one small dead fish - remove or let the shrimp eat it?

[BettaFishMommy]

hey all, i had a female perugiae livebearer pass away some time last night. no sign of disease or injury. she was a heavy breeder and i think life span was shortened due to that. her body has floated over to the val jungle that my red cherry shrimp hang out in and they are now munching on the body. the tank is a 55 gallon well planted with two large hob filters. ammonia and nitrite readings are at zero.


leave the dead fish in there for the shrimpies to nosh on or take it out n flush it?

 

[rocker92]

if they have the body eaten in a day or so, i wouldnt worry about it, but keep an eye on your ammonia readings.

 

[fishycat]

We talking a 1-2" fish? I'd say in a 55 you can let the shrimp and any snails have at their feast...

 

[BettaFishMommy]

just under 2 inches. and yep, it's a feast! lol.

 

[Optimus]

lol @ "nosh"

Just out of curiosity did you test the water for A & N when you found her?

 

[BettaFishMommy]

lol @ "nosh"

Just out of curiosity did you test the water for A & N when you found her?

yes, and i noted that in my opening post. ammonia and nitrites have been continuously at zero since i found her. i've tested 5 times since then just to be sure! lol.

 

[Optimus]

My apologies. I somehow overlooked the obvious there lol If you haven't gotten an A spike then I'd say leave it in there. You'll get to see the stages of decomposition which could come in handy in the future.

 

[thebrandon]

you won't really be hurting anything, but at the same time it won't really be helping anything either. I'd just take it out and flush it.

 

[ChrisK]

If I see a dead fish I always remove it, that said, one little small fish in a 55 shouldn't hurt anything.

 

[BettaFishMommy]

well the shrimpies seem to be done their noshing, so lil miss deceased went for a plumbing ride postmortem, lol.