The effectiveness of clove oil as an anaesthetic on adult common carp, Cyprinus carpio L.

Abstract

Common carp, Cyprinus carpio L. is a commercial aquaculture species and also a pest fish that can destroy local aquatic communities. An effective anaesthetic method has been developed to meet both aquacultural and ecological studies of the fish. Clove oil is a cheap and safe anaesthetic for fish and humans. However, there are few reports on its efficiency on adult carps. In this study, using carp samples (average wet weight = 1.25 kg), effective concentrations of clove oil was determined as well as the relationship between the concentration and induction time. The induction time taken to reach each of anaesthetic stages appeared to be inversely proportional to clove oil concentration. © Medwell Journals, 2011.