How to put down a Goldfish?

Posted by: George Fredrik on 02 March 2013

I have inherited three Goldfish.

 

Unfortunately one has a sort of carbuncle growing on its head, and is showing signs of developing another next to the first one.

 

I don't particularly want to pay a vet £XX to quietly put down the little fish, and I think taking the fish to the vet would as likely as not be more stress for it than doing the same job myself.

 

Is there a kindly and humane way of putting a fish down?

 

I don't think the fish is suffering, but I would not want to let him suffer if that is a possibility.

 

Thanks in advance for any serious suggestions, even if it is to take the fish to the vet as the only way.

 

ATB from George 

Posted on: 03 March 2013 by DrMark

I suggest a neutron bomb; that way the fish will die, but you can leave the aquarium standing...

 

Actually, you just reminded me I have a "bleedin' demised" Serpae Tetra that I must attend to immediately.

Posted on: 03 March 2013 by GraemeH

If two are uninflected so far I'm fairly certain you should remove 'lumpy' as, when I checked this issue with my neons, that was the advice.  Otherwise a spread is likely.  G

 

'Remove' as in 'take him out' ......seems a bit extreme for a fish.

Posted on: 03 March 2013 by Dave Hammond

Why not wait till the little fella is on his last fins and then gently extract him and place (OK could be plaice) him on a resting place between the ESL57s. Then either send him gently on his way with fishy themed music such as Schuberts Trout Quintent or (if he is a bit alternative - always hard to tell with a goldfish) Captain Beefhearts Trout Mask Replica.

Posted on: 03 March 2013 by George Fredrik

Well, it is strange how many suggestions have emerged, some more feasible than others of course.

 

And if I were dealing with a sick sheep or calf, the decision would not cost me much thought.

 

Mindful of not doing it too soon, versus possible harming the little fish's two tank-mates ...

 

I would not do it on a Sunday anyway.

 

ATB from George

 

Posted on: 03 March 2013 by BigH47
Originally Posted by Dave Hammond:

...or (if he is a bit alternative - always hard to tell with a goldfish) Captain Beefhearts Trout Mask Replica.

Good idea he would probably top himself if he had to listen to that! 

Posted on: 04 March 2013 by tonym
Originally Posted by Tony Lockhart:
If feral cats were 'done' I wouldn't have stumbled upon this unsettling situation just after leaving a fellow forum member's house: http://youtu.be/Y8r5UkM-oOA

They're waiting for you....Mwahahahaha!

 

Actually, I don't think those particular moggies qualify as feral. The farmer's daughter and his niece are great animal lovers and  have a name for each one. The farmer's wife feeds them every day & I guess when you stopped they thought they'd be in for another meal! Apart from the odd young child who's  strayed into the barn I don't think they've eaten humans yet.

Posted on: 05 March 2013 by Analogue Rules OK
Originally Posted by George Fredrik:

I have inherited three Goldfish.

 

Unfortunately one has a sort of carbuncle growing on its head, and is showing signs of developing another next to the first one.

 

I don't particularly want to pay a vet £XX to quietly put down the little fish, and I think taking the fish to the vet would as likely as not be more stress for it than doing the same job myself.

 

Is there a kindly and humane way of putting a fish down?

 

I don't think the fish is suffering, but I would not want to let him suffer if that is a possibility.

 

Thanks in advance for any serious suggestions, even if it is to take the fish to the vet as the only way.

 

ATB from George 

Dear George,

I've kept all manner of fish over the last 50years.

Befor you do anything get in touch with your local Aquatic shop or society, they will probably diagnose the problem and tell you if the fish needs to be euthenised in a humane way.

For what it's worth, I feel that the problem is benign and that the fish will live out it's life without pain.

Only if it starts to look in pain,stops feeding or losing it's equlibriam would I go to the last resort.

 

Kind regards,

 

Chris N 

Posted on: 05 March 2013 by George Fredrik

Lumpy is now a former fish. He [or she] did not suffer.

 

RIP, dear little fish. 

 

Sorry Chris, that I saw your post after the fact, but it was decision, delayed for Sunday, and perhaps inevitable. 

 

It is never easy to be judge in the issue of mortality, even for a fish ...

 

Thanks for the posts, and ATB from Geoirge

Posted on: 05 March 2013 by mista h

Just out of interest George,how did you come to inherit  these 3 fish,did someone just dump em on your doorstep one morning ??

 

Mista h

Posted on: 06 March 2013 by George Fredrik

They came via a friend from a friend of his!

 

ATB from George

Posted on: 06 March 2013 by George Fredrik

All is fulfilled, and no reason to carry on worrying about methods or indeed a "funeral."

 

Done is done ...

 

ATB from George