I have an albino oscar who has become totally blind. The poor thing is slowly starving to death and is listlessly eeking out a sad existence that is becoming difficult to observe. I need advice on the best means by which to put the fish out of its misery. Is the freezer the best place for the fish to die peacefully? advice please

The RSPCA's approved method of killing shellfish is by using the cold method which slowly shuts them down. However, I'm not aware that it is as humane when done on fish. Personally I would use clove oil because it's easy to obtain and really does work. All you do is put the fish in about a gallon of water in a bucket and add a few drops of clove oil. The first two or three drops will render the fish unconscious/asleep, then you administer some more drops which actually gives the fish a complete overdose and kills it while it asleep. Tried and tested here so I know it works and you don't cause any stress to your flesh whatsoever. However, if you know somebody who goes fishing than they may be able to dispatch a fish very quickly just using a knife.

thank you very much for this advice i think the clove oil would be kinder to my conscience than the knife

I think you are correct, taking a knife to a fish that you have caught is a little different to one that you have kept as a pet and fed every day. Trust me, the fish were no what's going on if you use clove oil. Just make sure you don't put in the main tank if you've got other fish

what do you try to feed him/her

an Oscar that is blind in one eye will learn to cope and will be able to feed perfectly okay. If the fish cannot see at all it will not be able to feed because they rely on their eyesight. They're not like catfish that use sensitive barbels to find food and don't really use eyesight.

i am not sure with the oscar but i have 2 gold fish that have no eyes at all
from the start and both are still alive today....(2 years) though they do not
grow that much, they seems to look healthier than those normal one: long fin
and firm scales, no bloated belly; and vibrant color.

im a huge largemotuh bass fisherman and they have whats called a lateral line that detects vibrations...was thinking maybe an oscar had something of this sort...if it did it wouldnt beable to detect flake food or pellets but would beable to detect live prey

OFL wrote:


Thanks for the clove oil adivse mate. he went seemingly very peacefully, took about 20 mins to fully stop breathing but he didnt seem stressed at any stage... And trust me this fella is better off. he hadent eaten in about 3 weeks ( other than maybe faeces off the bottom of the tank from the other 2 in there- tiger and brasiliensis) , he was completely listless, always laying on his side on the bottom just existing. i feel better for not prolonging his suffering any further.

I am sooooo sorry to hear of your fish. 10 years thats a long time. I am setting up a time and I hope to get a few O's myself. Here is hoping that mine last as long as your's did... That is a great achievement in itsself you should be very very proud.. Take Care

Brave discision, but a hard one.
10 years is a very good lifespan, you can be proud, even while you're grieving!
Chin up, you're a good fishkeeper.

So sorry for your loss