It would seem that the Methuselah of goldfish had to come to his end at last.

I'd posted in the Lounge last night, hoping to find my other forum friends who have fishies for help because he had been listless for a few days, and last night I noticed red streaks and blotches on him and he was obviously having trouble breathing, laying on his side at the tank bottom. I cleared his water and put some ich treatment in when I noticed white spots appearing on him, but I guess I was too late or incorrect with my treatment...I couldn't tell if it was actually this illness, or if he was ammonia/nitrite poisoned or had the bends. (These were some of the conclusions I came to upon reading the online fish forums.)

He survived the night, before Mizmy went in to the vet this morning he was still fighting for breath. But by the time my husband had returned from town with the supplies we were going to use to try to help him, he was gone.

We've buried him in the back yard with all our other lost pets. This will be the second of my son's animals I've had to lay to rest within the space of six months.

People will say, so what, he was just a fish? No, he was more than that. He was a miracle; going from being a feeder almost 15 years ago to the angelic creature that glided by on his gossamer wings in his own private universe across from my computer table. There is no way you can be irritable when you see that silent dance in motion. It is so soothing.

I will miss him. Worst of all, I wish I had known death was hovering so close nearby, so I could've eased his pain and suffering a little quicker. But I had so hoped he would rally as he has so many times before.

Goodbye Shims. Our dear Mr. Fishy. You will be missed, and never forgotten.

I'll have to find and post his pictures later. They are hiding from me.

*hugs from M&M*

Sorry about the loss of your fishfish, even though he was a fish, they still wiggle into our hearts dont they?

MM, I posted in your other thread too, I'm so sorry about Shimmer, I can't believe he was 15 years old, that's fantastic, what a wonderful life he had watching you on your computer. We love our pets, be they fin, feather or fur. Swim free Mr. Shim

((((hugs to your family, especially your son))))

Kathy

That is long time. I'm sure you will miss his peaceful existence. I know nothing about fish other than I think they are beautiful and alot of work to care for.

Hugs to you and your family Mimz and may Shimmer swim across the rainbow bridge and be whole again. I love that name for an angel fish too - Shimmer, really beautiful.

Sorry to hear about your Shimmer. What a great life he had though, 15 years with a great family like yours.

Mimz, this has been a hard year for you. ): My prayers are with you.

15 -THAT'S amazing. I was six years old when you got that fish, Mimz.

Mimz I am sorry to hear about the passing of Shims. Fish are fantastic and absolutely fascinating. 15 years old is a great age, most people cannot accomplish that. I know he is swimming still in his own private universe and is very peaceful and happy there. Hugs to you from me and the buns. *hug*

Happy swimming, Shims. Sounds like he has been well taken care off to get that old. You sound like such a caring family.

Thanks so much for your well wishes everyone. Yeah, it's been weird, I kept waking up all night (besides watching Mimzy like a hawk) wondering why I didn't hear his bubbler going. That's hard to deal with. And the big pit in the entertainment center where his tank used to be.
No more fish for me. Too hard to keep them going.

Awe...I'm sorry about Shimmer, but I don't doubt he had the best 15 years a fish could ever had.

I'm glad you posted here, too. I almost moved your other post about Shimmer, but decided not to make it confusing for you.
If you do find the pix, I'd love to see Shimmer.

Hugs Mimz!

(((Shimmer...)))

Wow, you did such a great job with him! My mom recently lost her koi fish of about 13 years. It was really hard. They might be 'just fish', but everyone here knows that they aren't, just like rabbits aren't 'just rabbits'. They are unique individuals that find a special place in our homes and hearts.

15 years makes for a deep bond with our finned friends who give us so much enjoyment. You have the comfort of knowing you did a wonderful job of caring for him and I'm sure he felt very comfortable and cared for in his tank to have stayed so long. Shimmer is a beautiful name. Please post pictures. Prayers and thoughts are with you as you grieve for him. I hope your memories of his lengthy life with you providing you beauty and enjoyment as he glided around his tank, brings you comfort quickly.

******HUGS********

Awww Mimz I'm so sorry The losses recently are so devastating. I hope you and your family are recovering well. What a beloved fish he must have been, to have a grave instead of the alternative. I know-he was loved and well cared for and lived the 'high life' in your household. What more could he ask for? Nothing-I'm sure of it. ***HUGS***