Best way to put a fish down?

[mjwman]

I could not bash it so what is the best and most humane way to put a large goldfish down please?
I had one in my pond this week. VERY old and visibly poorly. Scales all missing, bent over, just waiting to die. So I wrapped in a plastic bag, there was no flapping around at all, and put him in the freezer.

However there is another in the pond that is still lively but is balooned out with dropsy. It was getting like it last year but has survived the winter. Apart from its shape it has energy but it will not last. I want to put it down

Is the freezer method a good one? Is there a better way?

[Androcles]

Th freezer metho seems to be the most recommended, although some people put them in alcohol first.

[heathfield]

More detail and alternatives here...

http://homepage.ntlwo...quaria/euthanasia.htm

[jules77]

I asked the very same question some 12 months or so ago, and opted to use the Clove oil method. We have had some with Dropsy for years, and they seem ok, but If the fish is struggling remove it from the pond and put in a bucket of water, and add some Clove Oil to the water and they pass peacefully away within 10 minutes or so, and dont appear to be in any distress.

http://www.wisegeek.c...-euthanize-a-fish.htm

[jules77]

Just to add, if the fish has energy, I wouldnt do anything yet, my husband waits until they are in obvious distress.

[mjwman]

Thank you for your kind and reasoned answers. It seems to me that freezing my be the best option for me to use.

[divegirl]

Freezing is probably not the best option.....this will just suffocate [sp] the fish. If you can get some clove oil, as jules suggests, this is the best option if you can't do the blunt instument on the head thing!!!
How big is the fish? I have pts small fish in a distressed stated with about a teaspoon full.
Broke my heart, but had to be done.

Lisa x

[mjwman]

Again, thanks to all. Based on everything learned, I took the fish to my local aquatic centre where they euthanised it by overdosing with sedative.
I am happy I did the right thing.

However I cannot help but have a vision of nets full of flapping fish on fishing boats catching my cod and chips! They do do bother do they? Oh well, that's life!