Dear,

I think ice water is a very harsch method. I would not use it. Regarding the best chemical, that depends on the species. For instance, regarding stress minimization, 2-phenoxyethanol (careful, very toxic to humans) works fine for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) but not at all for Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis). I'd say you have to perform your own trials: choice of the chemical, concentration, exposure time, note fish reactions, recovery time...

Thanks a lot. The species is Gambusia, and ice is often used for their anaesthesia, but I was really looking for an alternate, better solution.

Hi Upama,

I was using clove oil for Dicentrarchus labrax of all sizes during my thesis and it worked very well. I recommend it.

Kind regards,

Geneviève

Thanks a lot, Geneviève. I was also considering clove oil. Hope that works for my fishes.

Cheers,

Upama