[callistra]

I watched this guy for MONTHS.. he's wasted away before my eyes, but he must be quite a fighter to remain in a store for this long.. Last time I went in, his tank was empty and I panicked. They had just moved him to a smaller container. He was looking very sad.. I couldn't leave him any longer.

 

[callistra]

Thanks guys! His major problem is that he's been starved for months in ammonia water, so I think a little time in clean water and some food will be all he needs.. he's pretty lethargic but is ready to eat and responsive to me so I think he's going to be ok.

 

[callistra]

He just passed

This morning he was unclamped, ate well and I scooped normal poop off the bottom of the tank. He had even started a bubble nest.. today I came home and he was lofting to one side and breathing heavily. I tested his water and there was no ammonia to be found.. I didn't expect it.. I had just changed him yesterday.. I'm not sure what happened He seemed like he would be fine..

He died in warm clean water, nestled in his new plant..

R.I.P Spot.. I'm sorry I broke my promise to you.

 

[callistra]

I was so excited to see him color up.. I know he would have been VERY unique and gorgeous. Also, although my camera caught his eyes as green, they were actually baby blue..

I've never seen a fish pass so peacefully... he wasn't clamped, he wasn't laying on his side or on the gravel.. he was right side up at the surface. He was starting to tip ever so slightly to one side, but then he righted himself. At one point his tail was below his head and he was pointed up a bit, like he does when he's waiting for me to feed him. He was breathing heavy but not as heavy as I've seen with other fish before they've passed. My biggest concern is that he wasn't responding to my presence at all, and he wouldn't eat dinner. He swam into his plant, leaned on a leaf and was gone... He doesn't even look dead except his gills aren't moving.. He's not distorted or discolored at all.. he doesn't look like there was any struggle.. What causes this? No, he wasn't old.

Its' snowed feet the last few weeks so I can't bury him yet Please melt snow.. Spot needs a burial..