To Euthanize Or Not?

[bushka]

Thanks for all the replies. The fish is still alive and sitting there on his rock, eating a flake from time to time, but not much. I don't think my wife really wants to deal with the subject so if the fish appears to be laboring rather than just sitting there, then I'll euthanize at that point. It's such a small fish I don't think it matters how it is done. I could probably just pinch it between two fingers and would hardly feel it.

bushka

 

[Declan]

Thanks for all the replies. The fish is still alive and sitting there on his rock, eating a flake from time to time, but not much. I don't think my wife really wants to deal with the subject so if the fish appears to be laboring rather than just sitting there, then I'll euthanize at that point. It's such a small fish I don't think it matters how it is done. I could probably just pinch it between two fingers and would hardly feel it.

bushka

Does that not say it all to you?

It is doing nothing, clearly unable to 'live' and at times, unable to even eat.

IMHO you should put it out of its misery.

D.

 

[LauraFrog]

I agree with Declan. It is not likely to be 'labouring'. It will slowly and miserably starve. IMHO not confronting the subject of euthanasia means not confronting the fact that a fish is suffering. I honestly think the best thing you could do for him is to put him down. I'm a livebearer breeder, this defect is quite common and there is no hope of recovery. In the wild, this poor fish would have been eaten as he floated to the bottom immediately after being born. In aquaria, by removing predators we are enabling fish born deformed to suffer. It's far better that you euthanise because 'letting nature take its course' will NOT work in an aquarium where there are no predators.

 

[B13]

Thanks to the OP for posting this!

As a (hopefully!) responsible newbie pet owner, I'm well aware that there will come a time when one of my fishies needs to be put out of it's misery. While I'm happy to do that for the sake of the fish, I didn't know how.


Until now...

I know I couldn't cut it's head off, but the clove oil solution I could definitely do.



...and I'd save the vodka to have a long, stiff drink afterwards...

 

[Declan]

Thanks to the OP for posting this!

As a (hopefully!) responsible newbie pet owner, I'm well aware that there will come a time when one of my fishies needs to be put out of it's misery. While I'm happy to do that for the sake of the fish, I didn't know how.


Until now...

I know I couldn't cut it's head off, but the clove oil solution I could definitely do.



...and I'd save the vodka to have a long, stiff drink afterwards...

Well its good that we have helped more that one person

D.

 

[Dorkhedeos]

What I do is just throw it outside.






Haha, just kidding. Knock it on the head with a spoon, be precise though. If you have predatory fish, you can also just feed it to them, probably the easiest way.

 

[Declan]

If you have predatory fish, you can also just feed it to them, probably the easiest way.

I'm confused, feed them what?

D.

 

[Tolak]

If you have predatory fish, you can also just feed it to them, probably the easiest way.

I'm confused, feed them what?

D.

Feed the pred the culls. I have an oscar that takes care of angel culls, quick, humane, and nothing goes to waste.

 

[bushka]

Thanks for the replies. There were a lot of good and helpful comments. So I did him yesterday, but I have to say I'm not much of a fan of the ice water method. I tried this, and although this is a tiny fish just a bit bigger than a fry, it did wiggle a bit for about 3 seconds. I remember using boiling water years ago when I was a kid with fish, and that seemed instant. Maybe the clove oil is the best, but who has that sitting around unless you are a serious fish keeper?

Anyway, I got the backup I needed in this forum so that my wife just didn't want to know anything. "Don't ask, don't tell" so to speak.

Thanks again,
bushka

 

[LauraFrog]

You did the right thing. It's a shame, but at least the poor creature is no longer suffering. Clove oil is my preference. I did buy it for the sole purpose of anaesthesia/euthanasia of fish when i decided to breed seriously, but it has other uses. It's readily available from pharmacies over the counter for about $6 for a decent sized bottle. It is used for toothache (a drop in the affected tooth; I've used it, and it actually works) and also if you sprinkle it inside a wardrobe or put it in the bathroom it is very good at stopping the growth of mould. It kills most mould spores and will deter the mould that grows in grout in bathrooms, the mildew that gets on clothing and tents, etc. So all in all worth having around the house, especially if you happen to be a fishkeeper.

 

[bushka]

Thanks Laura. If I ever get back into fish keeping, I'll be sure to get some of that clove oil.

bushka

 

[Declan]

Thanks Laura. If I ever get back into fish keeping, I'll be sure to get some of that clove oil.

bushka

Get back into?

D.

 

[bushka]

Thanks Laura. If I ever get back into fish keeping, I'll be sure to get some of that clove oil.

bushka

Get back into?

D.

Well, like I said originally, I saved about a dozen fry from a tank that was being shut down (not my tank). I had a little corner 5 tank not in use and thought I'd raise the fry until they were large enough to send to a fish store. We took the other adult fish in that tank to the fish store. The only problem now is how to get a dozen red platys big enough to give to the store, but not so big that they leave behind more little ones!

I enjoy fish, but we are building a house right now and I'm not sure whether I wan't to get back into the hobby when the house is done.

bushka