puffer euthanasia

[amandaschlicher]

anyone know a safe and humane way to euthanize a large porcupine puffer? i'm not ready to do the little guy in yet, but he hasn't eaten since i got him 36 days ago and is in quarantine with a bad bacterial infection and doing very poorly..... how can i let him go so he doesn't have to live so miserably?

 

[dskidmore]

I'd rather wait it out. If he hasn't eaten for a month, he'll likely go quietly on his own soon. There is still a chance of saving him. I assume you have less nutritious but appitizing feeder fish in the QT with him? Are the feeders still healthy?

 

[amandaschlicher]

i've been keeping baby mollies in there..... they seem healthy, but he's ignoring them.....

 

[dskidmore]

:nope: That doesn't sound good. I was really hoping there was a water quality problem we could help you solve. The only thing that I know of that would affect the puffer but not the mollies is if your salinity was a bit off.

Your poor little guy!

 

[amandaschlicher]

i woke up this morning and he's half dead..... i suspect i'll lose him by the end of the day.... thanks for your help guys.....

 

[ericholcek]

Have you dosed Maracyn 2? I fyou havent I would suggest using it ASAP. If you used it and already failed, double the dose at every day. The antibiotics may kill him but there is still a chance you can save him.

 

[coxy101]

The most humane way I've heard to euthanize fish is to put them in a plastic bag with tank water and put it in the freezer. The cold will put the fish to "sleep". I've never done it but that's what I've heard from various sources.

 

[amandaschlicher]

Originally posted by EricHolcek
Have you dosed Maracyn 2? I fyou havent I would suggest using it ASAP. If you used it and already failed, double the dose at every day. The antibiotics may kill him but there is still a chance you can save him.
yeah, i started the second round of maracyn 2 today. i really don't know how long he'll last.....

 

[amandaschlicher]

Originally posted by Coxy101
The most humane way I've heard to euthanize fish is to put them in a plastic bag with tank water and put it in the freezer. The cold will put the fish to "sleep". I've never done it but that's what I've heard from various sources.

i read that freezing is actually very painful for the fish and a bath in 20% grain alcohol (like vodka) in water, or a solution containing clove oil, was quicker and less painful. any opinions?

 

[amandaschlicher]

he's extremely bloated too, and getting moreso every day..... i just don't know what to do for him anymore....

 

[jellyfish]

What are your ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, ph levels? Any ammonia or nitrite can kill. Sick fish need perfect water.
Maracyn 2 contains minocycline, a wide-spectrum antibiotic effective against gram-negative bacteria.
If it hasn't worked, I would check the water levels. If they are off, a 50% water change. You can dose again, also you can try another antibiotic, like erythromycin (effective against gram positive bacteria). You can dose both at the same time. You might consider an anti-fungal like fluconazole if you can find that at your lfs. Follow directions carefully so you don't overdose. I would also add fresh crushed garlic and some vitamins like Zoe to the food and water. I would only use aggressive treatment since your fish sounds pretty sick.
Continue hypo in qt. Use a refractometer to check the water accurately. Keep the tank bottom clean by vacuuming any debris while in qt. Water changes can be very helpful. Use aged, aerated salt water.
hth

 

[8mlawrence]

THose sound like stories to me, I've heard snaping the neck is the fastest and absolutely most painless way. Which way is right? They are all so vast of each other.