When fish die don't they float to top?

[Jasminesmommy]

My fish died sometime either today or late yesterday but he is on the bottom. I thought they float to the top. Also his back fin is very short almost not there. Could my sucking fish thingy killed it? My daughter is going to be so sad. This was inherited to her from her late Great Grandma 2 years ago.

 

[Tasha+Scott]

Well, I used to work as a fish specialist so I think I learned enough to answer your questions. Not all fish float to the top when they die. Also your sucky thing (I am assuming you mean an algae eater) more than likely did NOT kill your fish. This may sound gross but when a fish dies other fish will begin to eat it. A lot of people assume this means that the one eating on it must have killed it but that is usually not the case. Especially if they were together in the tank a long time before your fish died and you never noticed them fighting.

Hugs to your daughter!

 

[Sparx]

What kind of fish is it?
No, they don't all float bellie up, but some do, it depend how long they are dead, and how big they are, and alot of other stuff.
Some types of Algie eaters can kill fish, but it once again, depends on the type and size of both fish.
Your fish may have been sucked up into the filter, and floated back out, I have had this happen, It would mangle the fish, so if it is one piece, this more than likely didn't happen.
If you have any other fish in there, you want to remove the dead one. Then carefully clean the tank. (it may have died because of something in the water).
This is all the advice that I can give. And tell your dd that I know how she feels. I have went through many a fish, bird, and cat...

sparx

 

[Jasminesmommy]

It was olny one fish called a Kissing Fish. My daughter took it vey well. mainly because i promised to buy another one. My son on the other hand who was wanting to flush it since he seen it wasn't. After we gave it a toliet funeral he looked at me and very calmly said "Mommy I think i am going to cry" then he sat on my lap and broke down. My poor baby he is going to get a fish as well.