Methods of Euthanasia

[BobK]

I need to euthanize my danio due to TB and read the pinned article in this forum. Would anybody care to give an opinion on the following two methods I pulled off the web? I don't think I could decapitate my fish or give it a concusion. Thanks.

Alcohol

As pure as possible - vodka, tequila.

The method is that you have the alcohol at the same temperature as the water in your aquarium - the fish is introduced to the alcohol and immediately becomes overwhelmed by it.

Alcohol works like an anesthetic and is at lethal levels. The fish will instantly be paralysed and unconscious, death follows quickly due to respiratory failure.

Temperature shock method (freezing)

This method utilises the coldest water you can find - a bowl of water that has been placed in the freezer long enough for the surface to freeze is good. The surface ice is broken and the bowl taken to the dying fish.

The fish is then captured and dropped into the freezing water. The difference between the temperature of the tank and the freezing water causes an instant fatal shock to the fish nervous system stopping all organ functions instantaneously - anyone who has found themselves suddenly in water that is much colder than your body temperature will know the feeling when you initially can't breathe (people have died of heart failure under similar circumstances), it is like that but much more severe and sudden.

A variation on this is freezing alcohol (pure or vodka)

Stress is caused in the handling of the fish, but in most of the methods the fish must be handled - however this handling is brief.

Recommended for: tropical fish

Not recommended for: coldwater fish

Humane rating: 100%

These were pulled from the following web-site:

http/homepage.ntlworld.com/faustus/nicol.../euthanasia.htm

 

[jflowers]

The alcahol method sounds the same as the clove oil method clove oil being an anasthetic. I read that freezing was a bad method, though I think that referred to putting the fish in water then freezing. The theory sounds good, but I have never had to use any method yet.

Jon

 

[BobK]

Thanks jflowers. I was thinking the same thing about freezing. I think the argument against is referring to putting the fish in tank or room temperature water and then freezing which, IMO, is cruel as the temperature reduction is gradual and lengthly. I'm think putting the fish in freezing water would be better because it happens so rapidly. I'm hoping someone will be able to confirm or deny it before I'll try it.

 

[sunflower]

Have a look at this:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=8031&hl=euthan

 

[sylvia]

You should deffinately stay away from freezing. Alcohol may work but I have a feeling it would burn the fish (painful) before actualy killing it. Try to get hold of some clove oil... it's deffinately the very best and most humane way. I know you said you wouldn't want to have to dicapitate your fish... but you may not be able to find clove oil and may need another humane alternative. Personaly, if I have no clove oil, I put the fish in a small air tight bag (quickly) and cover that with a paper towel... then I get a pan and smash it. I don't like having to see it all so I just throw the fish, bag and towel away without even looking at it and it isn't as bad that way. Just make sure you do it quickly so the fish doesn't suffer.
Anyway, it is usualy relatively easy to find clove oil - if you can't, call some vets and see if they have fish anaesthetic. That will work in the same way.

 

[jflowers]

Clove oil is available at chemists (pharmacists in the us) as a medication for tooth ache in small bottles, you may need a few and its not cheap.

Jon

 

[BobK]

Thanks everybody for your responses. I'll have to use your method Sylvia. I just got home from work and now the fish is just hovering by the heater. I guess I'll have to do it soon. He's one of my oldest fish too

 

[Barday]

This might sound brutal, but how about boiling water? This should be a very quick death right? (never tried it, just a suggestion/idea)

 

[jkun17]

This might sound brutal, but how about boiling water? This should be a very quick death right? (never tried it, just a suggestion/idea)

You'd be cooking it, essentially.

Someone suggested earlier using seltzer as a way of euthanasia. I think that is the best option I've seen so far.

 

[Barday]

You'd be cooking it, essentially.

Thats right, but I doubt it would last more than a couple of secconds if that

 

[jkun17]

You'd be cooking it, essentially.

Thats right, but I doubt it would last more than a couple of secconds if that

That's true...

When I cook crabs, they're usually dead once they hit the water. I guess it would all depend on the temperature of the water.

 

[Barday]

I suppose you would fill up the bucket straight from the kettle, so about 100C +

 

[freshmike]

As hard as it sounds.....it is probably the quickest for both of you.....


Knife.

 

[jkun17]

100 C might be good... but then again there's heat loss in transferance... that and you don't know how much heat your bucket can take. I suppose you could line the pot with tin foil so once the deed is done you can toss the foil with the water.

 

[Barday]

I agree the knife is probably the most effective method but would it be a bit messy??

I'm just thinking of easy alternatives .