Do Fish Twitch When They Are Dead?

[Mj-Robbie]

I posted a message this morning about my Fish as he is really unwell, but it looks as tho he has now died. I have had him for a long while, so dont want to take him out of nhis tank without being fully sure that he is dead. (sounds silly i know).

His mouth is shut, and the gills arent moving, which i know to everyone is a sure sign of death in a fish, be he twitches his fines occasionally. is this just a normal response when they die?

Im gutted

 

[lilacamy931]

Really sorry to hear about your loss x As to the twitching the ones I have had died (not too many thankfully) have bever twitched...are you sure it is the body twitching or perhaps the filter flow is reaminating such?? Hopefully someone will have a more useful answer for you soon xx

 

[razer121]

ive seen this aswell, im not sure what it is but when i see a "dead" fish in the shop they tend to twitch a little, maybe it is the flow? i know this might sound harsh but have you thought about giving the fish a little nudge to see if it reacts??

 

[shelaghfishface]

aww bless im sorry

maybe if he is twitching its time to put him out of his misery
tho i suspect as others do that its from water movement rather than signs of life

 

[WILDER]

Put some latex gloves on and place the fish in your hand to see if it moves.

If the fish hasn't I would end its misery.

 

[Mj-Robbie]

thank you everyone for your help and suggestions.

I ended up moving him a bit, but nothing happened, and i even put him in a net and pulled him out of the water to see if he would struggle (and show that he was alive) but nothing happened. so yes, unfortunatly he was dead.

 

[WILDER]

Bless Him.
R.I.P.