Aging betta?

Question

My first betta I ever got has been acting weird, I know he's very old (turned 8 years old in march). I got him as a pet from a friend when I was a teen. He used to be green with bright red fins, now he's grayish but fins are still redish but not as bright. I'm sure he's gonna die within a few days, I'm so deppressed. I use to brag to everyone that he was gonna make it to 10 years old, but I don't think that's going to happen. He's barely eating and swimming weakly. Everyone keeps saying it's just a fish but I've had him for so long that I never wanted to see the day he's gone. My question is, what's the best way to help my betta to a peacefull death? I just don't know what to do.

All answers will be appreciated.

Answer 1

Real Deal cowgirl has the right idea; try to let him die a natural death, but if he looks in pain, euthanasia is the best idea. However, all methods suggested except for the clove oil method and decapitation (provided the decapitation is swift and immediate, with a VERY sharp knife to be sure nothing goes wrong) are not acceptable methods of fish euthanasia as determined by the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).

I would suggest the clove oil method, should it come to euthanasia, because I know that personally, I couldn't bring myself to decapitate one of my beloved fish. I'd wimp out and do it wrong and hurt them.

Answer 2

let me start off by saying WOW, that betta must be kept under magnificant standards! the average life expectancy for a betta is 2 years - 4 years. i've heard of ones reaching 6 years maybe even 7 on very odd occasions, but 8 years? bravo.

if it were a young fish then i would of course look to other solutions, but the most likely thing is that it's just old (unless it's kept in cold water.... it does have a heater, right?). just keep him in a quiet environment and keep his water clean. try to reduce any stress. i would jsut leave him and let nature take it's course. however, if he appears to be in some sort of drastic pain, then i would euthanise him... please note this should only EVER be used unless you are absolutely certain it is not going to make it. put him in a cup, add a few drops of clove oil... once he is 'asleep', add some straight vodka... this will make sure he doesn't wake up. if it comes to this, it can of course be extremely hard to bring yourself to actually go through with the proceedure, but remember it is for the best, you are doing him a favour. there are other meathods, but i really don't think you will take kindly to them. one of whitch is scrabling it's brains. in one swift movement, you put a pin through a certain part of it's head. it's very effective, but it's pretty precise, and i know i couldn't possibly do this to one of my old fish. jsut a suggestion, i had an idea once (which one day i still plan to carry out). get a small tree/plant/bush/etc and when he dies, bury him. then the plant will grow from him and in a way, he still lives on, only in the form of a plant.

deepest sympathy x

Answer 3

sadd!!!!! but soo sorry well you can use a little bit of salt to not add stress to himm i think not sure. but you can also see if he has other diseases if you want him to live more. but im terribly sorry he might die. =(

Answer 4

Keep him in his current tank i reckon. Put in some nice plants and he will love it. That betta must be recording breaking. Congrats and sorry 2 hear about ur loss

Answer 5

dang i never thought bettas could live to 8 years u are a good betta kepper let him die his own way keep try some stress drops . i just have to say u gave him the best life he could have

Answer 6

Well I am sorry that his life is getting close to an end. But what I can recommend is letting him die naturally and then when he is dead, take him to a place were the glaze fish to preserve them for display purposes. That way he will always be with you. Hope this helps.

Jacob Castro

Myspace.com/JacobCastro1234

Answer 7

::whimper:: maybe freezeing it could give it a peacefull death? i know atleast with mamals you just get realy cold, and realy tired, then you fall asleep and never wake up... sounds alot more peaceful than the other sugestions... but i don't know... poor fishy.... ::big hugs::

Answer 8

aw im sorry,but 8 is REALLY old for a betta,you gave him a good long life and you should take pride in that,I would let him die naturally unless he looks like he is in pain,the only 2 things I have ever heard of for "putting a fish to sleep" are both sad,one is cutting his head off (with a very sharp object so its fast) and the other is dropping him into boiling water,(I have never done either, I wouldn't be able to)if it were me Id let him die on his own,he has lived a long life and should be able to complete it when he wants,im sorry for your eventual loss but you did a great job caring for him :)

EDIT:thanks for the link Audrey I didn't like either choice I was faced with before,but this one doesn't sound as bad (if I HAVE to do it),I book marked it just in case.