Have you ever grieved a fish loss?

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I never have in almost 25 years of aquarium. I've been remorseful, upset, disappointed, unhappy, but I've never been crushed like this. I'm not going into details, but I'm watching him breathe his last breaths and I know he will be dead tomorrow morning, and my heart is broke. I'm just wondering if anyone else has ever been hit hard like this by a fish loss or if I'm being silly.

 

[purpfish]

Not silly at all. I think of my fish as any other pet

 

[Uncle99]

The highs……and the lows…..but part of the game.
Friends to some. God bless.

 

[braaap]

I never have in almost 25 years of aquarium. I've been remorseful, upset, disappointed, unhappy, but I've never been crushed like this. I'm not going into details, but I'm watching him breathe his last breaths and I know he will be dead tomorrow morning, and my heart is broke. I'm just wondering if anyone else has ever been hit hard like this by a fish loss or if I'm being silly.

Absolutely. Had 2 recently that hit hard. BSJ that died because I dropped an entire jar of food in the tank and a tail spot blenny who loved to hang out in the MP40 and got chopped up when they turned back on.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Our fish friends are full of personality. Only fish keepers see this side of them. I feel for you my friend. Yes I have a few that will be very devastating when their time is up. The water puppies are just that.

Best wishes

 

[JohnnyReef13]

Yes... I had a baby Picasso Triggerfish, he was like the size of a nickel in a 45 gallon He was one of my favorite fish. When I first started with my father, I had a little blue lined puffer. It's ok to mourn pets.

 

[zerozero]

Not silly, just human.

I got upset at losing a coral, so a fish will feel even worse.

All the best to you.

 

[BristleWormHater]

 

[Reefering1]

I've neglected my tank for months after my cbb was murdered. Couldn't stand to look at the tank, let alone feed the murderer. I have friends that I like less than I like some of my fish.

 

[LPS Bum]

Oh yeah. Many times.

If you love this hobby, your fish are pets and they’re important to you. Losing them hurts.

Sorry to hear that you’re going through it. We’ve all been there.

 

[IceNein]

I think it depends, some fish are more or less interactive than others, and the more interactive they are with you, I think the more you bond with them. But it would be hard to explain to someone who hasn't had a fish that you can tell when a fish is "happy."

But what ever you feel is real, so I'm sorry you're having to deal with that loss.

 

[smitten with ocean life]

yes. had a heater fry my tank and lost a flame hawkfish that would sit in your hand. the sweetest fish! i was crushed.
sorry for your loss...........

 

[backbayreef]

yes - I recently lost 70% of my precious angels due to velvet. Part of my grief while going fallow - down my sorrow in more adult beverages! lol

..and buy more corals to compensate.

 

[Duane family]

Unfortunately yes I recall twice in my fish keeping history that I have lost a fish which I had become extremely attached to and which resulted in a significant emotional impact.

 

[VintageReefer]

The loss of fish has hurt me and my family so hard we swore we wouldn’t get more and for several years I had a just a single pajama cardinal fish. A single fish. In a 75g. An ugly fish. That didn’t even swim around and has no personality. Because we couldn’t bring ourselves to get more, get attached, and have something else eventually happen. I always have some kind of issue with fish…my bad luck and situations are crazy.

 

[Dburr1014]

Not silly, and I'm sorry for your loss.

I got back into the hobby early 2014 after 6 year hiatus. My first fish in the new system was my royal gramma, it's going to be a sad day when he goes. Rolling up on 11 years old, that's got to be 110 in human years.

 

[code4]

I also mourn my fish friends. My Copperband has been with me a year. I am nervous adding a yellow tang to the display tank. What if Beaker gets bullied and dies? The tang is in a 40 gallon and has been since April.

 

[littlefoxx]

When Nala my beloved lion died I swore I wouldnt have any more lions. Its hard to watch any animal die knowing you cant do anything about it. But being near them means the world to them

 

[exnisstech]

I also mourn my fish friends. My Copperband has been with me a year. I am nervous adding a yellow tang to the display tank. What if Beaker gets bullied and dies? The tang is in a 40 gallon and has been since April.

If your CCB is established and eating well from food in the water column and not just picking at rocks I think you'll be good as long as the tank is big enough. I have 2 CBBs in with 8 tangs 4 of them yellows and there is a large purple and large naso as well as a few other fish. The CBBs get right in there and compete for food and other than a quick get away from me chase once in a while none of the fish show aggression towards them.

 

[Lavey29]

I never have in almost 25 years of aquarium. I've been remorseful, upset, disappointed, unhappy, but I've never been crushed like this. I'm not going into details, but I'm watching him breathe his last breaths and I know he will be dead tomorrow morning, and my heart is broke. I'm just wondering if anyone else has ever been hit hard like this by a fish loss or if I'm being silly.

I know it's an old post but there is no reason to grieve. You gave him the best possible life possible free from predators, never going hungry, friends to swim with, etc... yes sadness is an emotion we all deal with but focus on the positives because you are a TRUE hobbyist that really cares for your aquatic friends.