Sedative effect of clove oil and 2-phenoxyethanol on marine clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) and freshwater swordfish (Xiphophorus helleri)

Abstract

This study's objective was to determine effect of two different anaesthetics 2-phenoxyethanol and clove oil on the sedation of some aquarium fish species. The induction and recovery times were determined at five stages of melanistic and not melanistic clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) and different sexes of Swordfish (Xiphophorus helleri). Clownfish were tested with 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 ml/l phenoxyethanol and 0.5, 1 and 1.5 ml/l clove oil. Swordfish were tested with 1, 3 and 5 ml/l phenoxyethanol and 2, 4, 6 ml/l clove oil. For short-term application the safe dose for clownfish was 0.4 ml/l phenoxyethanol and 1 ml/l clove oil. For swordtail fish, the ideal amount of phenoxyethanol was 5 ml/l and 6 ml/l clove oil. These safe doses reduce handling stress and mortality.