FDA Approves Eugenol Sedative for Field Use in Freshwater Finfish
August 25, 2026
Today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved AQUI-S E10% (eugenol immersion solution) for the sedation of freshwater finfish to a handleable condition. AQUI-S E10% is approved for field-use only, which means it is for use in wild fish populations not in aquaculture or hatchery settings. The product is intended to sedate fish for safe handling during resource management activities such as spawning, tagging, weighing, and measuring.
AQUI-S E10% is administered as a static immersion bath, in which fish are placed into a container of water with the solution and removed once they are sedated to a handleable condition.
Clinical field studies conducted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service demonstrated that the drug effectively sedates a broad range of freshwater fish species to a handleable condition within 1-3 minutes. Full recovery from sedation typically occurs in 15 minutes or less depending on the dose and the species of fish. After recovery from sedation, the treated fish can be released directly back into the water.
The FDA determined that when used according to the label, AQUI-S E10% is safe and effective for treated fish, and that residues in edible tissues from treated fish will not represent a public health or food safety concern. People handling the product should wear gloves and protective eyewear and avoid skin and eye contact.
In alignment with this approval, the FDA has revised Guidance for Industry #150: Concerns Related to the Use of Clove Oil as an Anesthetic for Fish to list AQUI-S E10% as an FDA-approved drug for sedation of freshwater finfish.
The application is sponsored by AQUI-S New Zealand Limited.