Bettas by Jennifer Lapello
Culling Options
This is an area that most people do not want to even think about, much less perform. However, in some cases euthanasia is the
kindest option, especially if the fish has an incurable illness and is suffering or is deformed or injured beyond the chance of having
a quality life. Here I will cover some of the basic options.
Feeding to a culler fish
A large, carnivorous fish, such as
an Oscar is, in my opinion, the best way to cull any fish without a communicable disease. I have a Tiger Oscar, and he lives
mainly on a pelleted and frozen food diet. However, when I have a larger Betta that starts to show a deformity or
ailment that is not contagious, he is what I use to cull these fish. It is a very quick death, and I don't think that the Bettas
even know what happens to them. The Oscar will grab them with his teeth and then chew them, making them die instantly.
I
would personally never feed a contagious fish to another fish. Some people do, but I have read numerous articles on this
enabling the spread of disease to the larger fish.
Large Cichlids, such as Oscars, are probably the most popular choice
for culler fish. Some people do use large fish that eat differently then these fish, by swallowing the fish whole,
rather than chewing. I haven't researched this thoroughly, but I would believe that this would be a more painful and longer
death for a Betta, forcing it to die a slower death in the stomach of the larger fish.
Euthanizing with Clove Oil
This is
my personal method of choice for small, deformed fry or sick fish with communicable diseases. It is simple and not expensive
to perform, and it does seem to be a rather peaceful way for a Betta to be euthanized.
I use about 6-7 drops of Clove Oil
to about 32 ounces of water. If I am culling a larger fish, I may use a little more just to speed up the process. Basically,
you just need a container that the fish will not jump out of when it first enters. I use an old milk jug that I have cut the
top off of to make a large opening. You simply place some water into the container and add the Clove Oil. Even though
it does separate from the water, I do shake it up a little bit so it is not all concentrated in one area. After that, I
net the fish to be culled and carefully place it into the water. The fish (unless morbidly ill) will usually make
a quick dart around the container and then go to sleep with a few seconds on the bottom of the container. The fish
will be unconcious at this point, but the gills may move for several more minutes (depending on how sick the fish is, its size, and
how much Clove Oil was used). They do appear to die peacefully after going to sleep. This is very hard to do at first!
The first time I ever culled, I had some grotesquely deformed fry that I had to keep in about a half inch of water just so they
could surface for air! There is no way that these fish would have lived to adulthood. Even knowing that, I cried and cried
while I was putting them down and for several hours afterwards. However, I know now that I was doing the right thing.
I still hate culling, but it does get easier with time.
You can find Clove Oil in some health food stores, but due to my own
experiences in trying to find it, I would recommend calling the store first to see if they have it in stock. Nowadays, I just
purchase it on eBay. Just make sure that you are getting 100% pure Clove Oil extract (I use the NOW brand).
Freezing
I
have never personally tried this method, however, it is an option. You simply place the fish in a freezer bag (with water) and
place the fish in the freezer. Supposedly, the body temperature drops, and the fish goes to sleep peacefully. However,
I have heard of fish struggling during this procedure.
Whatever method you choose, never flush or otherwise dispose
of a live Betta! As a breeder or responsible fish keeper, it is your responsibilty to ensure that your fish goes as peacefully
as possible. Flushing a fish down a toilet and letting it die a slow, painful death due to slow poisoning from chemicals and
toxins is not ethical at all! Neither is placing a live fish in the garbage or another area. Remember, Bettas are labyrinth
fish, so a Betta left out will live until it slowly dehydrates completely. Making the decision to cull is a hard one, but if
you have to do it, do it responsibly!