Senegal Bichir Broken Back?

[The Masked Shadow]

Have you tested your water?

Yes

If yes, what is your ammonia?

0

If yes, what is your nitrite?

0

If yes, what is your nitrate?

15-20

If I did not test my water...

...I recognize that I will likely be asked to do a test, and that water tests are critical for solving freshwater health problems.

Do you do water changes?

Yes

What percentage of water do you change?

31-40%

How frequently do you change your water?

Every week

If I do not change my water...

...I recognize that I will likely be recommended to do a water change, and water changes are critical for preventing future freshwater health problems.

Hi, I haven’t been posting in quite a while, but I have a Senegal Bichir in a 90g tank with a couple other bichirs. I found him at the surface looking like this. This is very recent, happened in the last 24 hours. Is there anything I can do? Do I have to euthanise?

 

[tlindsey]

Do I have to euthanise?

If fish can eat no need to euthanize.

 

[The Masked Shadow]

If fish can eat no need to euthanize.

I’d there anything I should do differently assuming it can eat?

 

[tlindsey]

I’d there anything I should do differently assuming it can eat?

Wait it out and hopefully things get better. Possibly can be air trapped.

 

[The Masked Shadow]

I don’t think that photo does justice for how badly bent he is. He is kind of just floating and doesn’t respond when I tap on the glass, which he normally does. He also allows me to touch him

 

[The Masked Shadow]

Wait it out and hopefully things get better. Possibly can be air trapped.

I did think of air because I have not fed him in a while, because he tends to eat all the food, yet his belly is full.

 

[The Masked Shadow]

However, he is very active, and could’ve rammed into the wall or something

 

[The Masked Shadow]

He also has this

 

[Fallen_Leaves16]

Haven't seen any rounded bending of a bichir's spine like that before, though the red and frayed ventral fins make me suspect a bacterial infection of sorts. The belly doesn't look full as a result of food IMO, and fluid buildup/swelling seems more likely. I doubt that it crashed into a wall at breakneck speeds, but I suppose it's not out of the question; I don't know if the spine would've gradually curved towards the midsection of the fish if it did indeed hurl itself at a wall, however. Perhaps Hao or giseok jung could help?

 

[Hao]

Haven't seen any rounded bending of a bichir's spine like that before, though the red and frayed ventral fins make me suspect a bacterial infection of sorts. The belly doesn't look full as a result of food IMO, and fluid buildup/swelling seems more likely. I doubt that it crashed into a wall at breakneck speeds, but I suppose it's not out of the question; I don't know if the spine would've gradually curved towards the midsection of the fish if it did indeed hurl itself at a wall, however. Perhaps Hao or giseok jung could help?

Sorry. I'm no expert when it comes to health issues/diseases issues. My expertise is identifying bichirs. Best of luck to OP! Hopefully giseok jung can chime in. I've usually consulted him when it comes to health issues/diseases.