My Wizard Is Gone - Rip!

[LionMom]

I am just heartbroken. My large copper dragon, Wizard, has passed on and I just don't get it.

Tuesday he was fine - ate well, swimming, blowing bubbles, etc.

Yesterday morning he was sluggish, didn't eat and was a tad swollen. Nothing huge, but slightly swollen.

I did a 50% water change (had just done a 50% water change Monday) and added betta spa.

He looked ABSOLUTELY perfect this morning when I took him out - just like had just fallen asleep next to the sponge filter.

He was in a divided 10 gal. heated, planted tank. The other side of the tank houses my large CT Confetti who shows NO symptoms of anything wrong at all. Hopefully, it stays that way!!! Will be doing another 50% water change this morning.

Will leave the divider in for now till I decide what I want to do.

I am just sick about this!!!

RIP, Wizard. 7/11/08 - 4/02/09.

 

[ct_hulhu]

Sorry for your loss

He was very beautiful!

 

[GSD]

Sorry to hear that, he was lovely!

 

[Foreverandever]

I'm sorry to hear about your loss

Wow, he was gorgeous

 

[LionMom]

Thank you so much for your kind words. Yes, he was a beauty!

I just don't understand it - I am a real stickler for water changes with gravel vac and my other eight guys are doing excellent - so far!!!

It was SO quick I am just baffled!!! 24 hours from first showing anything was wrong to gone. Breaks my heart.

 

[liz2]

He was so beautiful. Sorry you lost him, sometimes it just happens and I can never figure out why. Only up side, if you can look at it like that, is that he didnt suffer....sorry x

 

[Netty]

I'm so sorry LionMom he was such a stunning boy I know exactly what you're going through. It's such a shock when there have been no signs of illness.

Big hugs xxx

Wizard

 

[newfishy]

im so sorry, some times its just so unexpected even when they have the best of care.

 

[PhishyPhriend]

Oh no! I'm so sorry for your loss Wizard was a beauty.

 

[LionMom]

Again, thanks to all for your very, very kind words.

Even though I only had him since 2/26/00, I would like to think he had a good life while he was with me.

Something I do find odd, though, is that when I purchased him at the age of 7 months, the breeder told me he was very active and flared at his neighbors all the time. Once I got him, he was so-so in the active department and never ONCE could I get him to flare - not by showing him a mirror or even in the divided 10 gal did he ever flare. Matter of fact, he didn't seem at ALL interested in his neighbor, which I found strange. Of course, Confetti (my CT & from the same breeder) is pretty laid back, but at least I have seen him flare on occasion.

Another thought - could low protein food be to blame? I fed him New Life Spectrum for Small Fish 5 days a week (which is pretty low in protein) and Golden Pearls (60% protein) once a week. Fasted him on Sunday. He had the Golden Pearls Tuesday morning and just GOBBLED them down - he LOVED those things!!!

Of course, ALL my bettas have been on that same feeding regime and all others are doing fine.

I will probably never REALLY know what happened, but was just wondering if any of the more experienced people might have an opinion on the protein issue.

Anyways, starting tomorrow they will all be getting Atison's Betta Pro.

Once again, THANK YOU!

 

[Night61]

9 years is good for anything espically a fish. i am sure he was well cared for espically if he lived such a long life.

i am sorry for you loss.

 

[Netty]

I think the date may have been a typo

I think the ingredients are much better than alot of other pellet foods and there are no colourings used either. These pellets have been created by a very big breeder of bettas along with the betta starter for fry. High protein is obviously needed for conditioning bettas to breed but I see no reason not to feed to all ours. The ones that aren't being conditioned aren't fed as much. I suppose I could relate it to when ours dogs did agility......the dogs were fed on high protein foods during competing season and then during the winter they were given normal food.

I don't think it hurts to give them a variety of different things.

 

[LionMom]

I think the date may have been a typo

I think the ingredients are much better than alot of other pellet foods and there are no colourings used either. These pellets have been created by a very big breeder of bettas along with the betta starter for fry. High protein is obviously needed for conditioning bettas to breed but I see no reason not to feed to all ours. The ones that aren't being conditioned aren't fed as much. I suppose I could relate it to when ours dogs did agility......the dogs were fed on high protein foods during competing season and then during the winter they were given normal food.

I don't think it hurts to give them a variety of different things.

Yes, a typo - should have said 09 instead of 00!!!

Anyways, thanks for the insight, Nelly. I'm thinking I will still give them the NLS once a week as it has garlic in it - it doesn't have any artificial colorings or hormones either. One of the reasons I chose it in the first place.

 

[Netty]

That would be great for them as the garlic will boost their immune systems. Good job you can't smell their breath

 

[LionMom]

That would be great for them as the garlic will boost their immune systems. Good job you can't smell their breath

Yeah, good thing. You are one funny gal, Netty!!!

How about the Golden Pearls at 60% protein? Should I continue to give them that once a week also? I don't do live foods.