RIP "Phred"

[aardvark1]

Had to euthenize Phred the Betta last night.

He's the one in this thread:

Betta with big bellies (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79457)

He was sitting in a plant, sideways and real listless. Poked him with the net and he just floated to the bottom of the tank tail up almost doing a face plant. His swelling was even worse after a week of fasting and having Epsom Salts added to tank. Sores/ulcers were starting on the belly. So I did the right thing and put him down (netted him into his cup and put him in the freezer)

He was my first fish. Bought him last August (remember listening to the coverage of Katrina on the news as I was stting up the tank).


RIP Phred!

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n215/artbitt/phred3.jpg

[WrittenLyric]

Swim on lil buddy, swim on.

[gunther]

Is the freezer the most humane way to do it? Never heard of it. Then again I never heard of any preferred euthanizing methods. Just curious.

[Rbishop]

Sorry for the loss.

Do a search on here and you will find several threads discussing the issue.

[aardvark1]

Is the freezer the most humane way to do it? Never heard of it. Then again I never heard of any preferred euthanizing methods. Just curious.


One of the methods listed up top in the stickies. Didn't have any oil of clove handy, and didn't have the cojones to crush him...

[Emg]

Looks like a serious case of dropsy there. I've had a few go that way.

When I have a fish with that I just keep the water nice and clean for them and let them go on their own. I then plant them in my planter on the front steps.... :)

[plah831]

Looks like a serious case of dropsy there. I've had a few go that way.
there was a long discussion over whether it was indeed dropsy in the original thread titled "Betta HELP... Emergency". It has still not been officially diagnosed, but dropsy I believe was eliminated as a possibility as there was no pineconing of scales. Not trying to be difficult, just wanted to let you know that was already covered.

[aardvark1]

Now have "Phred II".

Cleaned and sanitized the 10 gallon (tank, decor and filter) had another filter element in another tank so put that in clean tank.

Got a crowntail betta( red with LOOOONG fins, sky blue at the base of fins). He's in the QT tank now swimming around, but when I break out the camera he's playing hide n seek so no pics yet.

[jjanoch]

Sorry to hear that Phred joined my betta in that great fishtank in the sky.

Good luck with II, as I have also moved forward with a new guy. It is strange, but we've seem to have followed each other with colors. Our originals were very similar looking, and now you say your new one is red with blue in the fins.

[LGooley]

Sorry for the loss. I had a Betta that had a big belly like that also. I called him "Hoppy." Everytime he saw me coming he would hop up out of the water. He lost his battle to a feline enemy named "Jax".

[flyfly]

Sorry bout phred. This experience with all three of your fish is pretty wild. Good luck with the new ones.

[TheMightyQueenPixie]

If I had to venture a guess, id say it was an internal tumour. Doesnt look a think like any sort of internal bacterial infection... Just my .02



His swelling was even worse after a week of fasting and having Epsom Salts added to tank.

Epsom salts are not something to mess with if you dont know what you are doing... They are not intended to be used for long periods in the tank water. Epsom salts cause dehydration and must be used very prudently. The break down of the skin is an indication of this dehydration. Dont beat yourself up though, he was on borrowed time anyway.

[rosita]

Hey, Art, I'm really sorry to hear of Phred's demise. It's hard to lose one of the "kids," I remember when my betta died after 3 years.
I remember your postings about him; the ailment was so similar to my dwarf gourami, who swelled enormously with no other indications. Nothing helped, and when he stopped swimming/eating I euthanized him. It was so hard, but for me it becomes a quality of life issue. He was staying on the tank floor, fins clamped, looking miserable.
We have memories, we move on, and they always stay in our hearts!! Take care.

~renee

[rwspear76]

Sorry for your loss....