My betta is old and is dying now. I have a lot of experience with bettas but still I've never found a humane way of euthanizing them. The only instant death I know of is violent and I don't think I can do that to this betta. Please help me! I know he's suffering and I need to end his pain! Suggestions of humane euthanasia with things I have around the house would be wonderful. Captain America and I thank you!
2007-04-10 11:54:29 · 17 answers · asked by Zarango 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
i reccomend 2 methods
First the vodka bath. Place 1 part vodka to 3 parts water in a small container. Place fish in container he will "fall asleep" leave for at least 15 min to ensure he has passed (usualy takes a few seconds but may thrash around for 30 or so seconds. This is just nerves) i hear clove oil will do the same thing and is better than vodka.
Second decapitation. Place fish on wooden surface and with very sharp heavy knife/cleaver/axe quickly (preferably in a single movement) remove head at around the gills. alternativly smoosh head with heavy steel mallet/hammer. Crude but fast and effective.
Lastly do not freeze! it takes ages and the fish goes into shock before his cells slowly explode. I don't like going into the street in australia in the winter (it only gets to 3-4degrees in winter) let alone dying in a freezer.
Dont flush him either, would you like to slowly die (over the course of days) in a septic tank or sewer?
2007-04-10 12:18:34 · answer #1 · answered by roberto 2 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Honestly having put down my oldest betta just last month*. I've given this a lot of thought.
1)You could buy a fish anesthetic like Finquel. Use about x20 the recommend dose then freeze him in ice, or use blunt force trama or knife.
2)Alcohol should be lethal with minimal suffering. Just remove him to a cup, and add it to the cup.
3)Massive blunt force trauma. Place in a plastic baggy, wrap in paper towels, place on hard surface, and hit it with a heavy object.
Growing up on a farm I used #3. It was very quick and disposal was easy.
*The poor guy was reduced to wedging himself on top of the thermometer or a plant. After 2+ weeks of various treatments, and further wasting I decided to end it.
2007-04-10 12:55:15 · answer #2 · answered by Sabersquirrel 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The most humane way i can think of is quick and pain less. Remove the fish from the tank and slice his little neck (where the gills are) This is quick and painless. His little spine will be cut and he will not feel any pain, Although i dont see why you care soo much about a betta, fish die like this all the time. It is part of the cycle of life.
2007-04-10 12:01:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
I never could figure out why it is so important to euthanize things...let God do his job. Sometimes, I think we feel superior and like were God when we do this. Animals just like people can sometimes look like their on their very, very, very last leg and then all of a sudden their up and around again... It sounds so mature and it is common for people to say, "if I love him, i'll put him out of his misery". I wonder sometimes, why we feel it so necessary.. people say well -refering to dogs..or cats.. she was so old, and it was hard for her to see, and it was hard for her to get around..so we euthanized her. what is that about? Its harder for my grandma to see and walk, but we ain't euthenizing her.. trust me when a dog is in pain... they yelp! dang lots of dogs don't even get hurt in a cars cross winds when they get too close to the road..and then they yelp and carry on.. not getting on your case, but i used to think like that too, and I don't anymore. My fish actually did die today(goldfish) and I think it because I fed him beta fish food, and I let him die in his tank. thats how he came into this world.. thats how he's leaving it. I hate it though, I am omnivorous. So go figure right. But I don't recall eating animals i've killed.
2007-04-10 13:21:07 · answer #4 · answered by Deborah C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
See recommendations from the American Veterinary Medical Association: http://www.petplace.com/fish/euthanasia-in-fish/page1.aspx
2007-04-11 22:05:43 · answer #5 · answered by copperhead 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you really believe that he is suffering and that euthanizing him is the best for him then check this site out, http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-most-humane-way-to-euthanize-a-fish.htm
2007-04-10 12:35:00 · answer #6 · answered by Nunya Biznis 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I believe the best way to do this at home is by dropping an alkaseltzer tablet into the water. this takes the oxygen out of the water quickly and your fish will die of asphyxiation.
2007-04-10 12:42:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I have heard that a humane way is actually to put the fish in water into the freezer- sounds horrific I know but apparently they drift off to sleep. Im not sure I could do this myself but it may be an option.
2007-04-10 12:08:46 · answer #8 · answered by dufusmoose 1 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Why kill your betta? Would you like to be murdered just because you were old? Let it die on its own. If it's as old as you think it is, it will die soon anyway.
2007-04-10 12:03:59 · answer #9 · answered by Phoenix 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The most humane way is to put your fish in a bowl or cup and put it in the freezer. you won't have to watch or do anything to kill it and it will die as if it was sleeping
2007-04-11 11:40:24 · answer #10 · answered by scottnyj776 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋