Shrimp euthanasia
- Thread starter mel_20_20
- Start date
Update
Well... he's still here, but things aren't looking too good. Yesterday, Sunday, I made a soft bed of veggie pellets that he was totally settled down in, placing his mouth well within reach of the soft fluffy stuff. I could see no signs that he has eaten any of it at all.
The last time he ate was Saturday night when I got 4 or 5 FBWs in him. but tonight I tried to get some FBWs into him. I had the worms all over the place and up near his mouth several times but he doesn't seem to be trying. He tried to get away from me instead of accepting the worms.
I worked and worked at it tonight, but I can't get him to take any of them. I think he's about given up. I quit trying for tonight, and left a clump of the FBWs up against him, underneath. I hope maybe he'll try to eat some of them. At this point I don't know if I should keep trying. I don't want the poor guy to be frightened and just slowly dying.
His color hasn't changed any more for the worse, or for the better, and I see no signs that he's about to molt. I really don't want to give up on him, if there's a chance. It would be an awesome recovery... but I don't want to be guilty of prolonging unnecessary suffering trying to pull off a miracle. It's not about me... it's about him and I need to think of what's best for him. I know he's just a shrimp, but I have gotten attached to him.
I'm feeling kind of blue....
If he hasn't eaten any of the frozen blood worms by the morning I'm going to have to consider putting an end to it.
I haven't worried that he was in pain... but I don't want him to starve to death, either, if I can't get him to eat.
I wish I had better news to post. I'll post an update tomorrow.
Well... he's still here, but things aren't looking too good. Yesterday, Sunday, I made a soft bed of veggie pellets that he was totally settled down in, placing his mouth well within reach of the soft fluffy stuff. I could see no signs that he has eaten any of it at all.
The last time he ate was Saturday night when I got 4 or 5 FBWs in him. but tonight I tried to get some FBWs into him. I had the worms all over the place and up near his mouth several times but he doesn't seem to be trying. He tried to get away from me instead of accepting the worms.
I worked and worked at it tonight, but I can't get him to take any of them. I think he's about given up. I quit trying for tonight, and left a clump of the FBWs up against him, underneath. I hope maybe he'll try to eat some of them. At this point I don't know if I should keep trying. I don't want the poor guy to be frightened and just slowly dying.
His color hasn't changed any more for the worse, or for the better, and I see no signs that he's about to molt. I really don't want to give up on him, if there's a chance. It would be an awesome recovery... but I don't want to be guilty of prolonging unnecessary suffering trying to pull off a miracle. It's not about me... it's about him and I need to think of what's best for him. I know he's just a shrimp, but I have gotten attached to him.
I'm feeling kind of blue....
If he hasn't eaten any of the frozen blood worms by the morning I'm going to have to consider putting an end to it.
I haven't worried that he was in pain... but I don't want him to starve to death, either, if I can't get him to eat.
I wish I had better news to post. I'll post an update tomorrow.
Oh Mel, thats horrible. I hope for a recovery but at the same time understand whatever your decision is...good luck! 
We are with you Mel. Hope the little guy surprises you and eats "his meat" tonight for ya. I know it is hard.
Thanks, guys, for the kind words, support and encouragement. I'm going to try to entice him with FBWs again, tomorrow. I hope he let's me know he's still in the battle.
the opacity he has is a little concerning, but you are doing well above and beyond the call fo duty. MY fingers are tightly crossed.
Hope he's still doing okay! Just out of curiosity, do you add iodine to the tank water? I know some people think it's useless, but IMHO, I think it helps them molt. You can use Kent Marine Iodine, just don't use their dosing guide. One drop per 10 gallons is just fine for freshwater. I bought a bottle (I think something like 16 ounces) spring 2008, and I would be surprised if I used 1/4 of it. The stuff lasts forever.
I didn't know about that. I havn't been able to get him to eat anything, but he still tries to stay upright, poor little guy. The only other movement is those little things inside the lower portion of his carapace that you can see through his side.
The edges of his tail fins(?) are brown... and there's some on his tail. I took some pictures and will upload them in the morning; my camera is charging.
I don't know if he's going to last much longer if I can't get him to eat.
I'll post an update mid-morning. Thanks for all the encouragement and help, I appreciate it so much.
The edges of his tail fins(?) are brown... and there's some on his tail. I took some pictures and will upload them in the morning; my camera is charging.
I don't know if he's going to last much longer if I can't get him to eat.
I'll post an update mid-morning. Thanks for all the encouragement and help, I appreciate it so much.
