The method I used to euthanize my fish was to buy a bottle of clove oil (it is sold at places like Walgreen's under the name "Red Cross Toothache Medication" (http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?CATID=100210&navAction=jump&navCount=1&id=prod1769 ), pour it into a small container of dechlorinated water and swirl it around until it mixed, then put the fish in the little container. The fish seemed to become unconscious within a minute or two. Once I was sure the fish was motionless and gill movement had stopped for several minutes, I put the container in the freezer to be *sure* it's dead (since it was unconscious there were no humane concerns about freezing it at that point).
It's always very sad to have to euthanize a fish, but I think it is an important part of fishkeeping. I don't know how "aware" fish are of pain or suffering (there is scientific debate over the question), but when in doubt it's better to err on the side of caution.
It's always very sad to have to euthanize a fish, but I think it is an important part of fishkeeping. I don't know how "aware" fish are of pain or suffering (there is scientific debate over the question), but when in doubt it's better to err on the side of caution.
