Guppy Bent Spine Diagnosis

[Jackk]

Hi, I’m a bit of a hypochondriac. I’m worried this fish may have TB but I’m totally unsure. He’s very active and he’s been trying to eat and mate with the females. He doesn’t seem lethargic at all. I’m just worried about sticking my hand in the water in the future if this is Fish TB as it can transfer to humans. 
 

Can anyone help identify the cause for a bent spine? He did not look like this before. I posted 2 pictures of other males and how they look normal as well. I just noticed him tonight. All the other fish seem fine in regards to their spines. 

[Brandy]

He has a big tail and a slender caudal support. In short, he's genetically predisposed to a bad back. He's fine, but if you are breeding for sale or show he should not be part of your program. This is just a common defect in guppies, kinda like how a pug dog or an English bulldog can be prone to breathing and sinus trouble due to the shape of their face. He'll be a great, happy pet. If your water is very soft and low in calcium you might want to add coral or wondershell for guppies, also.

[Jackk]

On 8/31/2021 at 9:07 PM, Brandy said:

He has a big tail and a slender caudal support. In short, he's genetically predisposed to a bad back. He's fine, but if you are breeding for sale or show he should not be part of your program. This is just a common defect in guppies, kinda like how a pug dog or an English bulldog can be prone to breathing and sinus trouble due to the shape of their face. He'll be a great, happy pet. If your water is very soft and low in calcium you might want to add coral or wondershell for guppies, also.

Even though he didn’t look like this before though? Is that anything to be concerned about? I’ve been adding 2 wondershells for my 29 gallon. They’re rated for 10-20 gallons each. I have soft water up here in Washington state from my well.

Edited September 1, 2021 by Jackk

[Jackk]

On 9/1/2021 at 12:24 AM, Nooby said:

@Jackk it’s completely normal, I have bred TB that get it sometimes it’s more common than you think

So you don’t think it’s fish tuberculosis? Just a deformity? It’s interesting because he looked normal before but maybe I wasn’t paying that much attention. 

[Jackk]

On 9/1/2021 at 12:34 AM, Nooby said:

@Jackk as he develops so does his deformity so it’s normal for it to become more noticeable 

Ok cool, good to know. Just to clarify, you don’t think it’s a disease of any kind? Just a deformity and he’ll be healthy other than that?

[Jackk]

On 9/1/2021 at 12:41 AM, Nooby said:

@Jackk not in my opinion but @Colu might have some insight 

Ok great, thank you. 

[Colu]

I think yourGuppy has scoliosis.it really common in guppies I would just monitor him to make sure he's getting he fare share of food

[Brandy]

Yeah, sculliosis, as @Colusays is the correct term for a "bad back" that I was referring to. Guppy spines commonly degrade with age, probably due to the need for a bit more calcium and excess finnage they have been bred for. Generally you see it in older females but some individuals look like a hockey stick they are so bent. It makes them slower at swimming but they don't seem to have a reduced quality of life.