Survival of young rabbitfish (Siganus guttatus Bloch) under simulated transport conditions

Abstract

The effect of loading density, transport duration, water temperature, and salinity on survival of young rabbitfish (Siganus guttatus Bloch) under simulated transport conditions was investigated. The rocking motion of transport was simulated by an electric shaker. At ambient temperature and salinity (28°C/32‰S) increasing loadin density and transport duration resulted in decreasin fish survival rates. When both temperature ant salinity (20°C/20‰S) were lowered survival improved sinificantly. Dissolved oxygen, water temperature, and salinity were critical factors affecting survivaf of young rabbitfish during simulated transport. Based on the results, a density of 100 fish/L can be packed for 8 hours of transport and 300 fish/L for 2 hours at 28°C and 32‰, and about 200 fish/L for 4 hours at 20°C and 20‰S.