Hate This

[saz326]

He's an old fella so it is to be expected but Im not quite sure what to do with him. Dwarf gourami.

He has slowly been losing muscle tone, and is now skinny and tired. He still swims and eats fine but is simply old.

I have lifted him from the main tank and he is taking the gentle lifestyle in my fry tank at the moment with shrimp for company. .........should I "bop him off?" Should i let him slip away in his own time?

 

[backtotropical]

If he doesn't seem to be in any pain or distress, I see no reason to 'bop him off'. Let him pass away gracefully in his own time.

 

[Bobtastic]

What is the accepted way of euthanise an aging fish humanely?

 

[Jallen]

What is the accepted way of euthanise an aging fish humanely?

There is none. You wouldn't expect to euthanise old people because they don't die a painful death. The same applies to a fish, it's natural to let it die by itself.

 

[Geoff1991]

I agree, it aquariums we try to mimic a fishes natural habitat, right?

In the wild, they would die naturally, so why send them off early for no good reason.

 

[saz326]

I agree, it aquariums we try to mimic a fishes natural habitat, right?

In the wild, they would die naturally, so why send them off early for no good reason.

I know exactly what you're saying and Im trying to think of it in the same way. He isnt suffering (by appearence he's fine) but I'm not sure I can emotionally handle watching him fade... Everynow and then he looks...sad... wobbly... The same as mi-grandparents! lol. I guess its the rough we gotta take with the smooth.

 

[Geoff1991]

Yeah, but your not considering offing your grandparents (i hope) so why your fish, just enjoy the time you have with him. Youll miss him when hes gone.

 

[Bobtastic]

I'm not suggesting that we kill off perfectly happy elderly fish, but if they are clearly suffering then I would be inclined to "put them out of their misery" in the same way you would for a beloved dog or cat.

 

[Joinerlavin]

i read a book about killing fish humanely and it doesnt really sound humane. e.g. putting fish in container of water and putting in the freezer, cutting head off with sharp knife. If the fish is just old and slipping away slowly i think you should leave him be.

 

[meguro]

I agree, it aquariums we try to mimic a fishes natural habitat, right?

In the wild, they would die naturally, so why send them off early for no good reason.

Unless the fish just so happens to be an apex predator, I doubt they would peacefully die of old age. And even then, aged apex predators are still probably killed by things other than old age.

 

[Jallen]

I agree, it aquariums we try to mimic a fishes natural habitat, right?

In the wild, they would die naturally, so why send them off early for no good reason.

Unless the fish just so happens to be an apex predator, I doubt they would peacefully die of old age. And even then, aged apex predators are still probably killed by things other than old age.

Not true.

Are you honestly saying that every old fish gets eaten or killed by another fish?
A large percentage yes, but no more than 80% in most circumstances.

The most natural thing to do in the circumstances of an aquarium would be to allow it to die of old age.

 

[Geoff1991]

Even so, thats natural, its how things work. Survival of the fittest. A human killing a fish isnt.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi saz326

It's always sad when you have to watch a fish go into a slow decline which you know will not have a happy ending. As long as you're sure it hasn't come down with a disease that could spread to the other fish, please let him live out his days in peace and comfort.

 

[JohnRossDele]

why would u want to kill it, its getting old much with every other living thing in this world will wind down when they get old

so, for the fishies sake, your sake & natures coarse (to let animals die of old age) let it be until it passes away

JRD

 

[meguro]

Not true.

Are you honestly saying that every old fish gets eaten or killed by another fish?
A large percentage yes, but no more than 80% in most circumstances.

The most natural thing to do in the circumstances of an aquarium would be to allow it to die of old age.

I wasn't saying every fish, I was saying that NOT every fish would die peacefully of old age in the wild.

Even so, thats natural, its how things work. Survival of the fittest. A human killing a fish isnt.

Human killing fish unnatural? Humans are apex predators. And not only do we hunt fish, we farm them.

With that said, I'd be inclined to let it die of its own accord anyway.