Sick Fish, HELP ASAP!!!

[Louie_T07]

Hi everyone,
me again with yet another problem, but trust me I am getting better!! I have a smaller Ice Blue redtop in my tank, who was just fine this morning and even last night. But I came home from work this afternoon and he's having some troubles... he can swim somewhat, but once he stops he sinks straight to the bottom. And more recently I've noticed he's loosing colour and his face is looking darker, almost like he's choking?? Does that make any sense?? and ideas?

[Louie_T07]

Hi everyone,
me again with yet another problem, but trust me I am getting better!! I have a smaller Ice Blue redtop in my tank, who was just fine this morning and even last night. But I came home from work this afternoon and he's having some troubles... he can swim somewhat, but once he stops he sinks straight to the bottom. And more recently I've noticed he's loosing colour and his face is looking darker, almost like he's choking?? Does that make any sense?? and ideas?


Well, I almost think this was going to happen regardless, but the fish has died. I removed the body from the tank no more than 5 minutes ago. I would still like some questions answered like what happened?? was the fish sick?? or do they actually choke?? That was the quickest downfall of any fish i've ever owned...

[Northernguy]

Sorry I didn't see your post earlier but not coul have been done by the sounds of it.
It sounds like the fish had dropsy!Very few fish recover from it.
How long did you have it?
Did the scales look like they were lifting?

[Louie_T07]

Sorry I didn't see your post earlier but not coul have been done by the sounds of it.
It sounds like the fish had dropsy!Very few fish recover from it.
How long did you have it?
Did the scales look like they were lifting?


I'm not sure what the fish had, but you're right, there wasn't anything to be done... It all happened so fast, I'd say within an hour, it had gone from looking normal but swimming oddly, to dead on the bottom.

I'd say I had him for around 4 months, he'd actually grown a lot since getting him too. I'm not sure about the scales lifting?? but his colour was completely gone!! Again in a matter of an hour, the fish went from a bright blue to almost white, but it's face was almost black!!

I'm taking the body to a local fish store now, I'll report back with any findings. I'll even mention dropsy as well!
thanks!!

[Louie_T07]

ok here's what I found out,

First I have to mention how helpful the fellow was who helped me out, I've delt with him on a number of different occasions and am always happy. I'm such an idiot though cause I always forget his name!!

But anyway, he too was quite confused by me having the fish for such a long time and nothing appearing to be wrong until this afternoon. He was also quite surprised with how quickly things went from bad to worse for my little guy. It was good though because he brought in a couple co-workers to help as well, so I had basically three fish experts helping me out.

The actual cause of death I guess will remain a mystery, but between the 3 store employees they came up with a few options; 1) was some sort of internal disease or parasite that would be all but undetectable, but could kill the fish. 2) Was possibly stress related, although all three and myself couldn't believe it was stress. and 3) Some sort of trauma similar to a heart attack, stroke or aneurysm. I didn't even know a fish could suffer a stroke? but it would make sense, wouldn't it??

[Wild Turkey]

If i had to take a random stab at that one id say 3. is the most likely, the first thing i thought of was a respiratory or circular system problem.

[sanddigger]

May he RIP. Sorry for your loss.