Anesthetic effects of lidocaine-hydrochloride on water parameters in simulated transport experiment of juvenile winter flounder, Pleuronectes americanus

Abstract Simulated transportation of winter flounder, Pleuronectes americanus fingerlings was carried out to study the effects of lidocaine-hydrochloride on water parameters. Dissolved oxygen, ventilation rate, ammonia nitrogen and pH of control group, sham control group and lidocaine-hydrochloride treated groups of 5 ppm, 10 ppm, 20 ppm were tested at 1 h, 2 h, 3 h, 4 h and 5 h treatment duration. Lidocaine-hydrochloride treated groups, followed by sham control and control, were most effective in decreasing oxygen consumption and excretion of ammonia by fish. Lidocaine-hydrochloride dose-related decrease in oxygen consumption and excretion of ammonia were also established. pH declines in lidocaine-hydrochloride and sham control groups were more rapid compared to the control group. The results of this study reveal that lidocaine-hydrochloride is an effective sedative as a transportation mixture for winter flounder.