R.I.P. Little eel

[fishoholic]

Know that you were loved and that I will miss you

For a little back ground info my eel stopped eating for 5 weeks before I went away on holidays, as you can see in the video he used to be a good eater. When I got back from holidays he started eating again but it only lasted a few days before he stopped again. 3 days ago I noticed he seemed fairly lethargic and that overall he didn't look well. Today we found him dead in the tank







Edit: for some reason my computer is acting up and I can't get photobucket to load right. The links should be good but they're not working for me so I apologize if they don't work for you.

[Delphinus]

FWIW, pictures loaded fine for me Laurie - fantastic shots.

Sorry for the loss.

[fishoholic]

Thanks Tony

[saltwaterseahorses]

awww :'( that sux, seem he liked that frogspawn!

[andestang]

Thats really sad , was a great looking eel.

[whatcaneyedo]

Its strange that this happens from time to time. The volitan lionfish that I had for 4 years just decided to stop eating last August and then died in September. I found this article on 'fish anorexia' back then http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2007/12/aafeature1

[Skimmerking]

Oh so sorry to hear Laurie, next time i'm in Town we will go huntign for a new fishy for you OK, my treat.

P>S hows the skimmer working for ya

[Flash]

Beautiful pics laurie. I am sorry for your loss.

[fishoholic]

Originally Posted by saltwaterseahorses

awww :'( that sux, seem he liked that frogspawn!

Ya he hung out in it quite a bit, that and the pipe coral were his 2 favorite spots.

Originally Posted by whatcaneyedo

Its strange that this happens from time to time. The volitan lionfish that I had for 4 years just decided to stop eating last August and then died in September. I found this article on 'fish anorexia' back then http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2007/12/aafeature1

Very interesting article. Thanks for sharing, I'm wondering if this might of been part of what happend. The article mentions an eel who was eating but stopped after it jumped from the tank, then after several months started eating but died a week later. Now my eel never jumped out but the article says that due to the eel not eating it may have caused liver damage from the extended starvation. Might of been what happened with mine.

I found this interesting:

"Force-feeding is a technique that can be employed on larger carnivorous fishes. A sedated fish is held on its back while its mouth is opened. A food item of appropriate size for the animal is then placed in the back of the animal's throat. A finger or semi-rigid tube is then used to gently push the food item into the stomach. In some species such as anglerfish and eels, there are back-curved vomerine teeth in their throat that will actually grasp the food item and keep the fish from voluntarily regurgitating it."

My frogfish right now has stopped eating, it's been almost 2 weeks. Sometimes he'll take the food, but then spit it back out. Not 100% sure about how I feel about force feeding or how I'd be able to sedate him in order to try it, but I'd rather try it then see him starve himself. Either that or I might just have to find some live food for him.

Thanks Mike and Lindsey.

Mike the skimmer has it's pump back and is working great.

[Riptide]

wow beautiful...sorry for the loss