Euthanasia

[vanvran]

My first fish, Feather, has been horribly sick for 5 days. Without going into a lot of detail, after various meds/water changes, etc., I think it's his time. He's over 3 years old, so age may be a factor also. I can't bear to see him lying on his back gasping for air & not eating for another day. His blue color is almost white now. If I have the ability to decapitate his head, how do I know for sure that i have also killed his brain? I read i should use a pin, I guess as long as I enter it through his head, that will do the job? I can't believe I am even thinking of this, but I agree, this isn't about my comfort level, but rather, the quickest way to end his suffering. Thanks.

 

[Bloo]

It's a horrid thing to do - but to stop the suffering it's a brave decision.
You could of course decapitate and then hit it with a blunt object to be sure.
Here is a pinned thread on Euthanasia.

 

[vanvran]

It's a horrid thing to do - but to stop the suffering it's a brave decision.
You could of course decapitate and then hit it with a blunt object to be sure.
Here is a pinned thread on Euthanasia.

Thanks Bloo, I did read that thread, but couldn't find anything that tells me where the brain is.

 

[Bloo]

Ah ok Well in that case if decapitation is your chosen method - I'd use a blunt object and destroy the head completely (but you may want to wrap it in some hand towel paper first).

 

[clancampbell]

My first fish, Feather, has been horribly sick for 5 days. Without going into a lot of detail, after various meds/water changes, etc., I think it's his time. He's over 3 years old, so age may be a factor also. I can't bear to see him lying on his back gasping for air & not eating for another day. His blue color is almost white now. If I have the ability to decapitate his head, how do I know for sure that i have also killed his brain? I read i should use a pin, I guess as long as I enter it through his head, that will do the job? I can't believe I am even thinking of this, but I agree, this isn't about my comfort level, but rather, the quickest way to end his suffering. Thanks.

I know its not brave but i flush my really sick ones. Have you considered this?

 

[Bloo]

I know its not brave but i flush my really sick ones. Have you considered this?

Never ever do this ! Please read the pinned topic.

 

[vanvran]

My first fish, Feather, has been horribly sick for 5 days. Without going into a lot of detail, after various meds/water changes, etc., I think it's his time. He's over 3 years old, so age may be a factor also. I can't bear to see him lying on his back gasping for air & not eating for another day. His blue color is almost white now. If I have the ability to decapitate his head, how do I know for sure that i have also killed his brain? I read i should use a pin, I guess as long as I enter it through his head, that will do the job? I can't believe I am even thinking of this, but I agree, this isn't about my comfort level, but rather, the quickest way to end his suffering. Thanks.

I know its not brave but i flush my really sick ones. Have you considered this?

No, I could never do that--that would be slow and painful and not dignified IMO, and I've read enough threads to know this is not recommended for various reasons. But thanks for your response.

I know its not brave but i flush my really sick ones. Have you considered this?

Never ever do this ! Please read the pinned topic.

Bloo, that wasn't my post--I could never flush my little boy.

 

[steelhealr]

If you use the pin or decapitation method, have all your equipment ready and move rapidly. Removing the fish from water is stressful. Good luck and sorry. SH

 

[Bloo]

Edit - I thought I quoted the wrong part in the previous post - but vanvran I'm aware it wasn't you who suggested flushing - that's why I quoted clancampbell.

 

[sweetp544]

Wouldnt the clove oil method be a little more "clean"

 

[vancouver]

I don't like the clove oil idea.. cant be as quick/painless as decapitation.

With small fish like tetras, I net the fish into a bucket with a little water in it, use scissors, and just cut the head off between the gills and the eyes if that makes sense.. if the fish is really weak and cant swim properly, I will just use the net and squish the same spot and it basically decapitates it.

I knew someone that would take the fish in their fingers, and use fingernails to decapitate, but scissors or a knife would be less gross/messy.

It's tough to do the first few times, but remember you're putting it out of it's misery, which is best for the fish.

 

[Blade118]

A few other methods my lfs advised me to do once.
1) wrap their head in cloth and smash them against a hard suface (if you dont do it that hard, think about the pain)
2) cut them in half
They also said if you cant do this, take them out the water and leave them there, That is a nasty way to die. How would you like to die by not able to breathe. Stuck in water. POINT TAKEN

 

[starrynightxxi]

i wouldn't call being smashed or decapitation painless, though perhaps quick, but the theory behind the clove oil is that it puts them to sleep, like a tranquilizer, and THEN you add the vodka or whatever it is that is supposed to actually to the dirty work. My impression is that its supposed to be like going under anesthesia, and if it actually works, this is probably the most painless solution.

if your fish is in as bad a way as you say, whatever method you undertake, i wouldn't be surprised if he dies as much from the stress of it before you actually manage much else...

sorry for your loss. this is the sad part of keeping any animal


[edit] i wonder, if you're decapitating, wouldn't it be best to start from the top of the fish. if you want painless, you'd want to sever the spine as quickly as possible...

 

[BBrain]

In my fisheries work, to sedate small fish for measuring length and weight, we use Alka Seltzer tablets dissolved in a small tub of water. The tablets add carbon dioxide to the water. The fish just slow down, and then lay on their sides in the water, with little or no sign of distress.

If you sedate them like this first, and then add another Alka Seltzer tablet to make a lethal overdose, I don't think they will suffer.

 

[vancouver]

It's hard to know for sure with the clove oil if it's actually just putting them to sleep.. cutting in half probably isn't as effective as headchopping... I always chop head, and I've never seen a fish even twitch after I've done it.. whereas I've seen golfish with most of their body eaten off, still alive in piranha tanks.