I lose a half a dozen each year from spawning stress. It happens a little after peak spawning and can last a few weeks.

Did they seem to still have eggs inside? With mine it's like they can't pass the eggs, or reabsorbing the eggs was too much for them. I do know reabsorbing eggs is stressful on fish.

Old age could be it too, as 16 inches is about as big as they get.

If it's just a few I wouldn't be too concerned.

Last edited by Cecil Baird1; 04/22/16 01:57 PM.
If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.