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View Full Version : Glofish Genetics or more serious disease? Help...


Alexfish
12-31-2009, 01:27 AM
I have a well established tank that has been in service for over a year now. The only issues (tank wise) has been an occasional algae bloom. The tank is stocked with 4 Glofish and 3 Tetras and is 10 gallons in size. Recently (3 months ago) we lost one of the Glofish, which has since been replaced. Now, one of the other Glofish is starting to exhibit the same problem(s) as the one we lost. Its spine is starting to curve and its swimming motion is more of a tharshing motion. It seems to have a decent appetite and the curvature of the spine is gradual but each week it seems to get a bit more pronounced. Now I know this could be the so called "Fish TB" (which I know is a misnomer), but I am skeptical that is may be more of a genetic defect in Glofish. Here is why I think so. Only my most MATURE (i.e. largest) Glofish have this problem. The one I have now and the one we lost several months ago. I have seen picture of "Fish TB" and it looks alot more pronounced than what I see. The curvature I see is very symertical (almost like this ~). I have even seen this on Glofish at the local pet store and again it seems to occur only on the larger fish (>1.5"). None of the smaller fish are exhibiting this. So here is my LONG WINDED QUESTION............should I be concerned with this and could this be the so called Fish TB? If it is, how long would it take to manifest itself on the other fish (weeks, months, years???). This is my 4 year olds tank and if I had to destroy the fish and start over she would be mortified. But I do not want a diseased tank in a 4 year olds room either. Any and all info and help (suggestions) would be GREATLY APPRECAITED! Thanks...and one more bit of info I forgot. When we fianlly lost the other Glofish (which took several weeks after the spine curved), the BELLY did seem a bit emaciated, but not the entire fish, not sure if this means anything but I thought I would mention it.

rich311k
12-31-2009, 02:02 AM
It could just be old age. You are describing what schooling fish get like as they age.

rangur1
12-31-2009, 12:32 PM
it is possible that the glowfish are suffering scoliosis from a vitamin c deficiency. are the diet aspects of the fish being met completely?

ex. are they being fed only one type of food? if your feeding flakes the nutritional value falls over time after can is opened.
the emaciated belly could be internal parasites, garlic in the diet takes care of this.
feeding them "new life spectrum" pellets for these particular fish and frequent water changes should make your fish spring back to top form.

Alexfish
12-31-2009, 01:43 PM
Thank you both for the info. I must admit, the fish are getting mainly flakes. I do have some blood worms, but have not been good about mixing up the feddings. I will follow your advice. THANKS!!!

jay2487
12-31-2009, 01:51 PM
Sounds like old age to me too