Aquaculture

Fish Anaesthesia in Research and Aquaculture

Anaesthesia is essential for fish welfare during handling, sampling, and surgical procedures, but practice remains highly variable globally.

Key Facts

MS-222 (tricaine methanesulphonate) is the most widely used fish anaesthetic in research
Clove oil (eugenol) is an accessible and effective fish anaesthetic used in aquaculture
Many fish handling procedures in aquaculture are conducted without any anaesthesia
Appropriate anaesthetic dosing depends on species, water temperature, and body weight

Welfare Considerations

Fish anaesthesia is a critical welfare tool that remains underutilised. The growing body of evidence for fish nociception and sentience strengthens the case for mandatory anaesthesia during invasive procedures and painful handling.

What You Can Do

Advocate for fish anaesthesia to be required in research ethics frameworks
Support aquaculture producers using anaesthetic protocols for invasive procedures
Engage with the scientific literature on fish pain and welfare during handling