Fang Blenny crooked spine?

[Sharkbait19]

Hello,
I purchased a captive bred fang blenny from the lfs today, and noticed that it’s head is constantly cocked to the right. Is this how they normally look or could it’s spine be slightly deformed? It otherwise swims and eats normally.

 

[Lavey29]

I can't tell in the puc but they are fantastic fish. They remind me of a snake in the water when they move.

 

[Sharkbait19]

They are certainly cool! I’ll try to get better pics eventually.

 

[Lavey29]

Mine seems to do similar as I watch him now.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Here’s a clearer picture, too.

 

[EricR]

Yeah,,, that's weird, if it's always like that.
I see you've got yourself a "batch" of different blennies now so you know that's not a typical trait (((and I'll go out on a limb and guess this one species hasn't evolved to be that way))).

Hopefully just a non-life-threatening birth defect or injury and he'll be fine,,, with a cool little quirk.

 

[Lavey29]

Here’s a clearer picture, too.

I'll try and watch mine closely to see if I can see something similar to

 

[Lavey29]

So I watched mine for quite awhile and I can see similar to what you described. He is swimming one direction but then is able to turn his head slightly in another direction. It's almost like he has a neck as part of his body.

 

[Nonya]

Unless you plan to take it to a fish chiropractor, why worry?

 

[Lavey29]

Unless you plan to take it to a fish chiropractor, why worry?

I think it's a normal characteristic for the species but you offered a great treatment solution.

 

[Nonya]

I think it's a normal characteristic for the species but you offered a great treatment solution.

I know of one fish chiropractor. Alan Harper.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Aside from some weird swimming, the fish definitely seems to act okay, despite always leaning to the right.

 

[Nonya]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Aside from some weird swimming, the fish definitely seems to act okay, despite always leaning to the right.

Better than leaning left.

 

[Lavey29]

Better than leaning left.

Now that is classic funny there

 

[Lavey29]

I know of one fish chiropractor. Alan Harper.

I'm curious what his patient load is?

 

[Seymo44]

I know this is an old thread, but I just noticed my red line wrasse with a similar injury/defect.
My wrasse is in the process of transitioning to male and his head is the same way.
Is your blenny still alive; and if so, does it still have that deformation?

 

[Sharkbait19]

The fish is doing great! I had a bit of difficulty getting him onto pellets, but once I did he has been thriving. There is definitely still a bend at his neck, but it isn’t as noticeable now that he’s fattened up a bit.
I would expect your wrasse to be fine as long as he is eating well.

 

[Seymo44]

Good to hear! Thank you.

I guess I’ll name my wrasse Quasimodo.