Hi everybody I made a post in here about couple days ago about my betta developing dropsy suddenly even though all water parameters were in limits.
I woke up today and noticed his pineconing and bloat had gotten worse and was very very lethargic with fins clamped. Salt baths did nothing but stress him out even more. Kanaplex and other anti-biotic are highly regulated in my country. He would not have a chance at surviving.
I bought some 100% clove oil as I read this is a veterinary approved and most humanely way to put him out of his pain and suffering quicker.
I put him in a container about 2 inches with his tank water with tannins. I mixed about 10-15 drops of clove oil with his tank water in a small container and shook until it was milky looking.
I use a unit syringe I got from work to slowly drop 3 drops and at first he dint react. I watched his gills for 10 minutes and it slowed down until I only saw 1 breath every 30 seconds or so.
At this point I thought he was asleep, so I go about adding a couple more drops and he suddenly came up to the surface to breath and visibly stressed and trying to escape. His gills spasmed many times like it was burning his gills (this was so painful to watch). I then saw him go back down after this and slowly start falling asleep again. I felt so horrible. I added more doses at this point until he passed. But a few times in between I could see his eye ball move to look at me.
I think I must’ve done something wrong but I thought this method would not hurt them and is supposed to be pain free. I buried him a small little coffin and cried my eyes out.
Has anyone had this experience before?? I don’t know what I did wrong. I mixed it well and I dosed slowly.
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1rxrqhc
Posted by Ok-Guarantee7949
3 Comments
Sorry that happened.
Honestly, the best way to euthanize in my opinion is a blunt kick on the ground. When my betta suffered from an external parasite and would not show signs of recovery, I took it outside and it was very quick. Haven’t gotten another fish since though since it is a little traumatizing to kill sometjing.
People may be uncomfortable with this but it’s lights out very fast. Clove oil is difficult to administer and could easily paralyze their gills or something and cause them to spasm and suffocate. Blunt force is fast and guaranteed, thus in my eyes, it is more ethical ironically. But at least it is over for you. Sorry again that happened, better luck in the future hopefully.
I once asked this question to the Biology dept at the university I worked at, what is the most humane way to euthanize a fish (they literally had thousands of zebra fish for genetic experiments). If you don’t need the brain, blunt force trauma to the head was by far the most humane. They literally studied many different methods, and measured the pain involved.
It is more traumatic for the person killing it. So when I’ve done it (quick hammer blow to the head) I just think what’s best for the fish, not for me. Still feel horrible about it though.
Ive heard this only happens if its the wrong dose. I’m not sure what the correct dose is as I use blunt force or pith as that usually faster. Sorry that happened.