Khayyam Delafkar - Fisheries Department, University of Guilan
Masoud Sattari - Fisheries Department, University of Guilan
Hossein Khara - Islamic Azad University, Lahijan Branch
Bahram Falahatkar - Fisheries Department, University of Guilan

In this study, the effects of two anesthetics including the clove oil and ketamine onlosing time of equilibrium, induced time of anesthesia and time of recovery wereexamined on juvenile Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) with an average weight (±SD) of64.1 ±3.4 g. Clove oil was used in concentrations of 14, 35, 56, 77, 98 and 119 mg/land 35, 37.5, 40, 42.5, 45 and 50 mg/l for Ketamine. In both anesthetics the losingtime of equilibrium and induced time of anesthesia were reduced by increasing theconcentrations of agents, whereas time of recovery increased. All used concentrationswere effective and safe for juvenile Sterlet, and no mortality was observed. Optimalconcentrations regarding the time of anesthesia and recovery were selected as 56 mg/land 45 mg/l for Clove oil and Ketamine, respectively. Considering appropriateinfluence of both agents, we suggest Clove oil for this species and probably otherAcipenserids due to its more availability, low price and also having high safety as anatural substance comparing to Ketamine.

Anesthesia, Sterlet, Clove oil, Ketamine, Optimum dose