Topic: euthanizing a betta?

[Squeek]

I totally disagree with this part of the statement. Fish are coldblooded. The lowering of temperature does not hurt them, their brain processes will have slowed down as the temperature falls. By the time the temp approaches freezing the fish would already be unconscious.
I advocte the freezer method. The process is a slow lowering of the temperature. I do not like the ice cube method because there is a shock with sudden temperature differences.

hmm of course! Good point!!

The use of alcohol, clove oil and other chemicals is painful, otherwise the fish wouldn't struggle so much.

I always thought that clove oil was eugenol, which is a common fish anesthetic.  I guess ya can't be too sure of things all the time, huh?

[Clint]

Really Ive never used clove oil. I have heard that fish do struggle with the method.

Maybe we need a well researched documented article about this subject

I just did a google search on it and found one or two references that said something to the effect "according to the American Veterinary Assosiation freezing is not painless~" but theres no reference to it and I think someone just dreamt that up.

Heres one of the best links I found:
Link

[wendyjo]

What I've read (on this site) is that freezing them will freeze the blood and turn it into sharp little crystals, or something to that effect.  Which does sound very painful.

[Carianne]

(((hugs)) and gl on whatever you decide I just can't imagine what you must be going through.

[LoveFishyDustin]

Hey Nessa!  I actually do partial water changes with him since he's so fragile- about half the water at a time and have been using this method for about a month.  His entire life though he's just had all the water changed and has been fine.  I do not have a heater and he's in a one gallon bowl, there is aquarium salt in the water though.  He does seem to be a tiny bit perkier and he ate three pellets yesterday- I'm going to hold off on making any life changing decisions for him, but THANK YOU everyone for all the suggestions, now I know what options there are if it comes to this.  I even live in Alaska where it's freaking cold, a lot colder than a freezer, so I could always just take him outside in his fishbowl and sit with him if I had to.

[Squeek]

Maybe we need a well researched documented article about this subject

Oh, absolutely agreed! Hey...lets get started on the article, eh?

I just did a google search on it and found one or two references that said something to the effect "according to the American Veterinary Assosiation freezing is not painless~" but theres no reference to it and I think someone just dreamt that up.

Heres one of the best links I found:
Link

wow!  thanks for that link!  Very informative!

What I've read (on this site) is that freezing them will freeze the blood and turn it into sharp little crystals, or something to that effect.  Which does sound very painful.

Yes, I have heard this, too...but Clint brought it to our attention that fish are infact cold blooded, so therefore, they just slip away.  I also doubt that blood freezes in the fashion as it it thicker than water.  I have used the clove oil method a couple of days ago, but the fish was already listless.

Icecube method all the way!

hey LFD...try a little salt in his water 1 teaspoon per gallon  (rock/aquarium salt dissolved before you put him in the bowl)  It's known to perk up a betta!

[Gen Gen]

Please post here methods that have worked for you; questions you may have on how to euthanize or when..

This is not a debate thread and any arguments or debates that begin will be moved to the debates forum

lets keep it smooth people and thank you for your help, assistance, and cooperation

Betta Board Moderators.

[skyebloo]

I have only had to euthanize one of my bettas, and I used the hammer method.

I put her in a plastic bag, sealed it, thn smashed her in the head. She was instantly out of her misery.

I felt absoluetly horrible about it afterwards, but I knew that it was the quickest and most painless way for her to be out of pain.

[Squeek]

Personally, I have overdosed the fish on ms222 (fish anesthetic), cloveoil and feeding deformed fish to a larger fish (not an ill fish).

[gemini]

I've tried a few different ways.

My preferred method is disolving a painkiller in a cup of water and put the betta in the water. It's not instant, but its peaceful.