It is a very sad and tough moment to deal with, but you will maybe have to do it, one day or another...
Here is how I proceed using essential clove oil which is according to me the only painless way to make your fish pass away as clove oil is an effective anaesthetic. Good luck.
As difficult and strange it seems, take your time, stay calm, breathe deeply : it will help you stay in control.
Dosage given for fish up to 8 cm/3 inches. To be adjusted according fish size.
- a container for 1.5 to 2 litres of water (to be adapted to fish size) with lid
- a vial with a cap
- a net,
- clove oil + dropper.
Fill the container with water from the aquarium, catch the fish and put it in.
Pour 5 drops of clove oil into the vial, add very hot water to dilute oil, shake hard and slowly pour into the fish's container and lid it.
After 4-6 minutes fish will fall asleep.
After this time, put 20 drops of clove oil in the vial, fill it with very hot water, shake it hard and pour it into the fish's container all at once.
4) After about 15 minutes, if the gills do not move at all, the fish has passed away.
If the gills still move, repeat the oil/water mixture until the fish dies.
Again, good luck.
Here is how I proceed using essential clove oil which is according to me the only painless way to make your fish pass away as clove oil is an effective anaesthetic. Good luck.
As difficult and strange it seems, take your time, stay calm, breathe deeply : it will help you stay in control.
Dosage given for fish up to 8 cm/3 inches. To be adjusted according fish size.
What you will need :
- a container for 1.5 to 2 litres of water (to be adapted to fish size) with lid
- a vial with a cap
- a net,
- clove oil + dropper.


After 4-6 minutes fish will fall asleep.

4) After about 15 minutes, if the gills do not move at all, the fish has passed away.
If the gills still move, repeat the oil/water mixture until the fish dies.
Again, good luck.