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Efficacy of Carbonic Acid as an Anesthetic for Rainbow Trout
Author(s) -
Gelwicks Kevin R.,
Zafft David J.,
Bobbitt Joe P.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
north american journal of fisheries management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.587
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1548-8675
pISSN - 0275-5947
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8675(1998)018<0432:eocaaa>2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - alkalinity , rainbow trout , carbonic acid , anesthetic , chemistry , zoology , fish <actinopterygii> , fishery , biology , anesthesia , medicine , organic chemistry
We determined effective concentration ranges for carbonic acid as an anesthetic for rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss across a wide range of water temperatures and alkalinities. Effective concentrations were based on criteria for induction time (<3 min), recovery time (<10 min), and 72‐h survival (100%). Induction time decreased and recovery time increased with increasing concentration. Mortalities were associated with high concentrations of carbonic acid, and all occurred during exposure to anesthetic (no delayed mortality was observed within 72 h). Although the effective concentration range was roughly equal in width across temperatures, the limits of the effective concentration range decreased as temperature increased. We found no difference in effective concentration ranges for high‐ and low‐alkalinity waters at similar temperatures. Recovery times were longer in low‐alkalinity water but met our efficacy criteria. The results can be used to estimate effective carbonic acid concentrations for anesthetizing rainbow trout, to minimize induction and recovery times, and to prevent mortality.