What is a humane way ....

[glowworm]

I personally freeze. I don't like flushing for fully alive fish because they live for a good amount of time in the sewer.

Or you can hit it over the head to knock it out. That's what we do when we go trout fishing. Might be kinda hard with a tiny guppy though, lol.

 

[ZykloniaDark-GothikRanchr]

from wisegeeks.com:
There comes a time in every aquarist's life when a fish that can no longer recover from disease or injury must be euthanized. This is no easy task but it can be done humanely and peacefully without stress to fish or aquarist.



The best method is a two-step process. First, anesthetize the fish with clove oil so that it is sleeping and unable to feel pain; then introduce a clear grain alcohol like vodka to ensure the fish will not wake up.

This method is commonly misrepresented as mixing clove oil and vodka together. That is incorrect. Clove oil must be introduced first, allowing the fish to fall asleep before introducing vodka. Vodka will be stressful for a fish that is not anesthetized.

Clove oil (eugenol) is available at any drug store and is sold as a toothache remedy. It has been used for years as a fish anesthetic for surgeries and tagging procedures. Clove oil will put a fish to sleep and ensure it feels no pain. However the fish can wake up from this sleep if removed from the clove bath. The last step of adding the vodka will ensure the fish expires.

 

[Paegglvr]

Put it in a fish tank with an Oscar or other big fish... they'll take care of it for you.

 

[Sonia]

Quote:
Thank you. I have the clove oil but no vodka....would rubbing alcohol work or do I have an excuse to go buy a fifth?

 

[ZykloniaDark-GothikRanchr]

I would buy the fifth, may help you feel better about putting the guy down! but rubbing will work

 

[2boxers]

Quote:
Now that is brilliant!

I also like the idea of oiling it up (sort of like a fishy massage) then liquor it up (I wouldn't mind dying that way myself!)

 

[chickbea]

The site is behaving strangely today, but check out http://www.goldfishparadise.com. It should help you out.

I know everyone means well, but many of the methods suggested above are quite inhumane.

 

[Rowanm77]

My brother had to "put down" some diseased goldfish a few years ago and he put them in a bag with Vanilla Extract (it has something like 30% alcohol) in the water and then the fish seemed sort of drunk and got sleepy. He then froze the fish and we had a neat package to dispose of later. I don't think the fish felt a thing with the alcohol on board.

 

[jen1204ca]

Hi, if I were you I would take it out, put it in a sandwich bag, without water, shake it down into the corner then just hit it with a hammer. That whole process should only take about 10 seconds. It sounds a little mean, but it would be instant and painless. :|

 

[WisconsinChick]

Quote:
i agree. at least you would KNOW that it didnt feel anything. With the clove oil and what not you can never be shure that they cant feel anything.