Tropical Fish Forum
Tropical Fish Keeping Pet Shops and Product Reviews => Tank Equipment Reviews => Topic started by: fcmf on December 17, 2017, 03:10:28 PM
-
I've never carried out euthanasia, partly due to having had a fish make a complete u-turn and recover (and go on to live for another 4+ years) when imminent death had seemed inevitable, partly due to fear that the process would not go smoothly and partly because nature has taken its course before I've decided what to do. I know clove oil (+/- vodka to complete the process) is usually advocated but I've also read recently of high dosages of vet's anaesthetic Aqua-Sed being used to good effect and with calmer / more straightforward results. Has anyone ever tried this?
-
I have only ever used the clove oil method - but have learned recently that the oil/water mix should be added to the tub with the fish in very slowly over the course of 5 minutes.
There is actually another method recommended by experts over the clove oil/anaesthetic methods. But not everyone can do it. The reason that these experts prefer it is because it causes less suffering to the fish.
Stop here if you are squeamish.
The method that the experts prefer is to catch the fish and squash its head between your finger and thumb. If the fish is too big, quickly transfer it into a plastic bag and use something heavy that you have already placed close to hand to crush the head.
-
I've never needed to euthanise a fish either - nature tends to get there first, but I've got a bottle of clove oil on hand just in case. I've heard of people using a mallet to kill fish, but I'm not sure I fancy it myself.
-
A mallet!! That seems a tad excessive. They use a priest for big game fishing and these look a bit like a truncheon but I was once told that was a very painful method ......especially if you miss and get your thumb