Humane way to put fish to sleep?

[jules77]

This is a serious question. Is there a humane way to put a fish to sleep, I have been told to put it in a bucket of water with clove oil, or in a bag in the freezer (in the latter case, I assume there should be water in the bag)?

He has severe dropsy and is way past help, but between myself and my husband we are struggling to find a way to put him to sleep humanely.

I am not keen on having him in the freezer either......

[cruella]

As far I know, the best way is to put it in freezing cold water for a few moments.
Sounds horrible but it will not suffer.
Sorry you have to do this.

[lankeela]

One of my dogs would eat in, have you not got a neighbour with a cat who could do it?

Think its an old wives' tail that you can drown them by dragging them backwards through the water.

Other than that it would soon die if left out of water, think how many fish die this way on fishing boats and on the banks of rivers.

[hammerman]

Blimey....with answers like those two, you'll have the RSPCF (fish) at your door.

Do not freeze the fish nor flush it down the bog. Clove oil is good...a small tub 9depending on the size of the fish) with a few drops of clove oil will anethathise it and kill it.

Or....you whack it over the head with something heavy...messy but has worked for me for 35 years. I usually get the fish in a net and then slam the fish whilst still in the net against a stone floor. Instant death.

[B00]

Please don't put it down the loo- either dead or alive!

The kindest way aint pretty I'm afraid. Put it in a bag and give it a sharp tap on its head. It sounds gruesome but it's quick.

Good luck.

[B00]

Ahhh HM'an's reply wasn't there when I submitted- sorry H!

[dot.hawkes]

fish are cold blooded and supposedly that means they do not feel pain or emotional distress does it not? Or fear, they sense danger but they have no sense of being, and so cannot be frightened as such

[hammerman]

Have a look at this thread

http://www.uk-aquarist.com/index.php?showtopic =23666&st=0&#entry287615

[Thunderbird+]

Those who fish to eat what they catch ie game fishermen
usually use a heavy wooden club known as a 'priest' and dispatch the fish quickly with a heavy blow on the top of the head whilst holding the fish firmly on the ground. If you cant bear to watch what your doing, you could cover the fish with a plastic bag or such-like.
Not so nice maybe, but at least it's instant!

[jules77]

Hammerman, thanks I was hoping you would pick up on this question.

To all you other cruel lot.....I cant smack it on the head, and neither will OH.......!!

Hammerman, It is quite a large fish, and jokingly we said it wouldnt fit in freezer, think it would have to go in a large tub we have for making beer, so how much clove oil to say 5 gallon of water, and how long will it take?

[B00]

Hey!

My suggestion wasn't cruel,it's no less cruel than smacking the entire fish against a floor!

[jules77]

Boo, I know, I am just joking, its just we cant bare to 'smack' it on the head. We are looking for the easiest way out for us.

Our idea was to let it die naturally, but it is really struggling now, and it is so bloated it makes me feel sick to look at it, so I walk past the pond looking the other way.

[B00]

Yeah know what you mean jules- i hate seeing them like this too. I presumed it was a goldie or a tropical, didn't realise it was a big pondy.

I usually net my beyond help trops and put them in a net to die more peacefully, as I can't bring myself to snot them one either and I hate the thought of them being nibbled at by the others as they are dieing.

I'm such a wuss!

[hammerman]

The problem with "just letting it die" is that dropsy is a bacterial infection. If the fish bursts or dies and then gets eaten by a plec or other fish (or sucked into a filter or powerhead and gets chopped up !!!), you run the risk of spreading that bacteria to other fish if their immune system isn't as good as it could be.

Unfortunately, i've never used clove oil and always relied on whacking it over the head. Bigger fish respond to the "priest treatment" whilst i prefer to what the smaller fish against a hard object.

You might want to register on that forum link i gave you ( http://www.uk-aquarist.com/index.php?&act=idx ) and ask on there....they really are a good lot.

What is the fish and what size is it so i can ask for you.

[jules77]

Hammerman, OMG, the thought of it bursting, but it looks like a puffa fish at the minute.

It could be a Koi, but not sure as for the length of time it has been in the pond it would be bigger if it was. It is a pale gold colour, but think just a basic gold fish. The pond has been in situ around 30 years, and think this fish has been in there from the start........just how long do they live??!! It is around 10 inches long I think. I am worried now about it bursting, so if you could ask the question about clove oil for me, anything rather than wanging it on the head, I would really appreciate it. Thanks

[lankeela]

Well if you'd taken my advice posted at 5.30, it would have breathed its last by now!

[whiffey]

How can you accidentally drop a goldfish down the bog ? You need 2 hands to have a pee, one to support it and another to aim it. I wouldn't even entertain the prospect that you slip it between your legs during a number two. Hope this helps was not appropriate either.