BigRedDot

I just registered so I can ask if ANYONE has any advice for me. My tank failed overnight 2 nights ago, and now my red belly is very sick. She was fine until this morning. She's floating, but still breathing. I got her a goldfish, decapitated it and have been hand feeding her, but she's only taken a few small bites.

This could be old age as she is about 12 years old. I'm freaking out and very upset! I've had her since she was 1" long and she's so beautiful... I didn't realize until now that she's starting to float that she has gotten thin. According to the piranha info sheet on this site, their life expectancy is 8-10 years. The other than I got with her died about 3 years ago.

What should I do? Is it time to let her go? Should I just let her float there like that?

Stradius011

I'd say it's time to let her go. I'm sure she had a wonderful owner and is probably dying from old age.

poppet

How did your tank fail.

BigRedDot

The power when out overnight and the filter didn't restart. No air circulating. The tank is only 30 gallons.

BigRedDot

I can't stand watching her float like that. What should I do? If she were a dog or cat I'd take her to the vet. She's about 11" long -- it's not like I can flush her....

I'm crying so hard you guys wouldn't believe it. I really love my fish. Is that silly?

Jim

I'm sorry to hear your piranha isn't doing good. I doubt it's because of the power... if she's the only fish in the tank it should have had enough oxygen for a few days. My guess is old age. However, to be on the safe side, test your water for the usual culprits: ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. It's possible something caused one of them to spike.

Try not to be sad, if she's 12 years old, then she had a good long life, longer than most would have in the wild.

COBettaCouple

It's not silly to love a fish, they're pets and we love our pets.. especially when having one for so long.

It sounds like her problem might be that her swim bladder has failed. Does she try to swim or go lower in the water? how fast is her breathing? unfortunately, it does sound like old age. she's quite a fish to have lived so long, you've taken great care of her. Just keep taking care of her and maker her as comfortable as you can, maybe use plants or decor to help her stay in 1 spot if she wants to.

BigRedDot

She's on her side, half curled but she can uncurl if she wants to. Both of her front fins are working and she's using those to pick a spot, usually low. Every once in a while she picks at the fish I chopped up for her and she'll grab it if I give it to her but it's like she doesn't have the strength to bite through it.

I did a water & filter change to rule out any problems there. (If you guys knew how simple I've kept things this tank, you'd be amazed.)

Her gills seem to be going at a normal rate, maybe a little slow. I took the plants out because they were annoying her.

Can this swim bladder get better? I don't want her to have to suffer. But I'm also clueless on how to put a fish this big out of its misery.

COBettaCouple

even in young fish, swim bladder disorder can be a months-long or life-long condition.. everything seems to say that she's just tired, i'm not sure that she's suffering but age seems to be taking it's toll on her. an overdose of clove oil can put down a fish, but it would probably take a lot for her. I'm not sure that the best thing to do for her isn't to just care for her until old age claims her or she perks up.

BigRedDot

Then their is still the question of why she's so emaciated. I can feel all her bones. She has always been fed several goldfish at once more spread out, rather than one or two every day. She was due to be fed, but now she doesn't want to eat.
She seems to be getting worse and I think it's a matter of time now.

COBettaCouple

yea, i'm afraid that you're right. i'm sorry i don't have any other ideas on her.

BigRedDot

She's gone now.
I just wanted to stop in one last time and thank everyone for their suggestions and help. And also for your understanding. She was a very beautiful fish. A lot of people told me at the fish store that they've had trouble keeping piranha past 4 or 5 years old. So to have kept 2 to the ages of 9 and 12 makes me a truly blessed person.

Thanks again.

COBettaCouple

we're sorry you lost her, but you gave her a VERY long & good life and did your best for her.

poppet

Sorry for your loss, she had a long, loving life. There is a fish or fish out there just waiting for you to love.

Bonochick

So sorry for your loss. It's heartbreaking to lose a pet.

COBettaCouple

yea, sometimes you need a little time but a great way to honor a special fish is to love another fish like her/him.