Hunchback in older CPDs.

[Simon]

Hello Dennis and other forum users.

I have been keeping and breeding CPDs here in Sydney, Australia for about 2 years.
Recently several of my older specimens have developed a distinct hunchback appearance that becomes more pronounced over a period of weeks until they are quite bowed (creating an arc through almost 90 degrees). Eventually they become unable to swim properly and at that point I have euthanised the affected animals. My CPDs are otherwise very healthy. They generally display strong colouration, have successfully bred numerous times and are well fed on a variety of prepared and frozen foods. Water changes and overall conditions are regular and well maintained in every way.

Have you got any suggestions about what is happening here?

Regards,
Simon.

[BallAquatics]

Hi Simon,

While I don’t have any scientific proof to back me up, I believe that is just some genetic predisposition in many of the Danionins. I have seen exactly what you speak of in many of the fish I keep. It’s not something that I see that often, but it does happen, and it happens to tank raised fish I’ve had for many generations as well as offspring from wild caught fish. Given that, I don’t think it has anything to do with lack of genetic diversity in the fish.

Just my 2 cents, for what it’s worth…..

Congratulations on your success with your CPDs! :wink:

Dennis

[Simon]

Thanks Dennis.
That’s certainly better than it being a nasty disease such as fish TB!
I have just this moment been watching one of my CPD populations spawning in a bed of hairgrass in a small (230 litre) outdoor pond where I keep them. They are an interesting population as I intervene minimally in their upkeep other than to provide occasional food and small water changes – otherwise they seem to thrive on the natural aquatic fauna that such a pond develops. It is spring time here and the warmer temperatures has them being very lively indeed. Over winter they are so still and quiet that at times I wondered if they’d died off. They’ve bred in there before and although you obviously get much smaller numbers of fry in a “natural” environment than in an intensive aquarium breeding set up, I suspect that the fry that do survive are the most robust and healthy.
Anyway – thought you’d find that interesting.
Regards,
Simon.

[jonfromhamilton]

I have one showing this hunchback as well and I just jumped on the net tonight to see if I could see what it was.
what a coincidence!
I have had these fish for about 4 months now and only in the past week have I noticed this one just sitting at the top of the tank with the bow in it.

These fish are driving me nuts actually.
When I first got them they were happy as, breeding and everything, then I moved the tank to the other side of the room, re-arranged their rocks and they are all so different, shy, hiding, hunchback, totally off their food.

I have looked on youtube at CPD feeding and they are ravenous for other people, for me they just don’t seem to think feeding is a priority.
I have tried blood worms, granules, flakes, frozen baby brine shrimp, nothing seems to get them enthusiastic and I fear they are getting a bit thin.

Anyway if this hunchback thing can be fixed do you know how ?
if it is an old age thing would I be more kind to pull it out of the tank and euthenaise it?
it is pretty still there at the top of the water so I am not sure if it is sick.
it kicks it’s tail every now and then just to stay at the same spot in the tank.

[jonfromhamilton]

well my hunchback danio died.
i came home one day and it was on the bottom of the tank panting so i put it down.
I have one more with a bit of a hunchback, it’s frustrating they stop eating. and just hang out by itself at the top of the tank until they get too sick to swim.

[Author]

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