how do i put down my large fish??

:'( I need to put down my three red bellie pacus :'(. They are two big for my 40 gal tank and I live in a small upstairs apartment which the manager will not allow a bigger...heavier tank upstairs. I was told to get rid of the tank or get kicked out. :'( The only way to do this is to kill my fish. I don't want to hurt them... is there a good way to up them down without just pulling the out of the water and letting them suffer until they die?

I will never own another fish tank again... :'(

 

Simple solution, bag them and bring them to your local fish store. They should take them for free off your hands.

 

You can donate them to your lfs or trade for a smaller variety of fish, sell them, give them away, you actually have many options other than putting them down.

 

I live in a very small town in oklahoma and the only pet store is in oklahoma city and they will die of lack of oxygen if I bag them and take them to the city. also I have been trying to give them away...the last person who contacted me about my fish said my fish were evil. also I bought them at wal mart and they will not take them back. they are 10 to 12 inches long now.

I have until the end of the month to get rid of them or find a new place to live and this town have no more rental houses. does anyone out there want to take my fish....if there was a way for someone to come pick them up ??? :'(

 

hmm.. that manager has given you a tough situation for sure.. if there was a way to get oxygen to the pacus, how long of a drive is it to oklahoma city? would there be a pet store there to take them and maybe give you some cash or store credit for supplies?

 

If you can find a store in town that will take them then get an air pump and you will be able to transport them without worry.

Otherwise if you must put them down then clove oil is one option and euthanization is another.

 

If you have to euthanize them the first link is a good one.
Please don't beat your self up over this but learn from it. learn tha you have to research your fishes adult size and their needs before buying. It's not always easy to provide a bigger tank down the road.

If you find someone who will take them then rubbermaid containers will work and they can stay in them covered in tank water for several hours. good Luck
Carol

 

I will never own another fish tank again... :'(

Hey, we all make mistakes. There's no reason to not have a tank again, just make sure you research your fish sizes first!

I'm so sorry about your troubles, if I was in the situation to do so, I would adopt them. :'(

 

Thanks for all the support about my pacus problem. Around my town there are several farm ponds and also a small city lake. Do you think these fish would live in a farm pond or the lake?? Is it illegal to drop hobby fish in a lake?? About 25 miles from my town is a very large lake called Clinton Lake with very large catfish in it ... would it be safe for the fish to live in a lake that does not get fished much ???

I just want my fish to live :'(

 

That sux. :'(

I can't imagine not ever caring for fish again. Take them to a fish shop and give them up there.

Please do not dump them in a lake or river. They will die and possibly corrupt the ecosystem before they do.

 

They like water 75 or higher, so unfortunately they'd freeze to death for sure in the winter.

would that battery-powered air pump work to give them oxygen for a trip to oklahoma city & a pet store that would take your beautiful fish? at their size, they could be sold for a bit of money.

 

If you can find a store in town that will take them then and you will be able to transport them without worry.

that last link you had, had my glued to the computer for ages. it seems the debate will continur for ever more. still no "right" or "wrong" way of doing it then

 

have you tried giving it away on ebay? ebay here is always full of fish for sale. some are collection only, some are available by courier which the buyer would pay for. just an idea. adverts anywhere and everywhere else you can think of.....hope you manage to rehome them.... best of luck...

 

My brother in law had oscars that just got huge and they kept splashing and making waves. He honeslty put them in a bucket and took them to the fish store where they traded him for credit.

 

I live in a very small town in oklahoma and the only pet store is in oklahoma city and they will die of lack of oxygen if I bag them and take them to the city.  also I have been trying to give them away...the last person who contacted me about my fish said my fish were evil.  also I bought them at wal mart and they will not take them back.  they are 10 to 12 inches long now.

I have until the end of the month to get rid of them or find a new place to live and this town have no more rental houses.  does anyone out there want to take my fish....if there was a way for someone to come pick them up ??? :'(

Here is a simple solution to the oxygen problem.....A large tub or tote of water will work....One with a lid....Rubbermaid makes them - $10-$15....Rapala, maker of fishing tackle makes battery operated air pumps with airstones that are used to aerate bait buckets.....They cost $10. and you can get them at any sporting goods store like Dicks or Sports Authority.

Put your fish in the tub with tank water, run the hose from the air pump into the bucket and you've got a portable fish tank.

 

whats the current situation irishcelticeyes?

 

Put one fish in a five gallon bucket.

they will last over two weeks this way.

I was forced to do this during a house move and it worked out well.

And do not feed them because you will actually kill them.

any longer will require water changes.

Harry