When a fish dies.

[LookingGoodJude]

When a fish dies, the bacteria in the abdomin produce gases that extend the
addomin. The fish floats on the top of the water. Later the pressure builds
up so much that the abdomin ruptures, releasing a mixture of bacteria and
necrotic tissue. The fish then sinks to the bottom. Gross.

 

[mooman]

Uhh......thanks. I like to remove my fish carcases before they spew necrotic tissue into my tank though (much to the consternation of my other fish and snails). They love necrotic tissue.

 

[gagaliya]

When a fish dies, the bacteria in the abdomin produce gases that extend the
addomin. The fish floats on the top of the water. Later the pressure builds
up so much that the abdomin ruptures, releasing a mixture of bacteria and
necrotic tissue. The fish then sinks to the bottom. Gross.

guess i wont be having sushi for lunch today...

 

[fishkeeper55]

I have seen my fish die and they have never floated to the top..they just...die and sit on the bottom rock..etc. Also it is so horrible to see when they get stuck in the filter!!! I just can't do it..I get someone else to take it out..i know...whimp

 

[liv2padl]

who in the world would leave a dead fish in the tank long enough for that to happen? or are you just wishing to provide an unneeded education to the masses so that you seem smart.

 

[LookingGoodJude]

I never left a dead fish long enough to let this happen. It was what I read.
Liv2Padl, I'm sorry if I made you angry.

 

[Rosemary]

When my first betta died, he didn't float to the top (he died overnight and I took him out the next morning so maybe there wasn't time for bacteria to make him float?).

I saw a cichlid tank in a local store (not a fish store, just there for the customer's enjoyment) which had a dead fish that was thickly coated with white slimy-looking fibrous stuff. I hate to think how long it had been there. I told the store staff about it and even offered the take the dead fish out myself but the guy said he was going to do it "soon" and anyway not to worry because "they're tough fish". I was unhappy but couldn't stay to see if he followed through because I had to pick up my son.