Thats odd. Although from time to to we do get bad batches of fish. We (I work in the aquatics department at Petsmart) lost a whole tank full of opaline gouramis in a matter of days to dropsy. I really think it's something about the place that we get our stock from and we can't do anything about that because some jerk that sits in an office all day that has no knowledge about fish decides who we buy everything from, not to mention how we, the so-called "Pet Care Specialist", care for the animals in the store. And let me just say that some of the things that we are required to do are totally off the wall. But I'm getting off topic. I would check back on Wednesday and see about your rubber lip plec. I know we always have them in stock and the RLP in my store are always in good health. It was most likely just a bad batch. Good Luck!!