Euthanization

savetheocean · Oct 27, 2018

Hey, I'm facing a really tough decision and I want to get some peoples input on it. My coral beauty is looking very very bad. He's covered in ich and his fins are starting to deteriorate. It happened so fast it snuck right by me. Im actually in the process of moving so I've been very stressed and my tank hasn't really been my priority. I know thats no excuse and I feel terrible for not realizing soon enough.

He looks terrible and I know he's suffering. He's so weak he can barely swim and is taking constant breaks. Should I leave him be? Should I try to medicate? (I literally just gave away my other tank so it would be less to move - so my only option would be a bucket)

What would you do?

savetheocean · Oct 27, 2018

All my other fish are perfectly fine BTW. So don't worry about them.

cromag27 · Oct 27, 2018

freezer

Coralreefer1 · Oct 27, 2018

Sorry to hear about your Centropyge Angel not doing well! At some point, you just have to say when! If they are too far gone, dosing medication may cause more harm than good if your fish is too weak. If all you have is a bucket, then treating your Angel really isn’t a viable alternative. Ich is never a good thing and usually they end result ends up being the same...the death of your fish and unfortunately, the chances of other livestock being infected are great and often end with the same devastational result.
How long has it been since it was infected with the ich?
Unfortunately it may be best to end your Angels suffering...
Sorry!

savetheocean · Oct 27, 2018

Coralreefer1 said:
Sorry to hear about your Centropyge Angel not doing well! At some point, you just have to say when! If they are too far gone, dosing medication may cause more harm than good if your fish is too weak. If all you have is a bucket, then treating your Angel really isn’t a viable alternative. Ich is never a good thing and usually they end result ends up being the same...the death of your fish and unfortunately, the chances of other livestock being infected are great and often end with the same devastational result.
How long has it been since it was infected with the ich?
Unfortunately it may be best to end your Angels suffering...
Sorry!

I didn't notice it like two days ago..

Is putting him in a bucket of ice cold water humane?

cromag27 · Oct 27, 2018

savetheocean said:
I didn't notice it like two days ago..

Is putting him in a bucket of ice cold water humane?

i’ve always just used the freezer. a bucket of cold water WITH lots of ice could be as effective.

i used to work in law enforcement and i learned that this is also one of the most humane ways for humans to die, compared to trauma, fire, etc.

Katrina71 · Oct 27, 2018

I use the freezer method as well.

savetheocean · Oct 27, 2018

I can't do it.. I can't intentionally take a life. I had it all ready and I just couldn't do it.

I have him in a net box at the very top so no one tries to eat him while he is still alive. I also shut all the lights off and left the room. I want him to leave naturally and hopefully in somewhat peace.

joec · Oct 27, 2018

Its not about you, its about doing the right thing and ending the suffering.

He's not at peace when he's suffering. Put him in chilled RO water and put him in the freezer, it will take only a little bit and it will be over

Zeal · Oct 27, 2018

Looks like freezer is the best bet

NS Mike D · Oct 27, 2018

joec said:
Its not about you, its about doing the right thing and ending the suffering.

He's not at peace when he's suffering. Put him in chilled RO water and put him in the freezer, it will take only a little bit and it will be over

^^^ this,

Consider this, you made the decision to keep it in a tiny ecosystem for your enjoyment where ich can outbreak and not in the ocean where mother nature has much better system of checks and balance. You owe it to that fish to end its suffering in a fast and least painless way possible.

Nick Lowe once said "you need to be cruel to be kind, in the right manner" This is one of those times .

savetheocean · Oct 27, 2018

I forced myself to do it. You're right, its not about me. I cooled some of his tank water down with lots of ice and dropped him in. He died within seconds.

joec · Oct 27, 2018

savetheocean said:
I forced myself to do it. You're right, its not about me. I cooled some of his tank water down with lots of ice and dropped him in. He died within seconds.

I just had to do it a couple weeks ago, I know it sucks

savetheocean · Oct 27, 2018

NS Mike D said:
^^^ this,

you made the decision to keep it in a tiny ecosystem for your enjoyment where ich can outbreak and not in the ocean where mother nature has much better system of checks and balance. You owe it to that fish to end its suffering in the painless way possible

You are completely correct. I made the decision to take them from their home and stuff them in a little box of water, completely for my own pleasure. I really do think I have learned from this and I am not going to let it happen again.

Joshua2598 · Oct 27, 2018

A big overdose of clove oil is peaceful death to freshwater fish . Cant see a difference with saltwater

NS Mike D · Oct 27, 2018

joec said:
I just had to do it a couple weeks ago, I know it sucks

same here. A new emerald crab got to a tail spot blenny. left it with a huge cut near his head and floating upside down. it would only be a matter of hours before the rest of the tank would have finished it off. While that would have been a natural conclusion, I made the call to euthanize.

It was much harder when my 14 year old Sammyed broke her hip. Doc had already asked me to start thinking about it a year earlier. She was having difficulty standing up (along with some other old age afflictions), but then she would leap off the porch and run about in the snow like a playful puppy. But her hips were too fragile and once they broke, it was like her telling me it was time, getting me off the hook.
Fish will let you know.

Robink · Oct 27, 2018

So sorry for your loss and that you had to do that.
Just be aware that you have ick in your tank and it will most likely flare up especially if your going to move the tank. Once you get moved you may want to get a cheap qt tank and go ahead and qt your fish and let your tank go fallow.

Joshua2598 · Oct 27, 2018

NS Mike D said:
same here. A new emerald crab got to a tail spot blenny. left it with a huge cut near his head and floating upside down. it would only be a matter of hours before the rest of the tank would have finished it off. While that would have been a natural conclusion, I made the call to euthanize.

It was much harder when my 14 year old Sammyed broke her hip. Doc had already asked me to start thinking about it a year earlier. She was having difficulty standing up (along with some other old age afflictions), but then she would leap off the porch and run about in the snow like a playful puppy. But her hips were too fragile and once they broke, it was like her telling me it was time, getting me off the hook.
Fish will let you know.

Sorry for your loss man,
Fish are 10x easier to euthanize than dogs.. my dog is about 12 years olds and o suspect she have a good few years in her or more. I hope I wont have to euthanize her

joec · Oct 27, 2018

Joshua2598 said:
Sorry for your loss man,
Fish are 10x easier to euthanize than dogs.. my dog is about 12 years olds and o suspect she have a good few years in her or more. I hope I wont have to euthanize her

When I had to put down my 15yo lab last year, I cried for weeks, and I rarely cry

I still tear up..

But life goes on

lion king · Oct 27, 2018

Clove oil, it's what the use for anesthesia, an overdose will gently and humanely put him down. You can find recommended drops online. I then bag them in the water to freeze just to make sure. Straight to the freezer is just wrong.

It happens, and yeah I'm saddened by it, but sometimes it is for the best.