My beautiful crowntail boy started showing signs of dropsy so I began treating him using Jessieâs epsom salt and kanaplex regimen. It was going so well⊠2 weeks of constantly monitoring him and keeping up with the treatment he was looking nearly healthy, no more pineconing. I even bought and set up another tank all for him because he was a bit of a bully in my community tank when he was healthy.
Two nights ago, I was changing his hospital tank water and was finally ramping down the salt content. The next morning he was dead. I literally dropped to the floor sobbing because I couldnât believe it. I analyzed every single thing I did the night before for probably an hour. Then I realized it. I forgot the dechlorinator.
I have quite literally never forgotten to dechlorinate my water in my time keeping fish. I donât know why I did this time. I canât stop feeling this immense sense of grief and guilt knowing I made such a stupid and avoidable mistake⊠and all of it is made so much worse knowing he was almost out of the woods, about to enjoy his new tank. Sure, he mightâve gotten sick again as it happens with dropsy, but I could go on knowing I tried my best.
I donât know if Iâll stay in the hobby after this but if I do, I wonât ever forget to dechlorinate again.
Here are some pics of my beautiful boy Igor in his prime. He was totally grey when I bought him so I loved watching his colours change. I wish we had more time together, he was my grumpy little guy.
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1oy0qpw
Posted by flowerboyisbuzzin
3 Comments
Im so sorry for your loss :(. We all make mistakes, especially when we are tired and stressed. I know Iâve made countless mistakes in my time keeping fish. Once i accidentally crushed on of my fish just by accidentally moving a rock with the syphon. I felt awful about it and shocked that i did something so stupid. Give yourself grace, we all can tell you deeply cared for him while he was here, and thats what matters. Take time and give yourself room to grieve him, and know he isnât upset at you. And donât let the guilt keep you from doing what you love, Iâm sure he wouldnât want you to live without the joy of fish keeping over an honest accident. However, just take care of yourself and do what you feel is best!
People donât understand how much we love our little guys. My fiance is super supportive but I lost a betta before and rn my girl is sick. Iâm really upset about and I feel like Iâm trying so hard to fix her. He says he worries about how much itâs affecting me but like, if it was one of our dogs, wouldnât you feel that too?
He was so handsome! I’m very sorry for your loss. Don’t be hard on yourself, you DID try your best, and you were clearly worrying about him, which raises your stress levels, so forgetting one tiny thing in your routine gets easier. But don’t forget, you don’t know if it was because of the missing declorinator at all. Sometimes fish just die without us ever knowing why and he was already weakened. You clearly cared for him very very well. Things like this just happen. Again, very sorry. đ