I had 2 fantails and an albino loach. I noticed my loach's scales began to "fall off" or something...he died the next day. This also began to happen to my other fish. Thier scales seemed to be separating from their body, they also died shortly after. Anyone know what this is, how it happened, and how it could have been prevented?
I cleaned my water regularly and replaced filters on time.
2006-11-29 12:57:09 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
Thanks for the info Susan...it really helped.
2006-11-29 13:35:43 · update #1
Scales looked like they were seperating from their body? Did they actually fall off? Or did the fish look more like a pinecone with their scales sticking out?
If the fish were bloated and had their scales sticking out so they looked like a pine cone, that is called dropsy. It is caused by poor water conditions. Usually, it happens as a combination of overfeeding, overcrowding and/or infrequent water changes, but sometimes it can be a result of not having cycled the aquarium before you added the fish and the resulting ammonia and nitrite spikes. Also, if you were cleaning your filter media using tap water or any sort of soaps or chemical cleaners, the nitrifying bacteria would have been destroyed, which would also start your cycle over as if you had a new aquarium and cause ammonia and nitrite spikes. A large water change (over 30%) could also cause this to happen. Finally, if you don't have a filter that has a biological component (biowheels, bioballs, biosponge, undergravel filter), when you replace your filter cartridge you are discarding your beneficial bacteria which can cause a mini cycle. Replacing the biological component in your filter can also cause this.
If the scales were actually falling off, I would most likely attribute this to fighting among the fish, or injuries from something sharp or rough in the aquarium.
2006-11-29 16:03:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Were the fish all in the same bowl or container? Male Betas should have their own separate environment. Some people combine one bowl for two fish by putting a divider in the middle but then, as you may well know, you run the risk of contamination if one fish gets sick. I've also found the Betas are very sensitive to the air quality as they breathe a lot of air and depend on good air as well as good water quality. One time, I sprayed insecticide around the floor of my room - and not even close to the betas but one died and another got sick and I think it was the spray became airborne and landed in their water. Also there are flying insects that drown and contaminate the water. I've learned by trial and error that filtration is necessary. If the fish are in a bowl with no filtration, the water should be changed every 2 days. May I suggest covering their bowl with cheesecloth or another lose weave of cloth? I've since gotten 2 small aquariums with a filter, an air pump and covered lighted hood. They seem a lot happier. swim around a lot more and because the water is moving and is oxygenated, it stays cleaner and the fish are healthier. By the way, what type of water did you use? If it was from your tap, a dechlorinated solution should be added such as Chlor-Out or AquaSafe.
2006-11-29 13:43:40 · answer #2 · answered by Laydee Y 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
would I advise a viking funeral... i imagine it will be an really stylish thanks to position your loved fish to relax. (My pal did this for his lizard after it kicked the bucket and it became truly impressive!) you could both make the boat out of twigs or come across a impressive huge, dry piece of bark. next position dry flammable cloth on your vessel as a mattress for the fish. ultimately hide fish with extra flammable cloth previously lights it on fireplace and sending it off to sea/lake/pond/river. If it truly is purely too dramatic burying that's the former stand by. perchance have the family contributors bypass for a walk mutually to locate the prefect stone/rock to apply has the gravestone... properly i'm hoping this helped, and that i'm sorry on your loss. :-( ~Samantha
2016-11-29 23:05:10 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did you use some anti-chlorine chemical? A few drops neutralizes the chlorine thats in most water. Chlorine can kill fish. Hope that helps. Good luck!
2006-11-29 12:59:37 · answer #4 · answered by jxt299 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like a case of ick.It eats their body away.Once one of them have it the rest of them will get it.There's stuff out there you can buy to treat it.Sorry about your fish.
2006-11-29 13:01:27 · answer #5 · answered by lady2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every time you get new fish and add them to your tank, you need to put ick prevention medicine in the tank. Treat for ten days to two weeks. If caught early it is a treatable disease.
http://www.nunnie.com/ick.html
http://www.fishdeals.com/fish_diseases/ich/
http://badmanstropicalfish.com/meds/ick.html
Unfortunately, ick is really common.
2006-11-29 13:23:41 · answer #6 · answered by Susan M 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
maybe its just old age? Like human's hair starts falling off when they're old.
2006-11-29 13:00:27 · answer #7 · answered by Sandy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'D GIVE THE PET STORE A CALL AND ASK THEM ABOUT THIS. THEY'LL KNOW. SORRY ABOUT YOUR FISH.
2006-11-29 13:25:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Don't **** in your fish bowl and maybe they won't get sick pervert!
2006-11-29 13:15:39 · answer #9 · answered by Nick James 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
MAY-B THEY WE'RE ATING WAYYYYY TOOOOO MUCH AND THEN FIGHT AND DIED
2006-11-29 13:08:32 · answer #10 · answered by Jumbo Baby 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋