oh no

[jamiepugh]

woke up this mornin to find my reed fish dead checked water and all fine ammonia 0 nitrite 0 nitrate 15 all other fish are of so I'm i little stumped any suggestions to what it could be? its been healthy and eating and not been acting strange at all:scry:

[Dave66]

What was the diet of your reed fish? They are phenomenally tough fish, so it was either a poor diet that compacted in the fish's digestion system, or lacked vital nutrients, or an internal bacterial or viral infection. Dissection would be the only way to be sure.

Dave

[jamiepugh]

was feeding him on white bait n blood worm id also see him eating a few cichlid pellets what id feed other fish on hed been feeding just as normal and was swimming around last night?

[Dave66]

Reed fish need crustaceans in their diet to provide the roughage they need for proper digestion, so it was most likely intestinal compaction that killed him. Toxins build up in the body because the fish can't void them, and sudden death happens exactly as you described.
Hate to say it, but if you'd researched the natural diet of reed fish, you'd have known they eat primarily crustaceans and insect larvae, and to a lesser extent live fish. They also need meaty food like earthworms, and bloodworms are poor fare.

Reed fish easily live more than 20 years in captivity.

Dave

[jamiepugh]

Reed fish need crustaceans in their diet to provide the roughage they need for proper digestion, so it was most likely intestinal compaction that killed him. Toxins build up in the body because the fish can't void them, and sudden death happens exactly as you described.
Hate to say it, but if you'd researched the natural diet of reed fish, you'd have known they eat primarily crustaceans and insect larvae, and to a lesser extent live fish. They also need meaty food like earthworms, and bloodworms are poor fare.

Reed fish easily live more than 20 years in captivity.

Dave

i did ask either on a site cant remember weather it was on here or not but was told that i was feeding ok i will be buying another can you help me with what i should be feeding it please that would be a great help will be picking it up 2moz if you can advise me b4 then it would be very appreciated