Hollowed out Fish

Question
Dear Rachel,

  During the past week I have found many of my fish at the botton of the 10 gallon fish tank Completly hollowed out!!!!!!!!  I have a Small Algea Eater, a mini Catfish, 3 platies, 3 fancy male guppies, and 2 dwarf frogs in the tank. Every morning of this week I have found 1 of my platies dead, ripped open and completly hollowed out, all that was left was part of the head, the back bone, and part of the tail! but this morning I found something new!!  one Of my Guppies Had No head!!!! At first he was trying to get off of the tank floor but couldn't then suddenly died!!!!!!I have had him for about 2 1/2 weeks now I Also found my platy with no head! I have had him since June 9, 2007. They are all warm water fish and the tempature is set and have been for 2 months when I got my tank at 78'F.  I also Had 4 cold water small Common goldfish in a 2 gallon tank with no heater, Which after 2  days also where the same case!!!


I feed Both my warm & cold water fish twice a day once when i wake up  ( usually around 9 am) and Once at 5 o clock pm  

Am I feeding them two much? Are they geting SOOOOO Full that they burst?

( I bought ALL of my fish at The Walmart fish Center!)

Answer
My best guess would be that the problem is a vicious fungus or parasite. When you get fish from chain stores they often come with several deadly diseases or parasites. I would definately not get any more fish from the place you previously have as they must have a disease and/or parasite. Considering the problem has happened in two different tanks with different conditions and fish but fish from the same location, the likely result is from the disease or parasite from the fish store. All you can do is not get any more fish there. If you have remaining fish get a treatment which covers parasites and diseases and make sure it covers fungus. Let me know if you need more help.