Efficacy of Benzocaine, Eugenol, and Menthol as Anesthetics for Freshwater Angelfish

Abstract

For the production and commercialization of ornamental fish species, it is indispensable to collect biometric data that facilitate the selection of animals for trade and genetic improvement of the stock. However, during the handling process, fish receive more stress if proper anesthetics are not used. Thus, application of appropriate anesthetics is an important tool for minimizing stress in animals. The objective of this study was to determine the effective concentrations of benzocaine, eugenol, and menthol for achieving anesthesia in Freshwater Angelfish Pterophyllum scalare and to develop induction and recovery response curves for different concentrations of these anesthetics. In total, 75 fish were exposed to five concentrations of the three anesthetics in a completely randomized design: benzocaine at 60, 85, 110, 135, and 160 mg/L; eugenol at 40, 80, 120, 160, and 200 mg/L; and menthol at 50, 75, 150, 200, and 250 mg/L. Each concentration (5 fish/concentration) consisted of five replicates, with each replicate represented by a single fish. The results indicated that the tested substances met the criteria of anesthetic efficiency. The effective concentrations of benzocaine, eugenol, and menthol for the anesthesia of Freshwater Angelfish were identified as 89.25, 90.6, and 92.1 mg/L, respectively.

Menthol as a natural anesthetic for guppy

“…Many authors observed a reduction in the time required for fish anesthesia when increasing the concentration of anesthetic (PÁDUA et al 2010, ROMANELI et al 2018. These results were similar to those found with guppy (Tables 2, 3, and 4).…”

“…The anesthesia during this management is an alternative to mitigate harmful effects from stress (PEREIRA- DA-SILVA et al 2016, BALAMURUGAN et al 2016. Among the anesthetics used, natural substances (extracted from plants), such as menthol, have emerged as an alternative for fish sedation opposite synthetic anesthetics often used, such as benzocaine and MS-222 (tricaine methanesulfonate) because of their easy acquisition, low cost, and low risk to handler and fish (GONÇALVES et al 2008, PEDRAZZANI & OSTRENSKY NETO 2016, ROMANELI et al 2018.…”

“…Given the importance of this information for a proper management, recent years have shown an increase in studies with anesthesia of ornamental fish. Promising results were reported with natural anesthetic for zebrafish (Danio rerio) (DOLEŽELOVÁ et al 2011, WONG et al 2014, guppy (Poecilia reticulata) (DOLEŽELOVÁ et al 2011, CUNHA et al 2015, BOLASINA et al 2017, platy (Xiphophorus maculatus) (HOSHIBA et al 2015), clown anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris) (OSTRENSKY et al 2016, PEDRAZZANI & OSTRENSKY NETO 2016, freshwater angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) (ROMANELI et al 2018), and siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) (PATTANASIRI et al 2016). However, studies that evaluate the differences between individuals of the same species during anesthesia are scarce.…”

Anesthetic Efficiency of Three Medicinal Plant Oils for Aquatic Species: Coriander Coriandrum sativum, Linaloe Tree Bursera delpechiana, and Lavender Lavandula hybrida

“…; Romaneli et al. ), although it has been reported that it has some side effects, such as elevating blood cortisol and glucose, decreasing blood lymphocytes, and increasing blood neutrophils (Velisek et al. ; Hoseini and Nodeh ).…”

Eugenol Exerts Apoptotic Effect and Modulates the Sensitivity of HeLa Cells to Cisplatin and Radiation

“…In addition to its use as a food additive and scent in makeup [8], it has been generally utilized as a part of conventional medications in numerous Asian nations as an antiseptic, pain relieving, or antibacterial agent [9]. In the United States, clove oil has been advertised as a dental pain-relieving agent and germicide, and is used in mouthwashes and pharmaceutical drugs, and furthermore as a fixing agent in fragrance-based agents [10]. Different investigations have shown antiviral effects of eugenol [11] and antiproliferative effects of eugenol-related compounds [12].…”