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How to dispose of unwanted aquarium fish responsibly

When the time comes to say goodbye to your pet fish, it’s important to dispose of them responsibly to prevent harming local ecosystems.

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Aquarium contents (fish, snails & plants) should not be emptied into waterways.

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You may love your aquarium or pet fish so much that you want to set them free when you can no longer care for them, but they pose a significant risk to our native fish populations if they’re introduced into our local watertways.

These are the best and most responsible ways to get rid of unwanted fish:

  1. Rehome them

    Find a new family or friends who are prepared to take on the responsibility of looking after your fish. If you don’t know anybody within your social circle, try reaching out to local fish clubs or community forums. Ensure that whoever adopts your fish has the necessary knowledge and resources to look after the specific species you’re giving away.
    You could also explore the possibility of trading your fish with other aquarium hobbyists if you want to exchange them for another species.
  2. Give them back

    A good way to get rid of your fish responsibly is to donate them back to a pet store or aquarium shop. Contact them to ask about their policies and guidelines for accepting fish because some make have restrictions on certain species or sizes.
  3. Euthanise them humanely

    If you can’t find a new home for your fish, them euthanizing them is your next best step for responsible disposal and there are several ways to do that humanely.
    • Clove Oil Method
    This method involves dissolving clove oil in water and adding it slowly to the water containing the fish. The amount of clove oil depends on the size of the fish, but a general guideline is 0.4 ml per liter of water. Clove oil is a sedative that at high doses can cause the fish to lose consciousness, stop breathing, and die from hypoxia. Clove oil is readily available from most chemists. This method is suitable for small fish that are easy to handle.
    • Quick Chilling Method
    This method involves exposing the fish to very cold water, which causes them to lose consciousness and die from hypothermia. Prepare an ice slurry in a container large enough to fit the fish comfortably and transfer the fish quickly into the slurry. The cold water will stun the fish and cause it to stop breathing and die from hypothermia, which may take several minutes.
Consult a vet or a fish expert before choosing how to euthanise your fish. Different fish may respond differently to these methods, and you want to avoid causing them any suffering and end their lives peacefully.

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