Java moss killed the cat! (with picture)

AquaGhost

AquaGhost

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May 10, 2005
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My first post here under this new user name (used to be a member here years ago but changed computer and lost all "cookies"..)

Any way, one of my ghost (glass) cats, which I had for more than a year, died after developing a bulge in its belly for awhile (I thought it was pregnant). After its death, I performed an autopsy and discover the stomach actually filled with loops of...java moss. Somehow this fish ate the moss and could not digest it. The whole thing was bundled together like a roll of yarn which I untangled before taking the picture. My other ghost cats is fine and I have no idea that this dead one liked to chew on java moss. So guys and gals, better stop your habbit of swallowing gum from now on, ok?... :D


GlassCat00.jpg
 
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That is truly sad and amazing. It’s impressive that you actually determined cause of death by performing an autopsy. The really scary part is that is looks like some of the java moss would probably still grow if you put it back in the tank. I would try and get this story and pic out to as many forums as possible.

Java Moss: it givith life (fry), and it takith away (glass cat)
 
Thanks mooman

I got into the habbit of autopsying the dead (fish only!) since I got myself a couple of microscopes one Christmas...

Alll my tanks are stable now with regular water changes. I'm lucky to have good tap water in my area, and I always research and quarantine my fish before introducing them into the tank, so sudden deads are very rare nowsaday for me. I would not check on fish dying from old ages though, since that would be "natural death" for me. With tanks full of tetras (2-3 years lifespan), and killies (from less than a year to 2, 3 year lifespan) natural dead happens to my tanks once in a while...

It's pretty fun look at micro-aquatic life under the microscope. In one ocasion, I was able to spot a type of small pararites that was attacking my baby fish and treated them in time.
 
well, like I said, the other cat in the same tank is fine. I guess not everybody would swallow gum ;)

BTW, RTR, how many glass cats do you have? What do you have as their tankmates? and Do you find them pretty timid?

It took a long time for mine to go for food like other fish in the tank, and as soon as I move them, the whole "shy cycle" repeat again...
 
autopsying - that is really awsome!! what better way to solve the problem. Kudos!

Lisa
 
There are 7 in a 55 with 9 Glowlight Tetras, 3 Cherry Barbs, 3 Otos, and many Amano shrimp. In the original setup, they were bashful (even before the Barbs were added). I reset with Val along the back and one end and as soon as I had foliage at and along the suface, "shading" the back part of the tank, they quit being so shy. They do not stay out all the time, sometimes retreat to the corner where the Val is thickest (so do the Glowlights), but they spend most of the time in front of the Val, over the Anubias nana, hanging in a school in the current. I have never had them active without surface plants or shade - I'm unsure which it is. But the bashfulness was the main reason I reset the plants - to get them out more. It worked for me.
 
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