Euthanasia for fish?

[Amandoh]

When we moved into our house about four years ago we removed the goldfish from the pond as we have cats and we felt he'd be safer inside in a fishtank.

When we bought the fishtank we also bought him a little goldfish friend. One of the fish has had a bump on its head for about three years now. We don't know if it's pond fish or pet shop fish though.

We asked for advice at our local aquatic centre and they tested our tank water for nitrates ect. They said everything was ok but gave us drops to use, which we do. I asked if he thought the fish was in pain and he said if he's swimming about and eating then probably not and that these bumps aren't uncommon.

The bump split about a month ago and had a yellow lump in it which came out and we removed it from the tank. The bump still has the hole but all the open skin has healed. We hoped the bump would go but if anything it's now much larger and pushing his eyeball down and into his head. It certainly looks uncomfortable.

I think now is probably the right time to put him out of his (possible) suffering. Will a vet do this and would it be done by an injection or something in the water to put him to sleep? I couldn't bear for him to be taken out of the tank and suffocated.

You can use clove oil and vodka - it is considered the kindest method I think. Just google how to euthanase a fish and you will get the quantities to use etc. The clove oil sends them off to sleep, then you add the vodka, which kills them.

Here's a link that tells you how to do it. There are a lot of other methods recommended on various sites but I would only recommend this one. I've had to do it before while it's a sad thing to have to do, it's very peaceful and quick- www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-most-humane-way-to-euthanize-a-fish.htm

You can take the fish to the vets, but I usually use the clove oil and vodka method. It's worked fine in the past.

Thanks for replying.

DP doesn't want him put to sleep. He's very much of the "Where there's life there's hope" school of thought. Which I agree with to an extent but in not in this case as the bump has been there for so long and although it was just on the top of his head it's now growing down one side and affecting his eye.

I think taking him to our vet and having him decide whether keeping him alive or not is my next move. If our vet won't put him to sleep before putting him down then I'll have to use the clove oil and vodka method myself.
I don't really want to do it myself. I'm not even sure if I'll be able to. I'm on the brink of tears every time I look at him. I really hope, if he does have to be put down, that our vet will do it.

Your vet will have to do it if you make a serious request. It's not like the fish isn't seriously ill. It's probably some kind of tumour. My goldfish (Jim) had a spot on his jaw that grew and grew and I was certain that it was going to be curtains for him. The vet hadn't a clue as to what to do and sent me home without even charging me for the consultation.

The 'spot' eventually burst overnight and the area healed over, but if your fish is having his eyeball pushed out of place then it's not just a spot and will only get worse.

If the vet won't put him down then go to another one.

The clove oil does put them to sleep in under a minute though then you add the vodka. Leave for about an hour just to make sure fish has gone, then wrap in some kitchen roll and bury in the garden. My fish didn't suffer when I did this - it just swam around a bit then went onto its side.