Snakehead Sedation IN Tank for Transfer

[JacobWhitley]

Hi All,

I'm after some advice in relation to sedating my 2ft Channa Micropeltes with clove oil IN his 450lt tank, prior to transferring to his new home.

On another note, does clove oil break down/dissappear eventually when in tank water with the fish?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

i wish i could have a giant snakehead there so cool

 

[Snakey]

So if I had a 5x5x2or3 it would be fine for two or one ?

I think these fish grow to a metre or more, so you need to allow for room to grow and turn comfortably when fully grown.

Still learning about these guys, so I wouldn't want to give you incorrect information, but there will only ever be one Giant Channa in our tank (and his pleco friend).

 

[Snakey]

I used to have one around 2 feet as well.. that bugger put up a good fight & jumping out of the tank.. Not the best way to move a snakehead which is why it's recommended to keep large monster in a tank big enough for lifetime..
Maybe try get a polystyrene box with holes on the bottom & try to get the snakehead to swim in it.. then close the top(make sure it's tight) & wait for the water to slowly flow out.. Then slowly lift the box out of the tank..
Just an idea..

2 for juvy & 1 for adult.. 1 is recommended cause they get big real fast depending on how much you feed..
I was amazed by my micro's growth when I used to own one.. it never seem to be full, always hungry & active too..

Yeah, we didn't realise how quickly he would grow and thought we had plenty of time before we had to move him.

That's a great idea with the polystyrene box but if anything other than fish or gravel vacuum goes in his tank he goes mental for about 20 seconds and the top of the tank doesn't have clear/easy access as it's got 4 braces (approx 25cm apart) keeping it rigid (?), so it may be difficult getting the box in/out.

Definitely something to work with though...thanks

 

[Snakey]

i wish i could have a giant snakehead there so cool

They're pretty amazing and damn smart too.

 

[Snakey]

Thanks for your help guys.

Have figured the safest and least stressful way for our obligate air breather (and us ) would be:

1. Drain water to 75-80 litres
2. Turn tank lights off
3. Add 1 drop of oil of cloves to container and emulsify in water (dosage is 5 drops/100 US Gallons) *
4. Add solution to tank
5. Wait until he looks "out of it" - add another drop of clove oil if he doesn't
6. Place small towel over eyes
7. Place pillowcase (or clear strong garbage bag) in the water infront of him and pull over his body
8. Navigate fish filled pillowcase through small opening at top of tank
9. Lower into new tank still inside pillowcase until safe at bottom of tank
10. Slowly remove pillowcase

VIOLA!!!

That's how I've worked it out in my head anyway lol. Fingers crossed.

* Hopefully my calculations are correct

 

[H]-[H]

That should work.. least it won't put up a strong fight hitting everything in process..

 

[Snakey]

That should work.. least it won't put up a strong fight hitting everything in process..

Dearly hope so.

Is it normal for a fish to reject food for a short period after major stress and if he's in pain? If so, how long does it usually take for them to feel normal and want to eat?

 

[Zfishies]

wouldnt u be worried about over dosing ? doesnt sound like alot but iwouldnt want to "accedently" over dose cause he is not looking out of it. ive never used this method before therefor my comment is useless

 

[H]-[H]

Dearly hope so.

Is it normal for a fish to reject food for a short period after major stress and if he's in pain? If so, how long does it usually take for them to feel normal and want to eat?

Yes, it's normal.. same like shipping a fish.. The fish needs to get used to its new suroundings therefore give it a few days if it's not eating..
But for a 2ft snakehead, I would think that there won't be much problem getting it to eat.. They are pretty hardy creatures at that size..

 

[Snakey]

wouldnt u be worried about over dosing ? doesnt sound like alot but iwouldnt want to "accedently" over dose cause he is not looking out of it. ive never used this method before therefor my comment is useless

We're absolutely terrified about the entire proceedure...I'm just hoping I've researched enough and we end up with a live fish at the end of it.

I contacted PondRX the other day, as they supply fish sedative/anaesthetics, and the gentleman was most helpful. Email as follows:


ME: I need to sedate a 2ft labyryth fish to transfer to a new tank. He's very strong and went insane when he tried to get him out of the tank. Do you know how much clove oil we would need to use in 450ltrs of water to sedate the fish enough so he doesn't flap about and smash the tank/jump out etc when we try to remove him from the tank?
Any advice would be so appreciated.
Thank you



TED: To sedate fish, the dosage is 5 drops per US GAllon. Oil of Clove is very forgiving and even if you overdose with it in that amount of water, the fish will most likely survive it. I would, however, be concerned about what to do with the "solution" after you are done sedating. At that high concentration, it could be a messy thing!


ME: Thanks Ted!

He'll be placed in clove oil free water. That will reverse the effects of the clove oil won't it?



TED: The effects of the clove oil will wear off, naturally. The fish should only be left in the oil solution for as long as it takes for his movement to become labored, as if he were drunk. Leaving him exposed to the clove oil will surely have some adverse effect to the organs, the same as it would if we were 'put out' for a procedure. They will generally be mellowed out for about 20-25 minutes and then be drowsy for another 15 or 20--plenty of time for transport to a new location!
Good luck!