The Present work was conducted to evaluate lidocaine, ketamine, and xylazine as anaesthetics for catfish (Clarias gariepinus). A six groups of fish were subjected to definite concentration(s) of each anaesthetic rather than a combination of two anaesthetic agents ( lidocaine/ketamine and lidocaine / xylazine). The external signs and behavior changes of the fish were observed and the time recorded per minutes during various stages of anaesthesia,  recovery and survival in each group. The lowest effective concentration of lidocaine was 5 ml/l. when used as exposure anaesthetic, while that of ketamine was 15 mg/kg. b. wt. given intramuscular. Xylazine does not produce the desired stage of anaesthesia up to intramuscular injection of 30 mg/kg. b. wt. The induction of anaesthesia and recovery was found improved when lidocaine used in adjunct with ketamine or xylazine allowing delicate handling and invasive procedures to be performed. Serum samples obtained for determination of albumin, GOT, GPT, Creatinine, Urea, Cholestrol, Triglycerides, HDL and LDL Suggest that higher concentration of lidocaine ≥ 10ml/L.) may cause an adverse effects on tested parameters, and the survival rate 24 hours post exposure in catfish.