Anaesthetic efficacy of MS-222 in three species of freshwater fishes

Abstract

We investigated for an appropriate anaesthetic procedure with MS-222 to maintain anaesthesia for 1–3 minutes in three species of host fishes (Gymnogobius urotaenia, Rhinogobius spp. and Oryzias latipes) for unionid mussels, setting of which is useful in the experiment of glochidial infection to the specific body part of these fishes. Recovery time was prolonged with increasing MS-222 concentration, irrespective of the species. Under our protocol, use of 100 mg・l^-1 of MS-222 was appropriate in G. urotaenia and Rhinogobius spp. and 200 mg・l^-1 of MS-222 was appropriate in O. latipes to maintain anaesthesia for 1–3 min, respectively. We investigated for an appropriate anaesthetic procedure with MS-222 to maintain anaesthesia for 1–3 minutes in three species of host fishes (Gymnogobius urotaenia, Rhinogobius spp. and Oryzias latipes) for unionid mussels, setting of which is useful in the experiment of glochidial infection to the specific body part of these fishes.