Hi everyone.  Today as I was vacuuming my aquarium, my beloved Shamrock passed away right before my eyes.  They all have seemed perfectly normal and healthy.  While I was vacuuming and I had vacuumed out about 3-4" water, he started to swim very quickly, then floated, then swam quickly to stop floating, then floated more.  I moved him to the bucket that I just put some tank water in, and he seemed dead at that moment.  The whole process only lasted a few minutes. 

I don't know what caused it.  I know I had no chemicals on me, I even did this before my shower today so there was no fresh soap or lotion on me and I always rinse my hands well with plain water before beginning.  The only possible thing I can think of is that I leave my filters running while I change the water and there is a strong waterfall by the Aqua Clear.  I wonder if he swam near it and it damaged his head or something?  I'm very gentle when I change the water.

I still have him in the bucket just in case you guys tell me that he's not dead; I know that's weird but I want to be sure you don't tell me it's just a coma or something.

Have you guys heard of this before?  Thanks

If he is not breathing and is floating/sinking then he is dead. I'm so sorry. Trauma from the filter or vacuum is possible but I'm sure, like all other animals, there are many natural causes of death that can happen quickly. Don't beat yourself up.

I'm so sorry to hear that Summer Time.
It could have been completely natural and you just happened to be there to see it?

So sorry though, it's hard to lose a fish I know. All the best x

Thanks to you both.  Maybe it was a heart attack or stroke, etc., or the filter waterfall was too strong. He always seemed to be my strongest and healthiest too.  So sad.  I wish I could go back in time and make him well again...

I'm so sorry, really I know how you feel