Best way to euthanize large cichlids?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Putting it in a wal-mart bag and smashing it on the driveway? Your rediculous, and probably not as macho as you think you are..

Putting it in the freezer would put it through more pain than it's in right now too..

I'm sure your going to try the clove method, just wanted to comment on the stupidity of some of the members here..

Sorry for all jg, sucks man..
 
This is why euthanasia is such a touchy topic. Too many people become personal about it. Good and bad points are given but I hope this thread doesn't edge the personal line.
 
The quickest way is spiking other wise known as the iki jime technique but this takes some experience to be able to do it correctly and quickly time after time. Anyone that has worked in the fish industry for consumption would be familiar with it as well as some fishos.
Sorry for your loss.
 
I've had to do it once and I used an axe. Put down a piece of wood on the floor and the fish went from tank to dead in about a second.

I just thought of how I'd want to go, clean, quick, and before I had time to feel anything. Clove oil just seemed weird.
 
Well, here's the update.

Got home last night and the spot was at least 0.5" bigger and 5 of it's dorsal spins were actually out and on the bottom of the aquarium. I just couldn't see this fish getting better at this point and I knew it would only suffer for possibly a week or 2 longer since it was a huge fish and completely healthy until this. So I could wait for this spot to get to an organ or go ahead and put it down.

I went to GNC and found some clove oil. Mixed a real strong dose in a bucket and put my fish in. It seemed to be very quick and effective. After maybe 10 seconds the fish stopped breathing and passed on. I've had plenty of fish die over many years of fish keeping and I hunt and fish so this shouldn't have bothered me but I must say it really sucked:(. This was a really great looking fish that had just hit the 10" mark and was getting that awesome looking male chocolate head. I weighed him and he was 17 ounces. Had a great personality and fit perfectly with it's tankmates. To make matters worse it was my wifes favorite fish as well.

I guess these things happen. But I would like to think he had a pretty good life up until this point.
 
ward1066;3289210; said:
do what every fisherman has done for centuries, smack its head against a hard object. i usually put in a walmart bag and slam it on my driveway.
Click to expand...
done that slam thing didnt work 4 times on the same fish, feel like **** more each time you fail


decapitation is the quick and easy way. sorry man its a necessary evil in some circumstances.
 
I am glad to hear that it went fairly painless & peaceful - I can tell you that I and many others feel your pain.
 
fishman112;3291022; said:
Is a dog a fish?.
:screwy:
The method i use is either a swift blow to the head, or decapitation.
Click to expand...

exactly!!

A lot of people are not considering the differences between cold and warm blooded creatures. the freezing idea is fine . the cold will put the fish in a aneathetised sleep the fish will feel no pain and will be gone long before any ice crystals form.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom