Aging out

[Lavey29]

The circle of life is beautiful but so sad in the end unfortunately. A few of my fish have aged out recently. I could see it coming on very similar to elderly senior citizens to. They just start to slow down more, needing more naps and rest, starting eating less as their body slowly shuts down. They were so energetic before. I had the hardest time some years back when I lost my 16 year old datschund. Like losing a family member. Now I'm sitting here watching my midas blenny complete his circle of life. He used to be the most active fish in the tank to. Just a bummer day coming on.

 

[vlangel]

I hear your pain and we have a 13 and a half old shih tzu mix. He still has some vibrancy, especially since I started feeding him real meat, but now walking more than half a mile is pretty hard on him. I also have kept fish that I became very attached to and then just watched them slow down and finally stop. At coming on 65 myself, I feel the beginnings of the aging process myself. It's sad but I comfort myself knowing that Jesus has prepared a place for me with no death, pain or sadness.

 

[Lavey29]

I hear your pain and we have a 13 and a half old shih tzu mix. He still has some vibrancy, especially since I started feeding him real meat, but now walking more than half a mile is pretty hard on him. I also have kept fish that I became very attached to and then just watched them slow down and finally stop. At coming on 65 myself, I feel the beginnings of the aging process myself. It's sad but I comfort myself knowing that Jesus has prepared a place for me with no death, pain or sadness.

So true, Jesus has prepared a place for us...and our furry and watery friends too

 

[Cell]

Take solace in the fact you gave them a long, healthy life. Much better to see fish age out than jump out.

 

[PharmrJohn]

I hear your pain and we have a 13 and a half old shih tzu mix. He still has some vibrancy, especially since I started feeding him real meat, but now walking more than half a mile is pretty hard on him. I also have kept fish that I became very attached to and then just watched them slow down and finally stop. At coming on 65 myself, I feel the beginnings of the aging process myself. It's sad but I comfort myself knowing that Jesus has prepared a place for me with no death, pain or sadness.

I hear ya my friend. I'm 60 and feeling it. I'm nowhere near the man I was even 10 years ago. Part of the reason I'm starting a new tank. I wanna get it humming on its own while I still have energy left. As I have no religious belief, I cannot take comfort in that. It's kinda rough, actually. But it's the way my brain is built. And my cat is 16. I rue the day he passes.

 

[LadyMac]

I understand that. My heart dog Shadow was 16 when she passed. It’s been about that since she’s been gone, and my current two are 11 and nine. Plus my oldest betta gal is about two and a half now, with one right under that. It’s so hard to watch them age.

 

[PharmrJohn]

Yeah. This circle of life stuff can suck.

 

[Formulator]

Sorry to hear this. My 13 year old great pyrenees is in kidney failure now and in his final week of life. Its so hard. They really are part of the family. On the other hand, and maybe this speaks to the point you tried to make in our little spat last night about fish-in cycling, I just don’t seem to attach to my fish the same way I do to my dogs. I feel guilty about that reading this thread, but I just don’t feel the same way about my fish and I don’t know if I can help it. I want them to be healthy and happy, but I think I view my tank more as a piece of art and science than a glass cage full of animal companions. Yes, it upsets me a great deal to lose a fish, but I’m not sobbing about it and taking days off work like I would with my dogs. Not saying this is right, but being honest about how I feel.

 

[PharmrJohn]

Sorry to hear this. My 13 year old great pyrenees is in kidney failure now and in his final week of life. Its so hard. They really are part of the family. On the other hand, and maybe this speaks to the point you tried to make in our little spat last night about fish-in cycling, I just don’t seem to attach to my fish the same way I do to my dogs. I feel guilty about that reading this thread, but I just don’t feel the same way about my fish and I don’t know if I can help it. I want them to be healthy and happy, but I think I view my tank more as a piece of art and science than a glass cage full of animal companions. Yes, it upsets me a great deal to lose a fish, but I’m not sobbing about it and taking days off work like I would with my dogs. Not saying this is right, but being honest about how I feel.

Hey, I'm the same way. Dogs, cats, birds etc that actually respond to you and have a physical contact aspect to them that fosters a different kind of relationship. I never had that kind of relationship with my fish. Ever. That's not to say I don't care. I do. But not as intensely.

 

[crazyfishmom]

My fish gather at the end of the tank when I get home. They see me walk in the door and just wait there. I always come say hello. Most of them feed off the tongs and I have a couple that feed off my hand. Haven’t had a dog in many years but I was just as attached. Have definitely cried over fish when they were not doing well before. Have definitely cried when I had to euthanize a wrasse with neurological symptoms.

I am hoping they live long and healthy lives and hope that I get to watch them. It’s a hard balance.

 

[Lavey29]

In one way or another we do all care for our animals whether dogs, cats, fish, etc.... I try not to get attached but for some reason they just look at you , greet you, watch TV with you, nap with you and just make each day better all around so it's tough when they reach that end of life age.

 

[Dburr1014]

I'm 58
My dog will be 10 in November
My royal Gramma I got in April of 2014 is looking pretty rough.

We are all getting older.

 

[Parrotpam]

Hey, I'm the same way. Dogs, cats, birds etc that actually respond to you and have a physical contact aspect to them that fosters a different kind of relationship. I never had that kind of relationship with my fish. Ever. That's not to say I don't care. I do. But not as intensely.

Agree it's not the same as dogs, cats and birds (especially parrots) but still fish are self aware and it is sad when they go. We started our first tank last year and had what we called a BLACK Friday with marine velvet which resulted in our beloved first fish two clowns and a Bangaii Cardinal having to be "put down". There were tears but no pet was or will ever be as painful as losing my 23 year old parrot in February. Also if you want to read an amazing book read What a Fish Knows...that will bring out alot of understanding and empathy.

 

[KenBabich]

Losing a furry friend may likely require more days of mourning and sadness than loss of a fish, simply due to how more of our senses can be stimulated with furry pets, but make no mistake, certain fish can definitely swim their way into our hearts! My algae blenny did not depend upon me for food, so his coming to see me, to seek me out initially jarred me as "what the....?" He actually craned his neck to look around a rock to see me when I intentionally moved out of line of sight. That was when I did sign of the cross and panicked, is he el diablo or santa maria! Others could approach the tank and he ignored them. I approach, or walk into the room and boom...smack dab in my face, or casually starring up at me perched on a rock. That said, some fish have quirkiness and behaviors that simply make them adorable and saddening when they die. Was painful to watch my crazy active blenny become thin and barely moving. I did cry a bit when I found him dead, which is another story. He swam out to front of glass closest side to where I was sitting, didn't care clownfish were ticked he was next to their hosted coral,I put my finger to the glass, he moved closer....i took a call...3 minutes later when I got back, he had died.

 

[gbroadbridge]

The circle of life is beautiful but so sad in the end unfortunately. A few of my fish have aged out recently. I could see it coming on very similar to elderly senior citizens to. They just start to slow down more, needing more naps and rest, starting eating less as their body slowly shuts down. They were so energetic before. I had the hardest time some years back when I lost my 16 year old datschund. Like losing a family member. Now I'm sitting here watching my midas blenny complete his circle of life. He used to be the most active fish in the tank to. Just a bummer day coming on.

Better you watching the fish pass than the other way around....

 

[Lavey29]

Better you watching the fish pass than the other way around....

Good point, who would feed them then.

 

[Lavey29]

Losing a furry friend may likely require more days of mourning and sadness than loss of a fish, simply due to how more of our senses can be stimulated with furry pets, but make no mistake, certain fish can definitely swim their way into our hearts! My algae blenny did not depend upon me for food, so his coming to see me, to seek me out initially jarred me as "what the....?" He actually craned his neck to look around a rock to see me when I intentionally moved out of line of sight. That was when I did sign of the cross and panicked, is he el diablo or santa maria! Others could approach the tank and he ignored them. I approach, or walk into the room and boom...smack dab in my face, or casually starring up at me perched on a rock. That said, some fish have quirkiness and behaviors that simply make them adorable and saddening when they die. Was painful to watch my crazy active blenny become thin and barely moving. I did cry a bit when I found him dead, which is another story. He swam out to front of glass closest side to where I was sitting, didn't care clownfish were ticked he was next to their hosted coral,I put my finger to the glass, he moved closer....i took a call...3 minutes later when I got back, he had died.

Sorry for your losses. Yes my aging fish seem to make eye contact with me constantly. Sadly in my tank when a fish passes, I never find them. The mortician crew acts fast and it's like one they are there and next day just gone. Guess it's the same in the ocean to.

 

[AydenLincoln]

How old is your tank/your fish?

 

[Lavey29]

How old is your tank/your fish?

3.5 years so I guess my fish are in the 4 to 6 year range. The clowns I have are older then that because previous owner had them over 5 years.

 

[jasonrusso]

We are a Dachshund family (we have 2 now 4 dogs total) , they are the best. We lost our special guy 3 years ago and neither of us are over it yet.

I just lost my golden dwarf moray this weekend after 8+ years, and I'm heartbroken. Porcupine puffers are my soft spot. They are truly aquapuppies.

This is Quinn (3 years old) and my beloved eel Bobby.

Losing a dog or cat is no doubt the worst, but some fish come close. Coming home and seeing the same fish smiling at you or an eel watching you becomes part of your life. When it's gone it makes you feel empty.