How to determine if your fish has passed away

If you see your fish drifting lifelessly in the tank or even leaping out of it, your initial reaction may be sadness or preparing to handle its remains. However, your fish might still be alive. In any case, take the necessary steps to assess its condition by checking for signs of life, dealing with a deceased or near-death fish, and considering other issues with those that seem lifeless.

Use a net to lift the fish. Look for any signs of resistance as the net surrounds the fish's body. If the fish is simply resting, it will wake up and attempt to wriggle away from the net. If the fish remains motionless, it could be dead or very ill.

Check for breathing. Inspect the gills of your fish. If they aren't moving, it means the fish has stopped breathing. Betta fish (fighting fish) and gouramis generally breathe through their mouths. If your fish is one of these types, observe the up-and-down movement of their body.

Examine the fish's eyes. Take a close look at both eyes. If they are sunken, the fish is either dead or near death. A cloudy pupil is also a sign of impending death for most ornamental fish.

• If your fish is a pufferfish, bass, snapper, or mackerel, cloudy eyes may occasionally be a normal condition. However, you should contact a vet if the cloudiness persists for several days.

Inspect the fish's scales. Perform this check if the fish has jumped out of the tank. Look for skin cracks when handling the fish. Feel the body to see if it has become dry. These signs are only present in dead fish.

Spend time with your dying fish. Watch for signs such as an inability to eat or sinking immediately after swimming to the surface. It will be very sad, but you should treat this fish like any other pet. Sit by the tank, talk to the fish, especially if that’s something you normally do.

"Euthanizing" a suffering fish. Clove oil is a sedative and the most humane method to end the pain of a dying fish. You can find it at most pharmacies. Simply place the dying fish into 1 liter of water and add 400 mg of clove oil. Within 10 minutes, the fish will lose oxygen and pass away peacefully.

Remove any dead fish from the tank, if possible. Use a net to remove the body. If you can’t find the body, don’t worry. A dead fish won't harm other fish and will naturally decompose.

• Diseases and parasites on fish require a living host. If you believe your fish died from a disease, the other fish may also have been infected. Monitor them for symptoms. If they remain healthy or show symptoms after a few days, they are likely strong enough to resist the disease.

Do not flush the fish down the toilet. Disposing of a fish’s body in local waters can harm marine life. Dispose of the body in the trash or bury it outdoors. If the fish is large, it’s best to bury it. Check local laws to ensure it’s permissible to bury a pet fish.

Treat constipation with peas. Constipation can cause a fish to float on the water’s surface. Peas (or any type) contain sufficient fiber to help the fish return to normal. If your fish hasn’t defecated in a few days, feed it two to three fresh peas or thawed peas each day. Crush the peas or drop small pieces to the bottom of the tank.

• Avoid canned peas as they contain sodium and spices that may harm the fish.
• To soften the peas, place them in filtered water and boil them on the stove for about one minute. Remove them from the pot and allow them to cool. Do not use a microwave as it may destroy essential nutrients.
• Peel the peas with your hands. Be sure to wash your hands beforehand!
• Cut the peas into small pieces. First, cut them in half if they don’t naturally split when you peel them. Then cut them into quarters. If your fish is small, cut the peas into even smaller pieces.

Reduce the amount of food when necessary. If the fish isn’t constipated, it may have eaten too much. Overfeeding can cause the fish's stomach to bloat, making it float on the surface. If the fish has recently defecated, avoid feeding it for three to four days.

Research how fish sleep. When fish sleep, they stop moving. For example, Betta fish and goldfish sleep by resting at the bottom of the tank. Look online and read books about fish care to learn about their sleeping habits.

• Look for this information on veterinary websites or at local vet clinics. You can also check out public libraries or pet stores for books containing valuable information. If you have access to academic databases, search for journal articles on veterinary topics.
• Some fish species may fake death just to see you panic. Be sure to check thoroughly.

Check the water conditions in your tank. Chlorine, chloramine, and heavy metals in tap water can harm or even kill fish. Add a water conditioner to the tank according to the instructions on the package. Water conditioners can be purchased at local pet stores.

• Before adding a conditioner, test the levels of chlorine, chloramine, and heavy metals in the tank water. You can buy test kits at local pet shops. Follow the instructions on the package to ensure accurate results.
• You can also buy distilled water from local grocery stores to replace tap water in the tank.

Monitor the water temperature. If you’ve recently changed the water, any sudden temperature changes can shock the fish. Use a thermometer designed for aquariums to measure the water temperature. If the temperature is outside the ideal range for your fish, adjust the aquarium heater’s temperature setting.

• Observe the fish to ensure it returns to normal once the temperature is stabilized.
• In the future, perform gradual water changes to avoid sudden shifts in temperature or pH.
• If a large water change is necessary, move the fish out of the tank before changing the water. Place the fish (and its water) in a plastic bag, then immerse the bag in the tank to help the fish acclimate to the new temperature.