ANESTHETIZATION:
If not already dead at the time of collection fish should be killed by application of a lethal dose of anesthetizing solution. Anaesthetized fish relax and can be preserved in a fully natural state. Common fish anesthetics include: MS222 (tricaine methane sulphonate) a white water-soluble powder that is stable when kept cool and dry. Benzocaine (ethyl aminobenzoate) a colorless crystaline or white powder that is cheaper than MS222 but a little less effective. 2-phenoxyethanol (phenyl cellosolve) a colorless oily liquid is among the cheaper fish anesthetics.