Determination of effective anesthetic concentrations of clove oil, benzocaine and 2-phenoxyethanol on blue crab (Callinectes sapidus)

In this study, it was aimed to determine the effective anesthetic doses of clove oil, 2-phenoxyethanol and benzocaine on blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus), which are distributed in the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts of Turkey. The effective anesthetic concentrations of clove oil, 2-phenoxyethanol and benzocaine were evaluated for blue crab by immersion method. Efficacy of seven different clove oil doses (0.15, 0.25, 0.35, 0.45, 0.55, 0.65 and 0.75 ml/l) were tested. Sedation, anesthesia and recovery phases were determined by observing during the experiment. It was observed that there was no anesthetic effect at 0.15 ml/l among the tested doses. Anesthesia was achieved in all 0.45 ml/l, 0.55 m/l and 0.75 ml/l doses used. High mortalitiy (60%) was observed for 0.75 ml/l clove oil concentration. The mortality rates of 0.25 ml, 0.35 ml, 0.45 ml, 0.55 ml and 0.65 ml were observed as 20%, 20%, 0%, 40% and 60% respectively. In the use of anesthetic 2-phenoxyethanol, only 5 ml/l of doses of 1 ml/l, 3 ml/l and 5 ml/l provided sedation in 60% of individuals. In the use of benzocaine 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 mg/l doses, sedation was observed only at the dose 500 mg/l.