Establishing a safe anesthesia concentration window for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) (Linnaeus 1758) by monitoring cardiac activity in eugenol immersion baths

Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, is the most cultivated fish species in the world, due to its low cost, high growth rate, environmental adaptability, and resistance to disease and stress. Anesthetics for fish become necessary in management because they minimize mortality during transport and maintenance of ponds, one of the most used anesthetics is clove oil, which has eugenol as the major substance, representing 90-95 % of clove oil. The present study evaluates the effect of eugenol on cardiac activity in Oreochromis niloticus specimens and relates it to behavioral data to determine a concentration window for safe anesthesia. For the comportamental analysis, was used five treatments (50, 75, 100, 125, and 150 μL·L^-1) were evaluated and for the eletrocardiographic test was used seven groups (Control, Vehicle, 50, 75, 100, 125, and 150 μL·L^-1), n = 9/treatment, totaling 108 animals. Behavioral and electrocardiographic tests were performed on all treatments during induction and recovery. The results of the behavioral tests demonstrated the reversibility of the effects with recovery of the posture reflex, varying according to the concentration. The ECG results showed a slow recovery because, at concentrations above 100 μL·L^-1, there was no full reversibility of the cardiac effects in the observed experiment time, which could cause greater changes in the tilapia hemodynamics, which led us to identify a window for safe anesthesia. Eugenol is an effective anesthetic in Nile tilapia juveniles when used in concentrations ranging from 50 to 100 μL·L^-1, if there is a need for anesthetic deepening, doses above 100 μL·L^-1, however, the animals must be monitored due to hemodynamic changes.