HUGE Apology!

[Pufferpunk]

I want to apologize to anyone I've ever given a hard time about how they keep fish. I just murdered a 10 year old black ghost knife (12"), 10 year old b/w synodontis, 20 year old elephantnose (2nd elephantnose is still hanging in there) & another 10 year old catfish. I was multi-tasking as always-- water changes, answering a Hotline, watching TV, eating & making RO water, all at once. I must have turned off the cold water after filling the RO bucket & thought it was on for the refill of my 125g tank (I usually drain about 75%). I saw the elephant noses on their side & realized I had filled 2/3 of the tank with only HOT water! I'M A MURDERER!!! It was absolutely horrible pulling out such large bodies... Everyone, please forgive me for ever giving you a hard time--I'm not one to talk.

[recombinantrider]

I'm sorry for your loss Accidents happen to the best of us, so don't beat yourself up.

[Pufferpunk]

2nd elephant nose just died... Seems it was all the older, South American species. The most stressed out fish that did live was the Frontosa, who is also a SA species. He kept trying to jump out! Thank God Filbert is fine. He didn't seem to care it wasd 100 degrees in there.

[LilGreenPuffer]

Oh, NO!!!!! I'm so sorry! At least you've still got Filbert and the frontosa. That's awful, though. What a drag.

[Pufferpunk]

The older yellow-finned chalcius & the huge pair of clown loaches survived too. Also the 12" goldspot pleco & large sailfin pleco.

[Sponge bob]

Sorry about the losses.

[groovitudedude]

Sorry PP, I'm sure we've all made bad mistakes.

[mrgreen]

((PP))

I can relate to the multi-tasking and making mistakes. I'm sorry for your loss.

[ladyonyx]

I'm so sorry to hear about your fish =(

[Corvus]

Very sorry to hear that. But just because accidents/mistakes happen that does not mean you don't know how it is done right, and of course you can give proper advice to other people.

[Pufferpunk]

Folks have been trying to tell me that all day but I still feel very guilty. I can't imagine what they must have gone though. Does anyone know why it was only South American species that died? Filbert the fahaka didn't seem to care one bit--wasn't even panting.

[Corvus]

I would not interpret it as "only SA species" died, but rather as "the most temperature sensitive species died" and they happen to be from SA. SA has equally different river and lake biotopes as Africa and you will also find African species that would die under these circumstances and SA fish that would survive. Given someone had more sensitive Africans in his/her tank and some robust SA fish he would come to the opposite conclusion if he went through what you went through.

[Dadof4]

Oh my! I feel terrible for you. A loss of this magnitude has got to be absolutely heart breaking. You are a fantastic fish keeper and a great teacher; this incident proves that even the great ones make the occasional mistake and that we're not all perfect, even though we strive to be.

[Pufferpunk]

They were also the oldest fish, 10-20 years. All scaleless too, although the survivers are 2 8 year old cown loaches, a 6 year fahaka, 7 year frontosa & 4 year chalcius.

[diverchic]

PP I am sorry to hear about your loss. Please do not blame yourself, accidents happen. That does not mean that you're not able to give useful, knowledgeable advice... it just means that you are human.

Please do not beat yourself up over this mistake, you are a wonderful 'parent' to your fish and a great advocate for keeping them in the best manner for their health and happiness.

Hugs