10 Gallon Tank When to go through with euthanizing a betta

My betta hasn't been doing great these past couple weeks. I've tried everything. He has a ten gallon,all plants are alive, nothing sharp in the tank, 78 degrees Fahrenheit, filter, pellets, but he's still sick. I've had the tank much longer then I've had him,so I know it's cycled. I've used methalyne blue and Epsom salt for so long now but he just isn't getting better. I got him from petsmart (I regret) and I know they don't take care of the fish that well and that alot of them tend to get issues easier bcuz if the breeding and where petsmart gets the fish from.

He hasn't been eating,he lays at the bottom of the tank,he's still alive but his gills barely move. I feel horrible and I don't want him to keep suffering. I feel bad at the thought of killing him to, but I don't want him to be in pain any longer. What should I do? Should I go through with euthanizing him or try a bit longer ?

 

Hi & welcome, sorry it's not in better circumstances. What are your tank's actual parameters & have you done some water changes? If your parameters are good & your water is clean I'd say by this stage the betta has very little chance of recovery & to prolong its suffering is not kind, if he were mine I'd end his distress now.

 

If I think a fish doesn't have a reasonable chance of recovery, I euthanize it.

Sorry you're going through this, it's the downside of a cool hobby.

 

Hi Korak Welcome to Fishlore. This is always such a hard subject.

I havent been able to "cure" a betta yet myself. I think they just have genetic defects from overbreeding and dont live long. Once they pinecone its near the end sadly. I think you already knew your answer. Hugs.

 

Hi Korak Welcome to Fishlore. This is always such a hard subject.

I havent been able to "cure" a betta yet myself. I think they just have genetic defects from overbreeding and dont live long. Once they pinecone its near the end sadly. I think you already knew your answer. Hugs.

I have this going on right now with my original fish with a bent/weak tail. I fasted him 2 days, mid week water change, fed 1 day, fast 2 days again.

Very subtle pine coning effect

because he's less active, I knew he'd have a shorter life. he's about 13 month old now.

I'm holding off on euthanizing for now. He seems to swim fine, but his scales are no longer 'flat' , flush with body. I'm guessing his organs never developed correctly because his tail is completely thin/deformed.

he was a baby betta when i got him

I have to say, half the baby bettas have been what I would call failures. No more baby bettas for me. I just thought it would be cool to see them develop from so young, but honestly, he should have been culled most likely.

Good luck OP. There's never a perfect time to euthanize, just follow your heart.

 

So sorry you are going through this!!!

My process is that when they stop moving, have trouble breathing, stop eating...there is no quality of life there, so that's when I euthanize using clove oil. It's always hard. Bettas are so personable, and so sweet...just wonderful fish. It's so sad that their genetic make up is so awful now, especially when they come from big chain pet stores.

Again, so so sorry!!!