Mourning my 16 Year Old Cichlid

[Sherman30]

Hello All-
guess I just need some support from Fish People as most don't understand losing a fish. I lost my cichlid last night. I came home to him upside down in the corner of the tank. I had him 16 years and was beginning to think he'd live forever. He had a tendency to ram his tank. He did it his whole life (why????). I took most of the decor out so he wouldn't hurt himself, but sometimes he'd pinball all over the tank. I believe he either got spooked, or purposely rammed into the tank and did it hard enough this time to kill himself. UGH-I bought him as a little fella at PetSmart of all places. Had no idea what I was getting into until he grew to be 10" in length. He's now buried in the backyard. What do you guys do when you lose a fish of 16 years?? I played with him every day, he was my buddy

 

[Hendre]

So sorry to hear, it's almost as old as me!

 

[Dee eng]

Sorry for your loss! 16yrs is a hella time, I truly understand and deeply sadden that these thing happen. Keep your head up bud! Wow 16yrs, you did a wonderful job caring for it.

 

[TwoHedWlf]

What species was he? 16 years is a pretty good run for most fish, even if they can live longer than that.

 

[esoxlucius]

Maybe the constant tank bashing was a sign that he needed a bigger tank. But hey, 16 years is a fair innings for any fish. You can't beat yourself up over it. I've got a few fish buried out the back and none of them come close to 16 years old.

 

[Backfromthedead]

You mustve taken good care of the fish. Most keepers will never keep a fish that long their whole lives. My record is around 7 years.

But there is a bright side--you have an empty tank and so many options with what to stock it with.

 

[RD.]

16 yrs is indeed a long run, sorry that you lost your fish.





Here's a pic of him if anyone is interested.

Is this a Lyonsi Cichlid??

Hello All, I have had this guy/girl for 15 years, and STILL haven’t been able to identify him. He’s still happy and healthy. I bought him when he was 1.5 “ at Petsmart, then he got huge. He’s now about 10-11”. Seems like this type of cichlid would be too exotic for a petsmart, but he’s too...

www.monsterfishkeepers.com

 

[FJB]

Sorry for your loss. That is rough indeed.

 

[FIU Panther]

That fish was very lucky to have ended up in your hands, 16 years is a hell of a run.

 

[Kashif314]

16 years is a long time. I can understand your grief. Very sorry about your loss.