What's the best way to Euthanise a Fish?

[clenzpilot32]

Just yesterday I found my Blue Peacock sitting on one of my filters with a little bit a of white fuzzy stuff around it's head and gills. His fins were ripped and he was having trouble swimming. I put him in my QT and added some salt to the water, raised the temp to about 29 degrees celcius and put in some medicine that does a bit of everything. (Fungal, Bacterial, Parasitic etc). But that morning he was swimming fine and I couldn't see anything wrong with him.

I woke up today and now he is swimming upside down, side to the side and everywhere. His fins are worse and his swim bladder is pretty much destroyed by the look of him. He is in so much pain and is probably going to die anytime soon but if he doesn't I'll have to Euthanise him.

What is the best way to euthanise a small 3-4 inch fish? I read somewhere that putting them in a cointainer of ice cold water is a good way, putting the fish in alcohol is also a good way. What other ways I can do this that cause minimum pain and stress in a short period of time? And does my fish have Fin Rot or something else?

 

[The Zigman]

I have heard about putting them in a container in the freezer... and letting them slowly freeze...

Also heard about clove oil, but have not used either method..

 

[petluvr]

Freezer baggie in the freezer

 

[lilim10]

I would check the article section, I'm pretty sure I saw a good article there about humanely euthanising fish.

 

[msjinkzd]

I use euthasol. You add the fish to a container wiht a set amount of water then add the drops of euthasol and swirl gently. This puts them asleep. You add a second lethal dose. You can also put a container of water in the freezer until a slight skin forms, break a hole, add the fish, and freeze until solid (overnight). I prefer euthasol.

 

[Hooked Newbie]

I've used clove oil. The freezer method sounds cruel to me. JMHO.

 

[clenzpilot32]

I use euthasol. You add the fish to a container wiht a set amount of water then add the drops of euthasol and swirl gently. This puts them asleep. You add a second lethal dose. You can also put a container of water in the freezer until a slight skin forms, break a hole, add the fish, and freeze until solid (overnight). I prefer euthasol.

So it's pretty much painless. What's euthasol and where can I get it?

 

[cptkd]

I've had to euthanize a fish in the past, and I chose to do it with the clove oil.
Much easier, less stress, and he's topped off with a shot of vodka, and so what could be better than that!
Freezing him to death seems to me, to be rather stressful, and I'm thinking a little cruel. How does it feel when you're outside and it's so **** cold out. Imagine dying in that?

Again, IMO - I'd go with the clove oil - It's cheap and there's a site that gives you the exact directions on how to do it. My little guy simply went to sleep, and then I made that permanent with the alcohol (vodka)

Good luck either way you choose to do it -
And I send my sympathies to you - I know it's not a pleasant place to be in!

cptkd

 

[clenzpilot32]

I've used clove oil. The freezer method sounds cruel to me. JMHO.

I was thinking of doing the clove oil thing.

 

[clenzpilot32]

I've had to euthanize a fish in the past, and I chose to do it with the clove oil.
Much easier, less stress, and he's topped off with a shot of vodka, and so what could be better than that!
Freezing him to death seems to me, to be rather stressful, and I'm thinking a little cruel. How does it feel when you're outside and it's so **** cold out. Imagine dying in that?

Again, IMO - I'd go with the clove oil - It's cheap and there's a site that gives you the exact directions on how to do it. My little guy simply went to sleep, and then I made that permanent with the alcohol (vodka)

Good luck either way you choose to do it -
And I send my sympathies to you - I know it's not a pleasant place to be in!

cptkd

Yeah, the clove oil method with a bit of really strong alcohol seems to be the best. Thanks for all your help so far everyone.