Possible Betta Euthanasia

I’ve made a previous post on the condition of my old HMDT betta, he’s had a tumor along the line between his analfin and body for quite some time now slowly becoming more lethargic overtime. His tank parameters are nearly the same as last time just with a slight change in the nitrates, nothing too drastic. He also seems to be forming yet another tumor near his gills on the right side. Within the past week or two his activity was decreasing a lot faster than normal and for the past about 4-5 days he now spends nearly all his time on a bottom corner of his tank. He barely moves even if i’m trying to coax him up, and once he finally realizes i’m there he’ll come up like always but then very quickly after he makes his way back down to his spot. He’s seemed the tiniest bit more active today, but after a second of swimming he’s always back down in the corner and I’ve only seen him swim four times at most in the last 11 hours. I’m hoping that I missed some times he swam, but I’ve been home all day. I really don’t believe it’s a swim bladder issue as he has no problems whatsoever swimming, staying upright or afloat, but he just stays on the bottom now. I’ve tried salt baths, medication, fasting, quarantining him, done continuous water monitoring etc and everything just seems to be adding more stress. With him being nearly 5 years old or possibly older + everything going on, would it just be best to euthanize him and let him rest? I’ve been debating since yesterday but I’d hate to lose him and am so afraid to do so incase there’s anything else I could possibly do for him. Any suggestions?

 

If you do decide to euthanize, do so with clove oil. First do a dose that is only strong enough to anesthetize him, then you can up the dose so that it is strong enough to kill him.

The decision is up to you, only you know what’s best for your fish. If you think he will be able to live comfortably with his condition or will be able to find a way to do so with time, then leave him be. If he still shows interest in life, food, interaction, and spirit, leave him be. But if he seems to be in pain, not interested in living, unable to live comfortably or find a way to live comfortably in his condition, and you may feel it is best to euthanize, go for it. Do what you think is most merciful/ what is best for your fish, but this is a decision you should make yourself. You don’t want to have regrets later that maybe what you did was not the right choice or that it wasn’t what was best for the fish. Once you do this, your fish is gone. The tumors could be benign

 

Honestly, with his age and the tumors, I think it would be best to do anesthesia with a small dose, and then do a big dose, though it's up to you. Some people go extreme and have surgery on their fish.

 

Male Bettas get tired when swimming because of their fins, and I imagine at his age he's VERY tired. Is he otherwise alert and eating, or just kind of out of it? This would be the deciding factor for me, but you know him best.

 

If you do decide to euthanize, do so with clove oil. First do a dose that is only strong enough to anesthetize him, then you can up the dose so that it is strong enough to kill him.

The decision is up to you, only you know what’s best for your fish. If you think he will be able to live comfortably with his condition or will be able to find a way to do so with time, then leave him be. If he still shows interest in life, food, interaction, and spirit, leave him be. But if he seems to be in pain, not interested in living, unable to live comfortably or find a way to live comfortably in his condition, and you may feel it is best to euthanize, go for it. Do what you think is most merciful/ what is best for your fish, but this is a decision you should make yourself. You don’t want to have regrets later that maybe what you did was not the right choice or that it wasn’t what was best for the fish. Once you do this, your fish is gone. The tumors could be benign

Clove oil is the way I was planning on doing so, thank you. But also thank you for your input, it’s helped make things more clear. I’m going to go through with it tonight as he’s nowhere near how happy he used to seem. Living on the bottom of his tank wouldn’t be thriving. Thank you again.

 

Clove oil is the way I was planning on doing so, thank you. But also thank you for your input, it’s helped make things more clear. I’m going to go through with it tonight as he’s nowhere near how happy he used to seem. Living on the bottom of his tank wouldn’t be thriving. Thank you again.

Make sure to give him a proper burial and use a stick or something as a grave/marker

 

I don’t think age should be considered when thinking of euthanasia. An old fish is just as capable of living a happy life as a young fish, the only difference is accommodation. In a tank where he is away from things that will bother him, kept in optimal water quality, has plenty of plants near the surface to lounge in so it’s easier for him to stay at the surface to get air when he’s tired, has a tank with very low flow, is given food near him so he doesn’t struggle against his finnage to eat, then he’s perfectly capable of enjoying life and may even continue to be active, perhaps just not for as long due to his long finnage and age. He may swim in short bursts then decide to relax.

If he’s in pain or is constantly uncomfortable that’s another case, obviously then euthanasia should be considered, but that would go for a young or old fish. I don’t think it’s fair to say he can’t live comfortably because of age tho

 

I’ve had an elder betta before, and maybe my opinion isn’t the most popular, but I don’t think age should be considered when thinking of euthanasia. An old fish is just as capable of living a happy life as a young fish, the only difference is accommodation. In a tank where he is away from things that will bother him, kept in optimal water quality, has plenty of plants near the surface to lounge in so it’s easier for him to stay at the surface to get air when he’s tired, has a tank with very low flow, is given food near him so he doesn’t struggle against his finnage to eat, then he’s perfectly capable of enjoying life and may even continue to be active, perhaps just not for as long due to his long finnage and age. He may swim in short bursts then decide to relax.

If he’s in pain or is constantly uncomfortable that’s another case, obviously then euthanasia should be considered, but that would go for a young or old fish. I just don’t think it’s fair to say he can’t live comfortably because of age.

he has tumors

 

he has tumors

Yes the OP mentioned this. I think I misunderstood your comment, sorry about that

Honestly, with his age and the tumors, I think it would be best to do anesthesia with a small dose, and then do a big dose, though it's up to you. Some people go extreme and have surgery on their fish.

 

I'd say, if he eats, keep him, if he stops for several days... on the clove oil front, do you know how? So you don't have to answer I will tell you what I've read about this: One gallon water, put 6 drops of clove oil and stir well. Put your fish in it. Wait 10 min. Then take out a pint of water and add 12 drops, mix well and add to the one gallon. Wait 30 min. after he stops breathing to make sure he is dead. I think the key is not to put the clove oil directly in the tank water. I've never done this so if you have and have a different way, please let me know. Good luck. I'm so sorry, it is a very hard decision. He's a very lucky guy.

 

Honestly, with his age and the tumors, I think it would be best to do anesthesia with a small dose, and then do a big dose, though it's up to you. Some people go extreme and have surgery on their fish.

I probably would’ve went to the extreme for him if his tumors were in operable spots thank you though!

 

I probably would’ve went to the extreme for him if his tumors were in operable spots thank you though!

Sad If you decide euthanasia, maybe give him his favorite treat before he dies. These cases are so sad .

 

Male Bettas get tired when swimming because of their fins, and I imagine at his age he's VERY tired. Is he otherwise alert and eating, or just kind of out of it? This would be the deciding factor for me, but you know him best.

He’s really not alert at all until I try very hard to get his attention. He used to just get tired and take a break where he’s been lying now, but now he lays there til I wave my hand in front of his face a bunch. Even to the point to where I’ve went in with a net to see if he’ll move, and then he’ll swim and eat but he always makes his way back to his spot and then I’ll have to repeat.

 

I'd say, if he eats, keep him, if he stops for several days... on the clove oil front, do you know how? So you don't have to answer I will tell you what I've read about this: One gallon water, put 6 drops of clove oil and stir well. Put your fish in it. Wait 10 min. Then take out a pint of water and add 12 drops, mix well and add to the one gallon. Wait 30 min. after he stops breathing to make sure he is dead. I think the key is not to put the clove oil directly in the tank water. I've never done this so if you have and have a different way, please let me know. Good luck. I'm so sorry, it is a very hard decision. He's a very lucky guy.

It really is a hard decision, one of the hardest I’ve had to make. I normally would wait until they’ve stopped eating but he’s been declining for quite some time now, and it’s quite hard to watch him just lay on the floor until I bother him enough to get up. I have decided to give him some more time that just tonight, but thank you so much. I’ve researched many places on how to do it and I’ve gotten many answers. I truly appreciate it!

 

It really is a hard decision, one of the hardest I’ve had to make. I normally would wait until they’ve stopped eating but he’s been declining for quite some time now, and it’s quite hard to watch him just lay on the floor until I bother him enough to get up. I have decided to give him some more time that just tonight, but thank you so much. I’ve researched many places on how to do it and I’ve gotten many answers. I truly appreciate it!

Have you talked to the doctors to be sure its inoperable?

 

Make sure to give him a proper burial and use a stick or something as a grave/marker

Of course, I’m painting a rock for him to place where he’s buried. He’s my baby and I want the best for him even after he’s gone

 

Of course, I’m painting a rock for him to place where he’s buried. He’s my baby and I want the best for him even after he’s gone

Take one last picture of him

 

Have you talked to the doctors to be sure its inoperable?

I haven’t talked to one as there’s really not one anywhere near me they’re all hours away, so with his age and it taking up a bit of his side and analfin I didn’t feel like the trip would be beneficial and would just make things worse for him at this point. Especially if it was operated on it’d be a lot taken off so he’d have even a harder time swimming now. Plus one of them are forming in the right side of gills I don’t think there’s much to do for that one. I have been taking as many pictures as I possibly can of my boy tho, gotta cherish em while we can.

 

I haven’t talked to one as there’s really not one anywhere near me they’re all hours away, so with his age and it taking up a bit of his side and analfin I didn’t feel like the trip would be beneficial and would just make things worse for him at this point. Especially if it was operated on it’d be a lot taken off so he’d have even a harder time swimming now. Plus one of them are forming in the right side of gills I don’t think there’s much to do for that one. I have been taking as many pictures as I possibly can of my boy tho, gotta cherish em while we can.

So sorry...