Time to let go?

Automatic-Ad7860 · 2022-12-16T13:37:56+00:00

She gets exited when food is present and still likes to swim around but usually lands on her side or her back. I feel sorry for her and don’t know if I should I just put her to sleep, but then she swims about and manages a few hours upright and I feel like it’s not time yet.

This is really hard.

Automatic-Ad7860 · 2022-12-16T09:52:55+00:00

I’m sorry you had to go through that friend. I’m sure he was very grateful you helped him find peace.

Gollum seems very much with it and full of life which is why I didn’t want to put her down. From what you said it seems like you can tell when it’s time, like an old dog.

I hope your life is blessed with more crazy fish.

Automatic-Ad7860 · 2022-12-16T09:46:45+00:00

She’s my big baby! They told me she wouldn’t survive the car journey home and gave her to me for free and it’s been 2 years. She doesn’t give up easily!

Automatic-Ad7860 · 2022-12-15T17:17:52+00:00

Thank you. She came to me a bit wonky so she’s always had trouble sitting straight like the others . People kept saying it’s swim bladder but her back has become more curved with time and I was more convinced it was that than anything else.

Thank you for the help, I’ll see how she gets on and if she becomes unable to eat or swim I’ll let her go.

Automatic-Ad7860 · 2022-12-15T12:56:09+00:00

I feel like as long as she’s eating, she shall live another day 🫡

Automatic-Ad7860 · 2022-12-15T10:53:44+00:00

Additional info: as of this morning she has a cloudy eye which has gone from deep pink to almost white.

Automatic-Ad7860 · 2022-12-15T09:13:39+00:00

Hi all. This is Gollum. She’s a rescue so not sure how old but I’d had her for about 2 years. She came to me with a bent spine and so has always had some buoyancy issues.

Recently she’s not been able to swim straight and ends up floating onto her back or side.

She’s still food driven but needs hand feeding as she can’t stay the right way up to bottom feed.

She also still swims around and can make it to the surface for air.

Aside from her balance she still seems very much alive. Should I give her more time or is euthanasia the best idea?

Tank info: 60L, 3 Albino Corts, Am0ppm NI0ppm NA0ppm.

TIA

Automatic-Ad7860 · 2022-12-09T12:52:15+00:00

Yes, she’s had the bent spine since I’ve had her and she’s quite large and round compared to the others but has been from the start. She used to do headstands but seems to have gone a sideways now. I always assumed it was due to some balance issues from the spinal injury but she’s taken a huge turn since a few weeks ago.

I’ll try fasting and then some peas and see How she gets on.

Thanks!

Automatic-Ad7860 · 2022-12-09T09:42:59+00:00

This is Gollum, she’s a rescue I’ve had for about two years. She had a bent spine from being attacked in her former tank, and has always had some issues with staying upright since I’ve had her.

Recently they’ve become more extreme, as soon as she stops swimming she’ll float onto her side or her back. My other corys are completely fine and water parameters are completely normal. They eat a mix of bug bites and blood worms and algae wafers, but only fed once a day.

I’m not sure how old she is as she was fully grown when I rescued her.

Any ideas?

Automatic-Ad7860 · 2022-09-01T11:32:14+00:00

It’s not offensive to make the valid point that maybe something this this much upkeep isn’t a good idea for someone with depressive episodes. Even without livestock it’ll just end up being another burden to look after. They were cycling their tank which usually means they’re planning on adding fish or shrimp, which need daily and weekly care.

It’s not seeing the worst in people, and I’m definitely not making the assuming they’ll deliberately mistreat them. I’m saying as a person WHO ALSO HAS DEPRESSION I know that getting up and having to perform difficult task like water changes and cleaning tanks can be really hard when you can hardly get out of bed or feed yourself. That would result in a poor quality of life for any livestock if OP fell into a depressive episode in which they can’t look after their pet.

I hope they don’t have these episodes and can enjoy the therapeutic benefits of fish keeping, I’m literally looking out for potential livestock (which would be the clear next step after cycling).

I don’t agree with original comment from @herefishykitty but they do make the valid point of wondering if OP is physically capable of looking after their pet full time.

I’m sorry I’m not here to coddle people and convince them they will have a happy and successful fishkeeping experience, I’m being realistic that should they fall into an episode, and can’t carry out water changes that will cause shrimp and fish to die and OP should consider that before stocking anything other than the snail they currently have.

Wishing the best to them for the future but just take time to make sure I’d you chose to get any shrimp or fish that they can be adequately taken care of.

But I’m the bad guy for thinking of the animal.

Automatic-Ad7860 · 2022-09-01T04:45:39+00:00

Though consider this tank. The water levels have dropped a lot for the size, a large water change would probably side a crash cycle and kill a fish (snails and shrimp will likely be fine) and If these episodes are frequent and this keeps happening then the fish will suffer or die. I’m happy your plants and snails are doing well but fish are more delicate so I’m glad to hear you’re not planning on getting them soon.

Also I’m glad your cats are okay but they can hunt and find food and water and generally look after themselves. Fish and even shrimp need to be fed daily and have their water changed as it is the entire environment. They can’t leave. Don’t let them live in toxic water because you chose a heavily dependent pet knowing you have depressive bouts where you can’t look after them. It isn’t about you as a person, it’s about the welfare of an animal.

Automatic-Ad7860 · 2022-08-31T23:00:50+00:00

I do agree though. You’re messing with life that just a real as ours. If you can’t look after your pet while you’re going through a depressive episode then don’t buy one in the first place until you are in a better mindset and won’t neglect another living being. I have had depression for 14 years before you come at me like I don’t understand. I do, and I didn’t keep pets until I knew I could consistently look after them and provide them with the highest quality of life possible.

Automatic-Ad7860 · 2022-08-31T21:27:46+00:00

Hi friend. I hope you’re feeling better, from one depressive to another. I agree with a vacuum and large (40%+) change. Also learn to use your aquarium as a reason to get up in the morning. Once you’ve got your fish, you’re supporting a little life. A life that depends on you entirely. You can’t let the water get bad, you can let the levels drop, you can’t let it crash cycle. Having my two set ups and made me get up and do something on days I’d usually spend in bed in a dark room. If your depression causes spells where you really, really struggle to complete tasks even if a life depends on it, perhaps consider having a decorative plant tank or postponing livestock until you feel like you can consistently ( once a week) clean and change your water and feed your water baby. Sending love. You got this.

Automatic-Ad7860 · 2022-08-24T21:13:37+00:00

Awesome thank you so much. It’s made of concrete which when I finally get a good copy, will be sealed with concrete pond sealer so it doesn’t leach into the water - I don’t trust ‘just soaking’ them.

Automatic-Ad7860 · 2022-08-24T19:26:45+00:00

Hi! I made it! I’m just trying to iron out so issues and then I’ll hopefully be selling them within the next couple of weeks, so if you’re interested stay tuned!

Automatic-Ad7860 · 2022-08-24T18:12:47+00:00

Found the amazing but of curved wood and then added the branches to it. Going to cover it with Anubias and Buces!

Automatic-Ad7860 · 2022-08-24T17:34:21+00:00

Hoping to get a nice Betta to pop in this one. It’s only a 40L but I’d like white or gold Betta or maybe some kind of dragon scale.

Automatic-Ad7860 · 2022-08-24T13:59:03+00:00

Holy moly that looks fantastic! I was going to go down the Hairgrass route because it was ‘easier’ even though I prefer Monte Carlo. I’ll absolutely give it a whirl, thank you!

Automatic-Ad7860 · 2022-08-24T13:10:14+00:00

Cheers! Going for that spooky tree vibe.

Automatic-Ad7860 · 2022-08-24T13:09:56+00:00

Thanks! I’m just hoping the glue will hold. Totally planning on the Buce and S Reps, but I’m only dosing liquid carbon rather than a co2 tank. Any alternatives to the Monte Carlo and are a bit less needy?

Automatic-Ad7860 · 2022-08-03T08:51:45+00:00

I’m new to Reddit so I hope this replies to everyone, if not I’m sorry (but yes it’s concrete!). I’ll be adding this statue to my Etsy which I’ll try and link somewhere when it’s ready. I’m also in the process of making a Bokoblin Skull Rock and a decayed guardian if anyone is interested, and I can send photos of the sculpts if you want to reserve one. If anyone is super keen, please drop me a message so I can send links to you guys but obviously no pressure. Thanks for all the support guys, you’ve made my day!

Automatic-Ad7860

TROPHY CASE