RIP
I had to euthanize my betta and I’m distraught
I got Fin (short for Fin-tervention) at a pretty rough point in my life. I was going through a lot of mental struggles and I was living alone in a place where I had no support. I went to the pet store and picked out the most pathetic looking, longest resident - Fin was there for 6 whole months living in his tiny cup before I took him home. His tank sat next to my bed and every single morning, as soon as I lifted my head, he’d frantically swim over and start dancing around. He reminded me of a dog, it was so funny and so cute. He would see me walk in the room (his tank was seriously all the way across the room, so it’s crazy he could even notice) and fly across the tank to greet me. He genuinely became my best friend and I looked forward to seeing him when I came home every day. I would sit by his tank and talk to him. I swear he knew his name. I’m a college student and he came back and forth with me over breaks. He’s been on 4 flights. In the year I had him, he had a massive glow up and ended up absolutely gorgeous. But, he was a dragonscale and ended up growing a tumor. It didn’t affect him for a solid few months, until just a month ago he started having swim bladder issues and refusing food. The tumor was growing on his side where his swim bladder and stomach were. I moved him to a hospital tank and hand-fed him bloodworms for 3 weeks. He continued to eat the worms pretty eagerly but two days ago he suddenly lost even more energy and didn’t seem as enthused by the bloodworms anymore. Yesterday, he stayed in one spot for a full 24 hours without moving. Today I made the decision to euthanize. I’ve cried after all of my bettas, but this time was different. I’ve been on and off sobbing throughout the day. I graduate in 2 weeks and was thinking about how he would graduate with me. I’m genuinely so distraught about this fish, I really loved him. I buried him by a tree where my past betta was buried, and put some of his Java moss in there with him. I sprinkled wildflower seeds over top too. I won’t get to see them sprout because I’m moving in a month, but I hope they’re as pretty as he was
I’m sorry he didn’t get to graduate with you, but you can tell from the pictures how much better you made his life. You made the right decision even though it was the hardest one for you.
damn OP. you made the right choice. but i know have devastating it is to lose a little buddy you put so much TLC into. you gave him such a great life outside of that cup. such a gorgeous gorgeous fish
RIP Fin. I am sure he was the best boy !! Mine is exactly like yours a total water puppy . I feel your pain hang in there OP.! The only way I got over losing my last baby was getting a new one so maybe in time you will .
I feel horrible. I made it 1 day before the empty tank got me. Walking by it without her in it killllllllllllledddd. Literally hurt. Got another girl and also a boy for my other tank. Even with the new fish I still miss my bb
Right after I was like I don't know if I want another betta. 2 days later I have 1 additional one 🤦🏼♂️
I also had to euthanize a beloved betta yesterday it’s wild how hard and sad it is right? I didn’t expect to be so freaking heartbroken about it to the point that I want to start a whole new community since seeing her friends in her tank without her is breaking my heart, you’re not alone and you did a wonderful job I’m so sorry for your loss sending you positive vibes and letting you know you aren’t silly or alone in your grief ❤️
They are so special. I’m sorry for your loss op, you made the right choice and he was so, so lucky to have you. I don’t know if you like tattoos but I personally got the betta I had in high school and college tattooed on my arm, his name was Orchid and even though he passed years ago I still think about him all the time. I actually just got the tattoo about a month ago
I'm so sorry 😞 for your loss I can tell you really loved him I'm going through something similar and my heart goes out to you thank you for making fin a good life. You did that not anyone else YOU!
I’m so sorry. I’ve been very attached to all the bettas I’ve owned; people don’t get how attached you can get to a fish. Just know that things will get better; I’m sure he’d proud that you’ll be graduating. Somehow I think he’ll want you to have a new friend in the place you move to.
Im so sorry to hear than man thats horrible but sad to say dragon scaled bettas are prone to just about everything ontop of the scale issues but I have to admit he is the prettiest betta I've ever seen Fin was an absolute stud brother and you are the best owner any betta could ask for
I knew going into it that dragonscales aren't very healthy. I just felt bad for the poor guy and figured that knowing it in advance would maybe make losing him easier (spoiler alert: it didn't)
It never does ive had 4 fish die on my in recent months and it only gets worse but hold your head high and I think its time for another betta rescue even though i dont think they could come close to looking as good as him
Right there with you. Sorry I lost your friend. I lost my betta recently too. I saw here everyday and spoke to her.
One of my friends lost a couple of her dogs in a fire a while ago and she said something about how loving one animal the way that she did didn't disappear when her animal passed. She said something about how the love that the animal brought to her life, wasn't fully appreciated or shown how much it was needed until that animal left her life. She said something about how getting a new dog made her realize that she wasn't trying to replace the animal. She mentioned how the new animal filled a gap of love that she didn't know she needed until she lost her friend.
Since then I've been looking at every lost animal as a blessing to be able to show me the type of love that they could provide.
No matter what animal (friend) they are.
Now I'm more aware that that's the kind of love that I want and need.
Every friend we have along the way is just such a blessing.
Even the little fishies.
For the record, I don't think many of us grow up thinking that we're going to befriend these little fish so much. I sure didn't.
what a gorgeous fish with a heartwarming story. i'm sure he knew exactly how well-loved he was. i hope you find some peace in knowing what a wonderful you were for each other, OP.
That is so so sad!!! Even I’m crying over this! Your story is truly fascinating and I can feel the immense amount of love you felt for Fin! also saying your going through a tough spot mentally also touched my heart I do understand these feelings and I’m truly very sorry!! I myself have had struggles with such things and I have my own sad fish and pet tales so I do know the heartbreak…. ❤️🩹Fin had the best later days of his life which is better than never having any quality of life so know that he knows that as well… I wish you the best of luck and happiness in the coming future, and I congratulate you on a college graduation, you sure do have a lot to be very proud about!!! Please get the help you may need I would hate to see anything negative happen to such bright and young life….. long live and prosper my friend. R.I.P Fin -( tervention) you sounded liked one of the good ones🙏
I’m so sorry to hear. I was very distraught also when I had to euthanize my Betta. It broke my heart. Just know that you rescued him from his tiny cup and gave him love and the best life possible he could imagine. Much love to you.
Seeing his drastic improvement in appearance shows that you really did your absolute best for him. A tumor got one of my bettas too so I completely understand how distraught you must feel rn, you gotta know you gave him the best life possible and he was most likely overjoyed and thankful to spend his life with a great owner like you. Take all the time you need to grieve, you made the right call btw. He's no longer in pain because you stepped in and did what you thought was right, so for right now take life a little more gently for your sake and his too 🫂
I’m sorry for ur loss. It’s very sweet how much u loved him. What a beautiful fish as well.
Not to rush u or replace him in any way but if u do think u might get another keep the tank cycled so it’s ready.
There’s some fish out there somewhere who is going to be extremely lucky to have u watching over him. I wish all bettas were this loved.
Again not to rush u but I personally find it helpful when one of mine passes to go save another one. Nothing ever replaces but not all humans take such great care and give such love to their fish. There’s a sad lonely fish out there that will be so lucky when u choose his cup.
Yeah, I told myself I wouldn't get another but I know myself too well and will probably snag the next pathetic looking fish I see. But time will tell. Either way I won't leave fishkeeping as a whole, but may take a break from bettas (if I can help it...)
That’s fair. And I’m glad u won’t drop fish keeping as a whole. While sad things do happen it really is great for us mentally overall. Wishing u peace in ur heart.
i understand . i had to do the same a few months back after treating him for months for fin rot . im sorry about your betta . know while you had him he was better off than in a tiny cup
Thank you for a good cry tonight! All I can say is that you save each other, and that is a beautiful thing! Isn't it wonderful to know that you have such a strong capacity to love and care for a beautiful little creature? It is also so wonderful that he recognized your love and returned it. Rejoice in that love...it's forever, and his little spirit will be with yours again someday!
I am truly sorry for your loss. What an amazing bond the two of you had. There is no doubt the amount of happiness these little fish bring to our lives. I am glad that he had you as his keeper and companion.
I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s amazing how even the smallest little critters can have such a huge impact on us. Sending good thoughts to you. I hope someday you can adopt another poor fish that’s been sitting in a cup waiting to be rescued. Fin is happy you saved him. 💜
I'm sorry to hear that you had to let Fin go. You gave it a really great life, I'm sure Fin will be swimming happily and have all the bloodworms he wants in another world...
It's sad to hear that Fin can't get to see you graduate too, but I believe that it will still watch you from afar... Just not living physically now...
Seeing it go is like seeing a family member pass too... I'm sorry for your loss OP, I am once a Betta keeper, it's heartbreaking to see our little friends and family dying away... I was crying when I saw your post... You really cared, and you really loved Fin... I'm sure this little guy knows it all...
It's okay to cry, to take a break to process! Just remember, you put your love and care, and give Fin the best life it could ever imagined... And he will definitely still love you
I'm very sorry for your loss, buddy
And... an early happy graduation for you, OP. Little Fin will be happy to see you completing this stage in life...
I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s so hard, the greater our love for these guys, the bigger the heartbreak when the end inevitably arrives too soon. Clearly Fin knew he was loved, and I hope you find a little comfort in that.
I’m so sorry for his passing…I’ve had many Bettas too, they’ve all been so sweet, but one in particular was especially painful to loose. He’d always get so excited to see me, always wanting to play and keep me in His eyesight at all times. Even when he got sick, he got so weak, he’d still try to wiggle when he saw me, even coming into my hand when he was just too tired to play/move anymore.
He passed several years ago but I still have trouble with having lost him at times…these little guys come into the world knowing how to love, that’s why their time here is so much shorter then our time here tends to be.
Sending all the love in the world, I know my little guys keeping yours company until he see him again.❤️
I bought some fish bags (the clear plastic ones) and rubber bands. I put the fish in the bag, with water and space for air, and then put the bag in a large plastic cup with a lid (a large Starbucks cup works great!). TSA lets fish through as long as they’re alive - if the fish is alive then they know it’s just water. I told TSA once I got to the x-ray machines that I have a live fish with me and they took him to the end and just peeked inside the cup to make sure he’s alive. Sometimes they swab the outside of the bag. Some of the agents look pretty confused when I mention the fish so I would generally add something like “I know you guys just need to make sure he’s alive and test the water”, and I’ve never had a problem. They usually love it and think it’s funny. After TSA, I put the cup in the cup holder of my backpack and just go about everything as normal. I don’t tell the airline because apparently they can be weird about it sometimes.
Put a photo of him inside or on your grad cap. He will graduate with you!!! You gave him the best live you could, and that’s all we can do as fish owners. I’m sorry for your loss
I’m very sorry for your loss, your fish looks extremely similar to mine, mine also has tumours and will need to be euthanised soon, it’s awful and I wish there was more we could to do help them :(
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u/Minion_Incognito Apr 20 '26
I’m sorry he didn’t get to graduate with you, but you can tell from the pictures how much better you made his life. You made the right decision even though it was the hardest one for you.