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If you have a fish pond, fish tank or are seeking advice about keeping tropical fish, you can find advice on our Fish forum.

Original poster

How do I kill my goldfish quickly and painlessly?

26 replies

KringleCandleLover · 19/11/2013 09:18

I have a goldfish which has been swimming upside down for a few weeks.

Tried different methods to correct this but he has gone from bad to worse. His gills are going like the clappers and he's at the bottom of the tank.

He's had no food for over 24 hrs.

How do I put him out of his misery? (Serious question).

DH says we should flush him down the loo, DM says just put him in the bin..

I can't do it. I want him to go quickly and not suffer..

OP posts:
Branleuse · 19/11/2013 09:30

in a bowl of water and put him in the freezer is how you euthanase fish. They lose consciousness quickly

Fairylea · 19/11/2013 09:34

Actually the freezer thing is a slow and painful death fod a fish. Best way is to severe the spinal cord behind their
neck with a very sharp knife as quickly as possible (take the head off entirely if you are unsure).

Do not flush down the toilet, the chemicals etc are a horrid way to go.

A vet will also put a fish to sleep by injection if you feel unable to do it.

TheFaceofBEauRouge · 19/11/2013 09:43

No no no to the freezer or flushing.

Decapitation is quick and painless if you have the stomach for it, but you also need to know what you're doing.

Or you could use clove oil which knocks them out cold. You can either then overdose them on it or use vodka to poison them. He'll be unconscious so won't know or feel anything. I've done this a couple of times and it's peaceful, still very upsetting for you though so save some vodka for yourself.

HoneyDragon · 19/11/2013 09:45

I use clove oil and Vodka, using a knife scared me.

Original poster
KringleCandleLover · 19/11/2013 09:56

I don't have the heart to chop his head off.

I shall seek clove oil.

Thank you x

OP posts:
Rikalaily · 19/11/2013 10:08

Definitely oil of cloves. It's the gentlest way if done slowly so they don't detect the change in the water.

Dipsey00 · 19/11/2013 10:15

I had one that did that, I fed him bloodworms only and he recovered, sounds mad but mine was constipated from eating dried food and it affected his swimming, now I vary his diet

Original poster
KringleCandleLover · 19/11/2013 10:21

I've tried bloodworms. And peas. Nothings worked.

I feel sick at the thought of killing him but he looks so pathetic,on his back. I can't stand to think of him in pain.

No more fish in this house!

OP posts:
TheFaceofBEauRouge · 19/11/2013 10:22

What else have you tried? Have you taken water readings?

Treasures · 19/11/2013 10:24

Isn't this just a case of swim bladder? DH has goldfish and when one of them does this he puts swimbladder treatment in the tank and fish is fine by next day. No need to kill it surely?

AfricanExport · 19/11/2013 10:25

Put him in water and freeze him. That is the most humane method, I believe. BIL investigated it thoroughly before doing the deed...

TheFaceofBEauRouge · 19/11/2013 10:29

Just re-read your other thread- you said you've got a new filter so your tank is probably going through the cycle again so you'll need to do loads of water changes, probably daily or every other day depending on the tank size. How big is the tank?

I wouldn't euthanise just yet, at least not until you've done all you can.

duchesse · 19/11/2013 10:40

If he has a swim bladder problem (which is what it sounds like) he could easily get better.

It doesn't matter if he doesn't eat for 24 hours- fish can go weeks without food. If he's stopped eating from eating whilst swimming upside down for weeks he may be on his way out anyway.

It's actually safer to leave them without food for a week than to leave them in the care of someone who might over feed them.

maxybrown · 19/11/2013 10:44

My fish was like this and got medicine for swimbladder issues and he did recover :(

Original poster
KringleCandleLover · 19/11/2013 11:38

I am just on my way to get some treatment.

He is an Oranda? Is that the correct spelling?

His tank is big(not sure on ltrs but its 3 ft long(Phillip is only 5-6 inches).

I haven't checked the water, I wouldn't know where to start.

The pump is new. It seems to be keeping the water a lot cleaner than the last 1.

I'm going to try and save him. He's the best pet I've ever had!

OP posts:
TheFaceofBEauRouge · 19/11/2013 11:46

The pump is new or the filter is new (just the bit that pumps the water or the bit with the sponges in)? If the filter is new then your tank is going through the cycle again. I'd get a water test kit while you're at the shop so you can test for ammonia and nitrIte. The kits are easy to use, you can just get dipstick ones and you compare the colour against the chart on the box, just like using litmus paper in school chemistry lessons.

Yes, he sounds like an oranda from your description on the other thread and a 3ft tank is just about big enough.

This explains all about the nitrogen cycle in relation to fish tanks.

Treasures · 19/11/2013 13:14

So glad you're going to try to save him!

Original poster
KringleCandleLover · 19/11/2013 13:30

The pump and filter are new. And the plastic plants.

So far, I've removed the plastic, replaced with live plants and added the treatment for swimbladder.

Will go back for the testing kit after school as need dog food..

Everytime I look in the tank, he is in a different corner. Doing headstands.

Poor Phillip.

OP posts:
sparkle101 · 21/11/2013 17:17

Just seen this, hope Philip is still with us.

Orandas don't deal well with fish flakes due to them breaking up on the top of the water they take a lot of air at the same time which can cause swimbladder therefore they cope a lot better with the pellets.

DoesZingBumpLookBigInThis · 21/11/2013 17:46

how is Philip doing today?

I'm here for fin-holding.

Original poster
KringleCandleLover · 21/11/2013 20:37

Phillip passed away this morning :(

I did all I could but couldn't bear to think he was suffering any more.

I cannot actually believe I've had 2 sleepless nights worrying!

Death was very quick and looked completely painless(clove oil).

Bless him x

OP posts:
TheFaceofBEauRouge · 22/11/2013 09:04

I'm sorry. RIP Phillip :(

DoesZingBumpLookBigInThis · 22/11/2013 13:06

RIP Philip, so sorry to hear.Sad

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 05/03/2014 11:43

Just had to euthanise The Goldfish today Sad but after reading on here, I was prepared what to do.

He ( well we call him a he ) is at least seven years old .

A couple of years ago he had a white patch , we went to a Pond/Fish supplies and came back with salts and water treatments, he made a complete recovery , all good.

Yesterday I noticed he was in the corner at the bottom, eyes very bulgey.

This morning their was a 'film' on the water, then an hour later he was lying on his side in another corner.

I had Clove Oil (prepared ahead last time he was ill) , dosed him, he was gone in a couple of minutes.
Now he's in the freezer just to make 100% sure ( in case he was out of it, not dead)

He was my DS fish but he lived in the hall where he was decorative and in fulll view.

Need to empty the tank now Sad

EauRouge · 06/03/2014 11:28

Sorry about your fish :( You gave him a good life and a peaceful end.