View Full Version : Humane euthanasia for fish???
DLV082
09-13-2009, 4:33 AM
Question I need answered pretty quickly if you don't mind. How do you humanely euthanise a fish. I have a large geo that had a fit in the tank yesterday and every since has been going down hill. I do not think it will make it and want to put it out of its misery ASAP. It is currently just lying in its side gasping, and I have to keep the bristle nose cat's away from sucking its slime coat. I have heard Clove oil but I do not have any. I do have whole cloves if that helps any suggestions.
Thanks
jpappy789
09-13-2009, 5:02 AM
If it comes down to it.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148361
Debbie, ask your nearest pharmacy to show you toothache drops. Look for toothache drops that contain eugenol only. Eugenol is clove oil. I did use one bottle of toothache drop with two other ingredients there with no issues however as a sedative when I did a surgery on my goldfish. Once unconscious, pour grain alcohol on the tub where the fish is in. This will slowly kill the fish.
DLV082
09-13-2009, 6:22 AM
Thanks for the replies. I will have to go with the freezing as it is night here and I cannot get to a pharmacy. But in the morning I will be getting some clove oil so that I do not have to watch another fish suffer. Again thanks for your help. Not that it is something I wish to have to do in the near future.
Again thanks
Debbie
Rbishop
09-13-2009, 6:44 AM
Rough to have to do it...but necessary at times. Sorry for the loss...
mel_20_20
09-13-2009, 3:24 PM
So sorry for your loss.
BreezeRuehls
09-13-2009, 3:26 PM
Drop it in a cup of Ice and water, Its the fastest way I have seen. Sorry
SubRosa
09-14-2009, 3:10 PM
Quick= humane. Nothing beats a rapid deceleration for quickness. Catch the fish in a net. Swing the net as hard as you can against a hard surface. Perhaps a bit gruesome from the human perspective but instantaneous from the fish's.
psyche
09-14-2009, 4:06 PM
IMHO the best method is easy immediate (physical killing) or a gradual via a sedative (Finquel or clove oil).
DLV082
09-14-2009, 6:31 PM
As I didn't have any clove oil, I went with a bucket of iced water. He was pretty far gone by the time I scooped him out, so he was gone in less than a minute. Not an easy thing to have to do but better than letting him suffer for an indeterminate time.
I now have clove oil just in case as I went out next morning to get it so I would not be caught out like this again.
Thanks for all your kind words.
colematthewmala
09-14-2009, 9:20 PM
This sounds completely inhumane but if you think about it it's a quick and painless way to go. I take the fish and throw it as hard as I can against a hard surface such as cement. This is very easy and quick.
Sorry for your loss.
Debbie - Make sure you have some Vodka around as well. That's what is used to complete the euthanization process.
You can overdose the fish on the Clove oil, but it's best to put him to sleep with it, and then 10 mins later add 2 oz of Vodka to make sleep permanent.
I recently encountered a similar dilemna, and so I sympathize with you -
It's not an easy thing to have to go through!
Who'd of thought, a fish could make one go through that mish-mash of emotions, huh?
Again, I'm sorry for your loss and wish you the best of luck with your future fish...
CptKD
mel_20_20
09-14-2009, 10:00 PM
I've been in your situation several times... and it hurts. I'm so sorry for your loss and for the trauma that you had to go through with this. You will be better prepared in the future now that you have the information and the clove oil.
You did your best for him, it helped him go peacefully and not linger, and it was a kind and courageous act on your part. Please take comfort in these things. Please know that others do truly care.