How to Painlessly Kill a Fish

When dealing with severely ill or impaired animals, providing a painless and peaceful death is often the most humane route. Though a number of options are available, euthanization of a fish can be a tricky process that is not always painless for the animal. Though effective in bringing on death, well-known methods that involve vodka, clover oil or the freezing of the fish can be difficult to perform correctly and unnecessarily painful for the animal. For a peaceful, pain free death, the Goldfish and Aquarium Board recommends the use of the powerful sedative, Finquel.

Things You'll Need

  • Finquel
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fill your tank with unchlorinated water. The tank should be large enough for the fish to turn itself around.

    • 2

      Add 1/2 teaspoon of Finquel and baking soda per gallon of water to the tank and mix until dissolved.

    • 3

      Transfer the fish into the Finquel laced tank.

    • 4

      Monitor the fish for ten minutes. If the fish is still moving, mix another 1/2 teaspoon each of Finquel and baking soda with enough water to dissolve the baking soda. Add the mixture to the tank. Repeat, if necessary.

    • 5

      Check the fish for breathing movements and eye activity as it rolls to its side. Remove the fish from the tank after ten minutes without visible activity. Discard remains as you see fit.