How to Dispose of a Goldfish That Has Died

By eHow Pets Editor

Rate: (23 Ratings)

When your beloved pet goldfish turns "belly-up" take these precautions as you escort him to the great beyond.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

  • Aquarium Fish Nets
  • Fish Tanks Cleaner (specially Formulated)
  • Shovels
  • More Fish

Step1
Use a mesh net to remove the dead goldfish from its tank.
Step2
Place the goldfish in a small box and bury it outdoors if you prefer. Be sure to make a deep hole so neighborhood pets won't get curious and start digging.
Step3
Place your goldfish on a saucer or wrap it up in tissue if you'd like to dispose of it the other way.
Step4
Go into the bathroom.
Step5
Slide the dead fish off the saucer into the toilet bowl, or throw the tissue-wrapped fish in the toilet.
Step6
Say a few words of respect to the dearly departed, if you wish.
Step7
Flush.
Step8
Wash your hands and the saucer (if you used one) thoroughly with soap and hot water.
Step9
Consider changing the tank water and cleaning the net and tank thoroughly if you have other fish or want to get a new one, in case your pet died of disease.
Step10
Ask your local pet store what type of fish tank cleaning product is appropriate for the net and tank, and clean the tank thoroughly.

Tips & Warnings

  • Soap and cleaning detergents are hazardous to fish. Avoid using these products unless you're dying to officiate another fish funeral.

Comments

| View All Comments
Flag This Comment

on 6/27/2008 Well I've been having a rough day and this article just brightened my day. It brought me the giggles I needed. This article is useful for anyone that has kids and has encountered the first dead goldfish. Thanks ;)

DrPete said

Flag This Comment

on 4/5/2008 1. I don't think a dead goldfish "cares" if s/he is buried in water or dirt.
2. Going into the sewage system is not guarantee that everything will be processed out. Scary, I know. Perhaps you have seen in the news recently that pharmaceutical drugs are showing up in trace amounts in our drinking water in most major cities tested. This is because we are such a highly medicated society that enough people are peeing out drugs into their toilet that very small amounts are now seeping even into our water table.

Flag This Comment

on 1/19/2008 I agree with Bill on the dead fish, but please do not flush dead dogs as they do pose a risk to native fish.

Flag This Comment

on 9/12/2007 last week i added a sucker fish and another small under water frog to my tank today my new fish and frog both died today my original beta and frog i have had for a few months are still alive so what do i need to cleah the tank?

Flag This Comment

on 5/11/2007 Last comment was a test...
Just wanted to say that flushing a dead fish will not infect the waterways as most infections or parasites will leave its host when it dies. If your fish died of disease, the infection or parasites are likely to have went back into your aquarium and are waiting until you get another live fish so they can attach to it or attack it. Flushing an infected (sick) live fish is by all means more dangerous for waterways than flushing a dead one.

View All

Post a Comment

POST A COMMENT

Request a New How-To Article

Looking for more How To information? Chances are there’s an eHow member who knows how to do what you’re looking to do. Submit an article request now!

eHow Article:  How to Dispose of a Goldfish That Has Died

eHow Pets Editor

eHow Pets Editor

Category: Pets

Articles: See my other articles

Related Ads