bad news... what do I do?

:'( :'( :'(

I regretfully have to report my first fish losses. I found one of my rasboras and one of my cories stuck to the intake of the filter tube in my tank. The last time that I checked on them before I found this was last night, all there and all looking healthy. I didnt check on them this morning because I left very early and rushed out.

I guess I had a few questions. Could they have just died and then got sucked into the intake or is it probably that the intake is to strong? The other fish don't seem to have a problem with the intake. Would they have died from being on the intake tube for a day? I had a thought that the blue gourami might have killed them but she is very docile and seems to get along with everyone. There aren't rips in them either so I don't think this is likely. How fast to fish start to break down in the water because I can barely recognize them? Their color is very faded.

Finally, I don't know what to do with them... any suggestions? What do others do with their fish when they die?

:'( :'( :'(

 

First of all, disposal, I usually just put them out in the flower garden. I plant them by one of my flowers and then I can say they help make the flowers look better.

Next, I think they probably died and then got sucked up to the tube unless the filter is very strong and then I think you would notice all your fish having trouble around it. If you aren't sure or you just want to make sure, does it have an adjustment on it? If so, try turning it down a little or slip a sock over the intake so it slows down the intake a bit but doesn't block it. (not a heavy sock)

As far as the breakdown time, I think a lot of factors come into that. The temperature of the water, the cause of the death, and the type of fish to name a few. If you had checked the fish last night they probably couldn't have been dead for long.

I am so sorry about the loss of your fish. It is always a sad thing to have happen. I hope you have a better day tomorrow. :'( :'( :'(

Rose
:'(

 

I think it was my gourami. I noticed her nipping at the rasboras a minute ago, something ive never seen her do before. The only thing I can think is, I put in the driftwood last night and she started thinking that it was "her territory" or something. Oh well, I guess shes going back to the fish store tomorrow. I don't think I can keep her if she killed two of my other fish...

 

They are one of the semi-aggressive fish and as such can be naughty to tankmates. I didn't know this would include hassling them to death, but I agree, I don't think I would chance it either.

Rose

 

Its just I had never seen the behaviour before and the fish died the same day... too coincidential for me.

 

I think you are probably right. My experience with gouramis is that they look so beautiful and compatible in the store tank, and then after they get used to your tank at home, they get aggressive. Also, they get more aggressive as they age to adulthood, so you don't see this in the younger fish at the store. I'm sorry for your losses.

 

No more semi-aggressive fish for me... except bettas of course!

 

I'm sorry your lost fish, but I have to agree with everyone about the gourami. but they truly are stunning fish. Anytime you find a dead fish it's wise to do a water change just to be sure they haven't affected your watr chamistry.
Carol