Culling Quandry

[fishtal]

Ok, so I have several hundred juvenile clowns at this point but I just noticed that 1 (one) has a deformed, curved, spine. He's doing just fine and holds his own with the others. He's healthy in every other way.

Of course I wouldn't try to sell him as "normal" but, I'm having a hard time with the thought of "disposing" of an otherwise heathly fish simply because of the spinal defect.

What would you do?

[demonclownfish]

id keep him and name him nemo

[nanoryan89]

Raise him, and i'll take him. =)

I'm sure many people on here would be more then willing to take him off of your hands once he's old enough. As long as he can hold his own, and is healthy, then why not?

[nashiot]

I'd put a price tag of $599.69 and call it the next best thing. Someone will buy it! On a serious note, if he's holding his own im pretty sure someone on MR will pick him up.

[Sharkbaitz]

Use him as feeder fish.

[stunreefer]

Originally Posted by Sharkbaitz

Use him as feeder fish.

Yep, introduce him to his new friend... a nice, friendly, big Pterois volitans.

FWIW this is what I used to do when I bred clowns

[tanglovers]

I freeze them. I do not yet have anything to eat these type of fish so I freeze them. I take a fish bag put a cup or so of water then fish to cull and place them in the freezer.

These fish in the wild would not make it to maturity.

[rmalone]

I would agree with the last few posts. I feel it's silly to allow genetically deficient organisms to carry on. Disposal is the proper option.

Hey stun I have no doubt that your big white rhyzo could handle a small crippled clown. Pics please!!

[stunreefer]

Originally Posted by rmalone

Hey stun I have no doubt that your big white rhyzo could handle a small crippled clown. Pics please!!

So true!

I've got many predatious corals that would love you forever Tal if you wanna send 'em my way

[gtptom]

a hammer is more humane than frezzing to death

[tanglovers]

Is a hammer better, I had read someone at somepoint freezing was one of the most humane ways to euthanize fish, it slows their metabolism until they die. No pain of suffering. If this is not the case, I would like to know.

[MyNemesis]

I heard the same thing, Scott. I have read that the most humane way to euthanize a fish is to freeze it. Metabolism slows, unconsciousness and death follow with no pain. I've done it a couple of times and hate to think I'm being cruel.

[rmalone]

In butchering numerous higher life forms, steers and hogs in particular, I have found that extreme brain trauma (bullets work great) creates lights out for the critter with immediate effect, there is no suffering. Obviously I am not suggesting shooting fish but a good thump on the skull with a blunt object will create instant death, certainly faster than temperature extremes or worst of all the toilet. But the best use of such a fish would be as a feeder for a coral or another fish, very natural and as it should be, I would imagine it aint quick though.

[MandarinMan13]

Originally Posted by rmalone

In butchering numerous higher life forms, steers and hogs in particular, I have found that extreme brain trauma (bullets work great) creates lights out for the critter with immediate effect, there is no suffering. Obviously I am not suggesting shooting fish but a good thump on the skull with a blunt object will create instant death, certainly faster than temperature extremes or worst of all the toilet. But the best use of such a fish would be as a feeder for a coral or another fish, very natural and as it should be, I would imagine it aint quick though.

I agree, I've never frozen any fish because I've read in a few books and heard from a few people that freezing creates intense pain before the fish goes unconscious. Whenever I have had the need to kill a fish, I quickly slip them in a ziploc and whack them on the head. This way there is no speculation or second guessing as to if it is cruel or not, because they are dead immediately.

[fishtal]

Here is what Matt Wittenrich says about it in his book:

"The recommended method of disposal is anethesia in MS-222 or clove oil followed by freezing or formalin. If this seems harsh, consider that life in the wild is even more rithless, and these are the same fish that nature would eliminate."

That sounds humane to me but I question the need to do this. The thing is, our tanks aren't a natural environment. If I'm not going to sell, or breed, this fish, why not let him live in peace? I'm sure he'd be perfectly content living in a pico or nano. Can ya tell I don't like playing God?