Parrot Fish

[Christmas_Hamster]

Clove oil is usually used with alcohol. You overdose on the clove oil and then to be sure that the fish is dead you add alcohol. So they are unconscious when you add the alcohol. I could never bring myself to use the blunt force method, it would be too hard. I understand where your coming from with it being harder. I do see that. And yes losing a dog might be harder but putting them to sleep is often only a decision when it comes to mammals, with fish you do it with your yourself.

[king2005]

Clove oil is usually used with alcohol. You overdose on the clove oil and then to be sure that the fish is dead you add alcohol. So they are unconscious when you add the alcohol. I could never bring myself to use the blunt force method, it would be too hard. I understand where your coming from with it being harder. I do see that. And yes losing a dog might be harder but putting them to sleep is often only a decision when it comes to mammals, with fish you do it with your yourself.

I understand what the Clove Oil is "suppose" to do (it should kill when given in high doses, but it doesn't in all cases <- why I wont use it), but it's mostly a guess as there are no sure tests to prove the fish feels nothing. What if the fish can feel but it's just paralyzed? Then you add the alcohol & the fish feels it's death... I personally can't do that. If people want to assume it's doing what they think it's doing, then whatever helps them sleep at night. But I can't. If there is a different chemical/liquid I can use that I can get access too that's not gonna break the bank, then I'll switch methods... I do hope someone can get scientific proof that Clove Oil does in fact work on all fish species, or at least a list.. then I'll accept that & switch right away as Brute Force sucks really really bad

[TamanduaGirl]

"Metomidate solutions ≥2 mg l−1, clove oil and Aqui-S™ solutions ≥20 mg l−1 prevented plasma cortisol elevation above resting level"
Study here

This is a measure of pain as the cortisol is released in response to pain and stress.

Edit: to be a bit clearer it's solutions meaning each solution one clove and one the name brand each tested at those levels, not one solution of both mixed.

"Because clove oil causes a reliable and rapid loss of
consciousness and induces hypoxia (critical components to
eliminating potential pain), it appears to meet the criteria
(AVMA 2000) for euthanasia. Based on these recent results,
we suggest that clove oil may be considered acceptable for
euthanasia when used at high concentrations (>400 mg/L).
As indicated by the AVMA for other chemical agents, fish
should be left in solution for at least an additional 10 min
after cessation of opercular movement."
Link to PDF file

"In addition, the stress experienced by the fish pre mortem was assessed by measuring cortisol, glucose and osmolality levels in blood plasma just after death (post mortem). Based on these physiological indicators, the results revealed that of the three methods considered, 1 ml·L− 1 clove oil was the best method for stunning sole because it not only ensures a good final quality product, but also is acceptable for a direct human consumption."
ignore the part about eating them
Link

[Genny]

So..I was just wondering...when do you believe it's the right time to kill your fish? When it's almost dead and just lying on its side? Or just when it's acting sick, but still swimming?

[IRescue452]

If its acting what most people see as sick (fins clamped, tilted or sporatic swimming), its often just a toxin in the water like nitrites. No need to kill the fish before testing out easy treatments. It really just depends on the situation.

[king2005]

If its acting what most people see as sick (fins clamped, tilted or sporatic swimming), its often just a toxin in the water like nitrites. No need to kill the fish before testing out easy treatments. It really just depends on the situation.

It's also a case by case situation, but medical treatment should be attempted before killing a fish, unless the illness/injury happened rapidly & the prognoses is low~non.

I have 20yrs of Fish experience so I'm fairly good at it (not a crazy pro, just good). I also know all my fish well & remember about 90% of the ones I have lost over the years.

[Christmas_Hamster]

'When they have little or no quality of life, are not trying to survive anymore and there is nothing that can be done. And the best clue of all is if you know that it's time.