Dying 10+ Yr Old Severum - Help!

[gianni]

Hello All,
 
I have a green Severum that is close to death.  She got sick during hurricane Sandy with an infected swim bladder causing her to have issues swimming for these past couple of years.  However, she was doing fine eating and has been able to survive relatively well up until these past few weeks. Unfortunately I noticed she is now getting listless and spending more of her time floating near the top of the tank.  She still tries to eat the pellets I feed them, but usually misses (she can't see out of one eye).  I am wondering if I should put her out of her misery.  It breaks my heart since her mate (a 10+ year old male) rarely leaves her side.  
 
Any advice or words of wisdom would be appreciated.  
 
Thanks.
 
Gianni

 

[RRaquariums]

It's never easy to see a fish dying especially one you have had that long but 10 years is a very long time for most fish to make it that alone is very impressive but I'd say she is coming to the end of her life and as sad as it is giving her a peaceful end might be the kindest thing to do for her.

 

[Munroco]

Very sad, maybe its just her time. Unless she is suffering I'd be inclined wait and hope for the best.

 

[LyraGuppi]

10 years seems like the female is getting old. I'd let her be, unless she suffers.

 

[Akasha72]

I'd leave her be too. You've mentioned a mate - I'm presuming they are a pair? When my male bolivian ram was dying his mate never left his side, she kept nudging him and she looked so sad. He did eventually die and the female pined for days - she ended up following him a few weeks later
 
I know that's giving fish human emotions and some say that that isn't possible but I can only recount what I saw and my female ram mourned the death of her mate. For this reason I'd leave your pair and if the inevitable happens the mate see's her die and can mourn the passing. I think if you take her away and end it manually the mate will suffer more.
 
Just my opinion - for what it's worth