Sudden Crowntail Death.

[The Taffy Apple]

Evening all, wondered if anyone had experienced something similiar...
 
30L corner tank, lightly planted (using desired amount of liquid fert, weekly).
Internal filter seeded with mature media about 9 weeks ago. No sign of any spike since the tank has been runnning, NitrAte never above 80ppm, PH buffered to keep above 7.2/7.4.
Weekly W/C's of 40-50%.
Death occured 24 hours ago.
 
My male Crowntail Betta became ill through the day. He was very 'bloated', with alot of his scales seeming to stand on edge, he became lethargic but sadly died by the following morning, Apologies i don't have a photo, it was impossible at the time.
 
So, Ammonia and NitrItes have always been '0'. He was fed 5/6 times a week with flake, pellets, frozen brine and brine 'paste'..he also enjoyed some boiled peas once or twice a week.
 
He was a very well looked after fish, anyone have any idea as to his death?
 
Terry.

 

[VickyChaiTea]

Did his scales look like this? http/www.bettainfo.com/wp-content/uploads/betta-dropsy-top.jpg
 
If so, then it was dropsy. Dropsy is fluid retention in the abdomen. Even the skin between the scales retains fluid and the scales poke out. It's also called "pineconing" for obvious reasons. I'm very sorry this happened. Dropsy is usually caused by kidney failure, which could be bacterial in origin. By the time you notice the symptoms it's usually too late to reverse the damage.

 

[The Taffy Apple]

Thank-you... that's exactly what it looked like. All i could think of was an emergency water change, it seems even this was futile. Poor little fella.
 
Terry.

 

[DrRob]

Always worth considering air fresheners and other aerosols or plug ins particularly with labyrinth fish.

 

[masterfish]

I am sorry not some time ago mine died like this old saying said, curiosity killed the cat I was away for the day and when I came back I think he found some fry from other fish and well wedged his head between two rocks got it stuck and drowned both fellas died terrible deaths mine was suffocated yours had disease but what they had in common was that they both suffered before death