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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #169709
Title: AQUI-S REDUCES ROUTINE-HANDLING STRESS IN MATURE CHANNEL CATFISH

Author
item Small, Brian
item CHATAKONDI, N - HARVEST SELECT FARMS

Submitted to: Aquaculture America Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/4/2004
Publication Date: 1/20/2005
Citation: Small, B.C., Chatakondi, N. 2005. Aqui-S reduces routine-handling stress in mature channel catfish. Aquaculture America. p. 424.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Mature channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus were exposed to water containing three different concentrations (20, 40, and 60 mg/L) of AQUI-S (50% isoeugenol) at a commercial catfish facility during routine handling procedures. Anesthetic efficacy and stress reducing properties of AQUI-S were compared to a group of pre-anesthetized (PA) catfish and to fish anesthetized with 100 mg/L TMS (tricaine methanesulfonate). On average, all the fish lost equilibrium at 8.0, 3.9, and 3.7 min when anesthetized in 20, 40, and 60 mg/L AQUI-S, respectively. Catfish anesthetized with TMS lost equilibrium at 4.5 min. Recovery time in freshwater was 2.1, 2.8, and 5.3 min for fish anesthetized in 20, 40, and 60 mg/L AQUI-S, respectively. Recovery time after TMS anesthesia was 1.7 min. Short-term (24 h) survival was 100% for all treatments, and long-term (21 d) survival ranged from 87.5% for TMS anesthetized fish to 99% for catfish anesthetized in 40 mg/L AQUI-S. All anesthetic treatments reduced (P < 0.05) plasma cortisol levels relative to PA fish, and circulating cortisol was lower (P < 0.05) in all AQUI-S anesthetized fish compared to TMS anesthetized fish. Plasma glucose concentrations in fish anesthetized with 40 mg/L AQUI-S were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than in PA and TMS-treated fish after both anesthetization and recovery. Plasma lactate and chloride concentrations were not reduced (P > 0.05) in any treatment compared to PA fish. Catfish anesthetized with 40 mg/L AQUI-S had lower (P < 0.05) plasma lactate levels after recovery compared to TMS anesthetized fish, and chlorides were significantly lower (P < 0.05) immediately following AQUI-S anesthesia at all concentrations compared to fish anesthetized in TMS. Anesthesia did not affect (P > 0.05) plasma chloride concentrations following recovery. Overall, AQUI-S had good efficacy as an anesthetic for mature channel catfish, and demonstrated stress-reducing properties during routine-handling procedures.