A Lesson to New Fishkeepers

**enzof9** · 09-01-2011, 05:27 PM

Hello, in this thread I will address the very sad death of the boss swordfish in my aquarium.

Once upon a time, there was a very bossy, very territorial sword fish (about 3 inches long including the sword on it's tail). He was the bully of his 35g home. He'd chase around mollies and swordies around in the tank like he ran the place. I thought he was just going through a phase and would outgrow this stupidity soon, if not I would have had to give him to a friend.

I (the owner of the tank) was going to sleep and felt thirsty, so accordingly I climbed down the stairs and went to the kitchen. I filled up my glass with some ice cold water and chugged it down. I was going to take a look at the sleeping fish in the aquarium when I found a flopping swordfish. Helpless on the floor. I gently picked him up but it's sides and slowly released him into the aquarium. He was covered in dust and could not stay upright in the water. He had fallen about 30 fish widths straight onto hardwood floor. He tried resting on a fake piece of drift wood but that didn't prove successful. He was so weak and in such a fragile state. It was ironic to see the others circling around him even when he was a pain in their side for the last 3 weeks. The fish had truly become family.

I stayed up an hour and a half just trying to keep him upright for the time. My father came down stairs to see what I was doing for so long. My dad reminded that I had a commitment tomorrow that I couldn't be late for. I left the rest to fish. I went to bed knowing that he wouldn't survive and I cried a bit as I was going to sleep.

The next day I saw the trooper upside down still breathing and was still upside down. As of right now he's still clinging onto life.

THE LESSON IN THIS IS TO ALWAYS HAVE YOUR AQUARIUM COVERED. Unless you're doing a water change or feeding, regardless of what type of fish you have.

**Aeonflame** · 09-01-2011, 05:37 PM

Oh... swordtail! You had me going there for a second .

Yes, its always advised to keep a tank covered, more with some species than others. Swordtails are notorious jumpers.

I hope your fish makes it.

**BiGBlak** · 09-01-2011, 05:43 PM

Dont mean to jack your thread but i feel since this is on topic and its pointless to make a thread to recieve a one word answer but Aeon are rainbows jumpers? because i plan to put them in my 55 with no top . And Enzo hope he gets threw that.

**enzof9** · 09-01-2011, 05:53 PM

Thanks, I actually made a thread cuz I was bored during the summer vacation.

I'll take it down soon. He's not doing so well and I guess he was asking for it.

**Aeonflame** · 09-01-2011, 06:46 PM

They have been known to jump, but I have a tank with three schools of different species of rainbows with no accidents since the two years its been running.

**angel_love** · 09-02-2011, 02:53 AM

Aww I hope he makes it. I had a dime size angel jump and land pretty hard and it took me a few minutes to find him cuz he was so small but he was fine afterwards. I think all fish are capable of jumping.