My spotted gar died suddenly

[Gambusia]

I found my 15" spotted gar laying dead at the bottom of my tank.

His throat was all puffed out.

I could not see any visible signs of fungus or infection except his front fins were a little frayed and worn- not a big deal that happens with gar and they heal back quick.

I did notice he stayed the entire time at the surface of my tank yesterday but gar usually do that.

However normally he goes and sits on the bottom with my other gar.

I had to put him in the garden as fertilizer (circle of life). I think he might of gotten something stuck inside but his throat was clear.

The last time he ate was Friday and it was a golden shiner.

 

[Kasakato]

Thats sad. But you should find out why its dead. Check the water.

 

[Gambusia]

If it was the water wouldn't my other two fish in the tank be dead also- a black crappie and a 10" Florida gar?

I think it was something internal.

 

[sublime1184]

sorry for your loss...

well they may get infected with what the gar had (if the gar even had anything), so I would just be safe and test params to make sure levels are not off.

 

[Gambusia]

Will do right now.

I'll have to get a PH kit though.

 

[sublime1184]

I'm glad you are gonna do it! good luck! hope everything turns out ok and you don't lose any other fish, keep us updated with results.

 

[NatakuTseng]

Simple reason, all fish react differently to the water conditions in a tank. Some fish will act fine with 1ppm of Ammonia, others will keel over dead.

 

[Gambusia]

It's symptoms seem consistent with some kind of slime disease.

Still checking water conditions.

 

[Gambusia]

Yikes!

My ammonia is .25 PPM

 

[sublime1184]

any signs of change in behavior among the other fish?