There come hard days in every aquarist life when it has to make hard choices. One of these is to euthanize a fish. Sometimes, fish can be cured, so treatment must be the priority. But sometimes, they cannot be cured.
After all the efforts to cure your fish go in vain, euthanizing is the only remaining option to give it a death painlessly. But without knowing about easy and simple ways to kill your fish painlessly, you might cause suffering and brutality to your fish.
Therefore, it is time to learn about the top 10 easy and simple ways to euthanize your pet fish without causing pain like a home vet.
So, let us dive into the methods of euthanizing directly.
Reasons Why You May Have to Euthanize Your Pet Fish
Many of the new aquarists still ask why they euthanize my pet fish. Reasons that do not know that there are some stages when euthanizing is the only option.
However, it does not mean that you do not want a fish and euthanize it. If it is for this reason, euthanizing is not an option. Donate it to your aquarist friend or a pet clinic.
You can only euthanize your pet fish when it is infected with dropsy, old age, physically poor, or unable to swim or eat. As there is no cure for these things, your pet must be euthanized for a peaceful rest.
Here is the explanation of why you must euthanize your pet when these four signs are identified.
Dropsy
Pinecoming, or dropsy, is the most brutal disease for fish. It affects almost every type of fish. In dropsy, a pinecone shape appears on the fish’s head.
When fish are infected with dropsy, a distended cavity and round pinecone-shaped pinecone form in the head. After some time, the pinecones increase on both sides. It is painful and brutal.
The difficulty with dropsy is that it is difficult to identify why the disease occurred. Therefore, it is necessary to give your pet fish a peaceful goodbye by euthanasia.
However, in the early stages, it might be cured. Therefore, first consult a doctor, then make up your mind to euthanize.
Old Age
Every breather has to die at a time, and you know your pet fish’s lifespan. If the fish reaches old age, it is wise to euthanize it to give it a peaceful end.
If you are skeptical about age, you can note an increased number of fatal diseases, curled fins, spongy textures, more naps than usual, thinning, fading colors, and general skin discoloration.
These are the signs your pet fish will die later or sooner. But euthanizing it can give it a relief that bearing these difficulties in its life.
Physical Deformities and Poorly Developed Physique
A fish can not survive if its physique is poorly developed. It can be from the birth or due to injuries. Curved spines and abnormal growth are a few examples.
These conditions make it hard to survive or live a healthy life. Therefore, euthanize it to save it from the difficulties it bears daily.
Fish That Cannot Eat or Swim
When a fish becomes old, harshly injured, severely ill, or cannot match itself with the environment or tank mates, it cannot eat or swim properly. It bears daily life difficulties. Therefore, it is better to euthanize fish humanely.
Top 10 Easy and Simple Methods Of Euthanizing Fish Humanely
When euthanasia is decided, it is better to know about humane methods to euthanize a fish. Here are the top 10 methods every aquarist needs to know to give their loving pet fish a peaceful death.
The Veterinarian Method
The veterinarian method is the first and most advised method to let go of your fish. It is favorable when you cannot kill your pet by your own hands or are unable to perform euthanasia.
Consult an expert vet. The vet will give an injection of an overdosed anesthetic. This will result in a painless death. It will only cost $50 to $120.
The Clove Oil Method
The clove oil method is an easy and simple way to perform euthanasia at home. Clove is highly sedative and can kill fish. The clove oil bottle only costs $10.
To use this method, take 4ml of clove oil, mix it in 1 liter of water, and add it directly to the tank where the fish is, or use a different pot for the fish. Mix it for 5 minutes and wait for 20 minutes so your fish dies painlessly.
Barbiturates
Barbiturates are also commonly used to perform euthanasia for fish. Pets like cats, dogs, and fish are injected with barbiturate chemicals. It is painless for bigger fish but can cause pain in smaller fish. Therefore, do not use it on small fish.
Combination of Clove Oil and Alka Seltzer
Besides using clove oil only, clove oil and Alka-Seltzer tablets are mixed. This method was used early. However, it was not used for small fish as it caused great discomfort and pain.
Anesthetic Overdose
From other euthanizing methods, anesthetic overdose is common and mostly used. It is used the same as the clove oil method and has the same results as the clove oil method. It is an AVMA-approved method.
Physically Stun and Stab
It is an AVMA-approved cervical cut to kill or make fish unconsciously quickly. The blunt force trauma to the fish skull is given quickly, which causes a concussion or death quickly.
It is mandatory to cut major organs quickly to cause swift death. Otherwise, the fish will suffer harsh pain.
Use as Feed
If you have decided to kill your fish humanely, you can consider using it as a feed. But keep in mind that your dying fish must not face contagious diseases. Otherwise, it will affect your other fish as well.
Ice Bath
The ice bath, or hypothermic shock, involves putting a fish in a jar or bottle and then putting the jar into a freezing refrigerator. As the water freezes, the fish experience shock and die quickly without pain.
Note: This method applies only to warm-water fish.
Swiftly Decapitation
Decapitation is not a perfect method for mercy-killing, but it is less painful than others. Swiftly cut the connection between the mind, cervical vertebrae, and spinal cord to give the fish a quick and painless death.
Carbon Dioxide
The carbon dioxide mixing method is not a good one to consider. But you ponder when no other option is available. Carbon dioxide is mixed in the water where the dying fish is kept. However, it is not feasible, as it makes fish suffer a lot longer. Fish know water is the only place to be at peace, but CO2 makes it harsh. Fish suffer its last moments in it. That is why it is not a good method.
How Do You Know the Fish Is Gone?
With thousands of fish species present, it is harder to know whether a particular fish is dead after euthanasia. However, zero gill movements and respiratory failure are common and easy methods to know whether fish are gone.
You do not have to make judgments on the first examination. Watch for at least 20 to 30 minutes. If the above signs are confirmed, it means the fish is dead.
Other than these commonly used methods, another one is stopped eye-rolling. The above signs can be due to respiratory problems or when the heart has stopped working. But when both mind and heart stop working, a fish cannot roll its eyes even when moved from one side to another.
Apply these three ways to make sure your fish is now gone.
Disposing of a Dead Fish
Whether your fish died naturally or by euthanizing, proper disposal is mandatory. If you do not dispose of it, it can infect other tank mates or create a mess in the water.
Here are the four most used and suggested methods by aquarium experts to dispose of your fish as a pro.
Outdoor Burial
The easiest and most beneficial method to dispose of a fish is outdoor burial. All you need is a shovel and some dirt.
Excavate dirt for at least 4 inches. Bury your fish in it to prevent your water friend from becoming food for insects and other fish.
A fish functions as a fertilizer by putting it in the soil. It decomposes in the dirt and is a plant food. Moreover, you can plant a flower in fish’s name to remember it for years.
Plant Burial
The other method is plant burial, just like the outdoor burial method. It is the best method for those who have big plant pots.
Take a plant pot filled with dirt. Then dig for at least 4 to 6 inches. Bury the fish in it to avoid germs spreading and smelling.
Plant a flower above it. This buried fish will be disposed of and act as its food.
Cremation
The cremation method is applied to dispose of a fish when an aquarist wants to keep its piece with it for life.
This option is safe and easy. Keep the remains with yourself to remember your water friend.
Throw Your Fish Away
Throwing a deceased fish is not always advised, and this method is controversial.
However, for people who are unable to perform the above-mentioned methods, the only method is to throw it properly to the spot where it is disposed of without creating a mess, spreading germs, or spreading smell.
Conclusion
Fish are loving pets no one wants to lose. But vets and experts recommend these easy methods when there is no cure for their suffering.
Now, reading the whole article, you will never lose hope or spend money on expensive methods. Use these simple ways to give mercy-killing to your pet fish.
If you are impressed, look at our other well-researched blog to learn the goldfish temperature guide to never lose your goldfish again.