DOI: 10.5061/dryad.8qv00
title: Data from: Do fish perceive anaesthetics as aversive?

description: This study addresses a fundamental question in fish welfare: are the
 anaesthetics used for fish aversive? Despite years of routine general use
 of many agents, within both scientific research and aquaculture, there is
 a paucity of information regarding their tolerance and associated
 behavioural responses by fish. This study examined nine of the most
 commonly used fish anaesthetic agents, and performed preference tests
 using adult mixed sex zebrafish (Danio rerio), the most commonly held
 laboratory fish. Video tracking software quantified swimming behaviour
 related to aversion for each anaesthetic at 50% of its standard
 recommended dose compared with clean water in a flow-through chemotaxic
 choice chamber. Results suggest that several commonly used anaesthetics
 were aversive, including two of the most commonly recommended and used:
 MS222 (ethyl 3-aminobenzoate methanesulphate) and benzocaine. For ethical
 best practice, it is recommended that compounds that are aversive, even at
 low concentration, should no longer be used routinely for anaesthesia or
 indeed the first step of humane euthanasia of adult zebrafish. Two agents
 were found not to induce aversive behavioural responses; etomidate and
 2,2,2 tribromoethanol. For the millions of adult zebrafish used in
 laboratories and breeding worldwide, etomidate appears best suited for
 future routine humane use.
description: 222Offline analysis of the
 video recordings was carried out using VideoTrack analysis software
 (Version 2.5.0.25, ViewPoint, Lyon, France). The data output from
 VideoTrack was subsequently formatted in Excel (Microsoft office, 2007)
 and covers the distance moved in exposed/un exposed lanes, movements and
 time spent.2PE
 sinOffline analysis of the
 video recordings was carried out using VideoTrack analysis software
 (Version 2.5.0.25, ViewPoint, Lyon, France). The data output from
 VideoTrack was subsequently formatted in Excel (Microsoft office, 2007)
 and covers the distance moved in exposed/un exposed lanes, movements and
 time spent.Benz
 sinOffline analysis of the
 video recordings was carried out using VideoTrack analysis software
 (Version 2.5.0.25, ViewPoint, Lyon, France). The data output from
 VideoTrack was subsequently formatted in Excel (Microsoft office, 2007)
 and covers the distance moved in exposed/un exposed lanes, movements and
 time spent.CleanOffline analysis of the
 video recordings was carried out using VideoTrack analysis software
 (Version 2.5.0.25, ViewPoint, Lyon, France). The data output from
 VideoTrack was subsequently formatted in Excel (Microsoft office, 2007)
 and covers the distance moved in exposed/un exposed lanes, movements and
 time spent.EthanolOffline analysis of the video recordings was carried out using VideoTrack analysis software (Version 2.5.0.25, ViewPoint, Lyon, France). The data output from VideoTrack was subsequently formatted in Excel (Microsoft office, 2007) and covers the distance moved in exposed/un exposed lanes, movements and time spent.Etom sinOffline analysis of the video recordings was carried out using VideoTrack analysis software (Version 2.5.0.25, ViewPoint, Lyon, France). The data output from VideoTrack was subsequently formatted in Excel (Microsoft office, 2007) and covers the distance moved in exposed/un exposed lanes, movements and time spent.HCLOffline analysis of the video recordings was carried out using VideoTrack analysis software (Version 2.5.0.25, ViewPoint, Lyon, France). The data output from VideoTrack was subsequently formatted in Excel (Microsoft office, 2007) and covers the distance moved in exposed/un exposed lanes, movements and time spent.Iso sinOffline analysis of the video recordings was carried out using VideoTrack analysis software (Version 2.5.0.25, ViewPoint, Lyon, France). The data output from VideoTrack was subsequently formatted in Excel (Microsoft office, 2007) and covers the distance moved in exposed/un exposed lanes, movements and time spent.LidocaineOffline analysis of the video recordings was carried out using VideoTrack analysis software (Version 2.5.0.25, ViewPoint, Lyon, France). The data output from VideoTrack was subsequently formatted in Excel (Microsoft office, 2007) and covers the distance moved in exposed/un exposed lanes, movements and time spent.MS222Pro sinOffline analysis of the video recordings was carried out using VideoTrack analysis software (Version 2.5.0.25, ViewPoint, Lyon, France). The data output from VideoTrack was subsequently formatted in Excel (Microsoft office, 2007) and covers the distance moved in exposed/un exposed lanes, movements and time spent.Q S BufOffline analysis of the video recordings was carried out using VideoTrack analysis software (Version 2.5.0.25, ViewPoint, Lyon, France). The data output from VideoTrack was subsequently formatted in Excel (Microsoft office, 2007) and covers the distance moved in exposed/un exposed lanes, movements and time spent.