my fish jeff is 4 or 5 years old. i came back from my wedding to find him suffering. he hasn't been doing well for the last maybe 3 weeks, but really deteriorated while we were gone.
it looks to me like he has fin rot and swim bladder disease. i had him on kanaplex / metroplex for about 1.5 weeks and saw no improvement. he ate maybe 3 pieces a week ago, but hasn't eaten since and the pet sitter was not able to get him to eat during the wedding. he has labored breathing. he can't swim to the surface of the tank. i lowered the water levels and he still can't get up. he's in a 10 gallon planted tank. all of the water parameters are ideal and the tank is set to 81 degrees.
i'm leaving for my honeymoon in 5 hours. i don't know what the best thing to do is. he is so old and i don't want him to suffer / don't want the pet sitter to have to deal with him dying on her.
do i leave him (presumably with low water levels, no light, no food) to die as comfortably as possible? is there any chance he will recover? or should i euthanize him before we go?
https://i.redd.it/fnvj2fbfv4vf1.jpeg
Posted by rihannaluna
14 Comments
video: https://imgur.com/a/iDv4Vm0
Get some clove oil and mix a good amount with a little bit of water and put your ur fish in it. This will humanely euthanize your fish. Your fish looks like it is heavily suffering so I would go ahead and euthanize considering your going away
I’m no expert by any means, but that just looks like he’s suffering at this point. 4-5 years is crazy enough! That’s a fantastic lifespan. If I were you, based on his current state, I’d euthanize him. Look into clove oil, ice water, or a very high alcohol percentage drink like vodka. They all sound crazy, but do a tad research and choose from there.
5 years?! He’s a grandpa that got to see you wed. He’s blind, pinconed and unable to swim right. I think it’s time to let him rest peacefully :(.
Poor buddy. I’m sorry for your loss.
It sounds f’d up but when i need to euthanize i put the lil bro into a plastic bag into a paper bag and just jump on it. Its fucked. But it only takes like 5 seconds from my scooping it out of the tank to it being dead.
I’m sorry but you have done so well for your guy. Clove oil is very simple and they just go to sleep. I just take a small cup of water and put a few drops in and the fish and then slowly add more over 10 min and then leave them for another 10 min.
Great job keeping him alive for 5 years. This brings tears to my eyes. So sorry.🥲
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1cD9NntUrlEno8rQSqOuCh9vnqCH4UkQgN6V5td-R7To/edit?usp=drivesdk
This is my personal fish quality of life assessment chart. It includes euthenasia methods and proper procedures. Based on what I see, yes, I would euthenize. Please make sure to use a Betta appropriate method.
thank you all for advice and kind words. we just put him down using clove oil, slowly adding more. he went peacefully and had a very long happy life❤️
How do people do this? With a .22 or hammer? Serious question.
My goodness, 5 years is very impressive! What a distinguished old gentleman. I know it will hurt to do so, but I’ve heard often that clove oil really isn’t that humane, and that the best option is the squish. I understand not having the heart to do so however. It just feels so much worse to do. Whatever your choice, don’t be discouraged, and congratulations on having your dear fishy friend around for such a long time. I’m sorry for your upcoming loss, sending hugs your way. I know this is so hard, and I hope your partner will support you phenomenally during all this. Good luck dear. ❤️
He loved you, he really did. He gets to watch you have your honeymoon now 🙂 he will be with you forever.
So sorry for your loss! 5 years is so much time and you very clearly loved him. Swim in peace lil Jeff 🩷