I have made a decision

Question
QUESTION: Hi Lynda. I recieved your email. I have decided to put him to sleep. I can't do it yet because I am going out. I will ut him to sleep as soon as I get back. He looks even worse today. How is the goldfish? How long shall I leave the clove oil before adding more and how many times shall I and it? I'm doing what's best for him. My friend did say to put him to sleep if he is suffering. I'll have to do something about the cory catfish. I was warned I might lose a few fish but I never thought I would have to do this again. Two years ago I had my two year old budgie Charlie put to sleep. She was a pretty girl. Thank you for everything. Comet and Dasher keep looking at me as if to say who died? Fish are lovely pets aren't they. I love them. If I love the betta how can let him suffer? Wish me look. I have never put a fish to sleep before.
Danielle.

ANSWER: Hi Danielle,
I found this artical on the net, and it tells you exactly what to do.

1. Put the fish in the container. If the fish is in a clear cup place a dark towel around the cup to calm the fish.

2. Fill a small, clean jar or bottle with tank water, leaving some room at the top. This might be a baby food jar or pill bottle. Put 1 drop of clove oil in the jar or bottle, cap and shake vigorously. The clove oil must emulsify, turning the water milky white.

Gently pour about 1/4 of this emulsified mixture into the fish's container. The fish will begin listing as it starts to fall asleep. Let the fish be for about 10 minutes. The fish should be resting on the bottom by then. It will look dead, but if you watch closely its gills will be breathing once every few seconds. If after 10 minutes the fish is still rising off the bottom swimming intermittently, retrieve the jar or bottle of emulsified clove oil, re-shake, and add the same dose to the fish's container. Wait again.

3. Once the fish is asleep on the bottom, add 20-25% white grain alcohol. For example, if the fish is in 8oz (240ml) of water, add 2oz (60ml) of vodka. Let the fish stay there for at least 20 minutes.

4. Check the fish carefully after 20 minutes for any gill movement. If there is no gill movement over a 60 second period, the fish has expired.



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QUESTION: Hi Lynda. I havejust put the fish to sleep. I have just checked for any gill movement and tell me if I sound like a vet. The gills and heart have stopped. Thre is no gill movement at all, he has gone. He is in a better place now. I have ended the suffering for him. He has died now, the oil worked. Do you think I did the right thing ecause I feel bad for doing it. I'm saying some final words to him and just saing goodbye to him now. Would you like me to pass a message onto him for you? I just thought you may like to say something as I know you love betta's. The plumber didn't have the right equipment to sort the bvathroom out. so he is coming back tomorrow. He is a family friend who does it for a favour at weekends. He found the problem. Nobody else will let me flush the fish in their house either so I will have to keep him from decomposing on me. Do you think I did the right thng for the Betta? I feel guilty for putting him to sleep.
Danielle.

ANSWER: Hi Danielle,
You did the right thing, as fish do suffer.  They can feel pain, and now he has gone to the big aquarium in the sky.  Taking him out of his misery was the best thing you could have done for the poor little guy.
Lynda

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QUESTION: Hi Lynda. I'm glad I did the best thiing for him by putting him to sleep. Do you think he will meet Keiko, Lunar, Willy and Rudolph and all the other fish I have lost? He was a good fish. I hope my friend won't mind me putting her betta to sleep after she died. A lovely white feather has just landed on the table the computer is on. I told the betta you said hello to him as I was putting him to sleep. Dasher has been splashing me more than usual today and Comet has just started splashing me to. Thank you for the instructions on how to put a fish to sleep in the article. Did I sound like a vet when I said he has gone? You can tell me, I don't mind. I never want to have to put a fish or any other pet to sleep again. I didn't enjoy doing it. I hate making the decision to euthanase a pet and that's why I need help making the decision. I tried Dasher and Comet with bloodworms and they love them. One of the fry has had white ich and it didn't look like he was recovering but he is fine now. It was Lucky who had white ich. He is one lucky fish. I am going to buy another tropical fish. I might buy a cichlid. All the fish are doing well.
Danielle.

Answer
Hi Daniel,
Before buying a cichlid, read up on the one you want to buy.  Cichlids are special.  Some grow very big, some stay small, and some should be kept with other cichlids.  Most of them need big tanks.  They are aggressive, and territorial.  Some need alkaline water, some neutral, some acidic.  They need hiding places, and need lots of care.  They are not a beginners fish, so you would do well to read up on them.  There are many many cichlids.  All of them are territorial, some more aggressive than others.  The African Cichlids cannot be mixed with South American Cichlids, so do a search on them.
Just thought I would let you know.
Lynda