Anesthetic effect of white camphor essential oil (Cinnamomum camphora L. 1753) and its use for transport of bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis R. 1845) stocking material

V. Krasteva, M. Yankova and A. Ivanova

Abstract: The aim of the present study is to examine the efficacy of white camphor essential oil as an anesthetic for bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis R. 1845) and as an sedative agent for transport of bighead carp stocking material. The fish used in the research have an average body weight (BW, g) of 35.02±16.58 g and an average total length (TL, cm) of 15.44±2.33 cm. For the experiment of the anesthetic effect of C. camphora, five treatments are conducted with five experimental concentrations: 0.20 ml.l-1, 0.30 ml.l-1, 0.40 ml.l-1, 0.50 ml.l-1 and 0.60 ml.l-1. For each concentration 10 individuals are used or a total of 50 fish. For the transport experiment, 3 concentrations are used: 0.06 ml.l-1, 0.08 ml.l-1 and 0.10 ml.l-1. The applied stocking density is 3 fish/l. For each concentration 30 fish are used or a total of 90 fish. Based on the results it can be concluded that at concentration of 0.60 ml.l-1 the induction of anesthesia is the fastest (4.88±0.43 min), thus the recovery time at this concentration is the longest (9.44±1.28 min). From all tested concentrations the recovery time is the shortest at the lowest concentration (0.20 ml/l) – 2.29±0.32 min (P ≤ 0.001). The behavior of the fish and the phases in which they enter (Phase 0 and Phase 2) change every hour in all experimental variants of the transport experiment. For transport of bighead carp stocking material it can be recommended to apply for 1 h a concentration of 0.10 ml.l-1, at which the highest percentage of fish are in state of decreased locomotor activity and static position. At the lowest concentration of 0.06 ml.l-1 the highest percentage of bighead carp stocking material remain in active state throughout the experiment, which makes this concentration of C. camphora inapplicable for transport of H. nobilis.

Keywords: V. Krasteva, M. Yankova and A. Ivanova

Date published: 2022-10-17