Death Be Not Proud

[steelhealr]

My tank startup was November '04, 46G FW. I only have 5 original fish left. This guy was full size when I bought him, so, he must have been at least a year old at purchase. I estimate him at least 2.5 - 3 years. The average lifespan of a white skirt tetra is 5 years. When you bring them home from the lfs, there is no definitive way to know the EXACT age. Alas, this little guy is starting to become a loner. He's lost a tremendous amount of weight. He has no spots; no buoyance problems; no fuzz; and is not breathing fast. You can see the wasting about the caudal peduncle, hollowed eyes and prominent bones. I think he's old and is near his time. He survived two bouts of ich, my newbie cycle and since startup, has been otherwise healthy. Very unassuming but good community fish. Sad. SH

 

[Qays]

Hes very cute! Good luck too him!

 

[jarmado]

 

[lljdma06]

Ah that's too bad, SH. I feel that way about my bridget rasboras, tiny fish, nearly 3 years old.

Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;
For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.

From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery.

Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell;
And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well
And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then?

One short sleep past, we wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.

Got to love John Donne. One of the best sonnets ever, right up there with "The Flea."

 

[jollysue]

"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" Donne followed some true predecessors.

May his eventual passing be peaceful. He has done his work well. He has a sweet look. In my heart I do hope there are spots for our dearest and best loved pets who served well.

 

[Sheridanp]

Cute fish! I have 6, there beautiful. Too bad.

 

[steelhealr]

It is...too bad..but....in the wild he may not have lasted as long. It's funny how some of the most 'boring' looking fish at the lfs can turn out to be 'stately' and also, (looking to see who's watching) how one can get attached to these little guys.

Same fish a few weeks ago:

SH

 

[Phoenixfish]

Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;
For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.

From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery.

Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell;
And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well
And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then?

One short sleep past, we wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.

unlucky steel, nice lljdma06 *salutes...and then crys*

 

[Miss Wiggle]

awwwww poor little dude, it's so sad aint it.

I love all my fishes but the ones I have left from my original starter set up are extra special, be gutted when they go.

Your right about the more 'boring' looking fish sometimes being the best..... I'm very attached to my little rasbora's bless them.

 

[Bloo]

Ahh poor chappie he was really lovely - but suddenly looks like an old man now

 

[WILDER]

He is cute bless him, he's had a good life, well done.

 

[smmetz]

Good luck, I hope he pulls through it! Is he a whiteskirt tetra? I have 3 of them.

 

[steelhealr]

Yes...I have three. He was the largest, so, had to be older at purchase. Tough bugger...survived my newbie mistakes. Cycled my tank and survived ich. SH

 

[steelhealr]

Gone...couldn't find him in the tank. SH

 

[Bloo]