How to Euthanize a Tropical Fish

Your poor tropical fish has been battling a disease for days, or even weeks, and is showing no signs of recovery. You've isolated him or her from his tankmates and tried to treat him, but to no avail. You want to put the fish out of his or her misery. Here is the most humane way to euthanize, or cull, a tropical fish.

Things You'll Need

  • A freezer
  • A disposable plastic container large enough for your fish, with a strong lid
  • An aquarium fish net
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Instructions

  1. To die, to sleep

    • 1

      Fill a disposable plastic container with enough water from your tank for your fish to be able to lie in, but do not top off the container. The reason for using the water from your aquarium is to make the fish feel as though he or she is still in their environment, as the fish has gotten used to the temperature, pH and general feeling of the water in his or her home.

    • 2

      Take your net and scoop out the dying fish out of the aquarium he or she is in.

    • 3

      Place the fish quickly inside the container aquarium. Make sure the water covers his or her head and the fish can still have room to swim around.

    • 4

      Seal the container tightly with its lid. Make sure it does not leak. You don't want water spilling out of the container if it is moved accidentally.

    • 5

      Place the container of water that contains your dying tropical fish inside a freezer. Make sure to place it on an even, sturdy surface -- preferably the floor of the freezer -- and that there aren't any objects inside the freezer that could potentially fall onto the container and make it shift its position or make it burst open.

    • 6

      Close the door of the freezer and wait about two hours, until the water is frozen. Your pet is going to freeze to death and experts believe this method is the most humane way to euthanize a fish because it will make the fish is going to feel as though he or she is going to sleep.

    • 7

      Take out the container after the water inside it has frozen and check to make sure your fish isn't moving. Discard the sealed container directly in the trash and take it out as fast as possible to avoid causing a smell. Take as much time you need to mourn your loss.