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Our 34 year old large Gibbiceps is sadly on his way out, but having expected him to die two days ago he is still with us. He is breathing shallowly and keeps ending up on his back, and I would like to put an end to his suffering but because of his size (about 45cm) I don't know the best way to do this. I searched the site and most of the advice is quite old, so I was wondering if anyone has experience with this? I have seen mentions on other sites that clove oil is both good and bad, so don't know if that is the route to take.

Hi Alison,

Sorry to learn about its condition. When I need to euthanize fish, I put them in a container with minimal water (just enough to cover the fish) and I add drops of a benzocaine product used for sore gums and teeth. In the USA it's sold without a prescription at drug stores and department stores in the tooth care aisle. It's an oil with 20% benzocaine. I drip 4 drops per 100 ml water in the fish container. Use a small container that you can then place in the fridge then wait 30 minutes after 30 minutes add an excess of Benzocaine to finish the euthanasia.

Good luck,
Eric

Hi Eric

Thanks for your reply. Do you use benzocaine gel for cold symptoms, or are you able to buy an actual solution in the USA (I'm in the UK).

We just had a chat with our local aquarium shop. Blunt instrument was the recommended method, but we are both traumatised just at the thought, so although it was our definite intention I've just ordered Aqua-Sed as a backup. I'm not really happy with this as an option either though. I had always hoped that we would just go downstairs one morning and he would have gone suddenly and unexpectedly in the night, but he's obviously not gone for that option.

Putting him into the fridge at any stage isn't an option as he's far too big to fit in.

Here's what I buy. It's an oil with a glass (or plastic, IDK) rod attached to the lid. You let drops fall passively from the rod into the water.

If you can't put him in the fridge, then after the fish sedation takes hold, then pour ice into his bath.

Cheers, Eric

Thanks again Eric.
I've found that bezocaine as Optomease is licenced here for fish farm usage, but doesn't seem publically available. I will have a recce at the chemists here tomorrow for something similar to your photo.
At present the Gibb is just sitting on the bottom in a normal orientation, he seems to be having distressed moments and then being very quiet again.

Tough one with a fish that size. Is there a friend willing (perhaps a fisherman) that could do blunt or sharp instrument? Eric's suggestion is good as are clove oil, alcohol or even vodka in a pinch. But submerging an animal that size to euthanize may not be realistic.
-Shane

Shane wrote: 11 Jun 2024, 20:02Tough one with a fish that size. Is there a friend willing (perhaps a fisherman) that could do blunt or sharp instrument? Eric's suggestion is good as are clove oil, alcohol or even vodka in a pinch. But submerging an animal that size to euthanize may not be realistic.
-Shane

Indeed an issue.

In the UK, Anbesol (the brand name of benzocaine for gum care) is sold as a 10% gel.
https://www.boots.com/orajel-dental-gel ... g-10081004

Maybe apply directly to fish? IDK how to dose that, but it doesn't really matter if the goal is overdose.

Cheers,
Eric

It might be easier to but a product sold specifically for this task?
https://www.zmsystems.co.uk/new-aqua-se ... -410-p.asp
It says a 4x dose will euthanise a fish.

I have used MS 222 to anaesthetise koi but not euthanise them.

I wonder if this wonderful gibby is a fish I sold you or perhaps you got from the shop where I worked? Quick question as I would like to help. Do you have a garden pond?

Jools

Hi Jools
You or David indeed sold us the fish from the shop. We have a similar vintage Agamyxis from there also.
We don't have a pond. Would it be worth buying a large planter or something?
I've just got up to find him sitting in the exact spot I left him when we went to bed. If he's not flopping onto his back I don't feel the same urgency, I'm hoping that maybe he will just stop breathing without intervention, but I don't know if I'm being unrealistic about that.

I really can see intellectually that blunt force is the better option, but after 34 years it feels horrific.

Yes, I agree with Alison, the fish has 'given' you 34yrs of whatever you've benefitted from keeping this magnificent fish. It's not a big price to ask to allow it to live out its last few, days, weeks, months on its own terms. All of our fishes suffer at some point, under our best intentions. I vote for keeping it as comfortable as possible until it 'decides' to leave on its own accord.

Sad but "good" news. I had to go into Edinburgh for a meeting I couldn't get out of, but my husband phoned at 3pm to say the Gibb had gone. He hadn't moved at all from the position he had taken up last night and just stopped breathing. We are really sad but at the same time hugely relieved that the decision was removed from us. I don't envy anyone in a similar position.

He will be really missed, he was the first thing anyone noticed coming into our living room and he had a great personality.

Thanks to you all for your help and good wishes, they were much appreciated at a horrible time.

Aw, I am sad to hear this but I can't think this could have gone better.

What an amazing life you've given this fish - well done, just well done.

Cheers,

Jools

Thank you so much Jools.