Ornamental Fish Q&A 09

Question	Answer		Article
Discuss methods of euthanasia recommended to professional fisheries personnel as well as home hobbyists.	Veterinarians often must recommend to a client that a fish be euthanatized. Several methods of fish euthanasia are approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) including: cranial concussion followed by decapitation; cervical dislocation followed by double pithing (both the brain and spinal cord); chemical overdose. If available, tricaine methanesulfonate (TMS) at a dose of 300–500 p.p.m. for 15 minutes will kill most fish. Since most hobbyists and veterinary clinics do not have TMS on hand, alternatives include benzocaine hydrochloride, oil of cloves, and even carbon dioxide in the form of antacid tablets (2–3 tablets/L of water). Injectable sodium pentobarbital (60 mg/kg) given IV or IP is another chemical alternative for larger fish. As a last resort, a client in a remote location can use ethanol at a final concentration of 10%. Veterinarians should consider offering a euthanasia service since many clients are attached to their fish pets.		[[|Link to Article]]