My fish just died

Once again I find myself here not knowing how to start. I guess I should start with the obvious: my fish just died. I guess I just need to get this off my chest as I really don't have anyone who really understands all the fishy stuff.
So how it all started was I was cleaning my tank, scrubbing the algae off with a toothbrush and, even though I was being as careful as I could, I hit one of my fish. She was ok at first, just swimming a little oddly, but she was still able to swim, eat, play with the other danios, pretend that she's a cory, etc.
I talked to some people and they said they thought she would be fine in a few days. I made sure her water stayed clean and that no one was bullying her and she seemed to be getting better.
And then I got up this morning to feed all my fish and there's my little zebra danio laying down on the sand. I was hoping she was just laying there resting since she'd been doing it before, but when I checked for gill movement there was none.
I just buried her in my backyard next to my other fish who had recently passed and I know that now she's not in pain and she's happy, but it honestly hurts a lot to lose a fish (or any animal).
I know they're "just fish", but they're not "just fish" to me. They're my babies and I love them as much as all my other animals.
I talked to my best friend about it (he was there when my fish died) and he told me that it wasn't my fault because I didn't mean to hurt her, and I know I shouldn't blame myself for everything but I really feel like I should have been just that much more careful when I cleaned my tank.
I'm sorry that this was so long and all over the place. If you can't tell, I'm really upset about it, but at least now she's not hurting.
I really do feel better now that I've gotten this off my chest and as much as I want to keep crying about it, I know Cheeto wouldn't want me to be sad.
Again, I'm sorry that this was so long. It just really helps me to be able to talk about it.

 

How long have you had cheeto?

 

I'm sorry about your danio. I know what's it like, when I lost my favourite dwarf gourami from a virus he got from another gourami I introduced into the tank to keep him company. I felt guilty because in all my excitement I didn't quarantine the other gourami first. So it was all my fault. Yours was an accident and it's not really your fault..

 

Wish I had friends like that also understood my love for fish, I once was showing a picture of my fish to one of my friends, and a girl that was friends with him overheard and directed every swear word in the book at my fish, not sure who was crazier, me or her.

But I feel how you feel, I recently had a tank die-off due to a disease, I was vacuuming the gravel and crying at the same time.

Just know Cheeto appreciates the care you took of her. Swim in Peace to Cheeto.

There are places online where you can get a fish themed memorial stone to honor Cheeto, that may help with the grieving process.

 

First off I just want to say thank y'all for being so nice about it. It really does make me feel better. And I couldn't be more grateful to have a friend who understands what my animals mean to me. I've had a friend before who when my hermit crabs died asked me "why are you even crying? It's just a crab." My friend now is definitely one of the most amazing people on earth. He doesn't have fish of his own, nor does he know anything about them, but he still understands. He didn't even question why I was so upset, just hugged me and let me cry.
I've had Cheeto since December (I think the 12th, but I'm not sure), and she was young when I got her, so unfortunately she did die young. One of my other fish started swimming around the area of the tank where Cheeto died, looking for her to play with.

 

All 5 of my neons got sick and died over last few days... I know how you feel.

 

“Cheeto” is such a sweet name to bestow a little danio girl. RIP Cheeto

 

Very sorry for your loss.

 

Hey, it’s fine to get attached to your fish, and I know from experience that it really does hurt when one dies. I adopted two endlers from a pet store feeder tank a long time ago. One of them died when I separated her from her mate to treat the fin rot she had come with. I beat myself up for days about it.

Fish can be very special to us. Most may just see a simple animal, but fishkeepers see a little person. I’m so sorry about your loss of Cheeto.