Clove oil euthanasia question

[captmicha]

My betta has to be put down soon. I should have done it sooner but he can still swim without his tail. The tumor is progressing and I'm just kind of waiting for the last minute... It's really hard to do what I have to do.

I decided that the clove oil method is best. I want to execute it perfectly so I have some questions.

What I found and bought is Clove Bud 100% Pure Essential Oil. Will that work? Is there a difference between this kind and the kind you use for toothaches? This bottle says aromatherapy on it but doesn't contain any alcohol, just clove bud oil.

I couldn't find really simple directions so I found something on the Drsfosterandsmith site for their clove oil:

Water First Dose Second Dose
1 cup 1/8 tsp 1/8 tsp
1 pint 1/4 tsp 1/4 tsp
1 quart 1/2 tsp 1/2 tsp
1 gallon 2 tsp 2 tsp

Does that look about right?

 

[msjinkzd]

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-most-humane-way-to-euthanize-a-fish.htm hope this will help you, and sorry about your betta

 

[captmicha]

That site never said how much water to use.

 

[msjinkzd]

10 drops of clove oil per gallon

it also said if you are using a smaller containter, like a baby food jar to add one drop at a time and mix well until the water has a milky color....

hope that helps

 

[n0zqh]

http://depts.washington.edu/iacuc/policies/fish_euthanasia.html

Alka-seltzer ® dosage: (1 tablet/ 20L or 2 tablets/ 10gallons) Note: Fish euthanized with sodium bicarbonate or Alka-Seltzer® should not be used for human consumption.

Protocol: Fish should be placed into a container with an appropriate volume of water that will provide free movement of fish to be euthanized. Water should then be saturated with carbon dioxide from either a compressed gas cylinder (via the use of an air stone with a moderate flow rate for ~5-10 minutes) or by dissolving enough sodium bicarbonate or Alka-Seltzer ® into the water (via the dosages previously provided). Fish should be removed only after ten minutes have passed since their last observed opercular movements (respiration) have occurred.

Personally I use 6 Alka-Seltzer tablets in a 5 gallon bucket 1/2 full of water.
I have convicts and when I can't find homes for all the young and have to be rid of them this is the way I do it.

 

[mrgarethpugh]

I've read thay the bicarb method causes a lot of distress

 

[captmicha]

I heard that too.

 

[Buckdog]

it also said if you are using a smaller containter, like a baby food jar to add one drop at a time and mix well until the water has a milky color....

hope that helps

I like this method best. Because of an emergency I had to put down a bunch of my fish and I used a small but not restrictive container. It's easy, quick, painless and, at that time, reusable. I know it sounds harsh but that's how it had to go.

If you cant find clove oil use Anbesol or a similar toothache medicine.