Urgent [urgent!!] how to put down a fish

Discussion in 'ASAP' started by DevinH, Jul 5, 2012.

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  1. DevinH

    DevinH Montipora Capricornis

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    How do you "put down" a fish?

    I have not spotted my toby puffer for 2 days now (normally he blends in with the rock really good, its happened before) but my mom was looking at the tank and the puffer was stuck on the other side of a power head!!

    The fish is heavily damaged. How can I put this fish down???
     
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  3. country1911

    country1911 Coral Banded Shrimp

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    If you are sure it is suffering then placing it in a freezer bag full if tank water and placing it in the freezer is humane from what I have read. It numbs the fish before euthanizing it.
     
  4. DBOSHIBBY

    DBOSHIBBY Sleeper Shark

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    Incorrect^ (i thought that was the correct way also) it actually is very painful for the fish becuase it is freezing alive.
    Clove oil in a bowl with tank water will put the fish to sleep.
    Also the quickest least painful way would be to cut the head off (brutal but it works)
     
  5. Ford101

    Ford101 Fire Shrimp

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    ^ I've heard many good things about the clove oil technique ^. Supposed to be the least painful and fastest way to go or knock the fish out, from there you can euthanize further if needed. Sorry for your loss, best of luck.
     
  6. country1911

    country1911 Coral Banded Shrimp

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    Thanks for correcting me. Sounds like clove oil is the way to go.
     
  7. 55gfowlr

    55gfowlr Zoanthid

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    Toilet surfing is no longer the preffered meathod??? (JK) ;D
     
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  9. Renee@LionfishLair

    Renee@LionfishLair 3reef Sponsor

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    Clove oil

    • Put 3 drops with a half pint of water and shake very well, so the oil and water make a fusion - otherwise the oil will just float on top of the water and for the euthanasia to work the fish has to get the oil into its system.
    • Add the mixture to the water that the fish is in (1 gallon of water should be more than enough) and stir it around slowly with your hand. The fish should become lethargic and sleepy. When the fish goes "belly up" it is asleep - not dead.
    • Then add 3 more drops of clove oil. Add another mixture of 2 to 3 drops of oil in water.
    • The fish feels nothing, it is very peaceful and humane.
    • Don't make the mistake of thinking that if you initially put more in it will act quicker - it will only freak the fish out - it has to be done gradually so the fish doesn't notice the change in the water.
    • The whole proceedure should take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. You will know when the fish is completely dead because there will be absolutely no movement of the gills. If after an hour the fishes gills are still moving you could add a couple more drops of clove oil. Sometimes it does depend on the size of the fish to how many drops of clove oil are needed.
     
  10. DevinH

    DevinH Montipora Capricornis

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    I wish I would have checked back up on this thread before doing that :( I took a small plastic bowl full of water and added the whole bottle of Clove oil mixed with tank water :(


    I wish it could make a comeback but it couldn't swim upright on its own in the tank.

    R.I.P Dotty

     
  11. Camkha1234

    Camkha1234 Great Blue Whale

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    Sorry for your loss :(
     
  12. Chuyr

    Chuyr Astrea Snail

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    sad day i must say