Had some fun with our 4 apurensis. June 14, 2017 update. Same tank but they are bigger at about 15". Two are hungry, as you will be able to see yourself:
We put away 1.5' mullet yesterday - 4 apurensis
- Thread starter thebiggerthebetter
- Start date
Man I wish I had a bigger tank. Might move for the first time in my life so might be able to upgrade probably not drastically. Was thinking 6x3 or 8x3. If could find something and if I'm able to ofcourse
They decided a line-up looks good today (when I turned the tank lights on mid-photo-session, two split off):
The smallest apu has called it quits after a prolonged illness.
I think the size is a coincidence. The fish stopped feeding a long time ago, about 4-5 months. I noted that and separated it from the other three. It still wouldn't eat. Then it started floating upside down, which has gone on for a few months (!). I've never encountered this before.
The fish remained strong but was floating and refusing to feed.
I was giving it an Epsom salt bath when it perished.
Without any ground, I think that perhaps it had swallowed a mullet the wrong way (they usually don't care which way they swallow them, head first or tail first) and mullet's spine damaged its swimming bladder or some other internal organ.
It grew to about 1.5'. The funny shape is because I've not thawed it entirely before photographing.
For a fish that hasn't eaten for half a year, it has a good body mass. Doesn't look emaciated.
I think the size is a coincidence. The fish stopped feeding a long time ago, about 4-5 months. I noted that and separated it from the other three. It still wouldn't eat. Then it started floating upside down, which has gone on for a few months (!). I've never encountered this before.
The fish remained strong but was floating and refusing to feed.
I was giving it an Epsom salt bath when it perished.
Without any ground, I think that perhaps it had swallowed a mullet the wrong way (they usually don't care which way they swallow them, head first or tail first) and mullet's spine damaged its swimming bladder or some other internal organ.
It grew to about 1.5'. The funny shape is because I've not thawed it entirely before photographing.
For a fish that hasn't eaten for half a year, it has a good body mass. Doesn't look emaciated.
Sorry for the loss. It does look thick even it hasn’t eaten for half a year!
Beautiful fish,sorry for your loss,when I feed bottom dwelling fish I like to hand feed them, this prevents them from getting injured accidentally.
Almost like losing a relative to cancer. A long drawn out process that takes a toll on those involved. But we didn't freeze my aunt when she died though. 
