My poor fish is dying slowly...

[ILv2Shop]

:sad:I feel sooooooo bad for our fish who is slowly dying. He can't see anymore and it look's like he is having little ?seizures? Maybe they aren't seizures, I don't know but it's just so sad. I have prayed that he would die because then he wouldn't be suffering but I can't put him out of his misery either because it would haunt me.
I know he is "just" a fish but he's been so cool for a long time. He get's all excited when we walk up him and he is a part of our daily routine.
:sad:Anyone been in this situation before?

[kval07]

Aw, I'm sorry to hear that. :sad:

[ocean_brez]

I can relate. :hug7: DD10's Beta died earlier this summer. We had had it for 3½ years and guestimated its age at around at least 5 years according to the pet store. That is a long life for a Beta and so I can feel for you because even though it was a fish, it was a cool fish and would greet us when we were near it (it would let us pet it, is that weird or what?) & flair itself out when strangers came over. Kind of like a dog protecting its territory. LOL! Anywho, it started showing signs that it was at its lifes end and its body started thinning out and then it would often lay on its side at the top or at the bottom of the bowl for periods of time, making us think it had finally died, and then all of a sudden just jump up and be full of life. *sigh* Towards the end though, it just kind of stopped eating and then it finally died.

Many thoughts of just disposing of it crossed our minds, but instead we rode it out & when it finally passed, DD buried it outside with her other Beta. So... in better words, it is okay to let it pass on its own, especially if you feel strongly about not taking matters into your own hands.

And FWIW, it's human nature to feel for other living things, no matter how big or how small. :smile:

[navybrat]

I'm sorry too, my pets are ALWAYS more than just pets, even the fish. I know you'd rather find a way to make him better, but if you can't and don't want to see him suffer, you can usually take a fish to Petco or Petsmart and they can put him "to sleep". I worked there years ago and when a fish was listing or sinking but not dead (yet) we took them out and put them in a container of water with this powder dissolved in it and it "put them to sleep". It is more humane than just flushing them I guess. And to clarify, when I say "we would put them in a container", I mean one of the OTHER employees would put them in a container. It makes me to sad to even see a fish die, so I'm right there with you! I just wanted you to know there was a option.

[Riann216]

I'm so sorry to hear that. It is so sad to have to see a pet suffer. I hope he goes peacefully.

[NIGHTB1022]

:sad:I feel sooooooo bad for our fish who is slowly dying. He can't see anymore and it look's like he is having little ?seizures? Maybe they aren't seizures, I don't know but it's just so sad. I have prayed that he would die because then he wouldn't be suffering but I can't put him out of his misery either because it would haunt me.
I know he is "just" a fish but he's been so cool for a long time. He get's all excited when we walk up him and he is a part of our daily routine.
:sad:Anyone been in this situation before?

Yeah quite recently actually, I lost my cockatiel on Saturday morning. Is your fish in an aerated tank? It is possible the tank may need a water change, it kinda sounds to me like there is a lot of ammonia in the water which happens from old food getting down in the gravel if it isn't filtering properly. I don't know if it just your fishes time, or if you don't think it is I would be more than happy to tell you how to do a quick tank change.

[ILv2Shop]

Yeah quite recently actually, I lost my cockatiel on Saturday morning. Is your fish in an aerated tank? It is possible the tank may need a water change, it kinda sounds to me like there is a lot of ammonia in the water which happens from old food getting down in the gravel if it isn't filtering properly. I don't know if it just your fishes time, or if you don't think it is I would be more than happy to tell you how to do a quick tank change.

No, I'm diligent about cleaning it. I think it is just his time to go Rainbow Pond.
He is worse than when I posted earlier. He is now laying sideways (but still moving) so it's just a matter of time. It's just so sad. With a regular pet, you can take them to the vet etc. but with a betta, not much you can do. I'm just grateful to have some responses here. It helps me. I feel so helpless watching him. Thanks everyone. I'll update in the morning. (actually noonish, I'm a nightowl:wink7:)

NIGHTB1022, I'm so sorry to hear about your cockatiel. (We have a African Grey) I'm sorry for your loss.

[kittensqueak]

:sad:I feel sooooooo bad for our fish who is slowly dying. He can't see anymore and it look's like he is having little ?seizures? Maybe they aren't seizures, I don't know but it's just so sad. I have prayed that he would die because then he wouldn't be suffering but I can't put him out of his misery either because it would haunt me.
I know he is "just" a fish but he's been so cool for a long time. He get's all excited when we walk up him and he is a part of our daily routine.
:sad:Anyone been in this situation before?

Animal and people have such special relationships. I'm so sorry to hear that you and the fish are suffering.

One time my brother had some mice that the pet store said were all girls - well one had baby mice - so they weren't all female. One of the babies was the clear runt. He was so cute and fun to play with! When he got sick I hated for him to suffer, so I stayed up all night trying to keep him warm and feed him, ect. I finally fell asleep from staying up all night - and when I woke up he had passed. I felt so bad. Even though it was *just a mouse* it was still hard.

Yeah quite recently actually, I lost my cockatiel on Saturday morning. Is your fish in an aerated tank? It is possible the tank may need a water change, it kinda sounds to me like there is a lot of ammonia in the water which happens from old food getting down in the gravel if it isn't filtering properly. I don't know if it just your fishes time, or if you don't think it is I would be more than happy to tell you how to do a quick tank change.

Sorry to hear about your cockatiel...

[CW&M Mom]

I wonder if you could call petco or some place like that and they could help "put him down" for you. I'd hate to see him suffer too.

((HUGS))

[Steph0079]

((HUGS)) I had a Beta for 6 years and when it was in the same position as yours I called the human society and asked them what I could do for it. This is what they told me...drop an alka seltzer in it's bowl and cover the bowl ....the fish will go to sleep and then pass away.... someone else told me to freeze their water and that puts them to sleep as well (but that info did not come from the humane society, the alka seltzer thing did.)

[hellokittygirl]

(HUGS)
I have a betta fish that I got on Christmas in 2006. I'm away at college now and my parents are left to care for Mr. Darcy and I worry about him all the time. I completely understand about people thinking that fish aren't real pets. Once my grandma said something like, "Oh, he's just a fish... he doesn't even DO anything and you can't pet him!" That made me sad. I like to watch Mr. Darcy and he does have his own personality. Just because I can't reach inside his tank and pet him doesn't mean he is any less of a pet. About a year ago he got some kind of fungal infection and part of his body turned white. I worked tirelessly to remove the fungus from the tank and he pulled through. It really scared me.

Actually, about 2 years ago, my mom called me and casually mentioned that HER fish, Alpha (Alpha the Betta- get it?) had died. I was sobbing. I was so upset! She said she had no idea I would be so hurt. :sad: In fact, every time I go home I immediately go to Darcy's tank because I'm afraid my parents wouldn't tell me if he passed away!

It is so sad to lose a pet. Sometimes I just hate it- I hate that pets have to die. It is a part of the natural life cycle, but it's sad. I worry about my dogs, too. It's normal. But when I think about all the good times and precious memories, it is worth it. :sorry4:

[Moma]

As you can see from my siggy, I lost "my boys" this past year. I love your comment about the "rainbow pond". I hope you find comfort knowing that we are sending caring thoughts your way.

[frugalstafar]

we have a way with what we call the "fair fish"-when we have wone them bouncing ping pong balls in their bowls they usually die for everyone but us-we had one for 7 years!!! His name was Frank, then we had another for 5 years-he was Felix. No flushing for them after they passed though-I went and bought a small plant and a pretty planter, I then buried them in the planter (fish very good for plants) put in the plant and then used the fishbowl rocks for decoration in the planter. They still sit in the kitchen with me as they did for so many years in life. Hugs to you and your little swimmer.

[LaLabrowneyes]

Sorry about your fishy, we got a beta fish about a year ago(BoBo) and to me his part of the family.

[hollielynn]

I had to euthanize a fish recently. It had swim bladder disease and was miserable...


After the research I did online, the most humane way is by alcohol poisoning.

Put your poor fishy in a bowl with some of its water, and add 2 tablespoons of vodka. You will visibly see your fish get drunk. Keep adding the vodka in 2 tablespoon increments until it drifts to sleep and the gills will stop moving.

I HATED doing it, but after I knew he wasn't suffering and it looked like a peaceful way to go...

Some sites recommended Alka Seltzer but that seems cruel, they basically suffocate to death.

</end weird pet advice>

[ILv2Shop]

(sorry I abandoned this thread. Life has been :hectic1:x's 10)


My husband has taken over the fish ordeal. I can't bear to look at him anymore. He has been putting in some stuff daily to the water called, Melafix. (all natural antibacterial fish remedy) He says "Fred" is doing better but I think that is hopeful thinking on his part. Tomorrow is the day to change the water so we'll see what happens. I don't know if it'll be too stressful. I just can't believe how this fish in hanging on.
PS. I am lovin' watching hubby try to sweet talk Fred back to health though. It's so cute.:biggrin:

[kval07]

I had to euthanize a fish recently. It had swim bladder disease and was miserable...


After the research I did online, the most humane way is by alcohol poisoning.

Put your poor fishy in a bowl with some of its water, and add 2 tablespoons of vodka. You will visibly see your fish get drunk. Keep adding the vodka in 2 tablespoon increments until it drifts to sleep and the gills will stop moving.

I HATED doing it, but after I knew he wasn't suffering and it looked like a peaceful way to go...

Some sites recommended Alka Seltzer but that seems cruel, they basically suffocate to death.

</end weird pet advice>

DF would die if he read this. That's alcohol abuse!:giggle2:

ILV2shop, I'm glad your fish is hanging on. Maybe he will pull through!