Pigmentary keratitis and mixed chromatophoroma in a betta fish (Betta splendens)

Pigmentary keratitis and mixed chromatophoroma in a betta fish (Betta splendens)

Betta fish (Betta splendens) are common pets selectively bred for many different anatomic morphologies and colourations. Fish fanciers on hobbyist forums have linked certain phenotypic traits to the development of eye disease and neoplasia in this species. An 8‐month‐old male giant koi dragonscale p...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Aquaculture, fish and fisheries Vol. 2; no. 6; pp. 587 - 592
Main Authors: McLaughlin, Alicia, Emanuele, Ashley, Hadfield, Catherine, Snekvik, Kevin
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Sydney John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01-12-2022
Subjects:
Abnormalities
Animal diseases
Betta
Betta splendens
Biopsy
chromatophoroma
Cornea
Eye diseases
Fish
Genetic disorders
Genomes
Health problems
Histopathology
Hyperplasia
Keratitis
Life span
neoplasia
Parasites
Pets
pigmentary
Quality of life
Skin diseases
Uveitis
Water quality
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Summary:Betta fish (Betta splendens) are common pets selectively bred for many different anatomic morphologies and colourations. Fish fanciers on hobbyist forums have linked certain phenotypic traits to the development of eye disease and neoplasia in this species. An 8‐month‐old male giant koi dragonscale plakat betta fish presented for ocular abnormalities and a mass on the tail. Clinical signs continued to progress, and the patient was euthanized due to declining quality of life 10 weeks after initial presentation. Pigmentary keratitis, anterior uveitis, and a mixed chromatophoroma were identified histologically. A review of the anecdotal and available scientific literature revealed that both the neoplastic disease and ocular disease may have had a genetic cause in this particular colour morph. Genetic disease should remain a differential for the cause of ocular and skin pathology in bettas. Combining genetic lines of fish may result in the development of multiple health problems, and ethical fish breeders should select away from characteristics that decrease lifespan and affect quality of life. Graphical This clinical case report describes a <1 year old betta fish that developed pigmentary keratitis, anterior uveitis, and a mixed chromatophoroma that led to the patient's death. A review of available anecdotal and scientific literature suggests that there may have been a genetic cause for these health problems. Genetic disease should remain a differential for the cause of ocular and skin pathology in bettas.
ISSN:2693-8847
2693-8847
DOI:10.1002/aff2.74