What is the kindest way to euthanize a fish?

Answer 1

For fish up to 3" the best method is a two-step process. First, anesthetize the fish with clove oil so that it is sleeping and unable to feel pain; then introduce a clear grain alcohol like vodka to ensure the fish will not wake up.

This method is commonly misrepresented as mixing clove oil and vodka together. That is incorrect. Clove oil must be introduced first, allowing the fish to fall asleep before introducing vodka. Vodka will be stressful for a fish that is not anesthetized.
Clove oil (eugenol) is available at any drug store and is sold as a toothache remedy. It has been used for years as a fish anesthetic for surgeries and tagging procedures. Clove oil will put a fish to sleep and ensure it feels no pain. However the fish can wake up from this sleep if removed from the clove bath. The last step of adding the vodka will ensure the fish expires.

For more details check:
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-most-humane-way-to-euthanize-a-fish.htm

Answer 2

This sounds like columnaris, a bacterial infection that is highly contagious and difficult to beat, bad cases require 2-phenoxyethanol, even directly applied to the fish at a low concentration works wonders but must be done very gently and very fast to return the fish to the tank, not good in chronic cases as the fish will most likely die from the added stress. It sounds like yours is a chronic case, if you got antibiotics for the fish he might have a chance but I think this has gone too far, if you do want to try antibiotics you will need a gram negative antibiotic and he will need to ingest some as this has most likely gone internal. The missing flesh is an ulcer caused by the bacteria, this kind of bacteria won't be affected by a lot of antibacterials that are readily available. For euthanizing the fish, fill a container with very cold water, add ice cubes and wait a little while for the water to get cold enough, add the fish directly to the water, it will flip out a little for a couple of seconds but will quickly die from the shock, this is a very quick death and least stressful to the fish, you could also use clove oil that will put the fish to sleep first, I have not used this method so you will need to look it up on google. If you place the fish in the freezer it dies quite slowly and will struggle more, putting it directly into the cold water is the quickest kindest way. Euthanizing is never easy and you may find it a bit heart breaking but if he has no chance of recovery it really is the kindest thing as he won't be constantly in pain and suffering, I hope that consoles you a little. Good luck, and I am sorry your fish got so ill :(

Answer 3

Using the clove oil like Invader Zim suggested is the most humane way.

The first fish I've ever had to euthanize (due to hemorrhaging), I did all the research on first. One of the methods I'd read about was sticking the fish in a bowl of ice water, than placing the fish in a baggie in the freezer after he had passed on. It was said to be quick and painless. I don't know about the painless part, but it definitely was not quick - it took well over 20 minutes for her to stop thrashing before I put her in a baggie and placed her in the freezer. The clove oil method, however, is very quick and is also said to be painless. It more or less puts the fish to sleep, and then you use the vodka to put him under.

Answer 4

I have heard of two different ways to do it so the fish doesn't suffer. The first is to freeze them. Their metabolism just slows down and they die. The other, and the one I believe is the kindest way, is to put a few drops of clove oil in a small container of water holding the fish. It is an anesthetic to the fish and they just go to sleep and stop breathing. After an hour, they are gone.

There are varying opinions on the freezing method with some people saying that the fish feel pain as they freeze. I am not sure of that, buy I have purchased some clove oil in case I have to put any of mine down.

Answer 5

There are several ways to euthanize a fish. Each has advantages and disadvantages.

The easiest way is to put the fish in a container of water and put it in the freezer. The fish will slowly slow down their metabolism until they die.

Other methods include clove oil as a sedative, or a commercial tranquilizer.

For small fish a rapid way is to put them in a plastic bag and smash it against something hard. Brutal of course, but effective and very quick.

Answer 6

Buy clove oil from a health food store, it acts as a natural sedative...

Put the fish in the clove oil and it will be unconscious in a few minutes and just leave it in there for an hour or so until it dies.

Answer 7

i was told to put them in a zip lock bag and put some of the water they swim in and put them in the freezer.. i know it sounds mean but it puts them to sleep so they don't feel pain. I was told flushing the down the toilet when they are still alive is painful for them... they feel the pressure of the water as it hits them through the toilet and pipe and it feels like it rips their scales off... or whatever you wanna call them.

Answer 8

Flsuh it. It can act like a big fish bowl. Sorry that was the only way I could think of. I know it is bad.

Answer 9

at least don't let the fish go to wast there are some hungry cats on your street so why not feed a cat and make a Friend

Answer 10

freeze it
a normal freezer will do it but if u have a chest or deep freezer is better they quicker
its the way they euthanize rats for reptile food