SUDDEN DEATH
What is it?
This sad predicament may arise for a number of reasons. Common causes include:

• Poisoning. This may be from an outside influence such as pesticides, or from a chemical within the aquarium such as ammonia, pH or nitrites. See 'Poisoning, Ammonia Poisoning, Nitrite Poisoning, Acidosis or Alkalosis.
• Sudden temperature change. This is common when changing water or putting the fish in a new aquarium.
• Choking. This is common in goldfish and very common in axolotls. The fish suck up pebbles when eating, then they get lodged in their throats. Check for choking as this is a common cause.
• Lack of oxygen. Larger fish will die first, the rest will hang at the water surface gasping for oxygen. See Carbon Dioxide Poisoning.
• Internal bacteria infection. These can take hold very quickly with little or no proceeding symptoms. See Dropsy.
• A less common cause is stroke.

Symptoms:
No preceding symptoms. The dead fish may also have no apparent cause of death.

Cure:
If you have other fish with no symptoms, then they will probably be fine. However I would recommend research what may have caused your fishes death, based on any signs the dead fish may have given.

Do a water change and check water parameters to be sure the water is of a high quality.



Remember, water quality is always extremely important- so always check that first as it is often the cause of disease in aquarium fish. When treating sick fish, try to put the least amount of stress on them as possible, as stress will hinder the heeling process. Another thing is to remember is that generally, a healthy fish is a happy fish.

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