How often do fish just up and die?

**Doc7** · 02-19-2013, 06:25 PM

I prided myself from Fall 2010 until Fall 2012 with ZERO fish deaths of 11 cardinal tetras and 7 corydoras that I had for the year, along with 12 months worth of 4 otocinclus and another school of 8 silvertip tetras (various tanks) . After Hurricane Sandy I had massive casualties as was to be expected with a 40 degree tank temperature and no filtration for 10 days.

Today I discovered a dead silvertip tetra, and I realized it was my first "fish death" that I could not attribute to other causes. I estimate them to be 18 months old plus however long they were in the store (they haven't grown since I acquired them, unlike my cardinal tetras the silvertips seem to be sold as adults or they grow VERY quickly as juveniles).

How often do you find an unexplained fish death and do you worry about it? For the record this is a moderate-heavily planted 40 breeder with 8 silvertip tetras, 2 Eheim canister filters (ie, massively understocked, due to Sandy recovery plan still ongoing).

**ThatGuyWithTheFish** · 02-19-2013, 06:31 PM

It came under stress due to a change in it's environment. It happens.

CrypticLifeStyle · 02-19-2013, 06:47 PM

I read a stat back in January, I forget where that said around 66% in the first couple months.

ggsteve · 02-19-2013, 06:52 PM

I don't lose many, but I wouldn't worry about it unless another fish passes.

**msawdey** · 02-19-2013, 07:13 PM

unless we can start doing autopsies...... i highly doubt anyone will be able to answer this

farrenator · 02-19-2013, 08:24 PM

I don't stress much if I get a fish death and the others look healthy. On that note, I have lost about 2 cardinals in the last month but the rest of the fish look fine. So, not sure what to make of it. They seem to waste away - they want to eat, chase food, but never consume it. Their stomachs are emaciated and they eventually drop off. Old age? I don't know. I have had them for about 1.5 years now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by msawdey

unless we can start doing autopsies...... i highly doubt anyone will be able to answer this

**Msheresy** · 02-19-2013, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farrenator

I don't stress much if I get a fish death and the others look healthy. On that note, I have lost about 2 cardinals in the last month but the rest of the fish look fine. So, not sure what to make of it. They seem to waste away - they want to eat, chase food, but never consume it. Their stomachs are emaciated and they eventually drop off. Old age? I don't know. I have had them for about 1.5 years now.

internal parasites?

**msawdey** · 02-19-2013, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Msheresy

internal parasites?

my thoughts exactly... sounds like it could be callamanus or another intestinal parasite

02-19-2013, 06:25 PM	#1
Doc7 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: North Jersey Posts: 513	How often do fish just up and die? I prided myself from Fall 2010 until Fall 2012 with ZERO fish deaths of 11 cardinal tetras and 7 corydoras that I had for the year, along with 12 months worth of 4 otocinclus and another school of 8 silvertip tetras (various tanks) . After Hurricane Sandy I had massive casualties as was to be expected with a 40 degree tank temperature and no filtration for 10 days. Today I discovered a dead silvertip tetra, and I realized it was my first "fish death" that I could not attribute to other causes. I estimate them to be 18 months old plus however long they were in the store (they haven't grown since I acquired them, unlike my cardinal tetras the silvertips seem to be sold as adults or they grow VERY quickly as juveniles). How often do you find an unexplained fish death and do you worry about it? For the record this is a moderate-heavily planted 40 breeder with 8 silvertip tetras, 2 Eheim canister filters (ie, massively understocked, due to Sandy recovery plan still ongoing). __________________ 40 Breeder Journal Eheim Pimp Club - Member 468 (2 x 2217, 1 x 2213) ---- New Jersey? Nearby State? Join the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club!! Meetups, Swaps, Local Members to discuss your tank, issues, and accomplishments! NJAGC Member since 11/2011

02-19-2013, 06:31 PM	#2
ThatGuyWithTheFish Honeycomb Cats! (View User Tanks) PTrader: (18/100%) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Boston Posts: 1,670	It came under stress due to a change in it's environment. It happens. __________________ 20G Long Hi-Tech: My Golden Rule of planted tanks: WWTAD- "What would Takashi Amano do?" RAOK Club #69 Last edited by ThatGuyWithTheFish; 02-19-2013 at 06:32 PM.. Reason: asd

02-19-2013, 06:47 PM	#3
CrypticLifeStyle Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5/100%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Boston / Leominster Posts: 566	I read a stat back in January, I forget where that said around 66% in the first couple months. __________________ 1x 180g - 1x 75g - 1x 65g - 4x 55g - 1x 29g - 1x 20g - 1x 15g Geo's - Cory's - Loaches - Ram's - Firemouths - Convicts - Endlers - Tetras - Plants - Jack Dempsey's - Shrimp

02-19-2013, 07:13 PM	#5
msawdey Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 972	unless we can start doing autopsies...... i highly doubt anyone will be able to answer this __________________ msawdey -Just another day in paradise-

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

02-19-2013, 06:52 PM	#4
ggsteve Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: North Central MA Posts: 70	I don't lose many, but I wouldn't worry about it unless another fish passes.