Is freezing fish a humane way to euthanize?

Maybe I was looking in the wrong places, but I couldn’t find much info about this, so I’ll ask here.
I recently came across multiple people saying freezing fish is the most humane way to euthanize your fish because the low temperature will slow down it’s metabolism and the fish will eventually “go to sleep” but it doesn’t seem like a good form of euthanasia, from what I understand.
Wouldn’t the water freeze first? And wouldn’t that mean the fish would get frozen alive? Temperature shock is also stressful for fish, so wouldn’t freezing fish be very stressful? It seems like a slow stressful death for the fish
The clove oil method seems more humane, but I’ve never had to euthanie any of my fish, so I’m not sure what is true and which method is better.
(I'm asking because of curiosity. I am not euthanizing any fish.)

Edit: The title was supposed to be: “Is freezing fish a humane way to euthanize?”
Coradee Mike smee82 I’m not sure who to tag to fix this. Thank you to whoever does

 

I doubt it.

1:10 clove oil:ethanol or MS-222 with baking soda as a buffer

 

This is a very controversial subject, and many members have their own methods.
Many people find it most humane to use clove oil, many freeze and many bludgeon the fish. Every method has back draws, and it is in the eyes of the beholder.
I personally bludgeon fish I have to euthanize, mainly because the fish is suffering and it takes one second to remove him from the tank to death.
It is hard on me, but my feelings at that point are secondary.

 

I still do not know whether it is or not, but I would personally never use that method as my first option. I recommend clove oil emulsification.

 

I doubt it.

1:10 clove oil:ethanol or MS-222 with baking soda as a buffer

MS-222 also seems like a more humane method.

This is a very controversial subject, and many members have their own methods.
Many people find it most humane to use clove oil, many freeze and many bludgeon the fish. Every method has back draws, and it is in the eyes of the beholder.
I personally bludgeon fish I have to euthanize, mainly because the fish is suffering and it takes one second to remove him from the tank to death.
It is hard on me, but my feelings at that point are secondary.

I guess faster = better in these kinds of situations? Tbh bludgeon would probably be the most humane way, but I wouldn't have the heart to do it

I still do not know whether it is or not, but I would personally never use that method as my first option. I recommend clove oil emulsification.

It would never be my first option either. Freezing also takes a while. It's sad to think about imo.

 

Freezing sounds like torture to me. I prefer clove oil or decapitation (small fish) or bludgeoning (larger fish).

 

I prefer clove oil myself. They knock out in seconds. I can't imagine freezing being humane at all.

 

Freezing is actually very painful. I asked once at the vet and they said clove oil or off with the head.

 

Its important to use a secondary method of euthanasia with drugs like clove oil. Decapitation or pithing are often recommended. Also be careful how you handle clove oil- I wear gloves and use dedicated containers to prevent contamination and spills. It's also important to mix it well with water before administration ( shake it vigorously since is oil based and will not mix easily with water) and to add a bit at a time to prevent excitement in the fish. I like the fish lab instructions on how to do this:


Clove and other essential oils present a danger to kids and pets ( especially cats). See:
https://healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Essential-oils
And
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.hillspet.com/cat-care/routine-care/essential-oils-for-cats

But, clove oil is my method of choice- freezing is inhumane! See

https://www.avma.org/sites/default/files/2020-01/2020-Euthanasia-Final-1-17-20.pdf


Also though there is discussion in the guidelines of rapid chilling in laboratory zebra fish, this is NOT freezing animals alive!

 

Just throw it to the trash bin. It"s the fastest and most practical way to kill a fish. It hurts but only for a while.

 

This just got dark. Never really had to euthanize since I don't breed and never have had any circumstances when euthanization would be necessary. Hopefully I never do.

 

This just got dark. Never really had to euthanize since I don't breed and never have had any circumstances when euthanization would be necessary. Hopefully I never do.

I hope that for you too! Still, its good to be informed- a good death is as important as a good life. I don’t like to see a lifetime of good care and health undone by a miserable ending, and disease and injury are always a risk. Clove oil is always in my emergency kit.

 

Freezing is actually very painful. I asked once at the vet and they said clove oil or off with the head.

I think I read this about rats once, but it probably goes for the majority of animals. They feel how the ice crystals start forming in their bodies and it's very painful/uncomfortable for them

Its important to use a secondary method of euthanasia with drugs like clove oil. Decapitation or pithing are often recommended. Also be careful how you handle clove oil- I wear gloves and use dedicated containers to prevent contamination and spills. It's also important to mix it well with water before administration ( shake it vigorously since is oil based and will not mix easily with water) and to add a bit at a time to prevent excitement in the fish. I like the fish lab instructions on how to do this:


Clove and other essential oils present a danger to kids and pets ( especially cats). See:
https://healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Essential-oils
And
Essential Oils for Cats: Are They Safe?

But, clove oil is my method of choice- freezing is inhumane! See

https://www.avma.org/sites/default/files/2020-01/2020-Euthanasia-Final-1-17-20.pdf


Also though there is discussion in the guidelines of rapid chilling in laboratory zebra fish, this is NOT freezing animals alive!

Tysm! All of this is really helpful

Just throw it to the trash bin. It"s the fastest and most practical way to kill a fish. It hurts but only for a while.

Is it though? It takes about 3 hours for a cup of water to freeze, I'm assuming it only takes a couple seconds using the bludgeoning method, and only a couple minutes using the other methods mentioned above. I guess it all comes down to what you're personally comfortable with doing.

This just got dark. Never really had to euthanize since I don't breed and never have had any circumstances when euthanization would be necessary. Hopefully I never do.

I really hope you won't ever have to! And I hope I won't ever have to either. It's definitely not a great experience

 

i do a tak or sowing needle between the eyes

 

I like to put myself in their shoes. Would I rather be frozen to death? Or would I rather get knocked out (like at a doctor) and not wake up? Sounds bad but it’s the most peaceful and humane way

 

One more thing! I also want to give my inverts a humane ending, especially the big thick-shelled ones that can’t be killed quickly and humanely with physical methods, so I keep magnesium chloride for invert euthanasia in my emergency kit too!