betta-cat

I've been checking out the best, fastest, least painful way to euthanize a fish that is suffering. I used to use the baggie in the freezer thing until I read a pretty graphic description of what happens to tissue as it feezes, and that the fish, although slowed down, may feel pain. The nauseating part is knowing that this little guy is slowly freezing away and you will have to remove the baggie eventually. I also read about some who use it to euthanize little mammals, now that is cruel! Although, apprently you feel warm as you are drifting off to sleep, I don't know, I haven't been there.

I've also read up on clove oil and will try to get my hands on some. Does it really need to be mixed with alcohol? Vodka? Rubbing alcohol?

Others recommend the old 'flushing' technique ... which seems pretty darn barbaric, the fish will die, yes, but how long and how frightening?

I've also read about the decapitation bit, although nauseating, is quick and seems painless, no more than feeding feeder fish to oscars. I've used this technique and it is over and done with.

Any discussion out there?

Amanda

I have never euthanized, but many here use the clove oil technique

Shawnie

awwww poor betta..im sorry for his sickness....would you like to try to help him live by telling us whats wrong?

otherwise,

1. Add tank water to a measuring cup or mixing bowl. Measure the amount of tank water you add to the cup or bowl and make a note of it. Place the fish in the container. If the fish is in a clear cup place a dark towel around the cup to calm the fish.

2. Fill a small, clean jar or bottle with tank water, leaving some room at the top. This might be a baby food jar or pill bottle. Put 1 drop of clove oil in the jar or bottle, cap and shake vigorously. The clove oil must emulsify, turning the water milky white.

Gently pour about 1/4 of this emulsified mixture into the fish's container. The fish will begin listing as it starts to fall asleep. Let the fish be for about 10 minutes. The fish should be resting on the bottom by then. It will look dead, but if you watch closely its gills will be breathing once every few seconds. If after 10 minutes the fish is still rising off the bottom swimming intermittently, retrieve the jar or bottle of emulsified clove oil, re-shake, and add the same dose to the fish's container. Wait again.

3. Once the fish is asleep on the bottom, add 20-25% white grain alcohol. For example, if the fish is in 8oz (240ml) of water, add 2oz (60ml) of vodka. Let the fish stay there for at least 20 minutes.

4. Check the fish carefully after 20 minutes for any gill movement. If there is no gill movement over a 60 second period, the fish has expired.

Martinismommy

Oh this just makes me cry! I have been a big chicken about this..I have let all my older Bettas just go on their own...It has been a painful thing to watch for sure...

Shawnie, you are the BEST! Great info!

Shawnie

TY mm but it hurts my heart to see them have to be put through euthanasia...sometimes we can help heal them !!! which is what I hope here..but I do respect the owners decisions if that is what must happen..it takes a very loving owner to get to that point and ill never disrespect them

soldieroffortune1974

There's been quite a few discussions on the topic. I personally only use the Clove oil.

see here, we had a poll not long ago: preferred euthanasia method

betta-cat

Thanks for the clove oil info. I don't have an ailing fish right now but a friend just had to 'put one down' after trying to treat it. That got us into a discussion about the 'best' way to do this. I really have a problem with the freezer baggie idea, especially since someone else said that's how they 'put' down other animals, like rodents/birds. I find the very idea sad and nauseating. Anyway, I'll try to get my hands on clove oil and keep it around in case it is needed.

betta-cat

Hi, Soldier, I just missed your post by a few seconds. I had looked for a discussion and couldn't find it. Thanks for the links!!

soldieroffortune1974

No problem. I am glad you don't like the freezer idea. There's quite a few fish if they are frozen, then thawed out, they come right back to life. I have seen it many times in some friends' ponds.In the winter they freeze solid, come spring thaw and the little fish are swimming around like nothing happened.

Amanda

Ugh. That's crazy.

Martinismommy

Wow! I've never heard of that!

Beth1965

Shawnie, Thank you for posting this. I have searched around the net for something like this and didn't find it. I wish I had seen it sooner. Personally, the first thing would be to try to save the fish but sometimes you just can't & watching the suffering surely isn't worse than the suffering the fish is experiencing. So, thank you again
Beth

Shawnie

your welcome beth...lets hope you never have to face it but if you do, my heartfelt sympathy is with anyone who might

capekate

Here is the link that I used when needed to euthanize fish. As Shawnie posted above, you will find the formula here but also more information that may be helpful to you as well. Its good to bookmark it and have it handy for if/when you ever need the info.
I have followed this method per its directions on a few of my fish. Its so sad to make this decision,but I knew the fish were suffering and would never recover.



http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-...ize-a-fish.htm

Beth1965

Thanx Kate, I saved the link.
Beth

Lucy

Offensive posts have been removed.
This topic has been debated before and it never ends up well.
Before it gets to that point, we've closed this thread.