Efficacy of Aqui-S as an Anesthetic for Market-Sized Striped Bass

Abstract

Abstract Market-sized 2-year-old striped bass Morone saxatilis (average weight, 645 g) were evaluated in three different concentrations of Aqui-S at one of three different temperatures. Time to stage 4 of anesthesia, recovery time, and plasma cortisol level as an indicator of acute stress response, were determined. We found a significant difference in the time to stage 4 between 25 mg/L and 35 or 45 mg/L. This difference was present at all three temperatures tested. There were also significant differences in recovery time and blood cortisol level, but these differences were not consistent across all temperatures. There was a significant interaction between temperature and dose when analyzing cortisol levels. For the range of concentrations evaluated, we recommend an Aqui-S dose of 35 mg/L when anesthetizing market-sized striped bass.