You may not want to believe that your fish is dead. For a few days, you could be in denial, not wanting to accept that your fish is really gone. Feeling angry at yourself for what you think you could or should have done to save your fish is also a normal stage of grieving. Don’t be too hard on yourself, however. Many people feel depressed after the loss of a pet. It is okay to cry or feel sad for a while immediately following the death.
Have a few moments of silence to reflect on your relationship with your fish. You may want to say a few words, play a song, or read a poem that reminds you of your fish. Some people light a small candle in honor of their fish. You could also plant a flower or a tree in memory of your pet, draw or paint a picture of your pet fish to place in a special spot in your home, or write a letter to your pet expressing your gratitude for the life of your pet had.
Create a scrapbook. You might include a brochure from the pet store about the fish, drawings, photos, the leaves of the fake or live plants from the tank, etc. [6] X Research source Write a poem, short story, or biography about your fish. Make a slideshow or frame a photo of your fish.
If you are still using the tank for other fish, you may want to put something in there in memory of the fish you lost. It could be a tiny hand-made tombstone or a pretty rock or seashell with coloring and pattern that reminds you of your fish. If you don’t have other fish, you can clean the aquarium out and use it to hold a memorial plant or flowers. If the tank is empty, and looking at it causes you too much pain, then clean it out and put it away. Put a nice plant or decoration in the place where the fish tank used to be. You can also decide to keep your fish in a safe place like a box, it can be homemade, or have your little one cremated.
Watch the gill covers closely. For a few moments, watch your fish make sure it’s not just breathing very slowly. Does it respond when you gently nudge it? If the skin has become discolored or white, it may indicate rotting, parasites, or disease. Look at your fish’s eyes. If the eyes have turned grey, then the fish has passed on.
Check the water levels. Was the tank too full? Did the fish jump out because the water level was too high or because there wasn’t a lid on the tank? Was there enough water in the tank? Test the water quality. Is the pH, ammonia, nitrite, etc. levels what they should be? Is there an obvious injury (split fins, open wounds, etc. )? Does it appear the fish got into a fight or injured by some of the tank equipment? Do you see any signs of disease, infection, or parasites? Is the body discolored or bloated? Is it possible your fish ate too much or became poisoned by something foreign in the tank?
Don’t put your dead fish in a body of water, such as a pond, river, or ocean. Your fish could be carrying a disease that can infect wildlife. [9] X Research source You can bury it in the backyard, a composting area, or a flowerpot. Make sure you bury the body at least two feet deep (60 cm) so that other animals don’t dig the body up. Some people believe that the body doesn’t contain the “spirit” of the fish anymore and simply place their fish’s body in the trash. [10] X Research source
Change the water immediately after you remove your dead fish. This will help remove harmful viruses, bacteria, etc. that may be in the water. If you don’t have one already, invest in a filter and, for tropical fish (including bettas), a heater. Make sure that your tank is large enough for the fish you keep or plan on keeping.
If you’re thinking about getting a new fish, remember that you will have to cycle the tank again before adding your new fish. If the water and everything else seems okay, add more fish to the aquarium after about a week. This will give you time to monitor the other fish, the water, etc. to make sure everything is as it should be. Only add a few new fish at a time. This will make it easier for you to watch all the fish to see how they are getting along and to make sure that they are all healthy.
