Anesthesia and Surgical Procedures for Implanting Radio Transmitters into Grass Carp

We investigated anesthetic and surgical procedures useful for implanting radio transmitters into the body cavity of 1.6-3.7 kg (3.5-8.2 lb) grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Quinaldine was an effective anesthetic for fish at water temperatures <26 C (79 F); however, it was lethal at concentration necessary to induce and maintain sufficient anesthesia for surgery at water temperatures >29 C (84 F). MS-222 was a suitable anesthetic at all water temperatures. Implantation of radio tags through midventral incisions was preferable to implantation through lateral incisions, because there was no danger of puncturing the ovaries of female fish and the operation was more easily performed. Surgical procedures are presented.