Sometimes it's necessary to sedate a fish to perform a proceedure such as cleaning an ulcer or finrot. You can sedate larger fish with either clove oil or Finquel (MS-222). These procedures can also be done without sedation, though it's more stressful for you and for the fish and you really have to be careful and not let the fish get away from you.

To sedate with Finquel:

Things you will need:

• Finquel (MS-222)- to sedate the fish, so you can treat it. Available from PondRx.
• Baking soda (to buffer the Finquel solution)
• Clean Towel and pillowcase
• 2 Buckets one for sedation and one to transport fish back to its tank
• Airstone

Instructions

• Set up your work area and make sure everything is very clean.
  • Lay out a towel and one of those hospital blue pads. a pillowcase on top would also work (it's smoother than the towel)
  • Lay out your other materials within easy reach
• Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of Finquel and 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda per gallon of water used in your sedation bucket. Use water from the tank if possible and match tank temperature.
• Place fish in the solution. When it turns over on its side and gill movements slow, remove it from the solution and perform the procedure. If the fish doesn't roll over in 10 minutes, you can add another 1/8 teaspoon of finquel and baking soda per gallon (Use some of your existing water to dissolve it in and make sure it disperses well when added to the sedation bucket).
• You will want to work quickly and finish the procedure you're performing as quickly as possible.
• Make sure you keep one hand on the fish at all times in case he starts flopping around. Don't want any falls off the counter!
• After you've finished the procedure, place the fish in a bucket of clean water and return him to the tank.
• You may need to hold the fish for a little while in an area where fresh water is moving through its gills (e.g. by the outflow of the filter) until he gets less groggy.

To sedate with clove oil:

Things you will need:

• Clove Oil - to sedate the fish, so you can treat it. You should be able to find some at a pharmacy (look in the toothache section). PondRx also carries it.
• Clean Towel and pillowcase
• 2 Buckets one for sedation and one to transport fish back to its tank
• Airstone

Instructions

• Set up your work area and make sure everything is very clean.
  • Lay out a towel and one of those hospital blue pads. a pillowcase on top would also work (it's smoother than the towel)
  • Lay out your other materials within easy reach
• Place 5 drops of clove oil and some water in a ziplock freezer bag for every gallon of water needed to submerge the fish.
• Shake well, then pour into container where fish will be sedated. Use water from the tank if possible and match tank temperature. An airstone would help to keep the mixture dispersed.
• Place fish in the solution. When it turns over on its side and gill movements slow, remove it from the solution, perform the procedure. If the fish doesn't roll over in 5 minutes, then add another drop per gallon (shake it up in water before adding).
• You will want to work quickly and finish the procedure you're performing as quickly as possible.
• Make sure you keep one hand on the fish at all times in case he starts flopping around. Don't want any falls off the counter!
• After you're done place the fish in a bucket of clean water and return him to the tank.
• You may need to hold the fish for a little while in an area where fresh water is moving through its gills (e.g. by the outflow of the filter) until he gets less groggy.

To perform a procedure without sedation:
Procedures can also be done without sedating the fish, however, care must be taken to make sure fish doesn't get away from you and take a fall. It will be more stressful for the fish without sedation. Place a heavy towel dampened with cold tap water as your base and then place another heavy cold tap water dampened towel over the fish covering the head but leaving the areas you're working on exposed. This will help to keep the fish from flopping around and may help to keep them calm. Keep one hand on the fish at all times. Be sure to have everything that you need laid out ahead of time.

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