Optimization of packing and transportation of the fingerlings of the cobia (Rachycentron canadum) and the silver pompano (Trachinotus blochii).

Abstract

In mariculture, often the locations of fish hatcheries and farming are distantly situated, and hence, there is a need to transport the seeds/seedlings to a longer distance with maximum survival rate. In the present study, length and weight of fingerlings, duration of starvation, packing density, water volume, water temperature and oxygen level in the packing bags were standardized to ensure maximum survival during transportation. The cobia fingerlings with mean length and weight of 48±12 mm and 3.0±1.0 g, respectively were transported for a duration 48 h at 25 °C with 100 % survival at a packing density of 2.5 fingerlings per litre (L) (7.5±2.5 g/L). Similarly, silver pompano fingerlings with mean length and weight of 24±0.48 mm and 0.6±0.08 g, respectively were transported for a duration of 48 h at 25 °C with 100 % survival at a packing density of 18.75 fingerlings/L (11.25±1.9 g/L). Experiments on bulk transportation of pompano fingerlings in 1000 litres capacity HDPE tanks containing 600 litres of seawater with continuous aeration using oxygen cylinders fitted in a transportation vessel revealed that the silver pompano fingerlings can be transported for a duration of 48 h at 25 °C and 5 – 6 ppm dissolved oxygen concentration with 100 % survival at a packing density of 8.3 fingerlings/L (4.98±0.8 g/L).