Sad Day...

[kpcollins31]

I just came downstairs and found my Sailfin Tang floating on the surface of the water, dead. It was a total shock to me - he seemed to be so healthy -- vibrant colors, eating very well, strong swimming. Last night he was eating shrimp and squid. He even tried to steal some food from my large "green monster" starfish last night who managed to grab a few pieces for himself.

Everyone else in the tank seems perfectly healthy and there were no signs of any illness. Nothing new had been added to the tank in quite some time. Just very surprising. Can fish choke? All I can think is that some of the food from last night got lodged in his throat. The squid seemed very tough when cutting it up.

Kevin

 

[Lakeside518]

How long have you had him? Any visible marks?

Sorry to hear Kevin They are cool fish

 

[ppht]

Do you have any poinsoness anenenomes he might have tried to steal food from.

 

[kpcollins31]

I had him for over a year and a half - he was one of the first fish in my 150G. I examined the body after pulling him out... no marks that I could see. No anemones either. My Niger trigger has been a little more bold lately but I had not witnessed any harassment of the tang by either the trigger or any of the other fish. The tank is very lightly stocked for its size (Porcupine Puffer, Maroon Clown, 2 3-Stripe Domino Damsels, and a Niger trigger).

 

[michaelg]

I've had that happen a few times- sometimes around a year or so- fish seems healthy one day and the next is found dead with no apparent reason whatsoever. I find that the most bothersome.