At what point do you give up?

Bluewind

I have a fish who is badly injured. I am trying to save him, but I know he's misrable and he isn't likely to survive. So my question is, What point do you quit treating and trying to save a fish and let it die? And what is the best and most humane way to put down a fish? It just seems cruel to take him out and let him die in the air
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Bluewind

While waiting on a reply, he passed away. Needless to say, I'm pretty upset as I was still hoping that he would pull through. I would still like an answer to my question though. I know I will be faced with a hard choice again one day, so I need to know the point at which trying to help is more cruel than kind.
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Hallyx

I've heard a few drops of clove oil is a gentle sedative/poison. Blend in a few drops of alcohol to help it mix with water. That's enough for a cup or two.

AbbeysDad

I do not know the answer to your question and confess that if/when treatment fails, I tend to let nature take it's course.

Reefing Madness

I've also heard the same.
Fish Care - Putting Fish Out Of Misery

Romad

Sorry to hear about your fish. When it becomes obvious that the fish will not survive and is unable to eat etc..., that's about the time you have to throw in the towel.

I use the clove oil and vodka method. Some people say to just smash the fish with a rock or brick which is instantaneous but I just can't bring myself to do it.

How to Humanely Euthanize a Fish

redchigh

I have fish tranquilizers for shipping fish. I get add four of the tablets to a cup of water, and add the fish. Although its not a 'lethal level" of tranqualiser, extremely sick fish seem to die after an hour or so. Just to be absolutely sure, I place the cup of tranquiliser and 'dead' fish into the freezer for 24 hours.


Basically, if a fish hasn't eaten or improved in two-three days, I euthanize.


Sorry about your fish. If you have access to clove oil and vodka, it's the preferred method. I would mix up "fish anaesthetic". 1 part clove oil, 8 parts vodka, should do the trick, and add 1 drop to the fish's cup. If still alive in 10 minutes, add another drop. For more comfort, add a drop of hydrogen peroxide to the fish's cup. (adds oxygen)

If you're able, wrapping it in a wet cloth, holding its body securely and slamming it on a table (or decapitation at the base of the spine) is widely used. It is technically faster and possibly more humane than clove oil & vodka.

If both of these are not possible, then freezing can work. Add a cup of plain aquarium water to the freezer, and freeze until a 'skin' of ice forms (maybe an hour). break and remove the surface ice, add the fish, and place back in the fridge or freezer. The shock off hitting the cold water should kill it instantly, but placing the fish in the freezer after makes sure its not just a deep hibernation.

Romad

Sorry to hear about your fish. When it becomes obvious that the fish will not survive and is unable to eat etc..., that's about the time you have to throw in the towel.

I use the clove oil and vodka method. Some people say to just smash the fish with a rock or brick which is instantaneous but I just can't bring myself to do it.

How to Humanely Euthanize a Fish

Granberry

Where do you guys find clove oil (vodka I have :)? I had dry socket once after having a tooth extracted and I got some toothache ointment that had clove oil in it. Is that what you use?

I freeze them.

Shewbert

25 drops of Finquil to each gallon of water.
We have a small 1 gal plastic tank at the back of our shop already dosed just for dying fish.
Finquil is just a sedative for tranquilising fish, basically we are giving the fish an overdose which puts it to sleep and it drowns while unconscious.
With being a tropical fish trader and we employ staff, Euthanasia must be done professionally, we consulted a vet who gave us the guidelines that we implement.
Freezing, chopping heads off Etc. would not betolerated, clove oil is just about passable, but adding alcohol just burns the gills of a fish and it dies in agony.
Freezing will just make it hibernate,,,,,We import fish from many places abroad and the arrive frozen, (jel packed) once slowly defrosted they soon act as normal.
If you can't get finquil, any fish sedative added to the water, make it at least 10 times the dose on the bottle.
Hope this clears things up a bit.
Ray