Anestesia em peixes - revisão de literatura.

Abstract

There is a long time that the interest for the temporary immobilization of fish was recognized, once it facilitates the manipulation, transport and biometry. In aquariums, zoos and private creations, where they are rare species and of great value, the immobilization is requested in more delicate cases as exam radiography, endoscopy, biopsy and even surgery, when the fish needs be deeply anaesthetized. The anaesthetics have the reversible function in the depression of sensorial centers of the brain, which can have several degrees, until the total elimination of the arch reflex. The anaesthetics act first on the cortex (analgesia state), later on the basal ganglions and cerebellum (delirium state or hyperactivity) and finally in the spinal marrow (state of surgical anaesthesia). The anaesthetic methods in fish can be divided in two groups: physical and chemical. The physical method can be accomplished by hypothermia or by electroanesthesia. Chemical methods consist in narcoanaestesia and local, regional, parenteral and general anaestesia, being the general or inhalation anaesthesia the more used now.