[XuhQshinR]

After a long fought battle to try to save our Fox Face Rabbit from a sudden tank crash 13 days ago I finally had to face the fact that he was not going to make it.

He actually had quit breathing a couple of times the night of the crash but he came back in a hospital tank with lots of airation and water changes. Though after 5 days in the hospital tank, he appeared to be healthy and swimming great, he seemed to not be able to see. Not being able to see equals not being able to eat properly.

He was getting week and when I saw that he was too weak to avoid getting stuck to the top of my internal tank overflow I made the tough decision that it was time for me to quit being selfish and help him to not suffer.

I di not want to use the "Old School Method" of freezing him as I felt it might be too cruel.

I found this sight and many others suggesting a method of Clove Oil and then Vodka. What is the Most Humane Way to Euthanize a Fish?

I must say that when I added the clove oil he slowly relaxed and slowed his breathing down and went to sleep. Then I added the vodka when I saw that he had slowed his breathing down to almost non-noticable gill movement.

I then made sure that he was indeed passed and placed him in the freezer.

Just make sure that when you take the fish out of the tank that you use the same water as that in the tank. Do NOT use tap water!

It was still kind of emotional for me as I feel so responsible for their deaths as I am resposible for trying my best to keep my little friends in good health and I failed.

We still have no idea what caused the tank to crash as we have had these guys for some time and have not added any others for several months.

The Clowns, Inverts and all of our coral are the only ones that were not damaged by the crash.

Here are some actual pictures of them before I accidently failed them and let them all down.

Kole Tang (Actually I think he was a Bristeltooth)

Strawberry Dotti


Lawn Mower Blennie

Fox Face Rabbit

May they Rest in Peace

[jimw369]

Sorry for your losses Greg. We can really get attached to these fish sometimes.

Karma for your loss.

[XuhQshinR]

Originally Posted by jimw369

Sorry for your losses Greg. We can really get attached to these fish sometimes.

Karma for your loss.

Thanks Jim.

I used to not be so attached to anything but my wife changed that about me years ago.

Now I take up for all creatures that have done no harm to me.

But you are right. I got even more attached to the Foxface just doing my best to spend time with him to get him better.

My Tang used to come up to the glass and kind of smile for the camera!

Gonna miss them and I apologize to all of them for me letting them down.

Kind of makes me think twice about getting more fish anytime soon, but I know I will get over that, but not before I get rid of this nusance hair algae 1st!!!

It is wearing me out trying to control it!

[ljv]

I think we all get emotionally attached. I had a yellow tang for six years. I bought it the week I setup my first reef tank. It was also a ham for the camera. Everytime I would try to photograph a coral, I would wind up with a yellow blur in the picture. It would eat out of my hand and was always out front whenever I was around. It died suddenly and I was surprised at how much it bothered me that it was gone.

When you think about our hobby, we spend thousands of dollars and countless hours trying to make a good home for a few animals.

I've spent hundreds of dollars treating a sick parakeet that sells for $20. Sure it would be easier to let it go and just buy another one, but they become part of your family and should be treated with respect. If you don't feel that way about your pets, perhaps you shouldn't have them.

You did everything you could and you should feel good about that.

Good luck with your algae problem. Keep focused on water quality and it will get better.

[ilovemash]

Sorry for your loss!

[Hosser]

Hows everything doing now?

[Adam J]

Karma for your loss