Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Should I flush the fish?

30 replies

hidinginthenightgarden · 22/02/2019 20:31

We have 4 fish. One seems to have hurt itself and can't keep itself level. It looks like it is nose diving constantly.
It is really struggling. Should we just let nature take it's course or put it out its misery?

OP posts:
JillyWillyPops · 22/02/2019 20:34

If you do choose to flush, please make sure it does flush away fully and isn't waiting for your child to do a wee on it in the morning 🙈🙈. This has never happened in my house... honestly.

WelcomeToGreenvale · 22/02/2019 20:34

Could be dropsy.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dropsy_(fish_disease)

Don't flush it, there are far kinder ways to euthanise it if you feel you need to. Flushing it won't kill it, it just gets it out of your way (to die slowly in unfamiliar sewers).

CatinMyLap · 22/02/2019 20:35

No, get some clove oil.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Fish
VictoriaBun · 22/02/2019 20:37

Of you do that it will be dying of lack of oxygen in a load of shit. It would be cruel.

HarrySnotter · 22/02/2019 20:37

Please don't flush it. It's cruel and as a PP says it won't die straight away. Isolate the fish and if no improvement soon get some clove oil.

kateclarke · 22/02/2019 20:39

Sounds like swim bladder. Google how to treat.

Disclaimer, have had half a bottle of wine so may be talking shit.

PatchworkElmer · 22/02/2019 20:40

Please don’t flush it- it’s cruel and an awful way for them to die.

Wonderbag · 22/02/2019 20:42

What’s the clove oil thing?

namechangechanger · 22/02/2019 20:43

Please don't flush it Shock

OscarIsaacsEyes · 22/02/2019 20:46

Don't flush it, that's really cruel. Ask in a pet shop which sells fish for some advice, some things are treatable.

Please don't have pets if you don't help them properly when they are sick.

BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 22/02/2019 20:48

You should only flush things that start with P (paper, pee and poo)

So unless it's a pike or a piranha, don't flush it

JellycatElfie · 22/02/2019 20:48

I know it’s ‘only’ a goldfish and pet shops sell them for a quid but really - it’s still an animal, it feels pain and some things can be treated! Go and see a pet shop that specialises in aquatics to see if they can help!

JRMisOdious · 22/02/2019 20:49

Nooooo. It looks terrible but it sounds like it has a problem with its swim bladder. Easily treatable, go to a pet shop or pond supplier (not Pets at XXXX, an independent where they know about fish).

Original poster
hidinginthenightgarden · 22/02/2019 21:08

Okay thanks ladies.
We hand reared this fish after it's mother gave birth a week after we bought it. Would be sad for it to go. Will google swim bladder now!

OP posts:
babysharkah · 22/02/2019 23:43

What's the clove oil thing out of interest? Hope yours recovers op.

Maelstrop · 22/02/2019 23:45

If you think it’s beyond saving, the recommended way to euthanise is to take some water from the tank, put it in a container, put fish in, put in freezer. Don’t flush, that’s like torturing it.

kkkaren7 · 22/02/2019 23:52

If it really in pain dont just flush it u should make sure it is dead and give it a burial

Bag pipes are recommended

allnewredfairy · 23/02/2019 07:59

If It's swim bladder you can feed it a pea. Apparently it makes the fish fart releasing air so it rights itself.
I also heard the most humane way to kill a fish is to freeze it. It slowly goes to sleep.

YellowBilledLoon · 23/02/2019 08:33

Please, please just let nature take its course. My parents always kept them in the tank until they died. I remember having a friend whose dad did this and I thought it was so cruel.

lottielady · 23/02/2019 08:40

Sorry but that method for curing swim bladder has made me laugh Grin

Hope your little fishy friend is better soon, OP.

Veterinari · 23/02/2019 08:40

@Maelstrop
the recommended way to euthanise is to take some water from the tank, put it in a container, put fish in, put in freezer.

Recommended by who?? This is terrible and inaccurate advice which will cause suffering! Please don’t advise on animal suffering when you clearly don't Have any expertise in the area.
Flushing a fish is also horrific.

OP: Try feeding a frozen pea to help correct swim bladder issues
If the fish needs to be euthanised and is small you can overdose with clove oil, but larger fish need veterinary euthanasia like any other animal
kb.rspca.org.au/what-is-the-most-humane-way-to-euthanase-aquarium-fish_403.html

Original poster
hidinginthenightgarden · 23/02/2019 10:56

We have separated the fish back into a mini tank (lunchbox) and are following the advice for swim bladder.
Thanks for all the advice. I didn't want to kill it but didn't want it to suffer either. Who knew you could treat a fish!

OP posts:
Maelstrop · 23/02/2019 11:16

@veterinari omg, I am genuinely horrified! I honestly thought I was doing the right thing :( Thank you for letting me know. The DH decapitated one that was obviously unwell some years ago. Is that better? It was resting on its side on the bottom of the pond one Sunday morning. I just didn’t want it suffering.

StandUpForYourRights · 23/02/2019 11:26

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

SpringForEver · 23/02/2019 11:29

How is it humane to boil a fish to death? People cook lobsters that way and it is horrible.

Swipe left for the next trending thread