by A Morris

Created on: March 26, 2008

Fish Euthanasia

The aquarist will at some point have to deal with a fish that is too sick to treat, and the issue of suffering arises. Fish do have the same reactions to pain as we do, but they have no ability to express it. Whilst this is a subject many people wish to avoid, in some cases euthanasia is the kindest thing you can do for your fish. Many methods have been proposed over the years, but several of them are far from humane and cause further unnecessary suffering to the fish. This is a situation you want to avoid, and should you feel euthanasia might be necessary, be sure you have considered the following first:

1: Does my fish have a good quality of life?
2: How long has the fish been sick?
3: Have all medical treatments been tested and exhausted?
4: Has the fish responded positively to any treatment?
5: Is the fish eating?
6: Does the fish appear to be suffering?

If you have gone through these questions and are sure that euthanasia is the kindest thing for your fish, there are a couple of methods which I feel are acceptable for ending your fish's suffering.

1: Alcohol. This is considered 100% humane and is very quick. You need to use alcohol as pure as possible, i.e. vodka or tequila. The alcohol needs to be at the same temperature as the water in your tank. Once the fish is introduced to the alcohol, it will become instantly overwhelmed. Alcohol works as an anaesthetic, and will instantly paralyse and anaesthetise the fish causing respiratory failure. This method is recommended for all types of fish.

2: MS-222 (or other veterinarian anaesthetic). This is considered the best method for fish euthanasia. An overdose of anaesthetic given to the fish while in quarantine will cause immediate cardiac arrest. MS-222 is a white powder that must be mixed with water and then added to the fish's water. This method is also considered to be 100% humane.

The following methods can be found in fish literature but I do not recommend them and do not consider them to be humane. Flushing a fish down the toilet, putting it in a blender (believe it or not people do use this method), or hitting the head are by no means quick and painless methods, not to mention the logistics of the latter method when your fish are only an inch long. Please, please do not use any other methods than the two listed above, for the sake of your scaly friends and your own conscience.

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