most humane way to kill a goldfish?

Question

my goldfish has been lying on her back on the bottom of the tank for the past few days. she looks like she's suffering. how do i help her pass on quickly and humanely?

she still moves her fins a little bit, but other than that nothing.

Answer 1

You don't say what the problem might be, or how long you've had your fish, so first, I would make sure you've done all you can for your fish. (You may doing everything properly, but without knowing your situation, I feel it's best to try to help the fish survive first - I don't mean any offense at your fish-keeping abilities. You also don't mention if you have other fish, so I don't know if this might be the only one, or just the only one affected.)

Is it in an appropriate sized tank (goldfish should have around 10-20 gallons per fish as adults because of their waste-producing capacity). In too small of a tank, they may produce more wastes than the bacteria in the tank are able to convert to relatively harmless compounds. Have you done regular water changes or 25% each week? What may have been enough for the fish when it was smaller may not be enough when the fish is more mature if it's not in a large enough space.
http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/disease/p/ammoniapoison.htm
http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/disease/p/nitritepoison.htm
Is the water too warm? Do the gills move rapidly like the fish doesn't get enough air? Goldfish are a cool water species (water should be below 70o ideally) and need a lot of dissolved oxygen in their water - the warmer the temperature, the less dissolved gasses the water can hold. A filter will aerate and circulate the water better than airstones.

Do you add conditioner to your water if you use tapwater in the aquarium? If you just allow the water to sit 24 hours before using it in the tank, that may not be enough. Water companies are switching from chlorine to chloramine which doesn't dissipate by letting it stand - it can only be removed chemically. And traditional "dechlorinators" or conditioners that "break the chloramine bond" release ammonia into the tank if they are used (chloramine is a combination of chlorine and ammonia). Ammonia is toxic to fish in relatively small amounts. You can check with your water company to find out what they use and check your conditioner label to see if yours works to remove that chemical:
http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/chlor.htm

Does your fish try to swim or eat? Your fish may be constipated or have a problem with its swim bladder (gas filled sac which helps it regulate its position in the water). For constipation, you can feed it cooked green peas with the skin removed. Beyond that, fasting the fish for a few days and adding more fiber to it's diet may be all that's needed: http://www.geocities.com/swimbladderhelp/welcome.html

If you feel there's no hope of recovery, the best option is to use clove oil - this is used as an anesthetic, but when overdosed, will kill the fish: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-most-humane-way-to-euthanize-a-fish.htm

http://www.petplace.com/fish/euthanasia-in-fish/page1.aspx

Answer 2

I Lianna, Further to Copperhead's advice perhaps this is simply an equilibrium issue either due to swim bladder problems or constipation. You might try feeding small amounts of cooked, shelled peas as these have a laxative effect. I also agree you should give him every chance at life before giving up.

You might also try lowering the water level in a hospital tank to give your fish some relief-the attached link describes this process in detail. Swim bladder disorders often affect fat bodied fancy Goldfish & although are sometimes incurable can often be kept in remission by this method for many years.

Finally a few words to the flushers: Flushing your poor Goldfish has become part of the [wrongly] accepted methods of keeping these creatures together with keeping them in bowls & making them share tanks with algae eaters. This is all born out of ignorance. When you flush a fish you remove your responsibility for it-out of sight out of mind. In reality the fish will survive hours or perhaps days suffering terribly in sewage until it dies in agony-didn't you buy this little creature to look after & care for it? Once flushed any diseases it carries will then be passed into the local eco-system affecting local fish populations, all their predators & possibly back to our dinner tables.

Also, some of those healthy fish that are flushed simply because the owner no longer wants the responsibility of a life to care for will make it into the local rivers & lakes interbreeding with the local Carp population & decimating the natural ecology. Loosers flush fish-living or dead.

Answer 3

The best way to help out a dieing Goldfish is to put them in a plastic baggy with some of the tank water and put the fish in. Then put the Goldfish in to the freezer for a day. The reason for this is Goldfish are use to being in cold water and in ponds so the cold would just naturally put them into sleep by slowing down the breathing and would eventually die.

Answer 4

It may not be dying, sometimes people feed them too much and they get constipated. This makes tem float to the top-Try feeding them less. There is never a humane way to kill anything, that's the hard part-Some people say freezing them, puts them to sleep and then stops the heart-humanley, others say chop off their heads quickly.
Could also be due to the water conditions. If you changed the water too quickly or too much all at once, the water levels may be all wrong. That is fixable also.
Goldfish die in small environments as they are suppose dto grow to great lengths, you have a baby version remember-so if it is in a bowl the body may be rejected it's small confinements. Do not purchase goldfish for bowls-Tetras are for that.
Buy things to check the chemical balance in the water, and make sure feeding is done properly-not to much.


http://ezinearticles.com/?Is-Your-Goldfish-Constipated&id=309809


Try feeding peas to the fish .

Answer 5

There is a very helpful website regarding this actual issue. I've cited it below. On this site is also a listing of certain diseases/sicknesses and cures that you may be able to use.

If it's time to help the fish pass humanely, they suggest a bag of the tank water with a few ice cubes and pop in the freezer. The fish is a cold blooded animal and the body temperature will drop as it falls to sleep in the cold environment.

Another suggestion is a bag of the tank water, a drop of clove oil and a drop of vodka. The clove oil is what is used to anethstitize fish. Vodka helps disperse it in the water.

Sorry for you loss....even fish are family pets.

Answer 6

Transfer it to a bucket with a little water. Slowly add fresh tap water. The chlorine in the tap water will kill it quietly. My brother had a whole tank of goldfish died once, because he changed too much water.

Answer 7

Aww poor thing. Might be an algae problem in the tank or something or need water softener. They sell vitamins to sprinkle in the water for fish that usually help them, then maybe you won't have to kill it, might just be sick. Good luck.

Answer 8

what ever you do DONT PUT IT IN THE TOILET!!! releasing fish into the environs is a bad idea as thats the last thing we need is goldfish buggering up the environment.. the correct way to place a goldfish to sleep is to place him into the freezer.. overnight then dispose of him in the garbage the next day

Answer 9

um well the best ways are

flush it down a toilet or if its a big gold fish grab it out of the tank quickly and smash its head with a hammer.

The hammer process make the fish die quickly and doesnt have to suffer suffocation much.

Answer 10

You can either flush the poor little guy down the toilet, or you can put him in the freezer. It'll shut down his organs, and he'll kind of go into a sleepy mode. He will then die in his sleep. The freezer method seems sorta sad so you should just go with flushing him down the toilet.