Please Help! Sick Platy!

**naturallymills** · 01-13-2011, 02:40 PM

A fish at my work (which I believe to be a platy) has developed an unusual hump, or curvature, on his spine. (I am so ignorant I don't even know if fish have "spines", so please accept my apology.) It breaks my heart to see him every day and I find myself imagining all types of fish suffering. I am desperate to find an answer to this aquatic problem.

To all freshwater fish gurus: Please help!

P.S. I have attached two photos to this post: the first is of the "sick" fish and the second is of our other platy who displays no curvature. If you cannot view the photos please respond and I will figure out how to embed the photos in the post. Thanks in advance!

**naturallymills** · 01-13-2011, 03:27 PM

. . . please don't.

In regards to the post requesting that users post under appropriate topic headers:

I apologize for posting this under the wrong header but I really need an answer and when you look at the total views for each category you can understand why someone might post under general discussion rather than a more obscure header and possibly receive absolutely no response.

**Lady Hobbs** · 01-13-2011, 03:32 PM

This is a common feature in fish that are ill. It is also a symptom of TB along with other problems. Net him out and get rid of him.

No one gave you the cold shoulder. People are at school and work and just waking up. Give them time to answer you.

**Brhino** · 01-13-2011, 03:32 PM

don't worry about that. The mods will clean things up a bit but no harm done.

There are several reasons why a fish could develop a curved spine, none of them good. I don't know a lot about fish diseases so I can't give you much advice. Do you have another tank where you can isolate this fish? He may have something contagious.

**KatzeSlaugen** · 01-13-2011, 03:36 PM

im not a great expert of fish diseases but if i had to guess ide say its neon tetra disease , tb, a lot of diseases that you dont want in your tank. cant really tell from a picture to well but whatever it is it is not a good sign and i would cull...

**Lady Hobbs** · 01-13-2011, 03:57 PM

Other thread, same question, deleted. Only need to write your question one time. Thanks

**naturallymills** · 01-13-2011, 04:01 PM

Thank you to everyone who responded. I really appreciate the help. I don't think I, a lowly vegetarian, will be able to kill the fish, but . . . again, thank you! I will take your advice and do what is best for all the fish.

**Brhino** · 01-13-2011, 04:05 PM

If you're a vegetarian you're probably against the suffering of animals. Understand that the fish is suffering now, and is going to continue to suffer until it dies, either by you euthanizing it or later due to the disease.

Probably the easiest way to euthanize it would be to place it in a bowl of ice-cold water. That will kill it quickly and it won't be messy or anything.

**naturallymills** · 01-13-2011, 04:15 PM

Yes, I realize the fish needs to be "put down", a nice euphemism for kill. Obviously, when I said "I will do what is best for all the fish" I meant that I would do what was necessary, i.e., euthanize the fish.

Now I remember why I hate forums. They always leave me angry and disappointed. Anyway, thanks to those who helped!

P.S. Moderators are fascists! (insert maniacal laugh)