goldfish murder

[crisgal]

my kids' 2 goldfish are on their way out - they've had a new tank - it's a long story - anyway, my question is this: Do i leave the poor things lying on the bottom of the tank slowly dying or do i "help them on their way" as it were? And if the latter - how? Me and my husband are of differing opinions. x

[B00]

The kindest thing, if they are definately heading towards that big tank in the sky is to take them out, pop them in a bag, if you're squeamish and quickly but firmly hit them on the head.

However I'm wayyyy too soft myself and despite having 3 tanks and gawd knows how many fish and sadly many deaths, some lingering, i've never ever been able to bring myself to do this.

[cruella]

Hi crisgal,
Know how you feel about the fish. I am also a big softy but if the fish are dying, then you really need to put them out of their misery.
Fill a bucket or sink full of freezing cold water, fish them out with a net and dunk them in the cold water.
That way they ought to die painlessly and quickly.

[lankeela]

Just leave them out of water and they will die like fish do when they are - er 'fished'

However, if you have changed the tank lately, did you keep some of their old water and change it gradually or just put totally fresh water in there? If so that is what could be making them lie on the bottom. Give them time and they may come round. They may die, but kill them and you will never know!