Loaches Online Forum

I lost my favorite Gastroymzon this week. It was a very large (2", 5cm) Gastromyzon ocellatus that I have had since October of 2002. The fish was about 1.5 " (4cm) when I got it over 7 years ago so it was probably at least 8 years old. I never found the body, but there are lots of shrimp in the tank, so I imagine they took care of it.
I still have two other Gastromyzons that I got at the same time, another ocellatus and a ctenocephalus. I hope I will have them for a few more years.
Here is a pic.

Condolences Jim! That's a long time! Are you sure it's gone, not hiding??

I looked all over and couldn't find it. I would be thrilled if it was just hiding, but I don't think it is. Its been about three days and it had been acting a little strange for about a day before. That usually is not a good sign for a hillstream. They tend to deteriorate and die quickly.

I'm continually suprised at how long these fish live considering their busy lifestyles. I have an ocellatus and other Gastromyzon of a similar age.

I would love to pick up some fresh specimens.

Martin.

Remember when we thought they only lived about three years or so?
I have seen some gastros for the first time in a long time, recently, but they were not from a good source.

I'm sorry to hear that Jim. as a matter of fact I wanted to introduce your methusalems in a next larger work about borneo-suckers I'm preparing - as an example for good keeping (with UV treatment unit, right?)

you are absolutely right Martin.
my first ctenos - bought in 1982 as borneensis - were in good health when I had to move and give up most of my tanks in 1987. they died a half year later. we didn't really know much about their needs but it was evident that they liked water movement and living food. your tank set-up is really a good step to more species-approriate keeping.
cheers charles

I presently have another ocellatus and a ctenocephalus that are also 7-8 years old, as mentioned as well as 8-9 year old beaufortia and Sinogastromyzon wui. I also have a very large Homaloptera zollingeri that was 3" (7.5cm) when I purchased it about 8 years ago so who knows how old it is.
Both the tanks that contain these fish have UV sterilizers.

thanks Jim. I'll use these infos if you don't mind.
cheers charles

I don't mind at all.

Sorry you lost a favourite fish,

Val

Thanks, all!

Its interesting how losing the fish has effected the "balance of power" in the tank. Other fish are coming out more and occupying the areas this fish liked to rest and feed. It was definitely the dominant hillstream in the tank.

Sorry about loosing a long year little friend who had a very long life.

Assumeing Gastro's have a similar skeleton as Sewellia (do they?), their 2 transperent "floor pans" should be possible to find. Sewellia have 2 chondral-structures (plates), that are connected via 2 strings (on the circumference) and allow/follow the wiggeling movement of the 2 plates. Those ("bone")plates should not decompose that fast and will give effidence about your loss.