Do Fish Just Die For No Apparent Reason?

[angel.star]

I'm very upset this morning, because when I got up I found my hillstream loach floating in the water, and his markings had gone very very pale and I could see through his skin in some areas. He didn't look like he had been attacked though. I have always watched him very closely, and I haven't seen any signs whatsoever that he was poorly.

The only thing that changed as far as he was concerned is I performed a water change on Sunday, during which I cleaned all of the ornaments in the tank because they were covered in algae, one of which he spends most of his time on. Could there have been vital things on his little log that I've gotten rid of?

I'm so sad to have lost him, does anyone know what could have happened to him? Should I be worried about my other fish? Or do they just appear to die, like their time has come?

It's not been a good few weeks, first I found one of my little fantails floating in the water, then I had to euthanase my little ranchu who developed dropsy. I've had water checks and everything's been fine. I don't know what more I can do.

Please help

 

[fourthtimelucky]

Sorry for your loss. Hopefully someone with more experience will be able to help you out more -- how old was he?

 

[black angel]

Hillstream loaches dont last long in normal aquariums unless the water is really cold and very fast flowing onto something like the back glass. They come from very fast flowing well oygenated cold streams and its hard to replicate this in homes.

Sorry for your loss.

 

[angel.star]

I got Henry at around Christmas, and he was a real treat to watch because his dorsal fin (if that's what you'd call it) was electric blue when he flashed it! I've got little marks on the inside of the tank where he's moved along the glass eating the algae

I'm thinking more and more that I've done something to upset him - I think maybe moving his log and cleaning it stressed him out. He's never had to deal with stress before because he's had his log to hide under - this time he didn't. I'm sorry Henry

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Hillstream loaches are very specialised care fish, in most average coldwater or tropical tanks they don't tend to last very long, as they are very highly evolved fish which have evolved to thrive best in highly oxygenated sub-tropical environments with strong water flow.

Information on keeping hillstream loaches and understanding the habitat and care they need and how to provide it;

http/www.loaches.com/species-index/beauf...a-kweichowensis

http/www.loaches.com/articles/hillstream...n-the-fast-lane



Its best to avoid these fish unless you can provide them with a good tank which has a really good habitat for them that reflects the sort of fast-paced river habitat they come from in the wild . Unfortunately though most hillstream loaches which are not provided this sort of habitat end up either slowly suffocating, starving or dying of metabolism related problems etc.

 

[angel.star]

Thank you everyone for your guidance, I really enjoyed Henry's presence in the tank when I had him but feel awful that I didn't provide the best habitat for him. I guess you keep learning with this fish keeping game.

I would like to have some sort of 'sucker' fish in my tank if possible though, because the algae in there is a bit of a problem, and I have always enjoyed watching them! Is there a particular breed that would be suited to a coldwater tank? I say coldwater, but I have my heater on so the water is at 25 degrees, because I was advised to do this due to the digestion problems of my fantails.

Thank you again for your help

 

[black angel]

for some reason most plecs and loaches go for the slime coat on goldies. maybe try an apple snail if you can get a big one.

 

[angel.star]

When you say 'go for the slime coat', do you mean attack the goldfish? I wouldn't want that.

I never thought of getting a snail, I bet they'll do a great job with the algae! Thank you