The use of electronarcosis as anaesthetic in the cichlid, Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters). II. The effects of changing physical and electrical parameters on the narcotizing ability of alternating current.

The effects of wave form, voltage, frequency and current as well as application time on the narcotizing ability of alternating current were investigated. A 60 Vrms, 50 Hz sine wave current applied for 30 s produced narcosis of sufficient duration to enable handling and blood sampling. A triangle wave form was inferior in narcotizing ability to both sine wave and square wave forms. Duration of narcosis increased with increasing water conductivity but was reduced by increasing water temperatures.