make it so just see if it is ment to be.

 

[hamfist]

Unless you plan to give him a home for life, I'd euthanise him. No-one else will choose to have him with a deformity like that and is likely to run into health problems down the line anyway.

 

[star4]

ok Shorty has a reprieve for the time being, I will keep a close eye on him see how he devolops. He will have a forever home with me no worries on that, knowing my luck he will outlive every other fish I have!!!

 

[Monty-2010]

Give hime a chance, sometimes ugly fish have the most character!