BROKEN GATER, KILL IT OR KEEP IT ?

[Gr8KarmaSF]

i read the first and last few posts...probably too much of the same old stuff in between anyway. this decision is easy (as i have done it several times...not fun, but necessary). euthanize the fish. it's the humane thing to do in this situation. the fish looks horrible and will not recover. if it has no control over posterior fins it's definitely doomed.
appropriate gar husbandry points to euthanizing the fish. simple as that--
--solomon

ps-- sorry to hear about the fish, definitely sucks, and is never easy to put them down.

Once again I totally agree with E. and dem. I think that the poll is somewhat misleading. I question whether or not everybody who voted actually owns or have owned a gar. Does it matter? IMO it does because former and current gar owners know the behavior patterns of gars/needs vs. somebody who thinks they might know based simply on a picture/description.

John all im saying is if you look through the gar threads, its obvious whos got more experience with gars. Not discrediting others opinions BUT try giving the gar regulars experience and opinions alittle bit more weight.

Lets keep this thread going and not let it get to rowdy in here. Thus far the discussion has been nice and mature.

 

[demjor19]

oh no Jordan's pissed! I wanted other people's opinions, but in the end I will do what I will.

as most people do that seek advice on these forums. they always seem to know best.

im not mad, i just feel bad that the fish has to suffer longer than it needs to. ive been in this situation before and it does suck, but the final decision is ultimately yours.

 

[John Rambo]

Once again I totally agree with E. and dem. I think that the poll is somewhat misleading. I question whether or not everybody who voted actually owns or have owned a gar. Does it matter? IMO it does because former and current gar owners know the behavior patterns of gars/needs vs. somebody who thinks they might know based simply on a picture/description.

John all im saying is if you look through the gar threads, its obvious whos got more experience with gars. Not discrediting others opinions BUT try giving the gar regulars experience and opinions alittle bit more weight.

Lets keep this thread going and not let it get to rowdy in here. Thus far the discussion has been nice and mature.

I do keep in mind that Jordan, E, and a few others, especially those with gars in their avs know more than the rest, including me, about gars, so their opinions do have more weight to them, but I am going to give this fish more time, even if those of you who have experienced this know how its going to end. If all of you know how it is then you must have tried to keep them alive as well. I'm just doing the same. If you havnt tried and are just following what you learned about this injury through others, then this will be a learning experience for all.
And don't worry Cuya, I wont cause trouble for you.

 

[KaraJo]

i read the first and last few posts...probably too much of the same old stuff in between anyway. this decision is easy (as i have done it several times...not fun, but necessary). euthanize the fish. it's the humane thing to do in this situation. the fish looks horrible and will not recover. if it has no control over posterior fins it's definitely doomed.
appropriate gar husbandry points to euthanizing the fish. simple as that--
--solomon

ps-- sorry to hear about the fish, definitely sucks, and is never easy to put them down.

This is EXACTLY what I was saying in the first place...In the end, you will do what you want, but your fish is suffering and almost everyone that owns gar that has posted here has told you the same thing. So I think all of the info and opinions needed have been given and now its your choice to do the right thing. This is not uncommon with gar and only people that have owned gar have dealt with similar situations. Again, do what you want, its you fish, but I dont see how this has gone on for 7 pages when the fish should have been put out of its misery by page one.

 

[Gr8KarmaSF]

And don't worry Cuya, I wont cause trouble for you.

I havent been called Cuya in years!!!!

 

[odalisay]

I havent been called Cuya in years!!!!

u must be hecka old to be called that.

 

[Gr8KarmaSF]

u must be hecka old to be called that.

Whateva Lolo...

 

[Polypterus]

I do keep in mind that Jordan, E, and a few others, especially those with gars in their avs know more than the rest, including me, about gars, so their opinions do have more weight to them, but I am going to give this fish more time, even if those of you who have experienced this know how its going to end. If all of you know how it is then you must have tried to keep them alive as well. I'm just doing the same. If you havnt tried and are just following what you learned about this injury through others, then this will be a learning experience for all.
And don't worry Cuya, I wont cause trouble for you.

While trying to keep it alive is all precious and noble, it is really a rather hollow cause. The fish is not going to recover from a spinal injury like this and in this sever a case. It is not going to have anything worth a normal life and that back is not going to heal. Even if the fish survives it will be grossly disfigured and impaired. To keep it alive is just selfish and truly not considering the fish at all in the equation.. Your thinking more about yourself and what you want if allowing the fish to linger in this condition.

If the tail was still somewhat mobile and the spine not as severely dislocated I would advise trying to work with it, but in this case it is not really a viable solution. I have tried to work with severely injured fish such as this and each time came to the same conclusion. Ethically and morally it was not in the best interest of the fish to keep it alive in such a condition.

Before it comes up again:
The quality of life to a fish is much different than Human quality of life. It is not the same and to anthropomorphically relate them does nothing for the actual animal. All it does is give overly emotional humans something to make themselves feel better about. Gars backbones and nervous systems are not like a humans, they are in fact very different. Injuries such as this are end of life occurrences for these fish. It effectively makes them helpless and unable to compete or behave normally. In the animal world a damaged animal is a dead one. All our caring and precious feelings are not going to fix the fishes quality of life. The correct action is to put the fish down and then learn from or mistakes and experiances so as to not have this occur again in another fish...

 

[city_of_evil6661]

theres really no need for me to say anything cuz we all know the fish is suffering. and will continue to suffer until it dies. IMO whether you try to keep it alive or you put it to sleep, its gonna die either way.

 

[E_americanus]

While trying to keep it alive is all precious and noble, it is really a rather hollow cause. The fish is not going to recover from a spinal injury like this and in this sever a case. It is not going to have anything worth a normal life and that back is not going to heal. Even if the fish survives it will be grossly disfigured and impaired. To keep it alive is just selfish and truly not considering the fish at all in the equation.. Your thinking more about yourself and what you want if allowing the fish to linger in this condition.

If the tail was still somewhat mobile and the spine not as severely dislocated I would advise trying to work with it, but in this case it is not really a viable solution. I have tried to work with severely injured fish such as this and each time came to the same conclusion. Ethically and morally it was not in the best interest of the fish to keep it alive in such a condition.

Before it comes up again:
The quality of life to a fish is much different than Human quality of life. It is not the same and to anthropomorphically relate them does nothing for the actual animal. All it does is give overly emotional humans something to make themselves feel better about. Gars backbones and nervous systems are not like a humans, they are in fact very different. Injuries such as this are end of life occurrences for these fish. It effectively makes them helpless and unable to compete or behave normally. In the animal world a damaged animal is a dead one. All our caring and precious feelings are not going to fix the fishes quality of life. The correct action is to put the fish down and then learn from or mistakes and experiances so as to not have this occur again in another fish...

definitely agree. and also mainly wanted to add that i love the House MD quote!--
--solomon