Hematologic variables in tambaquis anesthetized with clove oil and benzocaine

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the anesthetic effect of clove oil and benzocaine on the hematology and osmotic fragility of erythrocytes in tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum). Thirty adult fish were evaluated in three treatments: a control, without anesthetic; anesthesia with clove oil at 50 mg L^-1; and anesthesia with benzocaine at 100 mg L^-1. Blood was collected for hemogram determination, and a test for the erithrocyte osmotic‑fragility was applied. The utilized doses of clove oil and benzocaine are not appropriate for hematologic studies to establish reference values for tambaqui because they cause significant changes of the hematologic parameters, such as leukocytosis and iatrogenic hemolysis.