A Comparison of Alfaxalone and Tricaine Methanesulfonate (MS-222) in Two Fish Species

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the alfaxalone formulation Alfaxan as an immersion anesthetic in tropical fish species compared to that of MS-222. Twenty-two black spot barbs, Puntius filamentosis, measuring (mean+/-SD) 11.4+/-1.4cm in body length, and 22 peacock cichlids, Aulonocara spp., 8.4+/-1.6cm were anesthetized in water baths containing 100mg/L of MS-222 buffered with 200mg/L of bicarbonate and 5mg/L of alfaxalone following a 2-week washout period. Time to maximum effect, recovery periods, self-righting, spontaneous swimming movements, operculum movement, and response to noxious stimuli were recorded.
Source: Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine - Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Tags: Research Source Type: research