What Killed This Chalk Bass?

[reddogf5]

Any thoughts as to what could have killed this chalk bass? Onset was very fast, two days ago he started hiding, swimming head down at about a 20 degree angle, showing interest in food but not eating and looking pale. Yesterday he lost interest in food. Today he is dead, with the gaping mouth as in the picture.
I am 99% positive it isn't ich/velvet or anyt other parasite or disease as the fish were QTed (modified tank transfer method - transfer every 72 hours, with a Formalin bath on day 4 and 10) and the system was sterilized before they were introduced. He has been in the system for a year, with absolutely nothing introduced in that time, other than food (blender mush).

Could underfeeding do this?
Picture

 

[vetteguy53081]

Any thoughts as to what could have killed this chalk bass? Onset was very fast, two days ago he started hiding, swimming head down at about a 20 degree angle, showing interest in food but not eating and looking pale. Yesterday he lost interest in food. Today he is dead, with the gaping mouth as in the picture.
I am 99% positive it isn't ich/velvet or anyt other parasite or disease as the fish were QTed (modified tank transfer method - transfer every 72 hours, with a Formalin bath on day 4 and 10) and the system was sterilized before they were introduced. He has been in the system for a year, with absolutely nothing introduced in that time, other than food (blender mush).

Could underfeeding do this?
Picture

Cant open picture which will be of no help. Unless you witnessed aggression from another tank mate, open mouth can be oxygen depletion, choking on a piece of food or gill issue and TTM method can stress a fish out. Head down is a buoyancy issue and could have stemmed from an internal issue with liver or constipation.

 

[Dburr1014]

Cant open picture which will be of no help. Unless you witnessed aggression from another tank mate, open mouth can be oxygen depletion, choking on a piece of food or gill issue and TTM method can stress a fish out. Head down is a buoyancy issue and could have stemmed from an internal issue with liver or constipation.

HTH

 

[vetteguy53081]

HTH

While it may have occured after death, tail shows what may be nipping from a tankmate.

 

[Uncle99]

The fish has been with you for a year, if there are no additions, I’d agree, not disease.
Could he have been attacked?

Great for a year then wham, fast demise, maybe he argued and lost?

 

[reddogf5]

The fish has been with you for a year, if there are no additions, I’d agree, not disease.
Could he have been attacked?

Great for a year then wham, fast demise, maybe he argued and lost?

Thanks for posting the pic, for some reason it wouldn't let me insert it, but would let me put in the link.
The only other fish in the tank is a green chromis, and they didn't seem to have much trouble. Even during feeding, the chalk bass would go after big chunks the chromis couldn't fit in his mouth. Other than that there are some hermits and snails. There is a lot of "nuisance algae", which I suspect is chrysophytes, could that be toxic?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Any thoughts as to what could have killed this chalk bass? Onset was very fast, two days ago he started hiding, swimming head down at about a 20 degree angle, showing interest in food but not eating and looking pale. Yesterday he lost interest in food. Today he is dead, with the gaping mouth as in the picture.
I am 99% positive it isn't ich/velvet or anyt other parasite or disease as the fish were QTed (modified tank transfer method - transfer every 72 hours, with a Formalin bath on day 4 and 10) and the system was sterilized before they were introduced. He has been in the system for a year, with absolutely nothing introduced in that time, other than food (blender mush).

Could underfeeding do this?
Picture

The open mouth death is often an indication of Uronema or Velvet. However, neither of those diseases would be expected in a long term captive, and not where other fish in the tank are o.k.

Could it have swallowed a bit of gravel or coral rock?

Jay

 

[vtecintegra]

Found this. Maybe it was death by natural causes?

The Lifespan of Chalk Bass​

The typical lifespan of Chalk Bass is 1 to 2 years. The majority of Chalk Bass live up to this much, but few of them may last up to 2.5 years. But unfortunately, they live a short life.

 

[reddogf5]

Wow, I had no idea they lived such short lives. That makes it a little more palatable, and adds something new to consider when picking fish. Thanks.