Loaches Online Forum

I am sad to announce that one of my three Loaches died since I last came to this forum. If anyone remembers, I am the guy that has 23yr old Loaches. She had a growth on the side of her face for about 4yrs that got larger until it was bursting and she was barely breathing.

I did what I heard was the most humane way of euthenizing her by adding clove oil to her water in a bag and she slowly passed out. Then I put vodka in the water to finish. I was crying the whole time, in fact I'm having a hard time writing this. She was part of the house, the family, my world for 23yrs....I got married, we moved to 4 cities with her, so many things happened, I can't believe she is gone.

The other two are fine and look like they can live forever. I hope they don't outlive me because I don't know anyone who can take care of them like I did.
The last (and only) time I was on this forum, someone said they had never heard of Loaches living that long in aquaria and wanted me to post a pic of the "guys" (never gave them individual names even though they had different temperaments) so here it is; this was last year, so they are close to 24 yrs now! I am not mistaken on the age, I purchased them just before meeting my future wife; we dated 3 yrs then got married and we just celebrated our 20th anniversary.

Your fish are absolutely beautiful and lucky to have such a good life with you. I am very sorry for your loss, and we certainly understand the grief in losing such a amazing fish.

Emma's Marge was over 20 years old too, I think.

When you are feeling better, you might consider adding a couple clowns to your crew to help your other two loaches overcome the loss of their longtime companion.

Thanks for the well wishes. I'm thinking twice about adding new ones...they will possibly outlive me and there goes my problem about leaving them to someone.

That does make sense. We completely understand your love for your wet pets. I have made arrangements for all my pets in case something ever happens to me.

My parents have a bird,a nd I keep hoping they outlive him, but if they don't I will certainly care for him.

Laspalmas2 wrote:I am sad to announce that one of my three Loaches died since I last came to this forum. If anyone remembers, I am the guy that has 23yr old Loaches. She had a growth on the side of her face for about 4yrs that got larger until it was bursting and she was barely breathing.

I lost one of my 10 year old clown loaches last year. I'm pleased to see someone with older loaches, and sad for you as well. I have one remaining clown, and may not get anymore, as much as I love them, due to these same issues... with such longevity, size, etc. When I got them, not much information was available to me. I must imagine that you were going in rather in the dark when you got yours.

People think we're crazy when we get attached to fish. People ask me what I get out of fish keeping. I say I appreciate the fact that they live for me.

I'm sorry for your loss. I know how sad you feel.

You didn't try taking her to the vet? I had a "growth" successfully removed from the face of one of my bristlenose plecostomus.

Kind of late to mention that now, don't you think Ardillakilla? Geez.

I went to my vet about 10 years ago looking for levamisole and for getting some fish health info. They couldn't even help me. You think every vet will cater to performing fish surgery??

Las , I am so sorry to hear of your loss , I can't imagine having a pet for that long ,to be so much a part of the family, the household and then to loose it. The others are right, about us being attached to our fish, they depend on us, we tend to them , sometimes , they seem to become attached to us, but the bottom line is... we love them... and when we loose them, we mourn, same as non-fishkeepers do when they loose their non-wet pets...I am sure many of us know this first hand , it dosen't matter what KIND of pet one has , it is the love we have and the loss we feel . I can't imagine a fish being so lucky to live with you , to have such a long life, seems you made her life a happy one , and perhaps you can find some peace in that. She was lucky to have you and vice-versa.
Hope you know many of us feel what you are going through and are here for you.
(ps -I have also made arrangemnts for all my pets, fish and dogs for peace of mind, so that dosen't hold me back from rescuing a critter when I can)
hope this helps a little , G

Sorry to hear it Laspalmas. How well and long they live is tribute to how much you care for them. You've done wonderfully at keeping them for so long.