humane ways to kill sick fish

[modernhamlet]

Sorell,

I too take bugs outside. I usually leave spiders alone even, unless their really big, then outside they go! But I totally understand.

I have only had to put down one fish so far. I used decapitation/pithing. No, it was not easy, but I did not have another (anesthetic, CO2) humane method available to me. I put aside my own feelings and did what was right for the fish.

If you can't decapitate, just make sure you've planned ahead with some other method. It's the least you can do for a dying friend.

 

[Alexa]

http/koivet.com/html/articles/articles_r...term=euthanasia
has an article on it.

Many people add the step of sedating the fish in Oil of Cloves or Finquel and then, when the fish is totally unawares, they decapitate or freeze. When you see the fishes' reaction to the taste of these sedatives, you'll wonder if you soothed the fish at all. However, over-sedation before any euthanasia [or even as a form of euthanasia] procedure is endorsed by the AVMA.

Ideally, hypothermia is the recommended way to dispatch a fish.
Place the fish in a modest amount of water so that it may recline upright and comfortably. It should not spend its last moments frantic for water. Place the bowl (or bag) in the freezer and close the door, providing darkness. As the poikilotherm (cold blooded animal) loses heat, the enzymes that sustain consciousness are inactivated and they lose sensation and finally all systems eventually arrest, painlessly and completely.

I think differentiating (on behalf of the fish) between freezing or oil of cloves is semantic. Have you seen how the fish "dash and sputter" in Oil of Cloves? I don't think they like it, but it's for their own sake.

Ive also read somewhere that fish do feel pain during freezing because ice crystals form in them or something, but I can't remember where I read it.

http/www.oscarfish.com/cms_view_article.php?aid=13

Not Acceptable

COOLING/FREEZING - There is no evidence that whole body cooling reduces pain or is clinically efficacious when used as an adjunct to physical methods of euthanasia in ectothermic animals. Freezing of un-anesthetized animals is not acceptable as a method of euthanasia. Rapid freezing (in liquid nitrogen) of deeply anesthetized animals is acceptable.

AIR EMBOLISM - Air embolism may be accompanied by convulsions, opisthotonos, and vocalization. If used, it should be done only in anesthetized animals.

BLOW TO THE HEAD - Unacceptable practice for most species.

BURNING - Chemical or thermal burning of an animal is not an acceptable method of euthanasia.

CHLOROFORM - Chloroform is a known hepatotoxin and suspected carcinogen and, therefore, is extremely hazardous to personnel.

CYANIDE - Cyanide poses an extreme danger to personnel and the manner of death is aesthetically objectionable.

DECOMPRESSION - Decompression is unacceptable for euthanasia because of numerous disadvantages. Many chambers are designed to produce decompression at a rate 15 to 60 times faster than that recommended as optimum for animals, resulting in pain and distress attributable to expanding gases trapped in body cavities. Immature animals are tolerant of hypoxia, and longer periods of decompression are required before respiration ceases. Accidental recompression, with recovery of injured animals, can occur. Bleeding, vomiting, convulsions, urination, and defecation, which are aesthetically unpleasant, may develop in unconscious animals.

DROWNING - Drowning is not a means of euthanasia and is inhumane.

EXSANGUINATION - Because of the anxiety associated with extreme hypovolemia, exsanguinations - should be done only in sedated, stunned, or anesthetized animals.

FORMALIN - Direct immersion of an animal into formalin, as a means of euthanasia, is inhumane.

HOUSEHOLD AGENTS - Household products and solvents Acetone, quaternary compounds (including CCl4), laxatives, clove oil, dimethylketone, and quaternary ammonium products*, antacids, and other commercial and household products or solvents are not acceptable agents for euthanasia.

HYPOTHERMIA - Hypothermia is not an appropriate method of euthanasia.

NEUROMUSCULAR BLOCKING AGENTS - When used alone, these drugs all cause respiratory arrest before loss of consciousness, so the animal may perceive pain and distress after it is immobilized. (Nicotine, magnesium sulfate, potassium chloride, all curariform agents)

RAPID FREEZING - Rapid freezing as a sole means of euthanasia is not considered to be humane. If used, animals should be anesthetized prior to freezing.

STRYCHNINE - Strychnine causes violent convulsions and painful muscle contractions.

STUNNING - Stunning may render an animal unconscious, but it is not a method of euthanasia

 

[modernhamlet]

One last note. I did a quick search. 5 grams of MS-222 can be purchased from Argent Labs for $40. That's enough to euthanize about 15 or so small/medium fish. A lifetime supply (one would hope) of 100g costs $105.

Seems that if you're in this hobby for the long haul, it might be worth picking some up. Everything points to this being the single most preferred method of fish euthanasia by professionals.

Just a thought.

http/www.argent-labs.com/argentwebsite/ms-222.htm

 

[Aqua_Princess64]

I don't really know what way to euthanize is right. I've always been told that freezing is a good way to euthanize, but now I'm not so sure. I also don't know whether anethisizing (spelling?) and chopping off the head is good either. I haven't had to euthanize yet, though I've come close. I think that after reading on this discussion, I'd rather just let the poor thing die alone in peace in clear, unmedicated water.

 

[Tropjunky]

well putting it to sleep is the best way to do it for fish they feel sleeppy and then go to sleep and don't wake up i think it's better than chopping off it's head evan with their heads off their brains could still be working imagine being in the dark and paralized and then relise ur going to die i don't think death is a nice thoughtdo u

 

[William]

Bashing them in the head is risky and you run the risk of not killing them right off. Same with cutting off the head. Have you ever went fishing for cat fish? I have and those things won't die. You can cut off their heads and they will still flop around for a good 30 mins.

That is nerves. Cutting of the head the fish is instantly dead. Ever heard of a "headless chicken". Sharp knife like TCA said earlier, in one swift movement go straight through.

 

[c1tyfc]

I have found that forcing the ill fishies to watch about 3 hours of soaps every night with the missus usually does the trick in under a week.

 

[PereguineFalcon]

Shoot! I've always just used a blender on high speed. Just get the thing going full blast and then drop the fish in....never knows what hits them. And the upside is you have some left overs you can feed to your other fish! J'K!! That would be one of the most inhumane ways to kill a fish, although it may be fast. Don't really know a humane way to kill fish. Pretty much anything that is quick should work...gotta consider what your fish is going through, for most cases you will be doing your fish a favor no matter how you kill it.

 

[Max]

if ne one from pets smart heard this stuff i wouldnt be able to buy fish ne more... (they arnt supposed to sell fish to me im only 14.. oh well they know me) lol

 

[ladynaoko]

I was actually taught how to euthanize a fish when I was learning animal first aid.

I was told the vodka method, hitting method (whacking them over the head), decapitation and anaestheic.... as well as one other method.

I expect this will probably make people annoyed but I was told getting two alka-seltza tablets and inserting them under each gill - this usually kills them in under a minute.

I couldn't believe it when they told us that..

 

[Samage]

people say a blender would be inhumane, and I've never tried it myself...

...but if you don't mind mess, I reckon it would be an almost-perfect method of killing. It decapitates and destroys the brain and body in less than 2 seconds, thus little if any pain. Perfect! If I had an old blender not used for food, I'd consider it if I had a sick fish beyond help. If you added some water before switching on, you could simply empty your liquified fish down the sink afterwards, rather than scraping it off the inside as you would if you just put the fish in.

 

[PereguineFalcon]

Lol i was just joking about the blender but i guess whatever works eh?

 

[kribs mate]

i'd love to see you put a 12 inch oscar in a food blender. (or not)

 

[Samage]

Obviously it only would work for little stuff.

Unless you have an industrial blender.

 

[cutechic]

Even after I washed my blender a thousand time with soap, bleach, and everything else, I don't think I would ever use it for food again