Aqueous extract of poppy plant) Papaver nudicaule) with five concentrations (50, 100, 150, 200 and 250) mg/l were used to anesthetize fingerlings of the common carp Cyprinus carpio (Mean total length 8.91 ± 0.31 cm and mean total weight 7.72 ± 1.19 gm) instead of the traditional use of MS-222. Results showed that extracted solution of poppy have partial and overall anesthesia effect on these fishes with inverse relationship between the concentrations used and the time needed to reach partial and overall anesthesia, and also direct relationship between concentrations used and time needed for fish recovery. Best results were obtained by using a concentration of 250 mg/l, where time for partial anesthesia was 8 ± 1.52 min., time for overall anesthesia was 10 ± 1.70 min., time needed for partial recovery was 25 ± 2.43 min. and time needed for overall recovery was 35 ± 2.23 min. Fish behavior observations revealed a difference ranging from slow swimming with increasing in breathing rates movements to vertical swimming near the surface, then laying at bottom and too much decrease in breathing rates movements. Results appeared that there were no significant differences (p≥0.01) between glucose concentration in fish blood plasma after recovery and control fishes. So it was concluded that these. The results showed also that there were no significant differences (p≥0.01) in ALP, AST, ALT, LDH and CK among fishes after recovery comparing with the control fishes. Experimental fishes exhibited no stress during anesthesia by using poppy extracted solution. This indicated that the treated fishes exhibited no physiological effects stress which might lead to poor health condition later. The study demonstrated that poppy can be used as an effective anesthetic, as we obtained acceptable induction and recovery times. The poppy can be recommended as suitable anesthetics for fishes (200 or 250 mg/l).
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