MY FISH LOST ITS EYES
- Thread starter btimmer30
- Start date
I'm sorry to hear about your fish 
The method I use when I end up having to euthanize a fish is to fill a container with ice & water, stick it in the freezer for a few minutes, then once it's cold enough scoop out the ice and quickly place the fish in the water. Death is nearly instantaneous.
IMO, the quick shock seems more humane than slowly freezing to death.
Other methods commonly considered to be humane are placing the fish in a glass of alcohol, the theory being that it acts to numb the fish while it dies in a euphoric state. I don't put much faith into it myself. Then there's cutting it's head off. I simply can't bring myself to use this method, no matter how humane it may actually be.
The worst thing you could ever do to a fish, is flush it down the toilet. If you think about where it ends up, still struggling for survival, you understand that it is about as far from humane as you can get.
The method I use when I end up having to euthanize a fish is to fill a container with ice & water, stick it in the freezer for a few minutes, then once it's cold enough scoop out the ice and quickly place the fish in the water. Death is nearly instantaneous.
IMO, the quick shock seems more humane than slowly freezing to death.
Other methods commonly considered to be humane are placing the fish in a glass of alcohol, the theory being that it acts to numb the fish while it dies in a euphoric state. I don't put much faith into it myself. Then there's cutting it's head off. I simply can't bring myself to use this method, no matter how humane it may actually be.
The worst thing you could ever do to a fish, is flush it down the toilet. If you think about where it ends up, still struggling for survival, you understand that it is about as far from humane as you can get.
If it's possible to Shock the fish to death with ice water, which I'm doubtful that it is, Freezing is recognized as an inhumane method by which to euthanize any animals at all.
The "fall asleep and die" bit is fiction.
As the animal freezes the water in the cell walls expands and causes the cell walls to rupture and is extrapolated by tests on various animals to be EXTREMELY painful and a freezing to death a horribly inhumane procedure.
The real reason people like is the "out of sight, out of mind" ease and the lack of the feeling of "active participation that come with some of the more human, less "hands off" dispatch of the animal in question.
The "fall asleep and die" bit is fiction.
As the animal freezes the water in the cell walls expands and causes the cell walls to rupture and is extrapolated by tests on various animals to be EXTREMELY painful and a freezing to death a horribly inhumane procedure.
The real reason people like is the "out of sight, out of mind" ease and the lack of the feeling of "active participation that come with some of the more human, less "hands off" dispatch of the animal in question.
Cowboy up, put it in a tupperware container and blast it with a 12 gauge. Even if it wasn't blind, it'll never see it coming. Stand ten paces back.
I've never had to try the ice cold water method, but I remember reading a fish vet who said it was acceptable if done correctly.
Eugenol (clove oil) is the best method but has to be requested in pharmacies. It doesn't need a prescription, however, so you can also buy it online at dental supplies outlets.
http://www.dentalofficeproducts.com/eugenol-usp-p-96.html?zenid=mrnmtt3h11pps5otg7sevhi3a6
Eugenol (clove oil) is the best method but has to be requested in pharmacies. It doesn't need a prescription, however, so you can also buy it online at dental supplies outlets.
http://www.dentalofficeproducts.com/eugenol-usp-p-96.html?zenid=mrnmtt3h11pps5otg7sevhi3a6
Do NOT freeze the fish. It is very cruel and inhumane! Put it in a dish with clove oil. It'll put it into a sleep then add more clove oil and it'll die peacefully. I REPEAT. DO NOT FREEZE IT.
Dangerdoll
Global Moderator
ok, put about 6 drops in a cup of water and shake it, Clove oil does not dissolve in water so shaking it is necessary so that it mixes evenly as well as it can. Scoop fish with a net into another container (small one) and slowly add the mixture. You will see the fish go to sleep. Be careful though, because the gills will still move but at a slower pace, you will just need to wait about 10 minutes and be sure that the gills are not moving anymore. Wrap up the fish and toss it in the garbage (or bury it, if it's sentimental).
