Humane Euthanasia

How to Humanely Euthanize a Betta Fish

Saying goodbye is hard to do, but if your pet is suffering, it may be the most humane option. This guide illustrates the method of using clove oil to help a fish pass; it is considered humane and painless in the fish keeping community and has been studied and found to be just fine.

If you're wrestling with this decision right now, read through this post, find out if you're comfortable, and take a little time to consider things. You don't have to do anything you don't want to.

As a warning, the following pictures are considered "graphic" as they depict an animal dying. However, they are not gory, disgusting, etc. and are, honestly, just sad. If this causes you discomfort, please do not look ahead. I will eventually have a text-only version of this page for those who do not feel comfortable with the photos.

Again, this is your choice: reading this article and considering its options does not make you mean or bad. Likewise, it does not mean you have to euthanize the fish. Please do what suits your needs-- this is a tough choice for some, so do what it takes.

First steps: Your first step in this process is to assess whether or not the fish would truly need to be euthanized in order to have a humane rest of its days or to spare it from unnecessary suffering. Here's a few thoughts to consider:

If the fish is ill, how long has it been sick? Has every (feasible, cost-conscious, etc.) route been explored to make the fish well?
In elderly fish, is the animal just a bit slow but otherwise okay, or is its quality of life severely impacted?
Have you done what you can to fix the problem that is hurting the fish? Have you made an honest effort to remedy fixable situations? (Overstocked tank, bad water quality, no heater, etc.?)
If this is done, is the animal better off? Does it not have a chance to get better (reasonably), or does it appear little will improve?

These are all tough questions. For most reading this, the answers will be yes. Few people euthanize a fish when it is not necessary or a better, more humane choice for the animal. Ultimately, the owner knows their animal best and will make the best assessment.

Second step: Soul searching. I know for some reading this, thus far this guide has been a little sappy and perhaps "wimpy" in regards to reassuring the reader things are okay. It is important for many people to be reassured and understand what is happening because their fish are their pets and are loved. This second step is one the reader must do on their own to understand what they want, before beginning the process. Once this process has started, there is no going back; the fish cannot be revived safely past a certain point and doing so would result in a poor quality of life if done. Please take time to consider if you really can do this, and finish it, in order to remain humane. It's okay if you can't: that doesn't make you weak or bad. It's a tough thing to do. Please remember this is a clean, painless process that eliminates suffering.

What is clove oil? What's it do?

Clove oil is what we'll use in this process, so here's what it is and what it does. Clove oil is a liquid that smells strong (but not bad) that reduces and numbs pain. In people, you can dab it on sore teeth and gums, small wounds, sores, etc. and the pain will lessen or disappear. It tends to be a little expensive compared to say, aspirin, but that's because it's really strong. Most drug stores sell clove oil, usually for $5-8 or so dollars. Because of its strong pain-reducing effect, it may be behind the counter. Walmart does not often carry clove oil, but some do. It is worthwhile to call a place in advance to see what they have! Holistic/natural/organic stores also often have this product.

Clove oil is an analgesic used for numbing superficially (on the skin), and does the same for fish. Fish, though, are small which makes the oil much, much stronger for them. When slowly mixed with their water, it puts the fish to sleep through overdose. As more of the oil is added, the fish gets deeper and deeper into sleep until they lose consciousness (which does not hurt) and eventually pass away, with either the addition of lots more oil, freezing, or alcohol. These last few things do not hurt because the fish can't feel a thing: it's just like when a person goes under anesthesia and can't feel or remember what was done.

What you'll need

For this process, you will need a number of items before you start:

Disposable container, like a plastic cup, bowl, water bottle, etc.;
A second disposable container, preferably a plastic bottle with a cap;
Paper towels;
Disposable gloves, if you wish (to prevent getting strong-smelling clove hands);
Clove oil;
Needleless syringe, found at drug stores and Walmarts (usually $1-3);
Plastic snack or sandwich baggies;
Access to a freezer, ice, or alcohol (like vodka, please be 21+)