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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think my DDs fish is dying....

32 replies

spongebobsquareeyes · 19/08/2012 00:20

And to put it out of its misery???

It's flailing about on its side, then going still and floating up, then flailing about again, it looks like it's in agony and I'm a bit concerned, especially don't want DDs (6 and 3) to see it like this if lasts until morning? Also, the other fish in the tank seems to be trying to nibble on it!

Sorry I know this is probably trivial in the grand scheme of things, it's too late to contact anyone and DP is out, just don't want DDs to be distressed seeing it like this!

TIA

OP posts:
Socknickingpixie · 19/08/2012 00:23

what type of fish is it and does it have white spots on it?

nokidshere · 19/08/2012 00:24

Sounds like it might have swim bladder and it will probably die soon anyway.

WorraLiberty · 19/08/2012 00:25

It sounds like swim bladder

Feeding it a frozen pea can help

Have a little Google

Original poster
spongebobsquareeyes · 19/08/2012 00:27

Pixie - It's a chocolate oranda, it doesn't have white spots but the ends of her fins have gone black :(. Also noticed she hasn't been eating for a few days. Other fish seems healthy (lion oranda, I think!).

OP posts:
Softlysoftly · 19/08/2012 00:30

Can you seperate it and put a bit of paracetamol in the water? Caveat this is a friends advice worked on her fish it got better, not vet assured!

Original poster
spongebobsquareeyes · 19/08/2012 00:31

Thanks Worra I will give this a go, anything worth a try, DD1 been through a lot this year and the last thing I need is her fish dying!

OP posts:
Original poster
spongebobsquareeyes · 19/08/2012 00:33

Softly - Seperating them sounds like a good idea, at least the bigger fish won't use her for a snack!

OP posts:
Musomathsci · 19/08/2012 00:34

Can you get a replacement tomorrow and slip it in the tank while DD is out? Ooh look, fishy is all better now? Sorry, sounds a bit callous, but the fish sounds done in, so perhaps better start thinking of alternatives?

Socknickingpixie · 19/08/2012 00:36

there very pretty but also very noticable so if its still doing it in the moring the kids will probally notice.

apparently they are also very prone to bacterial infections,if you have anything like start up or filter start but the one that you use after tank is set up to maintain a health tank you could try using some of that.

but you may feel that its one of 3 options,if you have the bacterial booster stuff/frozen pea try it and see. or leave it to die naturally and use the oppertunity to talk to kids about animals not lasting forever and all that. or hasten its demise and hope they dont notice its gone.

Original poster
spongebobsquareeyes · 19/08/2012 00:37

Muso - not without her noticing I'm afraid, she would definately realise it's not her fish!

OP posts:
Original poster
spongebobsquareeyes · 19/08/2012 00:41

Pixie - they will definately notice, the fish that it dying is DD1's second fish (her other one died last year) so she is aware about fish having short life spans etc, I just feel so rotten that this is her second fish to die and her Dsis's fish is still thriving. I suppose it's a feeling that everything happens to her (health problems etc) and I don't know if this is a continuation of me feeling like this. TBH if I explained it to her and let her pick another one she would probably be fine, it's just me that worries too much about her I think! I will defo try all the tips to save it though!

OP posts:
Socknickingpixie · 19/08/2012 00:55

if the tips dont work then you allready have your answer let her pick another one and give her huge cuddles.

your probally much more upset than they will be but i think you allready know that, i hope you feel better soon

janji · 19/08/2012 00:56

This is probably way off advice, but when ours was suffering in a similar way to yours we put a small amount of whiskey in the tank?!? Lived for another year!

Original poster
spongebobsquareeyes · 19/08/2012 01:00

janji - whiskey seems to be a cure all haha!! None in the house but I wonder if wine would sort it out??

Thanks pixie, think it's always the same when you're a parent, we feel things more than they do!

OP posts:
mumnosGOLDisbest · 19/08/2012 01:02

if its swim bladder, seperate it and put it in very shallow water so it can easiily reach the top ( just enough to cover it). i once read about a man attaching corks to his koi carp to act as a bouyancy aid!

janji · 19/08/2012 01:10

Failing whiskey & wine; we did do the old switcheroo with a hamster once! Having bought Luvly hammy and nipped to seaside to see mum for a few days leaving dh in charge, said hamster popped her cloggs (cue frantic phone call from dh r.e wat to do)! After searching and calling 4 pet shops, could find a colour match for the deceased but furry friend was twice as big as the original. In desperation, purchased anyway and convinced ds on our return that daddy had over fed hamster hence the jumbo size (got away with it as well)!

Original poster
spongebobsquareeyes · 19/08/2012 01:21

Right, I've moved it into a different bowl with clean water and all the water treatment stuff, and I tried feeding it a pea with a fork before realising how crazy that actually was have left a pea in the bowl with it, will see how it goes but really anticipating a trip to pet shop tomorrow!!

janji - I'm really considering the wine, if it's going to die it may as well die pissed :(

OP posts:
janji · 19/08/2012 01:33

I salute you! Might as well die happy.... Think it only right you have a glass to toast its little life as well. I may even join you (as a mark of respect)! Seriously, I hope your dc don't get too upset if the unthinkable happens! We have lots of pets and the children love all of them but the demise of any one of the animals is always sad!

Original poster
spongebobsquareeyes · 19/08/2012 01:41

Thanks janji, I think they should be ok, I'm just worried that DD1 gets really upset because like I said her fish died last year and her Dsis's fish is still going strong after over a year! Poor soul, everything happens to her! I'm just going to leave it overnight and see what happens and resist the urge to take it upstairs and watch over it through the night!.

Anyway, here's to Sandy the Fish Wine!

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 19/08/2012 01:55

Alcohol or freezing is quite an unpleasant way to euthanise a fish (but I suppose it's preferable to letting it die slowly)

Our goldfish was ill over the BH /Royal Wedding weekend last year.
DH bought salt (special fish salt) and borrowed a pump (on the advice of the local pond shop) .
I bought Clove Oil after reading on Pets -Fishtank how to dispatch them humanely .(It was on that site they don't advice the freezer or booze method)

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 19/08/2012 01:56

BTW ours is still in fine fettle after his 'treat'.
Didn't need the Clove Oil but have it in reserve.

Original poster
spongebobsquareeyes · 19/08/2012 02:19

70isaLimit - would I get the clove oil from a health food shop? I really don't want her to suffer, but may try the salt if it is still alive and kicking tomorrow! I hadn't heard about freezing them, really don't fancy that! Not going to do the wine either, really want to see if she recovers!

OP posts:
postolympicblues · 19/08/2012 13:35

I think sometimes overfeeding makes it look as though they are dying then dead.We threw out lots of 'dead' fish before we realised this.

Wigglewoo · 19/08/2012 13:54

I had the same problem with one of my oranda. I took it to our vet who injected it and put it to sleep. (Not sure if that was humane or not but I tried my best!!! ) I cried all the way there and all the way home :( I loved my fishy Tiggy :(

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