Remove dead fish? or let it be eaten?

Hey guys,

So one of my tetra's died overnight and I woke up to a swarm of my shrimps going to town on the dead body. 20% of it's gone, and it may take a few days for them to go through the whole thing. I don't want my other fish to get sick. So should I remove the dead fish? Or just let nature take its course and let the shrimps clear it out. Nature sure is scary....

 

I'd take it out because it can cause a spike to your ammonia levels which u don't want. Plus unless u know why the fish dead, it might have been diseased & the last thing u need are dead shrimp too... Although I don't know of any diseases that would affect both fish & shrimp (go figure).
If you have a water test kit, I'd check water parameters to see if somethings going on. Any clue why the fish died? Did it show any symptoms? How long has your tank been up? What size & tankmates?

 

HI I agree with Snarky XTS. There's not much to add.

What sort of tetra? Any disease symptoms? Further details could be helpful.

There are a number of parasites which need other fish to consume the dead body for the disease to be passed on. To contract the disease other fish must swallow the parasite or its spores.

So, removal of the body is advised though I realise the shrimps or Malaysian Trumpet Snails can make a body disappear quick enough to make transmission of disease less likely.

 

Hello rk...

If you can easily remove it, then do it. Decaying flesh will add nitrogen to the tank water and if you have a small tank, then you'll have a higher level of pollutants. If the fish isn't easily removed, then leave it to nature to remove. It wouldn't hurt to perform a little larger than normal water change to make sure the water is clean.

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I usually let the shrimp at it for a day and than remove during a wc. They do seem to enjoy the fresh fish.