Angelfish and other deaths

Well, something very strange has happened this past week. While I was out of town, my favorite angelfish got himself wedged behind my heater and died. Two days later I found my other angelfish (I had only two) dead when I got off work. He was perfectly fine that morning, chipper as ever, ate out of my hand as usual, didn't seem upset that his buddy died (hehe, if fish get upset). He had no markings or cuts on his body and perfect fins. His color had just faded. I immediately tested all my water parameters and everything was fine. I did a 25% water change, counted my losses, and called it a day. The next day, six of my rummy-nose tetras and one of my harlequin rasboras were floating belly up. What the heck is going on?? My discus are happy as larks but who's to say they won't be dead when I get home today? My water is fine, and my fish seem fine...they're just slowly dying off. Any comment is welcome.

 

Indeed very strange JustinT. I am very sorry for your loss. One of my angelfish would probably be dead by now too, if I didn't start treating her fast. So far, she's hanging on (she's still in treatment). If your water is fine in all respects (pH, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, etc.) it is truly strange. But let me tell you something - when my angelfish got sick, I aslo tested the water immediately and did a 25% water change. The water was also fine in my tank, yet she got sick. I also wonder how and why she got sick. If no symptoms of any disease were visible on your fish (and I assume they ate normally), maybe check if everything is fine with the heater? Check if it's not releasing the electricity directly into the water. I don't know how likely it is that something's wrong with the heater; probably everything's fine. But check just to be sure. I have no idea ... whatever it is, I hope it goes away. Good Luck.

 

Well, I don't think it's the heater, but that's a good point. The temperature has been stable for over a year and I don't get shocked when I put my hand in the water. I also have about 25 other fish in there that seem to be doing great. I just don't get it.

 

Morning Justin,

that sounds pretty much like what happened to my pregnant platy. She was fine, eating normal etc but then within an hour turned white and was lying on the bottom gasping. I thought it might have been a problem with giving birth? All the others in the tank were fine and have been since then... :-\

 

Well, I'm happy to announce that I think my tank is finally back to normal. All my fish are acting great and my water parameters are just where they need to be. So...hopefully this ordeal is done. Thanks for the comments guys! Glad I'm not alone in mysterious aquarium happenings. (mysterious things always happen in my tanks.)