Sudden Death

[benny]

Hi guys,

This happened a few weeks ago. I did a water change and immediately after the water change, one of my 6" L128 sudden rocket all over the tank and discolored badly. This happened over a period of 5 minutes. I tried to isolate this fish but to no avail. He died about 15 minutes later. When he died, color returned and he look just like any other healthy L128. Prior to this terminal episode, this fish was eating well and always very active. The 4 ft tank is well filtered and aerated.

Anyone has any idea what could have happened?

Thanks!

Cheers,

[lyh]

Hi bro maybe you want to provide us with more information like how much water was changed? Any anti-chlorine or salt added in before topping up your water and if its tankmates/ other plecos are ok. ;)

[barmby]

Can't help much. But this happened to me when I first attempt to keep killi fish. It did just that (sudden death) to me. from then on.. no more killi fish for me.

[benny]

I always use water conditioner when I change water. Either Genesis or Seachem Prime. All other fishes, be it tetras, corydoras or plecos (which there are a lot, including L25, L75, L333, L66, amongst many others). There were no new additions to the stable tank. Tank is only decorated with Dennerle gravel, wood and a bit of floating hornworts.

The puzzling thing is that there is no prior symptom and there are not other tell tale sign on the carcass after the tragedy either. Short of doing an autopsy, I can't tell from my naked eye what went wrong. During it's last minutes, all I see was the fish keeping very still and breathing slowed till it stop. What is amazing is that a fully healthy and eating pleco died within minutes. I don't think it's the water change as all the other fishes are fine, no casualty at all, till today.

Let's see if some of the more senior members here have any valuable experience to share or am I drawing another blank here.

Cheers,

[lyh]

Although I wouldn't rule out the SDS, however I still think the probability of that occurring is low. I have heard from kakis that L128 is one of the toughest plecs hence I believe that it could be due to some changes to your usual water change routine that caused it.

I am still guessing that it could be due to a large difference in pH before and after water change hence the question how much water is being changed. In addition may I know at what rate did you introduce the water into the tank?

I have once tested a molly in my cycled tank and it died almost instantly due to the large pH difference (the difference was about 0.8). It exhibited the same reactions as your L128. ;)

[benny]

If it's pH, then the other 6 or 8 L128, amongst other fishes will all have suffered the same problem. No other casualty except one fish. All other fishes were happy and active after water change. Strange.

No worries if no one else have any experience to share. I'm glad I'm the only guy that have this problem.

Cheers,

[HeiYuEr]

sudden death??dont worry......not only you suffer that too......i did suffer that before in my pleco keeping......yes,you may said a deadly disease that we cant see at all......my bet now is to deworm them every two months......i gonna do that to my AA comm......and we shall see :D:p

[SoToNgMaN]

each individual is unique and thus explains individual difference to tolerance of extreme levels.

example .. I can tolerate 14 degrees with a mere cotton shirt ... but that doesnt mean anyone else can do that as well .. thus explains why 1 pleco reacted differently ...

Sudden dashings or shiverings explains discomfort ... with reference to wat u have provided .. I could only deduce that its likely due to sudden change of water parameters:
- Sudden intro of unwanted chemicals or presence like chlorine/chloromine/copper ..
- Sudden change in temp
- Sudden change in PH or KH (hardness)

General rule of thumb ... do all water alterations or changes slowly .. and appropriately ...

FYI I take 30-45 mins to change a single 3 feet tank @ 20% to even 50% at my own discretion ... simply based on following guides:
- I'm running heaters ... Tank waters r warm ... so is it raining? Thus water cold? So less water change?
- Bubbles seen on water surface .. likely protein build-up ... more water change this time .. and slower this time ..
- Decay smell from tank waters? Filters breaking down .. time to maintain filters, check for dead livestock & decaying food and less water change ...

There's more than meets the eye ... end of the day .. there's no strict rules to follow .. its more of experience that comes in ... and thru learning process u'll get to learn more ..

Hope above is useful ...