When Fish Die

(Note to teacher:  This lesson plan is offered as a guide in the event that you have a very sick fish or must deal with the death of fish in the Aquademics™ classroom aquarium.)

Objective:

The student will be able to explain the most humane process for helping a sick fish to die with minimal pain.

Materials Needed:

• Small plastic bowl
• The very sick fish
• Paper and pencil for each student

Activity:

Engage students in a discussion of how to deal with a very, very sick fish that cannot be cured.  Some questions to ask might be:

• Do they think that the fish is suffering?
• Do they want the sick fish to infect the other healthy fish in the aquarium?
• Would they like to see the sick fish stop suffering?
• How have they handled sick (or dead) fish in the past?

Allow students to talk about their experiences with the death of fish.  They could even write some of their feelings down on paper.

Although it is natural for people to want to keep fish in a watery environment, flushing a dying fish down the toilet will do more potential harm than good.  Water in the toilet is chlorinated, which will cause additional damage to the sick fish's gills.   And since water flushed from a toilet eventually goes to the ocean, a sick fish in the water may make otherwise healthy fish in rivers or the ocean sick as well.

Tell students that you will show them how to end a sick fish's life in the most humane fashion.  Fill a small bowl with water and place the fish in the bowl.  Remind students that the fish is extremely sick and cannot be cured by any fish treatments.

Explain to students that the gentlest and most humane way to end this sick fish's life is to let it slowly die peacefully.  You will place the bowl in the freezer compartment of a refrigerator and close the door.  The sick fish will get more and more sleepy as the water in the bowl starts to freeze and the sick fish will peacefully expire.

Allow students to reflect on this method of euthanizing fish and let them discuss or write down their feelings.  If possible, designate a special tree, bush or flower bed near the classroom that could be used as a "burial plot" for fish in the Aquademics™ aquarium.  Remind students that the fish's cycle of life will now help provide nutrients for the soil to feed the tree, bush or flower bed.

Result:

Students will know how to deal with the death of their fish in a more mature manner that will enable them to become even more responsible pet owners.