My Gold Gourami Just Had A Heart Attack Or Ate Himself To Death...

[electric yellow]

My golden gourami just died!!!!

He was the fittest one in the tank! 2yrs old He was swimming around fine two hours ago.

I think he ate himself to death...i had dropped in algae pellets for my plecs and clown loaches and i think he ate most of them. He looked perfectly healthy when i scooped him out...just dead. Not even shallow breathing. Is it possible he had a heart attack or ate himself to death? I only noticed because i seen him floating on his side through the tank not moving...i thought maybe he was asleep and scoop him into the net to see if he was breathing...but nothing


He had a buddy and im wondering whether this will affect him? They were bought together, grown up together and now he wont be there. His buddy was the one who always got picked on so maybe he will be fine and come out of his shell now the bully/stronger one died? Will he stress that hes not there anymore?

Tank stock:

1 albino cory
2 clown loaches
2 bristol nose plecs
1 gold gourami (now)
1 tiger barb
2 feeder fish

Water parameters:

3ft tank
ph neutral 7.0
nitrite 0
nitrate 0
ammonia 0



Im actually sad He was one of the first fish i bought!!

 

[xmurdererx]

well he might have had an heart atack but probably shock do any off your fish bully each other when they get given food
and what is your tank details

 

[electric yellow]

He was the strongest in the tank. Always the first to get the food when i put it in. He was the one who chased the others around, which is why i find it weird he suddenly went belly up. All other fish seem fine and healthy. No bites, marks or weird behaviour.

Tank details:

running for two yrs
weekly 20% water changes with gravel vac
plants
driftwood for plecs
adequate tunnels and hiding spots
heated at 26-28deg celcius
gravel bottom

Stock:

1 albino cory
2 clown loaches
2 bristol nose plecs
1 gold gourami (now)
1 tiger barb
2 feeder fish

Water parameters:

standard 3ft tank
ph neutral 7.0
nitrite 0
nitrate 0
ammonia 0


I thought maybe he got nudged in his sleep but he was the biggest in the tank. The barb doesnt bother anyone nor do the loaches.