2-Phenoxyethanol as a General Anaesthetic for Sockeye Salmon

Abstract

The dose–response relationship of 2-phenoxyethanol, as a general anaesthetic, in adult sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) has been investigated. At 11 °C the effective dose (ED 50 ) and lethal dose (LD 50 ) were approximately 43 and 130 ml/100 Imperial gal, respectively. The therapeutic ratio [Formula: see text] was more than 3, indicating a good margin of safety. At a lowered aquarium temperature of 4 °C the anaesthetic effects of 2-phenoxyethanol were potentiated. ED 50 and LD 50 at this temperature were approximately 25 and 130 ml/100 gal of water, respectively. The therapeutic ratio was more than 5, indicating that the margin of safety was increased by the decrease in temperature.