Abstract
The method of multislice computed tomography (MSCT) has been used to describe skeletal anomalies in two specimens of goldfish Carassius auratus obtained from the aquarium of the Novosibirsk Zoo (Western Siberia, Novosibirsk region, Russia). The deformities observed and described here pertain to kyphosis (dorsal curvature), lordosis (ventral curvature), ankylosis (fusion of vertebrae) and other minor anomalies. Deformities were mainly observed in the vertebrae, with slight abnormalities in the bones supporting the caudal fin. Both abdominal and caudal parts of the vertebral column were affected by the deformities, which were not as lethal as in full-grown specimens. This study discusses the conceivable reasons for these abnormalities, which related to the artificial diet such as, (1) the result of weakened bone structure; (2) the lack in skeletal mineralization was possibly the chief cause for the spinal anomalies in fish fed commercial foods; and (3) the imbalance of the three vital macroelements in skeletal metabolism are Ca, P and Mg.
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