Best way to euthanize a fish?

[pleco510]

Ok so that goldfish that I was holding on to for my friend till her tank got cycled managed to get a pebble stuck in its body and it's not doing too well. I tried taking it out with tweezers but it's mouth is too small and the pebble's really lodged in her. It's been trying to get it out since last night with no success. The pebble's too big to pass through and I've already called my friend and she wants me to euthanize it.

Would everyone agree that putting it in a disposable plastic container and placing it in the freezer is the best way to euthanize a fish as it will slowly go to sleep?

I read somewhere on the net that a sharp blow to the spinal cord is the best way but I just couldn't bring myself to do that.

Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[William]

Well the freezing of a fish is certainly not instantaneous, whereas a sharp blow/cut through the spinal chord is. Its pretty gruesome though for a fish you love but its the kindest way, freezing is not quick and is not as humane but if you truely can't bring yourself to hit the fish it could be the next quickest way.

Are you sure that the goldfish can't get the pebble out, how long has it been in there? Did you try rubbing the sides of the goldfish?

 

[pleco510]

Thanks Will for the info.
Yeah I've tried everything. Rubbing it's sides, tweezers couldn't fit in it's mouth, toothpick didn't help.
So I guess I'm gonna freeze em.
Thanks once again.