Response to 2-phenoxyethanol in juvenile Vimba vimba (L.)

Abstract

The anaesthetic effect of 2-phenoxyethanol on juvenile Vimba vimba (L.) aged 38-179 days post-hatch (26-56 mm TL) was studied at 25°C. The concentration which anaesthetized 100% of the fish within 10 min without causing mortality after 15 min of exposure ranged from 0.35 g dm^-3 to 0.48 g dm^-3 in 38 day-old vimba and from 0.33 g dm^-3 to 0.43 g dm^-3 in older fish. The induction and recovery times were shorter in the initial phase of vimba juvenile life than in older fish. In fish of the same age, induction time or recovery time did not depend on their size or condition (Fulton’s coefficient). At  25°C, 2-phenoxyethanol at 0.40 g dm-3 may be used to efficiently and safely anaesthetize vimba juveniles.