Fish euthanasia decision?
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jrill
Valuable Member
I guess I just see it a little different. I've done alot of breeding of killifish and shrimp and culling is just part of the experience.
If it were a wrasse with a spinal injury, or a fish injured so gravely there was no hope...
I would suggest euthanasia.
But, often there are at least a few things you can “try” to give them a fighting chance. What if they miraculously turn around?
For example... I had a lineatus wrasse that I believe had velvet in the gills. When I found him, he was laying on the bottom breathing rapidly and just kind of blowing in the current... he looked like he would die at any second.
Humble suggested that maybe it was velvet (fish had no spots, not obvious marks or symptoms) and so I very quickly scooped him out for a freshwater dip and rally bath, and began to dose copper into his tank.
I wasn’t sure if he would make it through the night... but don’t you know the next morning he was up and swimming and even eating again? Finished his treatment and he made it all the way through QT without any other issues.
If I didn’t know any better I could have looked at him and said “well, he’s a goner” and put him out of his misery... but instead I worked quickly and tried something, even without an actual diagnosis, and saved him.
So, I think sometimes it’s at least worth the try. If they don’t survive the treatment, well they probably wouldn’t have survived anyway...
I would suggest euthanasia.
But, often there are at least a few things you can “try” to give them a fighting chance. What if they miraculously turn around?
For example... I had a lineatus wrasse that I believe had velvet in the gills. When I found him, he was laying on the bottom breathing rapidly and just kind of blowing in the current... he looked like he would die at any second.
Humble suggested that maybe it was velvet (fish had no spots, not obvious marks or symptoms) and so I very quickly scooped him out for a freshwater dip and rally bath, and began to dose copper into his tank.
I wasn’t sure if he would make it through the night... but don’t you know the next morning he was up and swimming and even eating again? Finished his treatment and he made it all the way through QT without any other issues.
If I didn’t know any better I could have looked at him and said “well, he’s a goner” and put him out of his misery... but instead I worked quickly and tried something, even without an actual diagnosis, and saved him.
So, I think sometimes it’s at least worth the try. If they don’t survive the treatment, well they probably wouldn’t have survived anyway...
Mastiffsrule
Where ever you go, there you are, so be nice 2 you
I think we have a great well thought out thread both pro and cons but,
Let’s check in w OP. Wondering if he got the black worms and if he is eating?
@joec
Let’s check in w OP. Wondering if he got the black worms and if he is eating?
@joec
Just to clarify though, I wouldn’t blame or judge or look down upon the OP if he did decide to euthanize. It’s not an easy decision to make, and he is the one there in person to witness the condition of the fish.
I’m just saying that I don’t feel like it’s “selfish” of us to try to give it one last hurrah... because you just never know.
I’m just saying that I don’t feel like it’s “selfish” of us to try to give it one last hurrah... because you just never know.
ScooterV
Well-Known Member
It's always a hard call. I think many of us have been through the same thing with other pets as well. It was an agonizing decision whenever I had a dog put down 
One advantage though was input from a vet, and with our fish we don't have those expert opinions.
I personally just try everything I can. Not that over the years I haven't flushed my share of guppies or mollies, but I've never euthanized an ornamental fish otherwise. Even that may be cruel, but I always have some shred of hope it will pull through even if I'm able to do nothing.
Similar to the above though, I also got hit with velvet. I lost many fish, and saved some. ONE of them was out foxface. I had no hope! It wouldn't leave the rock, looked like it was barely breathing, both sides covered with wounds from scratching. Trying to catch it caused more scratches. I even had the wife convinced it would be lost. It's still with us, grown huge, and our favorite fish. Humblefish literally had to calm me down and make me go through the motions just in case.
One advantage though was input from a vet, and with our fish we don't have those expert opinions.I personally just try everything I can. Not that over the years I haven't flushed my share of guppies or mollies, but I've never euthanized an ornamental fish otherwise. Even that may be cruel, but I always have some shred of hope it will pull through even if I'm able to do nothing.
Similar to the above though, I also got hit with velvet. I lost many fish, and saved some. ONE of them was out foxface. I had no hope! It wouldn't leave the rock, looked like it was barely breathing, both sides covered with wounds from scratching. Trying to catch it caused more scratches. I even had the wife convinced it would be lost. It's still with us, grown huge, and our favorite fish. Humblefish literally had to calm me down and make me go through the motions just in case.
joec
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I tried live black worms this morning, no response.
I'm beginning to wonder about infection? Should try an antibiotic? I'm not seeing any obvious symptom of infection.. I have no acriflavine and my LFS has none, can I try another one, which one?
I'm beginning to wonder about infection? Should try an antibiotic? I'm not seeing any obvious symptom of infection.. I have no acriflavine and my LFS has none, can I try another one, which one?
Monkeytank
Active Member
I've got a blue jaw trigger that went blind. I've been struggling with this for a couple of months. I've tried everything I can to help him, but nothing gets better. He looks really healthy, but he can't find food on his own. I have him in a 10 gallon tank and all he does is stay under the return nozzle. When I put shrimp touching his mouth he eats. He doesn't react at all to anything approaching his eyes. He never swims around. His whole existence is swimming in one spot. I'm running a 10 gallon tank just for him. I bought some clove oil to euthanize him, but I've put it off for a couple of days.
ScooterV
Well-Known Member
Most are at the least omnivores and black worms often work well to trigger a feeding response. Getting them eating is only the first step, and then worry about the perfect diet.
ScooterV
Well-Known Member
That's a hard one
Never been there myself, but I think I'd have to let that go Have you already tried just treating for flukes and/or velvet just in case? I think I recall another thread where you did but not sure. I'd try that first myself, just to feel better maybe.
This is one where I think it would be the kinder choice... He really doesn’t have much of a chance of any type of quality of life...
It’s hard though, I know exactly how you feel… I’m sorry
Monkeytank
Active Member
Yes, I treated for flukes and velvet. I've tried copper, FW dips, Metroplex and Kannaplex, chloroquine phosphate, and prazipro. I've also recently added melafix.
ScooterV
Well-Known Member
Sorry to hear that
Triggers are so personable when healthy. You've done all you can though, and if I was a trigger I wouldn't want to be stuck in a 10 gallon and hand fed Poor guy though.
joec
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I'm wondering if he might have an underlying infection as a result of the flukes infestation, as someone here suggested?
I'm not seeing any obvious signs of infection, but if his gills are infected, that might not be obvious to see on a 2" fish
Should I try 10 days of Furan2?
I'm not seeing any obvious signs of infection, but if his gills are infected, that might not be obvious to see on a 2" fish
Should I try 10 days of Furan2?
Fish can develop internal infections as well. It wouldn’t hurt at this point to try a course of Furan-2 and see if he perks up.
ScooterV
Well-Known Member
Since it's so unknown, maybe the entire trifecta?
joec
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So 10 days of Furan 2 equates to:
Day 1 dose
Day 2 dose
Day 3 25%WC, then dose
Day 4 dose
day 5 dose
day 6 25% WC, then dose
Day 7 dose
Day 8 dose
Day 9 25% WC, then dose
Day 10 dose
Then run carbon
Is that correct?
I have Metro on hand as well
