Strangely misshapen fish

**garman225** · 08-18-2012, 12:23 AM

Hello,
I just purchased some Neon Rosy barbs yesterday. I got them home and acclimated to the tank, but noticed that one of them--a female--is a bit "deformed." While all the others are fairly symmetrical (if you split them horizontally), this one is "flat" on the bottom from the gills to the vent area. It's like the whole stomach/intestinal area is smooshed flat. She also hovers near the top of the tank (an inch or so from the water line). When I feed them, the barbs are enthusiastic eaters, but the one in question is more lackadaisical and sometimes eats, but spits the food back out again. I've looked on various forums and websites, but haven't found any answers or pictures that look like my fish's problems. The other fish have begun bothering her, and I don't know if i should return the fish (they have a five-day guarantee, so I have a few days), or if it will pass. Any help would be appreciated!

**Strider199** · 08-18-2012, 12:42 AM

Welcome to the AC garman225.

I would take that one back or put it out of it's misery. Healthy fish is what you paid for and having a not so healthy schooling fish in your tank may give you a school of not so healthy fish.

It sounds like that barb has intestinal issues. Take it back before it spreads. Thats my opinion. Sorry.

**garman225** · 08-18-2012, 12:59 AM

Thanks for the welcome and the swift reply!
That was my first thought...I believe she's going back tomorrow evening.
My next question: how do I pack up a fish to take it back? The store has plastic bags with the tank water, then a paper bag (so the fish don't freak out on the way home), then another plastic bag. Then they fill the rest of the bag with oxygen and tie it shut. I don't have all that...can I just put her in a plastic container and put the lid on? It's about a half hour drive; will she be okay?

**Strider199** · 08-18-2012, 01:06 AM

If you have a plastic sandwich bag, that will do with your tank water as long as the store isn't over an hour away. You wont need to add oxygen for the ride. The larger the bag(filled with water), the more oxygen in the water for the fish. Putting the plastic bag into a darkened paper bag(or wrapping the plastic bag in a towel) is said to calm the fish. I use a lunch type insulated cooler bag to place the plastic bag in to transport my fish from the store.

Good decision taking the barb back.

**garman225** · 08-18-2012, 01:30 AM

Thanks again!

**Lady Hobbs** · 08-18-2012, 06:40 AM

I'd put him down and wrap the body in the bag. No point in them reselling a sick fish to the next person.

**garman225** · 08-26-2012, 01:01 AM

Soooo...I just couldn't bring myself to take her back or do away with her, so I put her all alone in a little glass bowl and gave her food. She ate it all VERY quickly, so I gave her a little more. She ate that, too.

I was curious, so I started looking around on the internet a bit more. I found a website with all kinds of information specifically on Rosy barbs, and by chance there was a picture of one that looked just like my fish! I looked at the article. The picture was an "undernourished female." So I kept her alone for a little bit and she got lots of food, and didn't spit it out. Her body has filled out and she's not listless anymore.

I put her back in with the others and now she schools happily with the rest. Maybe she just didn't feel well because she was starved.
Anyway, happy ending!