Shall I Euthanize My Fish?

[ATK!!!]

My Platy (approx 3-4 years old) has recently acquired a scale sized white spot which is possibly bacterial/fungal. He is already nearing the end of his life and over the past few months has been slowing down and making less and less of an effort to do anything. Currently he is lying on the bottom of the tank and only moving every 10-20mins. He hasn't eaten in 5 days now and is looking rather thin. If this was a normal situation then I would be trying to save him as much as I can, however tommorow (Fri 29th) I will be going for a 2 week holiday abroad and will be leaving the fish in the hands of my rather dubious neibhour...

So if I don't euthanize him then he could potentially cause a chain reaction and kill even more fish which my neighbour won't be able fix, also I have no medical treatments to hand so the fishs condition cannot be helped. On the other hand I don't know if I could euthanize it, my dad has already said that he wont and firmly believes there is another way. I have to say that I believe that too.

So what do you think?

 

[soybean]

Can't you isolate it from the tank?

 

[Wigster]

I think you know the answer, you just want re-assurance. Sad, but you know what's best for it.

 

[Gavo]

you left it a bit late to do anything apart from what you suggested.


but it in a little bag get a rolling pin and bam

 

[ATK!!!]

If im doing it, I'll do it properly with clove oil. Sadly the best I could do with it otherwise is put it in a heated bucket, I have no spare filters... I was thinking of maybe asking the neighbour only to feed once a week and just hope tank could cope with the strain of a rotting fish but I guess thats not really an option. It's a shame because it could probably easily survive this in a normal situation.

 

[StandbySetting]

I dislike the clove oil method personally, it takes too long for my liking, I find that the quickest, most humane way is to sever the spinal chord and then proceed to pith the brain, it's not pleasant but is certainly the quickest and most humane way as it is instant, and is convenient for small fish.

 

[soybean]

If you know it's on its way out, don't risk a rotting fish. Sad but at least clove oil is a humane way, no point delaying the inevitable.

 

[CrazyAirborne]

I heard someone say they drop them in boiling water... seems pretty instant to me.

 

[soybean]

I heard someone say they drop them in boiling water... seems pretty instant to me.

Good grief.

 

[ATK!!!]

I dislike the clove oil method personally, it takes too long for my liking, I find that the quickest, most humane way is to sever the spinal chord and then proceed to pith the brain, it's not pleasant but is certainly the quickest and most humane way as it is instant, and is convenient for small fish.

Sorry but I just can't bring myself to do that, and anyway I don't have a single sharp knife... I know some people don't agree with the clove oil method but that is the only way I am going to be able to bring myself to do.

I just went downstairs and found him dead, lying on his favourite patch of the Java Fern.

 

[Corydoralover]

aww lets hope he enjoyed his life and little guy

 

[Wigster]

 

[ATK!!!]

Thanks people. At least there is no way the fish can be harmed by him decomposing anymore.

 

[willowstwin]

wow, that actually made me cry :'( RIP little one

 

[KISSfn]

Sorry for your loss...