Ways To Kill A Fish

[andywg]

But surely in that time frame between the cutting and the pithing, there is some pain (I know the discussion of whether fish feel pain as we know it or not is a whole story to itself) for the fish. On larger species, I'm sure this is probably the prefered method as it would pobviously be difficult to mash a 18" pleco. I guess you could actually do the pithing first and then sever the head but in that case would there really be any need for decapitation?

The destruction of the brain is to ensure death is swifter. There is unlikely to be time for pain (if they even feel it) to occur before the brain is destroyed. You can just pith the brain, but the decapitation ensures the spinal cord is severed as well.

And if one cares enough to worry about the time between decapitation and pithing then we should also discuss the problem with clove oil raised by Steelhealr in that clove oil is not shown to be an analgesic (something which knocks you out) but is an anaesthetic (something which prevents nociceptors sending signals of damage and further prevents the subject from movement).

This means that a fish killed using clove oil may well be fully aware of what is happening to its body as it dies but without the ability to do anything about it. The analogy used was that of a quadriplegic person drowning - they feel no pain but are aware of what is happening so can still suffer the stress of the situation.

Strangely enough, the American veterinary association also recommends CO2. Methods of Alka Seltzer or (for the higher tech planted people) using pressurised CO2 to kill a fish would appear suitable.

 

[drobbyb]

Make that 2 for alka seltzer. I read it is quick and painless. Not as quick as decapitation or being squished, but it's less messy.

 

[mark.w.jones]

Have always done fish in freezer bag with a bit of tank water myself. Place on patio. Then drop heavy paving slab on it and jumped on it to be sure. Instant, mess contained in freezer bag and more important no suffering for fish. Instant methods are the most humane, no question. Any of the other methods mentioned which take time for the fish to actually die will involve different degrees of suffering. Never a nice thing to have to do I'm afraid but a necessary evil sometimes in this hobby.

 

[Xenosis]

Dip them in Soda Water.

 

[Truck]

jesus, thats another 'worst way' ^^^

 

[AdAndrews]

i tend to use the smashing on the head technique, im pretty sure i killed some of my ill ones quick

 

[Ebbo]

Dip them in Soda Water.

Please tell me you're kidding.

 

[Truck]

slightly of topic, but ebbo check your pm inbox

 

[Jazzzz]

well as this turned into a useful thread i wont delete it. fish dead now

 

[andywg]

well as this turned into a useful thread i wont delete it. fish dead now

You say that as if you have the choice on whether it is deleted or not

 

[Johnlenham]

And if one cares enough to worry about the time between decapitation and pithing then we should also discuss the problem with clove oil raised by Steelhealr in that clove oil is not shown to be an analgesic (something which knocks you out) but is an anaesthetic (something which prevents nociceptors sending signals of damage and further prevents the subject from movement).

This means that a fish killed using clove oil may well be fully aware of what is happening to its body as it dies but without the ability to do anything about it. The analogy used was that of a quadriplegic person drowning - they feel no pain but are aware of what is happening so can still suffer the stress of the situation.

I was lead to believe that Clove oil put the fish to sleep and that its used when they have operations and that a lethal overdose is like Euthanasia used abroad where by your put to sleep and then overdosed on it so your permanently asleep so to speak.
See here

 

[HooverOtoCat]

I do the freeze technique, then squish.

Also I heard very hot boiling water will kill them instantly too.

 

[gasmask]

Easy.

Couple of grams of C4 explosives.

 

[Straydum]

not a fan of the freezing method. i read abit before on human cryogenics and it does mention that freezing of the body would cause blood cells to start spiking and burst the vessels from inside. if it goes the same for fish, then i'd rather use other methods.

 

[Jallen]

I just put them in a plastic food bag (the resealable ones, to avoid mess), put them on a table, and just punch it pretty hard in the head. I mean it's skull and brain are so small, there is pretty much no chance of it surviving.