Characterization of an anesthetic protocol using encapsulated natural clove-oil for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The use of anesthetics facilitates work with fish at the research level and is required for invasive studies such as surgical preparations for physiological investigations, where the fish must be held immobile for extended periods of time. Sedation with the use of anesthetics is also used for the manipulation of animals during procedures such as transport, grading or vaccination. At a worldwide scale, Nile tilapia dominates the aquaculture industry. However, at present, there is limited knowledge of how tilapia respond upon anesthesia. We have therefore tested and developed a protocol for increasing tilapia welfare by stunning with a novel clove-oil based formula before slaughter is conducted. Nevertheless, the physic and physiological effects of this novel preparation used poured in water for temporary narcotization in tilapia are totally unknown. Therefore, by conducting this experimental trial with the novel clove-oil formula, we intend to provide the previously mentioned missing knowledge while contributing to ensure the safe treatment of Nile tilapia to an ethical standard of good fish welfare. We will use 90 Nile tilapias in this experiment which is classified as mild