Euthanizing Betta Fish.

I've gotten to the point with my betta fish that I believe it's in his best interest to euthanize him. When I got him almost a year ago he had fin rot, gill flukes, and velvet. I medicated him and cured him of those issues, but he's since developed really bad dropsy. I was giving him salt baths every day, but he's at the point where his entire belly is pineconed and swollen, he can't swim on his own anymore and I have to keep him propped up in a net at the top of the tank so there's not a lot of pressure on his swim bladder. I'm going to have my boyfriend euthanize him with clove oil whenever he gets home because I don't have the heart to do it myself. My only question is, how much clove oil do you use? How do you do it? And how do you know for sure that the fish has passed?

 

I am sorry about your betta. 400 mg of clove oil per liter I believe, you want to mix it with some water and slowly add it. I am unsure of how long it takes, as I've never done it myself, but I'm sure others on here have and will chime in and let you know, or a quick google search should tell you.

 

I am sorry about your betta. 400 mg of clove oil per liter I believe, you want to mix it with some water and slowly add it. I am unsure of how long it takes, as I've never done it myself, but I'm sure others on here have and will chime in and let you know, or a quick google search should tell you.

He's lived longer with me than he would've without me, so I don't feel horrible about it. Thank you. I'll look on YouTube and see if there's any videos on it.

 

Well it definitely looks like you are making the right decision by doing this, and it sounds like he had a very good life as well. YouTube would actually be a very good idea for instructions on this, one of those things that's easier to kind of follow along with rather than go off of written instructions I guess.

 

Here’s a link to it-
What is the most humane way to euthanase aquarium fish? - RSPCA Australia knowledgebase

I’m really sorry, dropsy is a horrible thing. At least you gave him a home and tried your best, and your still so compassionate for putting an end to his suffering. Although I’n Sure it’s not easy and am very sorry.

 

Here’s a link to it-
What is the most humane way to euthanase aquarium fish? - RSPCA Australia knowledgebase

I’m really sorry, dropsy is a horrible thing. At least you gave him a home and tried your best, and your still so compassionate for putting an end to his suffering. Although I’n Sure it’s not easy and am very sorry.

Thank you. It's okay, the pet store I got him from is notorious for buying over bred, sickly animals. My boyfriend bought him for me as a birthday gift because anytime we went to the pet store I'd get infuriated and upset that there was loads of dead betta fish out on display. He's my little buddy and I'm devastated to see him go, but I don't want him to be drowning from the inside out. Thanks for the help everyone!

 

Sorry to hear about your Betta.

 

One more question, am I going to have to tear my tank down and start all over? Or will it be okay after a few water changes? I'm not totally sure what caused the dropsy. But like I said, he had diseases and parasites before I even had him, and I believe over medicating and a lack of vitamins is what caused it. The tank is cycled and it would be a pain in the butt to start all over again. Any opinions?

 

Dropsy itself is not a disease, but rather the result of underlying issues, if you believe it was caused by something that is not contagious, you do not have to tear it down and sanitize it, but if you believe it was caused by something contagious or you're unsure, I would recommend either tearing it down and sanitizing, or running it fishless (dose ammonia to maintain cycle) for a while.