Question

The only anaesthetic currently approved by the USFDA for use on food fish is

• A. MS-222
• B. Benzocaine
• C. Quinaldine
• D. Clove oil

Hint:

Tricaine (MS-222) is the "Gold Standard" for fish anesthesia in laboratory and hatchery settings. Remember the 21-day withdrawal period—it's a frequent follow-up question!

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question refers to the regulatory status of fish anesthetics, specifically identifying the one drug approved for use in fishes intended for human consumption by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA).
Detailed Explanation:

• MS-222: This stands for Tricaine Methanesulfonate (commercially known as Finquel or Tricaine-S). It is a white powder that is highly soluble in water and acts by blocking sodium channels to prevent nerve conduction.

• USFDA Approval: MS-222 is the only anesthetic with full USFDA approval for use on food fish. However, it comes with a strict mandatory withdrawal period of 21 days. This means the fish cannot be harvested for food for 21 days after its last exposure to the drug to ensure no residues remain in the meat.

• Other Options: Benzocaine and Quinaldine are commonly used in research but are not approved for food fish. Clove oil (Eugenol) is widely used due to its safety and low cost, but it is classified as a "Low Regulatory Priority" agent and is not officially "FDA-approved" as a drug for food fish.

Step 3: Final Answer:
MS-222 is the only USFDA-approved anesthetic for food fish.