PROPISCIN – A SAFE NEW ANAESTHETIC FOR FISH
Krzysztof Kazuń, Andrzej K. Siwicki
The Stanisław Sakowicz Inland Fisheries Institute in Olsztyn, Poland
ABSTRACT. Anaesthetics are needed when handling fish, especially during tagging. However, most anaesthetics applied at present have a strong toxic effect on fish. For this reason it is only permissible to keep fish anaesthetized for a short time. A new anaesthetic, Propiscin, which allows fish to be anaesthetized for up to 0.5 h, has been successfully tested. It contains a 0.2% stabilized solution of etomidate and can be used as a bath. When administered correctly, the required disappearance of sense perception and motor reflexes in the fish can be obtained in about 2-4 min. The low toxicity of this pharmacological confection has been proved according to a full set of clinical, toxicological, hematological and biochemical criteria. Clinical tests have been conducted on with many fish species, mainly salmonids.
Key words: PROPISCIN, ANAESTHESIA, COMMON CARP, RAINBOW TROUT, OXYGEN CONSUMPTION