Had to put a Red Zebra down...ugh

[Brent Shaver]

Its the strangest thing, I did my feeding in the morning and everything was perfect.  I went golfing and when I got home I was just watching the tank and I noticed alot of attention being given to one spot in the tank.

I got up and took a closer look and there was one of my zebra's gluping and I went for the net.  Well when I finally got him in the net I finally noticed the true horror.  His tail fin was gone and almost half his side had been eaten away and he was still alive.  I had to put him down, I just couldnt see him suffer like that.  My other cichlids were eating him alive.

I did water tests and everything is fine.  This is the only fish I have lost from this tank (knock on wood) and it has me puzzled what exactly happened.  I did get him from a LPS quite a while ago so this is not an issue of bad stock, the only thing I can think is he was maybe getting old as he was 6" and healthy or at least so I thought.  Even my fry in the tank are still growing and doing well, they are averaging 1/2" - 3/4".

Anyway it was a sad day as he had the best color of the 3, not that it would make a difference, losing a fish is losing a fish...

Anyone ever experience this?  Just doesnt make sense...

[charlie]

Hi Brent ,sorry to hear of your loss.This is one part of the hobby most aquarist hates to experience, the consoling factor is that you did the best for the fish.
Sorry i  don`t have an suggestions on what may be the cause.
Regards

[dan2x38]

Sorry to hear about your loss. That is crappy deal lossing any fish but you did the thing for him.