Using clove oil to Euthanise a fish

[Motorman]

Hey guys

I have been along term adviser on using clove oil to euthanise a fish though I hadnt actually had to do it to any large fish before

I had been taking the advice of a very well known fish Vet who I have had alot dealings with over the years but yesterday I had a customer who had a very sick Red Devil which was around 35cm long

This fish was curled constantly and couldnt hold his place in the water

Only laying on his side curled up on the bottom and then swimming around and stopping dead in the water and sinking like a stone

As I dont like to sell meds to customers who have no chance of the fish surviving as one its a waste of money and 2 its only causing the fish more pain or discomfort

I advised him to use the clove oil method as the most Humane but seeing he had this fish for around 6 years he couldnt bring himself to do it and asked If I could do it for him

I could totally understand his situation having lost my large Devil some months ago

I placed him in the largest bucket I had which half full held nearly 15 litres

I added a small mixture of water and clove oil which I used 3 drops to each litre

This has been shaken up as oil and water dont like to mix

Once add to the bucket the fish literally slowed down straight away and I could see him slowly going to sleep

After 15 mins in the bucket the rate of respiration was down to every 5 secs or so which it what I had expected

After 30 mins I had observed no gill activity at all and I placed him into a bag and into the freezer confidant the fish was dead and he had felt no pain

For people with large fish and you want a simple end for your fish this by far is the easiest way

Brad

[raycam01_au]

Bravo Brad,

I think its on of the best ways yes, have used this method in years gone past for large americans when breeding them years ago, and would recommend it to anyone wanting a simple and easy way, on both fish and owner.

Good post.

Ray

[dude_753]

Thanks so much for the post! still be very devastating to have to do, but in the interest of the fish it seems to be the best way to let them go.

Cheers

Nick

[Grumundi]

Ive used hydrocloric acid, that killed my devil just about instantly.

[japes]

Great post.

I know one day I'm going to have to do it, this should be stickied for future reference as it's well documented as the most humane way of euthanizing fish.

[Motorman]

Well Grum im sure a large amount of Acid is going to kill everything fairly quickly but I wouldnt be sure its painfree or easy

Clove oil is both inexpensive and quite easy

Brad

[Grumundi]

Well its less destructive than my previous methods.

[HamzaLH]

LOL ... THATS GREAT !!!

[Motorman]

LOL U never fail to amaze me Grum

King of the wierd Net pics

Brad

[dude_753]

classic grum LOL

Nick

[bmxican]

i thought the clove oil only sent them into a deep sleep, then you had to use a clear alcohol to actually put it down.

[wonna]

at the right dose it will send them to the big tank in the sky

[bmxican]

oh well.. i still like the idea of giving them a shot of tequilla before they go

[aussie123]

30 minutes in 15 litres of water to die doesnt sound like a humane way to kill a fish.

It sounds more like the fish suffocated from lack of oxygen.

[Motorman]

Aussie it definatly wasnt from lack of Oxygen

Clove oil is an anesthetic which slows the body down

Alittle like overdose on Morphine

It wont hurt but it will kill

Also if it was lack of oxygen the fish wil be gasping at the top which I can assure it didnt

Brad

[Grumundi]

Personally i think the best way is a quick smack to the head, look at all those homocycles that die on the M1 every week, all dressed up in there color coded leathers and bike, 200km and BANG cheese graters.

[bmxican]