SAD NEWS, PLEASE SEE LAST POST!!



Got up 2 days ago to find goldfish wobbling about in bowl, he seems to have lost his balance, yesterday morning he was completely bent over and I thought he was actually dead until he suddenly moved, no improvement today, he is still bent over and rarely moves, I have added some "disease safe" to his bowl, probably too late, I feel so sorry for the poor thing, we have had him for about 7 years and he has had a few similar incidents but always perked back up again, does anyone actually know what is wrong with him, I hope he is not suffering, but he is just lying on bottom of bowl completely curved round. I have tried putting some food in but don't think he can swim to surface to get it.

Could be a swim bladder problem. A quick Google brought up this site but you could look into it further :)

http://www.geocities.com/swimbladderhelp/index.html

Good luck, I hope for a swift recovery x

Hi - Initially I thought of a swim bladder problem - but it can't be cos they float to the top with that - they can't stay 'underwater'. I hope someone comes on and helps you as I only know the basics + a bit tbh. lol

Really feel for you as I have had fish problems before and you don't really know what to do - you feel a bit helpless - as they are in water and its not like you can give em a big cuddle.

Hope he is ok - come on you fish experts :thumbsup:

Hi - Initially I thought of a swim bladder problem - but it can't be cos they float to the top with that - they can't stay 'underwater'. I hope someone comes on and helps you as I only know the basics + a bit tbh. lol

Really feel for you as I have had fish problems before and you don't really know what to do - you feel a bit helpless - as they are in water and its not like you can give em a big cuddle.

Hope he is ok - come on you fish experts :thumbsup:

I know what you mean, not a lot I can do. Sounds horrible to say but I just wish he would either improve or pass away in night, distressing for kids to see him like this. (and me:() poor thing, just keeps holding on.

I know what you mean, not a lot I can do. Sounds horrible to say but I just wish he would either improve or pass away in night, distressing for kids to see him like this. (and me:() poor thing, just keeps holding on.

Flush him down the toilet you know it’s for the best, tell the kids he as gone to the fish tank in the sky, hope that helps.:thumbsup:

hope that helps.:thumbsup:

NO NOT REALLY:o:o

Flush him down the toilet you know it’s for the best, tell the kids he as gone to the fish tank in the sky, hope that helps.:thumbsup:

If that is the best contribution you have to offer I would suggest you don't bother!!!!!!!!! :loopy:

If that is the best contribution you have to offer I would suggest you don't bother!!!!!!!!! :loopy:

Why is that then, what do you want to do, let it have a prolonged death and bury it in the garden?

Depending on the age of the kids this could be a good time to introduce them to the idea of death or should they be cosseted from the real world?

I read in one book that if the fish is in distress, either place it in a bag and swing it against a wall, or cut the fish in half with scissors :o Even the thought of it made me feel ill .... and im not suggesting either.

My old goldfish seemed to come back from near deaths door when i run cold water over him and placed him back into fresh clean water, again, im no expert (but it seemed a better idea than the wall or scissors) ... it did revive him and he went on for many more years.
Dont you feel so useless when its a fish eh? If hes still around tomorrow try phoning a fish shop up and ask their advice.

When fish bend in that way they are already too far diseased so i'm sorry there is now no hope for your poor little fishy.......may he rest in peace

Why is that then, what do you want to do, let it have a prolonged death and bury it in the garden?

This poor person and her kids are upset by their fish 'hangin on' and you are suggesting that she flushes it down the toilet ALIVE!! Think it is pretty obvious to most people why I said that - and what is wrong with burying a fish in the garden instead of sending it down to the sewers :confused:

Salt solution is usually a good idea for most ills but I still feel flushing it down the bog is the best bet, sorry if that seems cruel.

This poor person and her kids are upset by their fish 'hangin on' and you are suggesting that she flushes it down the toilet ALIVE!! Think it is pretty obvious to most people why I said that - and what is wrong with burying a fish in the garden instead of sending it down to the sewers :confused:

What ever,,,,,,,,,,,

Got up 2 days ago to find goldfish wobbling about in bowl, he seems to have lost his balance, yesterday morning he was completely bent over and I thought he was actually dead until he suddenly moved, no improvement today, he is still bent over and rarely moves, I have added some "disease safe" to his bowl, probably too late, I feel so sorry for the poor thing, we have had him for about 7 years and he has had a few similar incidents but always perked back up again, does anyone actually know what is wrong with him, I hope he is not suffering, but he is just lying on bottom of bowl completely curved round. I have tried putting some food in but don't think he can swim to surface to get it.

As opposed to the bag and scissor option, my cousions OH said the best way is to gently hit it on the head with a teaspoon - if you are that brave - I'm not - my dad did it to one of mine that was slowly dying.

O it must be awful for you - :(

I have also tried mine with a short spell in epsom salt water and on some of mine this did the trick - worth a try?

What ever,,,,,,,,,,,

Correct ...................

Correct ...................

If you can’t put a fish out of its misery lets hope you don’t get a cat or a dog because like it or not there will be that day when you have to do what you have to do.

If you can’t put a fish out of its misery lets hope you don’t get a cat or a dog because like it or not there will be that day when you have to do what you have to do.

But not yourself I hope!

And the thing is by flushing it your not putting it out of its misery are you? it is alive so your adding to it...all that achieves is the comfort of out of sight out of mind.

But not yourself I hope!

And the thing is by flushing it your not putting it out of its misery are you? it is alive so your adding to it...all that achieves is the comfort of out of sight out of mind.

Here Here Moonbird. :thumbsup:

Malky - So shoot me - I can't bring myself to put a fish out of its misery in any way that involves me killing it - PS. I do have 6 cats, 2 dogs plus many other pets. I had to have my 43 year old pony pts last year - much more complicated organisation than a cat or dog pts - so puurlease...........

As opposed to the bag and scissor option, my cousions OH said the best way is to gently hit it on the head with a teaspoon - if you are that brave - I'm not - my dad did it to one of mine that was slowly dying.

O it must be awful for you - :(

I have also tried mine with a short spell in epsom salt water and on some of mine this did the trick - worth a try?

I once tried to kill two Gudgeon in this way - it takes a damn sight more than 'gently'!

Here Here Moonbird. :thumbsup:

Malky - So shoot me - I can't bring myself to put a fish out of its misery in any way that involves me killing it - PS. I do have 6 cats, 2 dogs plus many other pets. I had to have my 43 year old pony pts last year - much more complicated organisation than a cat or dog pts - so puurlease...........

So what are we disagreeing on, you more than anyone should know its no good “loving” the creature too much, just put it out of its misery.

If you actually want to try and keep it going you need to drop the water level really low so it ony just covers the fish about 1/2 " above its body sprinkle of epson salt but very small amount air pump if you got one and see how it gets on but do,s sound bad.Raising the water tempiture really do,s help but may also create other problems

I heard the best way to euthanasis ( put a fish to sleep) is to pop him in the freezer, chilling involves 1st desolving 2 or 3 tablespoons of salt (depending on size of fish )in a bag containing fishtank water the fish is then placed in the bag and left over night in the freezer, It appears that the salt has a calming effect on the fish , whose metabolism gradually slows down as the temperature drops, until it evenually dies.:( hope this helps

[QUOTE=Malky;4271637]Why is that then, what do you want to do, let it have a prolonged death and bury it in the garden?

Well we did:) we had a lovely big panda aranda and the other fish killed him! so we buried him in a little box in the garden with 2 lollypop sticks as a cross. R.I.P GIZMO lol

My last goldfish had swim bladder (actually, it's the reason I haven't had another since! horrid) but 'she' didn't float, 'she' sort of floated some of the time, then sank, then floated all very odd.

I spent about £15 trying to save that fish. Sorry I don't have anything to offer apart from that I was told by the time I did anything for it, it was too late :(

could be a lack of oxygen in the water

could be a lack of oxygen in the water


I put him in fresh water last night and put in the usual oxygen tablets, not made any difference.

Well got up this morning expecting to find him "gone" but no the poor thing is still hanging on, he is still bent over and spins on bottom.

Sounds like swim bladder....may have got internal infection, it does'nt sound good.
There is stuff you can get from pet shop to put in the water but may be too late, the other thing if desperate is the old salt water dunk.

You make a really salty water solution up in a seperate container then put the fish in it for 4-5 mins.
Take him out and put him back in his own water and sometimes by miracle they recover?
Old wives tales, I don't know but if there's nothing else, it may save him from the bog!

If you actually want to try and keep it going you need to drop the water level really low so it ony just covers the fish about 1/2 " above its body sprinkle of epson salt but very small amount air pump if you got one and see how it gets on but do,s sound bad.Raising the water tempiture really do,s help but may also create other problems

Is this a variation of the salt water dunk? Have heard this thing about salt but don't know if it works:hihi:
If it don'[t work then at least he's already salted for the fying pan:hihi:JOKE of course!

Stop feeding it, then get some stuff from the pet shop. I had one like this. Give it double the normal dose and also get metafix (I think thats whats its called) and put this in as well

Good News

Goldfish seems to have perked up a bit and is now swimming round bottom of bowl and seems to have straightened back out, fingers crossed he will be ok now.

Awwww, hope he's going to be okay! Any animal no matter how small needs our love.

Do you have a filter? Goldfish do need filtration or the water becomes contaminated very quickly, and they need a sizeable tank too. A small goldfish bowl is not suitable. If you have a filter increase the oxygen and do small regular water changes with dechlorinated water, water straight from the tap is bad for the fish. ( I presume you already know this?) You can either use a chemical one or use tap water that has been stood at room temp for 24 hrs.

To the person who suggested throwing them down the loo, that is cruel! The way to euthanase a fish is by a short sharp blow to the back of the head.

If anyone has any fish related questions please visit www.svas.co.uk it is the Sheaf Valley Aquarist Society website and there are experts there (as well as novices)who will be only too happy to help.

To the person who suggested throwing them down the loo, that is cruel! The way to euthanase a fish is by a short sharp blow to the back of the head.

:oOMG:o just could'nt do neither of them , think my method is more humane.

I heard the best way to euthanasis ( put a fish to sleep) is to pop him in the freezer, chilling involves 1st desolving 2 or 3 tablespoons of salt (depending on size of fish )in a bag containing fishtank water the fish is then placed in the bag and left over night in the freezer, It appears that the salt has a calming effect on the fish , whose metabolism gradually slows down as the temperature drops, until it evenually dies.:( hope this helps

Is this a variation of the salt water dunk? Have heard this thing about salt but don't know if it works:hihi:
If it don'[t work then at least he's already salted for the fying pan:hihi:JOKE of course!:hihi: you could do the dunk or keep it in water but very little salt.Would be a good idea to drop in a mushy pea.
yes puddinburner before you say owt we got fish peas only need chips.

If you put a fish into freezing water it will go into shock and die pretty quickly whereas if you put in tank water and freeze it you are giving it a slow prolonged death.
You could use clove oil which is a natural anaesthetic.

had problem we fish before and sprinkled it on the tail with salt it survived for few yrs after that. glad its looking better.

Freezing is apparently the best way-fish are cold blooded, they don't 'feel' the cold as such, its just like when pond fish in winter go into a slow hibernation type of state...only a little more extreme

Goldfish is now completely back to normal, he is swimming about all over bowl and has straightened out completely:D

To the person who suggested throwing them down the loo, that is cruel! The way to euthanase a fish is by a short sharp blow to the back of the head.

:oOMG:o just could'nt do neither of them , think my method is more humane.

Bopping on da head is only done to BIG FISH, then it can bop you back with a Big wet fishy tail:hihi: and knock you down loo if it's lucky!
Putting in freezer is best bet, then you can always fry it later...sorry just can't help myself! A bit of fanny haddock boiled in milk, is really nice too:)

So So glad your lil fishy don't have to meet any of these fates Rainbow...lol Cos he's better!!! YEeeeeeH!

Freezing is apparently the best way-fish are cold blooded, they don't 'feel' the cold as such, its just like when pond fish in winter go into a slow hibernation type of state...only a little more extreme

to anyone who said freezing its not more humane at all...the brain freezes and bursts due to crystaliation while the fish is still alive so very painful...its something recommended for reptiles too and its totally CRUEL

So glad your little fish is better :) Let's hope there is no more talk of bizarre ways to euthanase :suspect:

So glad your little fish is better :) Let's hope there is no more talk of bizarre ways to euthanase :suspect:

I know, some of them were a bit gruesome:o

It made me cringe when I read some of them to be honest :(

to anyone who said freezing its not more humane at all...the brain freezes and bursts due to crystaliation while the fish is still alive so very painful...its something recommended for reptiles too and its totally CRUEL

Which is probably good why the fish has lasped into an unconcious hibernative state, and so doesn't feel it. Actually read my post before making sarcastic and wrong replies.

That's great news :thumbsup:

Good job you didn't flush him down the loo then.

Puddinbuner - shouldn't that be FINNY haddock? lol

SAD NEWS:(


Just got back from a weekend in Scotland and the goldfish has died.

My neighbour rang me yesterday to say he had taken a turn for the worst again and not to hold out much hope on our return and sure enough the poor thing was lying on bottom of bowl when we got back earlier today.


At least he is not suffering anymore, I know it was only a goldfish but we had had him for about 8 years and got kinda used to him swimming around.

Which is probably good why the fish has lasped into an unconcious hibernative state, and so doesn't feel it. Actually read my post before making sarcastic and wrong replies.

dosent work like that...ive heard this many times specially about reptiles and its wrong and cruel... can point u in the direction of the forum so they can explain it to you...get YOUR facts right

SAD NEWS:(


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At least he is not suffering anymore, I know it was only a goldfish but we had had him for about 8 years and got kinda used to him swimming around.

I am no expert but I would have thought an 8 year old gold fish as got to have been going some.

Now without wanting to appear callus don’t you think it would have been better put out of its suffering earlier, just a thought for if you are faced with the same situation again?

dosent work like that...ive heard this many times specially about reptiles and its wrong and cruel... can point u in the direction of the forum so they can explain it to you...get YOUR facts right

Did i say reptiles? No. Also do you have a biology degree? No, didn't think so, I'm fully aware of my facts. Thank you.

I am no expert but I would have thought an 8 year old gold fish as got to have been going some.

Now without wanting to appear callus don’t you think it would have been better put out of its suffering earlier, just a thought for if you are faced with the same situation again?

If I could have found a humane way of doing it then of course I would have, but most suggestions on here seemed too cruel:(

Did i say reptiles? No. Also do you have a biology degree? No, didn't think so, I'm fully aware of my facts. Thank you.

freezing cold water slows them down, just like those in a pond in winter but still swim etc and eat a little..

freezing them in a freezer, causes water molicules to expend, like putting a bottle of pop in the freezer....causes severe pain as its mostly made up of water...


when did YOU get your biology degree?

Cooljules is correct afraid however they did use to advise this way
Best more humane way is clove oil to put fish into a sleep then introduce vodka but never try it the other way round and never together.God aint fish got a great life.

I am no expert but I would have thought an 8 year old gold fish as got to have been going some.

Now without wanting to appear callus don’t you think it would have been better put out of its suffering earlier, just a thought for if you are faced with the same situation again?

Well, no, they can live much much longer. People assume goldfish have short lives because due to this old idea of giving goldfish as fairground prizes and the like, some people (not the OP obviously, I hasten to add) have this tendency to put them in a bowl of unfiltered poisonous water and starve them of oxygen leading to premature death.

But, sadly, like people, even the healthiest, most cared for fish can sometimes fall ill and pass on.

And the OP has done everything to ensure the well being of this fish, it sounds to me like it was ill, went into remission enough to be comfortable, before the turn for the worse.

But one has to try to prolong life as long as is comfortable and that is not easy to work out when dealing with animals that are completely different to us, live and breathe in different ways etc..

And on freezing, I've heard this theory before and I wish I believed that it was painless but I can't see it as completely humane. If it were, it would be perfect, out of sight out of mind, but kind.

r.i.p :(
least hes not suffering..
hate what some people have suggested on here..
really cruel. but they think its ok cus its only a fish.
however when you've had them for years, they become
part of the family.

freezing cold water slows them down, just like those in a pond in winter but still swim etc and eat a little..

freezing them in a freezer, causes water molicules to expend, like putting a bottle of pop in the freezer....causes severe pain as its mostly made up of water...


when did YOU get your biology degree?

I have a particually current biology degree thanks, and congratulations on your GCSE science that freezing makes molecules expand, yes, it does, and molecules feel pain do they? Fish have a particually limited number of nociception sites, so IF they feel pain (and NO, it has not been conclusivly proven either way) it is limited, and by that stage, they would in fact be unconcious.

And on the point of this thread, an unconcious freezing fish is preferable to a suffering live one, especially if its owner doesn't feel like plucking it out of the water, holding it or putting it in a bag and then hitting it against a wall, which I don't blame them for.

I have a particually current biology degree thanks, and congratulations on your GCSE science that freezing makes molecules expand, yes, it does, and molecules feel pain do they? Fish have a particually limited number of nociception sites, so IF they feel pain (and NO, it has not been conclusivly proven either way) it is limited, and by that stage, they would in fact be unconcious.

The medway report suggests that fish DO feel pain the same as any land-dwelling animal

And on the point of this thread, an unconcious freezing fish is preferable to a suffering live one, especially if its owner doesn't feel like plucking it out of the water, holding it or putting it in a bag and then hitting it against a wall, which I don't blame them for.

That's as maybe but the relevance to this thread seems to be in a retrospective "ah well, you should have done...."

No-one was so keen to explain WHY they felt euthenasia was the best way forward, just discussing methods. So on the point of this thread, the OP gave the fish a chance to recover as it seemed to do.

I have a particually current biology degree thanks, and congratulations on your GCSE science that freezing makes molecules expand, yes, it does, and molecules feel pain do they? Fish have a particually limited number of nociception sites, so IF they feel pain (and NO, it has not been conclusivly proven either way) it is limited, and by that stage, they would in fact be unconcious.

good for you, and im much older than that, so i never had GSCE's, and with many years of experience with reptiles, and know many long term fish keepers i know what im on about but i still ask questions

the last 2 vets i have been too, it was actually me, who told them what to do, because they asked me as they didnt know, and i only have 13 years experience, and im still learning, but knowing people who have kept things going back to the 70's, vets havent a clue.

OMG try explaining the pain therum to my old fella who is a keen fisherman, then try and explain the pain I felt when I found my £80 marine fish suddenly dead after living a happy life for a good few months:)

I think they do actually feel pain, as they are living creatures and certainly get warey about being caught by your average angler...that's the sport aspect, to outwit the fish isn't it?

As for disposal methods, if a fish is dead it goes down the loo in my view...end off..lol

So sorry for your loss Rainbow sky - don't let certain people on here make u feel like you caused/condoned the suffering of your fish. You did exactly like myself or most other NORMAL people on here would have done and thought it was getting better - I was so glad for you - it is not your fault that it died and you did do the right thing by not flushing it down the loo or putting it in the freezer.

RIP little fish :(

As for disposal methods, if a fish is dead it goes down the loo in my view...end off..lol

How undignified - what are your family going to do when you croak then - burn you on the manure heap? :rant:

I know it's horrible to think of, but there may come a time when you have to put a fish out of its misery, and put it to sleep.

Below are details of what many think is the mose humane method for this.

1. Add tank water to a measuring cup or mixing bowl. Measure the amount of tank water you add to the cup or bowl and make a note of it. Place 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.

For large fish: Place the fish in a bucket or plastic tub with tank water. Again, measure how much tank water is used. The dose for the mixture in the jar will be 10 drops of clove oil per gallon (3.78 liters). For example, if the fish is placed in 3 gallons (11 liters) of tank water, fill your jar with tank water and add 10 x 3 = 30 drops of clove oil. After shaking the jar vigorously, slowly add the entire mixture to the bucket or tub that comtains the fish. Gently mix it in. Once the fish is asleep, follow the previous instructions for adding 20-25% vodka.

To eliminate vodka from the procedure and overdose with clove oil alone: Put the fish to sleep first as stated above, waiting 10 minutes for the fish to settle on the bottom. A lethal overdose of clove oil is 50 drops per gallon (3.78 liters), or 5x stronger than the initial dose that anesthetizes the fish. Using the same example, if the fish is in 3 gallons (11 liters) of tank water, the jar's lethal mixture will include 50 x 3 = 150 drops of clove oil. Administer it the same way, by first emulsifying (shaking) the jar before adding the mixture to the fish's container.

Once you've added the entire mixture to the fish's container, wait a few hours. Finally, make sure there is absolutely no gill movement by watching the gills closely for at least 60 straight seconds. If you see any gill movement, add more emulsified clove oil.

Using clove oil alone is not recommended because even though a fish looks dead it can recover once it has been removed from the bath. Clove oil is a preferred anesthetic precisely because it is hard to overdose a fish with clove oil. Therefore be especially diligent when using clove oil alone that the fish is really dead. It is much safer to use vodka as the final step.


taken off a tropical fish forum

rip rainbowskys fish
i am sure we dont need to know how many more ways there are to kill a poor little goldfish.

THE END...........................