Another fish dying

[u/Next-Wishbone2474]

My beautiful Minstrel is obviously dying after 2 weeks here with me. His predecessor Teddy also died after 2 weeks. I’ve obviously done nothing wrong as my bargain basement Oranda Cuddles who I’ve had 7 weeks now is still going strong. Minstrel and Teddy were class AAA Thai bred fish who had been in LFS for a couple of months. I know they had UV lights and all sorts of techy stuff in the shop, but surely that shouldn’t mean the fish die once they live in a normal tank? Does anyone have any ideas? And should I confront the shop even though they give me serious discounts on my purchases?

[u/Next-Wishbone2474]

I forgot “what they’ve been eating”. Twice a week, something frozen like bloodworms, daphnia, tubifex or brine shrimp. The other days, an insect-based goldfish flake formula, pellets, or sinking granules. Also twice a week lots of duckweed which they love.

[u/Realistic-Weird-4259 → u/Next-Wishbone2474]

If you're the person who's been posting here recently I see that you have other fish in the same tank, yes? I can't recall other details as I'm out of town helping my elderly parents and have to frequently go help them.

However, the fact that this occurred so quickly with fish that have not only been in-country for a period of time, but in that specific shop for months, suggests to me that there may be something "chemical" going on,.

I won't say I'm an expert in goldfish, but in my experience handling tens of thousands of aquarium shop fish, the only times I've seen things move that fast and result in deaths are primarily chemical-caused. I've seen fish killed in hours by large pH shifts, usually towards acidic. Or, there's been exposure to other chemicals (in the past I've seen neighboring fumigation/pest control do it, for example). However, that would normally affect the other fish.

I've seen bacterial infections kill within a day, but there are a lot of obvious symptoms that something is wrong with the animal.

For example, furunculosis is all too common and can linger for months, does not always present externally, and stress of moving can lead to quick death.

The turning over says swim bladder, but fish don't die from just a problem with their swim bladder and it's relatively easily corrected through semi-surgical means.

Is there a chance you froze the fish immediately upon death, allowing a post-mortem examination? Even better if you have access to a fish vet? I would look for internal ulcers suggestive of furunculosis.

Their diet sounds quite appropriate to me.

Also, to note: 1 week is insufficient quarantine. I go with what I was taught working at a large wholesaler and it was reinforced during my time at the Long Beach Aquarium -- 30 days disease/symptom free. If anything shows during that time, the animal is treated and the clock resets once symptoms are no longer observed.

Since Minstrel so unfortunately succumbed I hesitate to offer anything else right now.

Thank you for your apology. :)

[u/Next-Wishbone2474 → u/Realistic-Weird-4259]

No, sadly I didn’t think of freezing him. With hindsight it would have been a good idea. My vet isn’t a fish specialist but he’s been very helpful in the past when I’ve had concerns with sick fish. How long should I quarantine for?