Chapter 5

Introduction to Anaesthesia and Surgery in Fish

Nuno Pereira

Abstract

Handling and manipulation of fish, requires, almost without exception, sedation or anaesthesia due to integument fragility and health as well as welfare considerations. </p><p> Integument adaptations to fish immersed life such as thin epidermis covered with a protective layer of mucous, intradermic scales and slender hypodermis must be protected during physical manipulations. Also, as sentient animals, fish must be spared the eventual pain and stress caused by husbandry, research and veterinary procedures. </p><p> Fish anaesthesia and surgery have become common procedures in ornamental fish industry, public aquaria and research, and in the case of anaesthesia and aquaculture. </p><p> Surgery is one of the reasons to anesthetize fish as these animals can undergo a variety of surgical procedures, from simple cutaneous interventions to more sophisticated intracoelomic and even cardiac or hepatic surgeries.

Total Pages: 127-182 (56)

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