Euthanizing fish and the environment

happychem

happychem

redorkulated
Dec 9, 2003
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Halifax, NS
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Not a pleasant topic, I'll admit. But there comes a time when it must be done.

That said, something I read recently brought a conversation I had with a marine biologist friend of mine a while ago to my mind. Namely that sometimes flushed fish survive the flushing and can reap havoc on the natural ecosystem.

The key, as I was informed, was to put the fish in a bag and freeze them. As the water in the bag cools, the fish's metabolism slows and it finally sleeps then dies.

The reason I thought to post this was twofold. Firstly, for those who decide to flush healthy fish, this is a good way to prevent damaging your local ecosystem by introducing a non-native fish. Secondly, for those who take the humane route to euthanise a terminally ill/dyeing fish, this presents a route where the fish dies in the most peaceful manner possible. As opposed to a lot of swirling and gushing water.

Sorry for the downer, just hoping to pass on a bit of knowledge that was imparted to me in hopes of more humane and eco-concious fish keeping.
 
Actually, as a newbie to this hobby, let me be the first to say...
This is an extremely helpful post.
I would never have thought about the eco concern,
I just feel like hell when I gotta flush someone.
thanks.
 
I was thinking more on the lines of putting it in the microwave and see what happens..... All right, all right, I'm just kidding! :p

Thanks for the thread, I think its helpful. :)
 
These days I use clove oil (from the drug store, toothache remedy section) as an anaesthetic for puffers requiring dental work, 1 drop per liter or just a bit more. After the fish goes under, tripple the dose to make it permanent. After anaesthetized you could alternately freeze the fish.

I bury (or send to landfill) all dead fish. It is safer than flushing.
 
It's funny, I never considered the idea of flushing a live fish untill I read some posts here, it actually took me a while to catch on to the fact that when people talk about flushing they don't always euthanise first. The danger to the environment is one issue, also, I personally will not allow any animal to suffer needlessly and therefore I always euthanise anything I have to in a quick decisive manner. Freezing is one of the easiest and more humane methods, I have access to fast freeze gases so that is usually my route, I like the clove oil idea, I'll have to get some of that. Whatever the method, quick and decisive is the route to go.
 
Originally posted by RTR
These days I use clove oil (from the drug store, toothache remedy section) as an anaesthetic for puffers requiring dental work, 1 drop per liter or just a bit more. After the fish goes under, tripple the dose to make it permanent. After anaesthetized you could alternately freeze the fish.
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Robert.

Bud, you are the man.
Now I remember why I always enjoy your posts.

After all these years in this hobby I know that I can always count on you to teach me something new.

Very very interesting.

Thanks for sharing.
 
Aw, shucks... :emb:

After all these years I hope I have learned something and can pass it along.

The clove oil business is relatively new - that came up in dealing with puffer dental problems on the puffer list.
 
I understand the whole idea of be humane and not flushing a live fish, but how can a fish be any worse than anything else that is flushed down the toilet. I always thaought that sewage went to the treatment plant and was processed before being released to the environment in any way at all.??????????????
 
Anouther way I heard of putting down a fish is to point at it while making snide comments about it's fin size.... Erm...

Seriously though. I've read using a 20% solution of Voldka and water works well for putting a fish to sleep. Freezing pretty much would be like putting the fish through hypothermia (sp?). Let me tell ya not as humane as some might think. I read into this when my Betta was on it's last leg and I knew I couldn't save it. Thankfully he passed away before I got up the corage to euthenize him. I hate having to kill things. Of course there's always the queen of hearts method for the less skitish. Chop the head off just below the gills fast and painless.
-Neo SIthlord
 
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