Quick Death

[DarrenJThomas]

One of my discus has just died and I am not sure why.

The fish was floating arount the tank and looked like a swim bladder infection. Disorientated. Within hours the fish died with no visible signs of deteriation.

Has anyone experianced this before?

Is there a preventative treatement that i should be doing?

I am at a loss here, please help

[Merrilyn]

Darren, I'm so sorry to hear that. From what you describe, I would say that the fish had concussion from either taking fright and hitting it's head on the cover glass, or on the side of the tank.

I've seen this before, and it's a terrible thing to witness, but there is nothing you can do. Sometimes you see it happen, but most of the time you don't. All you see is the end result, as you have seen in your fish. Unfortunately, hitting their head can result in brain damage, and despite all your best efforts, the fish will be dead within hours.

I have an albino female that did exactly the same thing. All I heard was a splash, and a thump on the cover glass. She finally recovered, but it took four days for her to get back to normal.

It's sad to hear that your fish didn't recover.