Pigfish, Orthopristis chrysoptera, and Pinfish, Lagodon rhomboides, are marine baitfish species commonly used by recreational anglers in the southeastern United States. Previous aquaculture research conducted on these baitfish species demonstrated their potential for commercial production. Commercial scale production of pigfish and pinfish as baitfish will require safe anesthesia protocols for any type of handling performed such as transport, harvesting, sampling, and hormonal injection. The objective of this study was to determine the safety and effectiveness of two anesthetic agents, and to define recommended anesthesia dosages for pigfish and pinfish broodstock. Anesthesia effectiveness and safety was evaluated with adult pigfish (17.5-26 cm, 78.9-296.4 g) and pinfish (17-26 cm, 114.1-270.4 g) using TRICAINE-SÒ at 50, 100, and 150 mg/L, and AQUI-S 20EÒ (10% eugenol) at 100, 250, and 500 mg/L.
Optimal and preferred doses should induce light and surgical anesthesia in less than 5 minutes, with recovery times under 10 minutes, and result in zero mortality and absence of excitation behavior. Results for pigfish and pinfish broodstock, showed that both TRICAINE-SÒ (100-150 mg/L) and AQUI-S 20EÒ (250-500 mg/L) doses were safe and effective at inducing light and surgical anesthesia. TRICAINE-SÒ (50 mg/L) and AQUI-S 20EÒ (100 mg/L) doses were ineffective and should not be used for minor or invasive procedures. Both anesthetic agents at varying dosage levels proved to be safe and effective, nevertheless, the anesthetic agent AQUI-S 20EÒ is recommended over TRICAINE-SÒ due to its 0-day withdrawal period. Overall, pigfish and pinfish in this study responded similarly to other species tested with the same anesthetic agents and similar doses. In addition, ongoing trials with pigfish and pinfish juveniles are being conducted to determine safe and effective anesthesia dosages to induce light and deep sedation for handling and hauling of these two marine baitfish species. Results obtained from this trials will be included in the study and presented at the conference.