Topic: Glo fish (zebra danios) issues

[wendyjo]

I have one that has some kind of tumor and a very bent spine (and has been this way for many months), another that I put down last week with dropsy (bloated and pineconed), and I have at least 2 others who's spines are bending as well (bending downwards).  I also have another that may be developing a tumor or something - it's abdomen looks a bit lumpy on one side.

Any thoughts?  These were the first fish in my tank, so I've had them about 15 months or so.  They grew alot after I got them so I assume they were juvies.

How long do zebras typically live?  Could this be old age?  Maybe a side effect of genetic interference?  I'd say about half of these guys are starting to show some kind of "issues" over the past few months.  Other fish in the tank include guppies, endlers and hybrids, a betta, a few SAE's, a few regular (non glo) danios, and 2 types of corys.  Everyone else seems fine, except the guppies always have torn fins but they nip each other alot.

I should do some tests I guess - haven't for a while.  I'll do some tomorrow, but I doubt it's water quality as I have excess filtration, am heavily planted, and do weekly water changes and gravel vacs religiously.  But I will test tomorrow.

But anyone have any thoughts? 

[helenf]

I would think it is either:

- old age (but that seems unlikely to me - I thought most of those little fish lived for a few years)

- a disease that danio is passing to danio.  Maybe something that can present with different symptoms, like fish TB?  The bent-spine is certainly a classic symptom of that, and it is supposed to be a lot more common than most of us realise: ie present in many tanks. 

- some kind of slow poisoning that the danios are reacting to more than the other species (heavy metals from the tap water, maybe?)

I have no idea how to tell, short of paying someone (no doubt lots of money) to dissect a dead fish and see if anything more is evident then.

[ShieldWolf]

I'm leaning towards old age as some of mine that I have kept over the years have exhibited the same symptom(curvature of the spine).
I've seen life expectancy estimates range from 2 to 5 years with 3 being the most common.

[wendyjo]

Well I doubt these guys are even close to 2 yet tho - that's what has me worried.  I wouldn't think they'd be a year old when sold in the stores - especially since they did alot of growing after I got them.

OK off to do some water tests.  I will post results.

[wendyjo]

Water test results:

Ammonia - 0
NitrIte - 0
NitrAte - between 5-10 (have not done the weekend water change yet)
Ph - 7.4-7.6 (normal)
Copper - 0

That's all the tests I have.

[Lori]

I was just discussing glofish with someone.  My guess here is that it's the genetic thing, to be honest.  Danios can, as we all know, basically can live in orange juice and still be ok.  My regular danios lived for three years before any issues became evident.  At that point I started noticing the same things you're seeing now.  Glofish may have a shorter lifespan, but I don't have any proof of that.  Considering that your readings are perfect, a lesser life span would be on my short list of causes.

[wendyjo]

Well I guess all I can do is wait and see.  If it's something other than old age then I would expect my long fin zebras and leopards to eventually be affected as well.  I haven't had them near as long as the glo fish so if they start showing symptoms then I guess I have a problem on my hands (or in my tank).

Thanks.  More opinions are always welcome, of course.

[wendyjo]

Well I put 4 of these guys down this weekend.  Anyone with a tumor and/or badly bent spine.  I hated to do it, but since I'm not sure what's causing it I figured better safe than sorry 

[ShieldWolf]

Sorry to hear that Wendy. I just did that with 1 of mine about 2 weeks ago.

[QueenFisher]

That's a shame, Wendy. I hope your other fish stay healthy.

I think Lori is right on this one. Here's an excerpt from the Glofish website:

Today's GloFish® fluorescent fish are bred from the offspring of fluorescent zebrafish that were originally developed several years ago. Each new GloFish® fluorescent fish inherits its unique color directly from its parents, maintains the color throughout its life, and passes the color along to its offspring.

If the glofish currently for retail sale are direct descendents of the original glofish, then inbreeding would certainly play a part in the shortened life span. Even if other varieties of danio managed to throw their genes into the mix, inbred traits would still be present to some extent.