Investigation on the Response of Ornamental Fish Etroplus maculatus to Anaesthetization for Live Fish Transport

Author: Dalie Dominic A., N.D. Inasu and Swapana Johny

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Abstract

In the worldwide fish trade, fish are stressed during capture, handling, packaging and shipping. This state of disturbance of homeostasis arouses the stress response. Accordingly, variations occur in various blood constituents. In the present study, Handling and packing stress was evaluated for Etroplus maculatus. Anaesthetic efficiency of 2-Phenoxyethanol, Clove oil and Lemon grass oil were analysed. It was observed that all stress indicators evaluated indicated an alteration in all experiments during the 48-hour study period. The plasma cortisol value increased during the first six hours of transportation but it decreased after unpacking after 48 hours of transportation. The plasma glucose also followed the trend of cortisol. In the case of Hemoglobin and Erythrocytes the values remained high even after 48 hours after unpacking. However, stress was identified to be adaptive in the fish as the cortisol and glucose returned to basal values after 48 hours of the experiment.

Keywords

Live Food fish, Ornamental fish, Anaesthetization, Natural oil, Fish transport

Conclusion

Biochemical changes are ideal indicators of stress that can correlate to status and future condition of fish. In the present study it was observed that 2-phenoxyethanol and clove oil were effective in producing anaesthesia in Etroplus maculatus. The present work discovers the anaesthetic property of lemongrass oil as an effective anaesthetic with the property of induction and recovery. However, such studies on different fish species are essential. Further studies on gender, reproductive state and life history stages are to be done. Therefore, according to the present investigation the three anaesthetic agents were effective and exhibited a good margin of safety with respect to Etroplus maculatus, an ornamental and food fish with immense trade potential.

References

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How to cite this article

Dalie Dominic A, N.D. Inasu and Swapana Johny (2022). Investigation on the response of Ornamental fish Etroplus maculatus to anaesthetization for live fish Transport. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(3): 221-226.