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Humane Sacrificing of Fish | |
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 Occasionally
fish become so seriously ill that recuperation seems impossible. In such
a case it is more humane to quickly and painlessly sacrifice (a
euphemism for "kill") the fish than to let it slowly die. It
is unworthy of an animal lover to flush living fish down the toilet or
to douse them with boiling water, both methods condemning the fish to a
horrible death.
A head or neck incision is the most rapid way to dispatch a fish. Use scissors or a pointed scalpel to cut quickly and deeply behind the eyes and down to the upper edge of the operculum. This immediately destroys the brain. If the brain is needed for study, cut somewhat further behind and sever the vertebral column. After cutting into the neck, wait a few minutes until the brain has died and the head does not perceive any more stimuli. If you are not yet skilled or do not trust yourself in cutting quickly and deeply enough, then the fish can be heavily anesthetized beforehand. Once breathing is no longer apparent and the fish floats belly up, the anesthesia is deep enough so it will not feel the incision. As a rule, the humane procedure is to administer an overdose of anesthesia and then make certain with a neck incision. For Further reading: |
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