Utsuri development and opinions

[Brutuscz]

This utsuri was purchased at about 4 inches..and has grown to 8 inches in about 5 months. You can see that the tail has a crook in it now..and there is some hi on the cheek. I had 2 other fish with a crook in their spine..and out grow it on a high protein diet. I am confident this fish will outgrow the deformity. I also think the hi on the cheek will disappear. The photo makes it look much deeper than it does in person. What do you think the future will hold for this utsuri ?(It is domestic from Sekko parents-I am told).

I also included a photo of my kumonryu for fun. Bought as a 1 inch hatchling for $2.00. It is now 4-5 inches and looking more like a kumonryu should.

[Russell Peters]

Is the Shiro on the left the before or after photo?

[Brutuscz]

the left is before in both pictures. The right is several months later.

[Sangreaal]

Quote: Originally Posted by Brutuscz This utsuri was purchased at about 4 inches..and has grown to 8 inches in about 5 months. You can see that the tail has a crook in it now..and there is some hi on the cheek. I had 2 other fish with a crook in their spine..and out grow it on a high protein diet. I am confident this fish will outgrow the deformity. I also think the hi on the cheek will disappear. The photo makes it look much deeper than it does in person. What do you think the future will hold for this utsuri ?(It is domestic from Sekko parents-I am told). I also included a photo of my kumonryu for fun. Bought as a 1 inch hatchling for $2.00. It is now 4-5 inches and looking more like a kumonryu should.

Ummm...if a high protein diet is what is needed to correct the crook in it's spine, and you've had this fish since it was a 4" fingerling, what have you been feeding it for the past 5 months if not high protein growth feed?

Or were any/all of these crook-tailed kids subject to some kind of trauma like electric shock or some kind of chemicals in the water somewhere along the way?

Marie

[PapaBear]

The exposure of the before and after pictures is so different it makes it a bit unfair to evaluate anything other than the body changes. The kink in the tail tube is unfortunate as the girth has otherwise become much better proportioned to the rest of the body.
As a suggestion (which may not be worth much) we had a baby kohak with a badly kinked spine that really seemed to benefit from extra orange slices as a dietary suppliment. The natural combination of Calcium and Vitamin C enhances the nutrient absorption and at least seems to help skeletal development. The little bugger straightened out very nicely.

[Sangreaal]

Wow Larry Are you saying that in your experience it seems like the kinks in the tail is something like scurvy or rickets because of lack of Vitamin C?

[PapaBear]

My experience is anecdotal so I don't really know how well it would hold up to hard science. Vitamin C enriched Calcium is vastly more effective in humans for osteoporosis and other musculo-skeletal issues, so I'm assuming it could provide similar benefits to Koi if caught early enough.
I also think it is good to note that curvature of the spine can be caused by scoliosis, injury, electroshock, degenerative muscle disease... What may work for one cause may not have any benefit for another.

[Brutuscz]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sangreaal Ummm...if a high protein diet is what is needed to correct the crook in it's spine, and you've had this fish since it was a 4" fingerling, what have you been feeding it for the past 5 months if not high protein growth feed? Or were any/all of these crook-tailed kids subject to some kind of trauma like electric shock or some kind of chemicals in the water somewhere along the way? Marie

I had 3 fish with this problem. I started the season feeding one brand that was lower in protein (about 35%). When I switched to dainichi growth...the problem straightened out in 2 other fish...but not yet in this one. I am confident it will straighten out eventually. I have read it can be a vit c problem. No electric shock or anything...gfci on every circuit!!!! I even use an ampmeter/voltmeter to make sure no stray electricity.

[Brutuscz]

Quote: Originally Posted by PapaBear The exposure of the before and after pictures is so different it makes it a bit unfair to evaluate anything other than the body changes. The kink in the tail tube is unfortunate as the girth has otherwise become much better proportioned to the rest of the body. As a suggestion (which may not be worth much) we had a baby kohak with a badly kinked spine that really seemed to benefit from extra orange slices as a dietary suppliment. The natural combination of Calcium and Vitamin C enhances the nutrient absorption and at least seems to help skeletal development. The little bugger straightened out very nicely.

I'll tell you the truth...the photo's are pretty accurate. The one on the left showed an utsuri that was pretty muddy looking. She has really come a long way as far as color and skin quality. I hope she continues to peak at saaaay 36 inches