How to Tell if Your Fish Is Dead
Try to scoop the fish into your aquarium net., Look for breathing., Check the fish's eyes., Examine the fish's scales.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Try to scoop the fish into your aquarium net.
Look for signs of struggle as you place the net around the fish's body.
If your fish is just sleeping, they'll wake up and try to wiggle their way out of the net.
If they don't, they could be dead or very sick. , Check the gills for most species.
If they're not moving, the fish isn't breathing.
Bettas and other labyrinth fish breathe through their mouths.
If your fish is from this family, watch their bodies for up and down movements., Look at the eye as a whole.
If they're sunken, your fish is dead or near death.
Look for cloudy pupils, which is also a sign of death in most aquarium fish.If your fish is a pufferfish, walleye, rabbitfish, or scorpionfish, occasional eye cloudiness might actually be normal.
However, you should contact your vet if the cloudiness persists for several days., Do this if your fish has jumped out of the tank.
Look for cracking of the skin as you pick up the body.
Feel the body to see if it has dried out.
These signs are only present in dead fish. -
Step 2: Look for breathing.
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Step 3: Check the fish's eyes.
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Step 4: Examine the fish's scales.
Detailed Guide
Look for signs of struggle as you place the net around the fish's body.
If your fish is just sleeping, they'll wake up and try to wiggle their way out of the net.
If they don't, they could be dead or very sick. , Check the gills for most species.
If they're not moving, the fish isn't breathing.
Bettas and other labyrinth fish breathe through their mouths.
If your fish is from this family, watch their bodies for up and down movements., Look at the eye as a whole.
If they're sunken, your fish is dead or near death.
Look for cloudy pupils, which is also a sign of death in most aquarium fish.If your fish is a pufferfish, walleye, rabbitfish, or scorpionfish, occasional eye cloudiness might actually be normal.
However, you should contact your vet if the cloudiness persists for several days., Do this if your fish has jumped out of the tank.
Look for cracking of the skin as you pick up the body.
Feel the body to see if it has dried out.
These signs are only present in dead fish.
About the Author
Justin Armstrong
Dedicated to helping readers learn new skills in organization and beyond.
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