Why did my fighter fish die?

Question

It may have been old age or whatever, but I thought I'd ask anyway.

He had a white spot near his mouth, and his body looked fatter.

Then for a couple days before he died he was lying down the bottom of the tank and it was a lot of effort for him to swim to the top.

I didn't clean the tank too often (because I was told it is stressful for them) but I never let it get filthy. (Cleaned the tank about every 1.5 - 2 weeks) but I had him for a year or two and that never bothered him.

I was very careful with the ph levels and he had a heater in winter, so I know it's none of that.

It was a small to medium sized tank, (I though it was cruel to put him in a tiny jar like alot of people do) and he use to love swimming around alot.

Did he have a disease? If so, what was it?

His name was Hiraani.

What causes the fungus disease?

Answer 1

How old was your fish? I guess old age would be an explanation.

Answer 2

"Ick" or Ich is not a fungus, but a parasite. Ichthyophthirius multifilis is the full name of Ich. Ich is always present in fish, and fish tanks. Bad fishkeeping is what gives the parasite a chance to reproduce out of control.

Everyone thinks every disease is Ich because it's the only one they know. If there was one spot, it's not Ich. Ich looks like someone sprinkled your entire fish with fine salt or sand.

The spot may have been fungus.

The fat body may have been from secondary complications from bacteria or even air. Most likely not dropsy, as the fish will look like a pinecone with its scales pointing away from the body, while being bloated. Your fish may have just eaten too much and been constipated, or had some other blockage in its digestive system.
The easiest way to cure constipation is to stop feeding the fish for a bit. You can try feeding bits of peas, yes the same we eat. It works well for most fish.

Also, when feeding, try soaking the food for a little bit in some water before dropping the food in, especially if you use flakes.

It sounds like you took excellent care of this fish.

Answer 3

Chelz, I think he had 2 diseases. The white spot I think is fish lice, and the cause of his body bloating seems to be constipation. You didnt test water samples from his tank didnt you(what I mean is, you didnt look under the microscope, as you will see bacteria in the microscope).

Answer 4

It sounds like he had ick. They usually form little white spots around the body. I have had it with a goldfish once before. Get some ick drop formula incase you get another fish. ;)

Answer 5

he might have had a fungal diseasse

that or old age. most of those are rather old at the pet store

Answer 6

The white spot is symptomatic of a fungus infection nicknamed "ick". It happens.