Severe Scoliosis and Fin Deformities in Three Fish Species Collected from Jubail Vicinity, Saudi Arabia, Arabian Gulf

The anomalies in fish fall into two main categories: severe ones that affect their fitness, and less severe ones that don’t impact survival and may occur as a result of various external and internal factors. Abnormally developed fish can be used as indicators of water pollution because of their high incidence in polluted areas. The objectives of the present study were to report and describe for the first time severe cases of scoliosis and fin deformities in fish from Saudi Arabia. Morphological anomalies, in general, can reduce the weight of fish and, more importantly, impact the value per kg sold. Therefore, the fisheries industries should conduct research into the various etiological causes of the deformities before any management policy can be chosen.