This study investigated the effectiveness of eugenol and of the essential oil (EO) of Lippia alba when used in the transport of the silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen). These investigations involved measurements of blood (pH, PvO(2), PvCO(2) and HCO(3) (-)) and water parameters, survival and ionoregulatory balance. Fish (301.24 ± 21.40 g, 28.90 ± 1.30 cm) were transported at a loading density of 169.2 g L(-1) for 4 h in fifteen plastic bags (7 L) divided into five treatments: control, 1.5 or 3.0 μL L(-1) of eugenol and 10 or 20 μL L(-1) of EO of L. alba. The water parameters were measured before (0 h) and after (4 h) transportation. The net Na(+), Cl(-) and K(+) losses were higher in fish from the control treatment compared to the other treatments. The PvO(2), PvCO(2) and HCO(3) (-) increased significantly in all of the treatments at the end of the transport period. In conclusion, based on the water (total ammonia nitrogen) and ionoregulatory indicators determined in the present study, our findings indicate that eugenol and the EO of L. alba are recommended for use in the transport of this species because these anesthetics apparently reduce stress.

This study investigated the efficacy of the essential oil (EO) of Aloysia triphylla as an anesthetic for albino and gray strains of silver catfish, Rhamdia quelen. Juveniles were exposed to concentrations between 20 and 800 μL L(-1) EO of A. triphylla to evaluate time of induction and recovery from anesthesia. In another experiment, both strains were divided into four groups such as 0 (control), 30, 40, or 50 μL L(-1) EO and transported for 5 h. The longest time for anesthetic induction and recovery was observed in the albinos. Both strains reached anesthesia in the 100-800 μL L(-1) (11.1-1.24 min) range, without mortality, being 200 μL L(-1) the best response considering time to anesthesia (5.35 min). Albinos transported with all EO concentrations showed higher values of carbon dioxide in the water of transport, but lower levels were observed in grays transported with 40 and 50 μL L(-1) EO when compared to control fish. The same concentrations did not prevent significant whole-body cortisol rise at the end of transport in the albino strain. Juveniles of both strains transported with EO presented lower ion loss to the water compared to control fish. The EO of A. triphylla is an effective anesthetic for albino and gray silver catfish. This EO increases whole-body cortisol levels in the albino strain, but as it reduces net ion loss as in the gray strain, it can be also recommended for transport.

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Anesthesia of silver catfish with eugenol: time of induction, cortisol response and sensory analysis of fillet Anestesia de jundiás com eugenol: tempo de indução, resposta ao cortisol e análise sensorial do filé

This study evaluated extracts of Condalia buxifolia as anesthetics for the silver catfish Rhamdia quelen. The effectiveness of eugenol and of the methanolic extract (ME) of C. buxifolia during the transport of this species was also assessed. Fish of two different weights (1.50±0.02 g and 165.70±22.50 g) were transferred to aquaria containing water with the C. buxifolia ME or with fractions obtained from the ME, such as the n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, n-butane and aqueous fractions, at concentrations from 0-300 μL L C. buxifolia ME. The non-ionized ammonia levels were lower at the end of transport in the groups with the compounds than in that with water alone. Moreover, both compounds decreased the Na + , Cl -, and K + net effluxes; therefore, their addition to the water during transport is advisable because they reduce fish mortality and ion loss.Este estudo investigou extratos de Condalia buxifolia como anestésico para jundiá Rhamdia quelen, e também a eficiência do eugenol e do extrato metanólico (EM) de C. buxifolia para utilização durante o transporte dessa espécie. Peixes de dois diferentes pesos (1,50±0,02 g e 165,70±22,50 g) foram transferidos para aquários contendo água com o EM de C. buxifolia ou frações obtidas a partir do EM (n-hexano, acetato de diclorometano, etil n-butano e aquoso, em concentrações na faixa de 0 -300 μL L