Now I know that there are many opinions out there and if you are a professional breeder then culling is very needed, but.....

I have a group of common fry there are about 40 left and the majority are huge healthy 5 1/2 week old fry, now there are about 5 that are small (two week old size) and a couple of those have odd deformities (bent back, facial deformity) The ones that have deformities seem to eat well, seem to swim well, and seem to be happy (not really sure how to be 100% sure on the happy thing). Sorry I have not been able to get pictures.
How long do you give these ones before you consider them to be not viable, I mean I want to give them the chance and they will always have a home here with me, but does there come a point where it is just not fair to let them continue?
If there is a point what is it for you?

Thanks in advance, I am having a real issue trying to decide what to do, I want them to have the chance to live but don't want them to suffer

I am in a similar situation. My 4 fry are 3 1/2 months old and one is still tiny. At first I didnt think his deformity was life threatening and he swam(a little funny) and ate some. Well as he gets older he is swimming in circles and cant eat much. He floats at the surface most of the time. I wish I would have euthanized him sooner. I will be doing it next week.
I had most people say that as long as they are eating well and swimming without struggle to give them a chance. Its up to you as to if you think theyre struggling, starving, ect.
Good luck!

Oh Glitterfish, I just went and read your fry thread I am so sorry to hear about Donnie , I was really hoping he would make it as i have followed your thread since I joined.
Unfortunately that is the situation that I don't want to end up in, yet I also don't want to give up too soon.

we who care for our pets know them the best and thus are told by ourselves and others that we will know when the time is right to let them peacfully leave this world, yet I know that when the time comes no matter how big or how small the creature, or how long they have been with us we agonize endlessly over what is really right or wrong.

Thank you for sharing,
the more information we are armed with the better decisions we can make

If you have the room to keep him properly and the desire to do so, then I see no reason not to, if you wish. If he is dramatically smaller and slower than his tank mates, though, he will soon reach the stage where he becomes "food" and nature will take care of him.

I generally cull any that have obvious physical deformities - for as the fish grows, the deformity typically grows, too. It is a tough life when you cannot compete with your tank mates and are always on the verge of becoming someone's dinner.

If a fish has good body conformation - and is just "small", then you might see if separating him will do the trick. This will make it so he does not have to compete - and thus will get more food and less stress - many will quickly grow up in size until they nearly match their spawn-mates given a chance!

Thanks Daryl,
I think for now I am going to wait and see a little longer how the littlest ones survive, I like the idea of separating them, but I can not set up yet another tank, I havve seriously run out of space and outlets, Do you think that buying a breeding net would be helpful. I know I would have to find a current free space in the tank but at least the little ones would be safer from the bigger ones and could be fed separately

Also where do you purchase clove oil from? I have not seen it (no that I have really looked hard either) but if someone could point me in the right direction. I have never ahd to euthanize a fish myself I have always just taking them into my boss (Veterinarian) and she has given them a shot of euthanol. I don't think you could give a fry a needle.
Thanks again for the help

I found my clove oil on Ebay actually for a very reasonable price. Just make sure it is ONLY clove oil, nothing else mixed in.

goldfish connection sells clove oil online. If there is a pharmacy near you, see if they have some. The one I go to has it in one ounce size. (it is used for toothaches) I don't know if it contains other ingredients though.
There is a very good article pinned here that explains how to use it. you should read that first to make sure you use it properly.
Good luck with your fry- no matter what your decision is.

I will check both those places thank you, I have read the euthanasia thread, it was so well written, I think that if I have to I would print the page and have it close by.

Just about any "health food" store will carry pure clove oil, too. It is used as aroma therapy stuff. I found mine for about 2 bucks - more than enough to last years and years.....

It is with a sad heart that I decided to euthanize three of the fry today, they were just so small and when I got them into a clear contain to look at them with a magnifying glass I could see how bad the deformaties were.
The clove oil worked so fast and was so peaceful.
RIP three tiny guys