How to Euthanize Guppy Fish?

In my early days in guppy keeping, I had hard time dealing with how to euthanize guppy fish?

It’s heartbreaking but sometimes it is the only option to stop your guppy from further suffering.

Believe me, it is hard and emotional.

Be rest assured if you follow the steps mentioned in this article your guppy fish will die easily.

So let me show the best humane way to euthanize a guppy fish.

Why and When Do You Need to Euthanize Your Fish?

As a guppy keeper, you are providing your guppy fish with the most comfortable environment to live peacefully.

I know it is very hard to take care of adult guppy, guppy fry and fish tank as you have to consider many things.

Generally, beginners unknowingly make many mistakes such as

– Maintaining poor water parameters

– Accidentally putting infected fish in main tank

– Uncycled water in fish tank

– Providing less food

– Live food may carry disease

An experienced fishkeeper may also sometimes not be able to detect sickness, disease, injury or infection.

If the disease is not curable and there is no hope of saving dying guppy fish, then as a last option to end all suffering you have an option to euthanize a guppy.

Now, you might be thinking what is to euthanize a guppy fish?

Euthanize Guppy Fish The way of humanely ending the life of a fish or any other animal is known as euthanization or mercy killing.

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When You Should Not Euthanize Guppy Fish?

When you can cure your guppy fish from any sickness then you should not euthanize guppy fish.

Always consult a Vet for treating diseases.

In the following situations, you should not euthanize guppy fish:

– When your fish tank is overcrowded with guppies

– You do not wish to keep more guppies in your aquarium

In the above situation, you can either gift your guppies to your family and friends or become a breeder and sell guppy fish in the market.

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Ways to Humanely Kill A Guppy Fish

There are two most common ways to euthanize a guppy. Both are considered humane ways to put down your fish.

One is slow and less horrible while the other is fast and violent.

1. The Clove Oil Method

2. The Stun and Stab Method

So let’s discuss

1. The Clove Oil Method

This is the best way to euthanize guppy fish as it is recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association and also considered humane.

Clove oil works as anaesthesia, meaning before killing guppy, it makes your fish sleep. So there is almost no suffering.

Before you start, gather the items listed:

– A bucket or container – Clove Oil – Pill container or Small bowl – Hand gloves for safety

Step-by-step guide on how to use clove oil to euthanize fish:

Step 1: Fill a container or bucket with tank water

– Take a bucket and fill a gallon of water from your aquarium.

– Remember if the guppy fish is big then require a large container with more water.

Step 2: Move your guppy fish into bucket

– Using net gently transfer your guppy into the bucket.

Step 3: Use small bowl to mix clove oil with water

– Don’t add clove oil directly in the bucket as it will float.

– Otherwise, take a small bowl add 4 drops of clove oil and fill it with tank water.

– Now cover and shake it till water color changes to milky white.

Note: Increase the quantity of clove oil if the guppy fish is bigger than 4 inches in length

Step 4: Add Clove Oil Mixture in Bucket

– Gradually add clove oil mixture to the bucket and stir it gently.

– After some time, guppy is motionless but it is not dead.

– Carefully look at gills are still moving, it is a sign that the fish went to sleep.

Step 5: Add a Strong Dose

– After 5 minutes, if your guppy is still swimming, then make a clove oil mixture of 12 drops using Step 3.

– Guppies gills will not move after 10 minutes.

– This is how to euthanize a fish using clove oil.

2. The Stun and Stab Method

This is fastest but violent way to put down a guppy fish. If performed rapidly then guppy will not suffer.

So, grab listed tools from your kitchen:

– A blunt thing (Rolling Pin) – A sharp knife – Aluminum Foil

Step 1: Put Your Guppy on Aluminum Foil

– Cut aluminum foil in square shape.

– Quickly remove guppy fish from aquarium and place it on aluminum foil.

– To avoid mess of bloody fluids everywhere, fold the foil over guppy.

Step 2: Hit Head of Guppy with Blunt Object

– Aim to hit the head of guppy fish using rolling pin or any blunt object.

– Immediately guppy will become unconscious.

– If small fish then will die but follow last step for big guppy fish.

Step 3: Stab your Guppy Fish

– Now you have to cut horizontally above eyes through guppies brain using a knife. This process is called pithing.

– Instantly, guppy is killed but will not feel anything as is unconscious.

– This is the quickest but harsh method on how to humanely kill a guppy.

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How NOT to Kill Your Guppy Fish?

The humane way to kill a guppy is mentioned above. But you should also know which methods are considered inhumane way to kill a guppy fish.

I know you don’t want your pet guppy fish to suffer pain in their last moments.

The following methods are considered inhumane to kill a fish:

1) Don’t flush your guppy fish as it will not kill quickly and remain in pain for many days.

2) If you increase the level of carbon dioxide in your tank, then it will torture your guppy and even take a long time to kill.

3) Placing guppy in freezing ice water bowl bath, there are cases where fish has survived. So don’t do it.

4) The most horrible way is to place guppy fish in boiling water. This leads to unnecessary suffering.

5) The fastest method to kill guppy is vodka or alcohol bath but it burns guppies gill and is extremely painful.

6) Pick a guppy from tank, keep it outside and let it naturally suffocate but this is too stressful.

Don’t use any of the above ways to kill your guppy as it is inhumane.

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How Do You Know Your Guppy Is Dead?

It is easy to spot dead guppy fish in a tank.

However, it is hard to know when a dying guppy becomes dead.

The most common signs of dead guppy fish are cloudy eyes, no eyeball movement, body becomes stiff, no reaction to touch and stop breathing.

These signs help in identifying that guppy fish is dead.

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What Do You Do With A Dead Guppy Fish?

Now you know the fish is dead and you are thinking how to dispose dead guppy fish.

If your guppy is in extreme illness or disease, then cremation is good option but do only if allowed in your area.

The next is to take a paper bag and place dead guppy in it. Either you can throw guppy fish in garbage bin or bury in a potted plant or backyard.

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Conclusion

I only recommend euthanize a guppy fish as a last option. I really wish all your guppy fish stay healthy till they die of old age.

If your guppy is suffering from any disease, treat it with home remedies and in case of help, consult a vet.

In case of fatal disease, you can opt for either the clove oil method or stun and stab which are humane ways to euthanize a guppy fish.

Please don’t try inhumane ways to euthanize a guppy fish.

Let me know in the comments below if you have any question relating to euthanize guppy fish.

Happy Guppy Keeping!

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FAQS

1. How to make a pregnant guppy give birth faster?

Raise the water temperature and feed high-quality fish food to make a pregnant guppy give birth faster.

2. Why is my fish not moving but still alive?

Fluctuating temperatures and poor water quality are creating stress or sickness in guppy fish which is not allowing fish to move but still alive.

3. Can you euthanize a fish with cold water?

Using cold water to euthanize a fish is inhumane way and does not work on every fish.

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