Circulatory system of red tail catfish (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus Bloch & Schneider, 1801): a corrosion cast study

• Published in: International journal of aquatic biology Vol. 6; no. 3; pp. 114 - 121A
• Main Authors: Mirghaed, Ali Taheri, Rahmati-Holasoo, Hooman, Ardeshiri, Mehrdad, Mousavi, Hoseinali Ebrahimzadeh, Sadeghinezhad, Javad
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Karaj Iranian Society of Ichthyology 01.10.2018; University of Tehran
• Subjects: Aorta; Blood vessels; Cardiovascular system; Catfish; Circulatory system; circulatory system, red tail catfish, corrosion cast, physiology; Coronary vessels; Corrosion; Corrosion tests; Fish; Freshwater fishes; Heart; Hepatic vein; Intestine; Liver; Maceration; Ornamental fish; Ornamental fishes; Phractocephalus hemioliopterus; Polymerization; Sensory neurons; Spleen; Tails; Weight
• ISSN: 2383-0956; 2322-5270
• DOI: 10.22034/ijab.v6i3.445

Red tail catfish, Phractocephalus hemioliopterus, in one of the popular ornamental fish. The present study is aimed to describe and visualizes the cardiovascular system of this species with corrosion cast study method. For this purpose, 10 red tail catfish with 580 gr average weight were obtained and were filled their blood vessels and heart with fluid artificial resin made on the basis of methylmetacrylate after anaesthetizing and euthanizing. For complete polymerization and hardening of the methylmetacrylate, the fish were further submersed for 12-24 hrs in water bath following by 24-48 hrs submersion in a 25% solution of KOH to full maceration. Based on the results we describe the cardiovascular system i.e. the afferent and efferent vessels of gill, different parts of the heart, ventral aorta, dorsal aorta, intestinal and gastric vessels, liver, anterior and posterior parts of the kidneys, spleen, portal and hepatic vein.