Orfe Swimming Sideways with Bent Body: Causes & Outlook

15-inch golden orfe swims on side, S-shaped body, reddened dorsal fin. Pond: 14x3x3 ft (~900 gal) with 12 koi, 4 other orfe, goldfish, tench. All others healthy. Net cover—no predator marks.

Possible Causes

• Physical injury (collision, handling).
• Electrical stray voltage from faulty pump—test with voltmeter.
• Lightning strike near pond.
• Fish tuberculosis (Mycobacterium)—causes spinal deformity, chronic.
• Vitamin deficiency (esp. vitamin C/E).
• Genetic/congenital deformity.

Critical Note: Severe Overstocking

900 gallons for 12 koi + 5 orfe + goldfish + tench = extreme overcrowding. Koi need 500+ gal each. Water quality issues are inevitable despite "normal" tests.

Recommended Actions

1. Test for stray voltage.
2. Test pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, oxygen.
3. Large water change (30%) with dechlorinator + pond salt.
4. Add activated carbon.
5. Drastically reduce fish load—rehome koi.

The bent orfe may live long-term but won't straighten. Focus on fixing the root cause: too many fish in too little water.