fish transport

7/30/2019 Fish Transport

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T R A N S PO RT IN G FIS H FO R C U LT U R E

Extension Bulletin No 151

F is he ri es S er ies No 6

Published by

National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison ServicesAhmadu Bello University,

Zaria.

2001


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ACKNOWLEDGMENT

A ll i nf or ma ti on s ou rc es d oc um en te d in t hi s p ub li ca ti on a re h ig hl ya c k no wl e dg e d . T h e su p p or t g i v en b y t h e P r o g ra m m e L e a de r a n d a l l st a ff o f L i v e st o c k a n d F i sh er i e s Te c h no l o gy Tr a n sfe r P r o gr a m me i n p r o du c i n g t h i s

bulletin are appreciated.T h e E x te r na l Re v ie w er s a n d t h e P u bl i ca t io n Re vi e w C o mm i tt e e o f NA E RL S

a l so p a i nst a k in g l y wo r k ed o n t h i s p u b l ic a t io n t o m a k e t h e m e ssag e s c o n t ai n e dsi m p le r a n d b e a ri n g d i re c t re l e va n c e t o f ar m e r s n e e ds. Th e i r sch o l ar l y i n p u tsare greatly appreciated..Finally the NAERLS Management is acknowledged for funding the

publication of this bulletin.

Bolorunduro P. I.


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TA BL E O F C ON TE NT

A ck n ow l ed g me n t. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. 2Ta b le o f c o nt e nt . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. 31.0 I nt ro du ct io n. .. . .. .. . .. . . .. . .. . .. .. . .. . .. .. . .. . .. .. . .. . .. .. . .. . .. .. . .. . .. .. . .. . .. . 42.0 C on si de ra ti on s f or f i sh t ra ns po rt .. . .. . .. .. . .. . .. .. . .. . .. .. . .. . .. .. . .. . . 43.0 L iv e f is h t r an sp or ta ti on m e th od s. . .. . .. .. . .. . .. .. . .. . .. .. . .. . .. .. . .. . .. 74.0 C ha ng in g wa te r du ri ng t r an sp or t. . .. . .. .. . .. . .. .. . .. . .. .. . .. . .. .. . .. . . 1 3

5.0 A e ra t in g t r an s po r t w a te r. . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. 1 46.0 Te mp er at ur e f or t ra ns po rt w at er. .. . .. . .. .. . .. . .. .. . .. . .. .. . .. . .. .. . .. . . 1 67.0 D ur at io n a nd m od e o f t ra ns po rt .. .. . .. . .. .. . .. . .. .. . .. . .. .. . .. . .. .. . .. . 1 78.0 S t oc k in g p r oc ed u re s .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. 1 89.0 S u mm ar y. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . 1 9

B i bl o gr a ph y. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . . . . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . . 2 1

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

T h e w a y an d ma n ne r l iv e f i sh a r e t r an s po r te d i s a v e ry i m po r ta n t as p ec t o f fi s hc u l t ur e . I n m o st c a ses, f r i e s ( f r e sh l y h a t ch e d a n d b a b y f i sh ) a n d f i n g er l i n gs( fe w w ee ks o ld ba by f is h) mu st be t ra ns po rt ed f ro m h at ch er y t o p on d f or st o c ki n g . Br o od f i sh ( se x u al l y m a t u re f i sh se l ec t e d f o r r e p ro d u ct i o n) a r es om et im es t ra ns po rt ed i nt o th e h at ch er y to s pa wn . Sp aw ni ng i s t he a ct o f d ep os it in g e gg s a nd p ro du ci ng yo un g fi sh . It m ay e ve n b e n ec es sa ry t o

t r a n sp o r t l i v e h a r ve st ed f ish to th e m a r ke t f o r sa l e . A f i sh f a r me r mu st b e v e r yf a mi l ia r w i t h t he p r in c ip l es , t e ch n iq u es a n d p ra ct i ce s o f f i s h t r an s po r ta t io n s oa s t o m in i mi z e f i sh d ea t h r e su l ti n g f r om t r an s po r ta t io n . T h e u l ti m at e a i m of t ra ns po rt at io n i s t o p ro vi de h ea lt hy li ve f is h a t t he d es ti na ti on . W he n a f is hfarmer or a live fish transporter obeys the principles and practices of t ra ns po rt at io n, r is ks r es ul ti ng t o d ea th o f f is h w il l b e r ed uc ed a nd b yi mp li cat ion t her e w il l b e le ss f inan ci al l os se s in th e bu si ne ss . Fi sh a reg en er al ly t r an sp or te d i n co nt ai ne rs s uc h as c an s o f d iff er en t s iz es , p ot s o f c e ra mi c o r m et a l, w o od e n o r m et a l bu c ke t s, v a ts , b ar r el s , pl a st i c b a gs ,st y r of o a m b o x es, b ot t l e s, j u gs e t c . Ge n er a l l y, a l mo st an y c l e an , wat e r pr o o f c o n ta i n er m a y b e u se d . Ce r t ai n c o n ta i n er s p r o v id e g o o d i n su la t o r s f r o m h e a t

e . g. w o od o r s t yr o fo a m. C o nt a in er s l i ke m et a l o r p l as t ic a r e p o or i n su l at o rsa nd ma y h av e t o b e w ra pp ed wi th we t t ow el s o r p ac ke d w it h i ce t o k ee pt e m pe r a tu r e s d o wn .O n ce f i sh ha v e b e en pl a ce d i n t r an s po r t c on t ai n er th e y s h ou l d b e b r ou g ht tot h ei r d es t in a ti o n b y t he q u ic ke s t po s si b le m e an s t h at w i ll p r ov i de r e la t iv e lysm o ot h a n d d i r e ct r o u t e. T h i s m a y b e b y f o o t , a n i ma l c a r t, b i c yc l e , b o a t ,v e h ic l e e t c .

2.0 CONS I DE RAT I ONS I N F I S H T RANS PORTF i sh t r an s po r t mu s t be d o ne c a re f ul l y in o r de r t o su c ce s sf u ll y t a ke t h em t otheir destination. A poorly organized effort may easily result in death of

f i sh . T h e f o ll o wi n g f a ct o rs d i re ct l y i n fl u en c e f i sh t r a n sp o rt :

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2.1 Tolerance to transport.A Fi sh a re n ot po ta to es @ i s a f am ou s s ay in g i n f is h c ul tu re . T he y n ee d t en de r,l o vi n g c a re i f t h ey a r e t o r e ma i n s t ro n g a n d h ea l th y . To l er a nc e o f f i sh t otransport is related to their ability to resist or adapt to stressful conditions.T h ei r r e si s ta n ce a l so c h an g e a s t h ey p a ss t h ro u gh v a ri o us l i fe s t ag e s. L a rv a e( n e wly h a t c h ed f i sh wh i c h a r e st i l l t o o y o un g t o f e e d o n f e ed s su p p le m e nt s) a r ev e ry de l ic at e , j u st as b r oo d f i sh wh i ch ar e r e ad y t o l a y e g gs . Ta b le 1 be l owi n d i ca t e s st r e ss t o l er a n c e l e v el s o f so m e c o m mo n l y c u l tu r e d f i sh .

2.2 P r es e nc e o f fo o d i n th e i n te s ti n eF i sh s u rv i ve t r an s po r t b e tt e r i f t h ey h a ve n o f o od i n t h ei r i n te s ti n es . F o r

t h is r e as o n t h e y c o ul d b e s t ar v ed f o r 1 o r 2 f u ll d a ys p r io r t o t h e t i me t h ey

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Table 1. Stress tolerance of some commonl y cul tured fish species

Species Common Name Tolerance Level

O re o c hr om i s n i l ot i c us

C l a ri a s g a r ie p i nu s

Heterobrancus bidorsalis

C y p ri n u s c a r pi o

Heterotis niloticus

Bagrus bayad

G y m na rc h u s n i l ot i c us

Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus

Labeo cube

Tilapia

Catfish

Red mud catfish

C o mm o n C a rp

African bony tongue

Silver Catfish

Trunkfish

Silver Catfish

African Carp

High

High

High

Medium

Medium

High

Low

High

Medium


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w il l be t ra ns po rt ed . B ro od s to ck ar e o ft en c on di ti on ed f or t ra ns po rt t os p aw n in g f a ci l it i es b y c r ow d in g t h em up in a s e in e n e t a n d r e le a si n g t h em .T hi s p ro ce du re c an b e d on e f or 2 c on se cu ti ve d ay s b ef or e m ov in g t he m f ro mt h ei r p o nd t o h a tc h er y f o r s p aw n in g . T h e f i sh s t op e at i ng a n d t h is h e lp s t h ema d ap t t o t h e s t re s s o f a r ti f ic i al sp a wn i ng . F i sh ca n a l so b e h a rv es t ed a nd he l d i nn e t e n cl o su r es o r t a nk s f o r 2 4 t o 4 8 h o ur s w i th c l ea n, p r ef e ra b ly g en t lyr u nn i ng w a te r. T h e f i sh p a ss f o od o u t o f t h ei r i n te s ti n es a n d w i ll b e i n g o odc o nd i ti o n f o r t r an s po r t. I f f i sh h av e d i se a se o r p a ra s it e s t h ey c an a l so b e

t r e at e d e a si ly i n t a n ks p r i o r t o t ra n spo r t .

2.3 Age a nd size o f fishA l o wer we i g ht o f sm a ll f i sh c an b e t r a nsp o r te d p e r un i t v o lu m e o f wa t er t h a nl a rg e f i sh . F is h c an b e b r oa dl y c la s si f ie d i nt o f ou r m ai n g r ou p s a c co r di n g tow h at l i fe c y cl e s t ag e t h ey a r e i n .

( i .) Ne wl y h a t ch e d f i sh a r e c a l le d l a r v ae o r sa c f r y. T h e y a r e sl o w-m o vi n g an d p os s es s a y o ke w h ic h pr o vi d es f o od f o r at l e as t 2 4hours supply after hatching.

(ii.) Post larvae do not have a yoke sac and are commonly calledfry. Fry weigh less than 1g.

(iii. ) A 3 to 4 weeks old fis h weighing more than 1g may be called afingerling juveniles (5-8 weeks) may weigh 3 -5g.

( iv. ) S ex ua ll y m at ur ed f is h a re o ft en c al le d b ro od s to ck .Ta bl e 2 p r ov i de s a A r u le - o f - th u m b @ g ui de t o d et er mi ne h ow m an y f is h o f ag i ve n a g e g r ou p m ay b e t r an s po r te d . T h es e f i gu r es a r e b as e d o n t r an s po r ti n gf i sh i n s ea l ed p l as t ic b a gs c o nt a in i ng o x yg e n an d a bo u t 8 li t re s o f c le an w a te r

oa t a pp ro xi ma te ly 1 8 C . T he se n um be rs a re o nl y a r ou gh g ui de a nd m ay n otw o rk u n de r a l l c o nd i ti o ns f o r a l l k i nd s o f f i sh . Ta n ks o r c o nt a in e rs m u st b eu se d t o t r a n sp o r t f i sh i f p l a sti c s b a g s a r e n o t a v a il a b l e. Qu a nt i t i es o f d i ff e r en tsi z ed f i sh th a t ca n b e t r a nsp o r te d i n sea l e d p l a sti c b a g s ( 1 8 i n c h x 3 2 i nc h ) wit ha p p ro x i ma t e ly 1 7 .6 l i t r e s o f wa t e r a n d p u r e o x y ge n a r e sh o wn b e lo w.

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R e co m me n da t io n s f o r t ra n sp o rt i ng d i ff e re n t si z es o f f is h i n t an k s w i thod i ff e re n t vo l um e o f o xy g en a t a pp r ox i ma t el y 1 8 c a r e g i ve n b el o w i n Ta bl e

3.

3.0 LIVE FISH T RANSPORTATION METHODS

T h er e a r e t w o b a si c t r an s po r ta t io n s y st e ms f o r l i ve f i sh : t h e c l os e d s y st e m a n dt he o pe n s ys te m. T he c ho ic e o f t ra ns po rt s ys te m d ep en ds o n t he f ac il it ie sa v a il a b le t o t h e p u r c ha se r, t h e d i st an c e , n u m be r a n d si z e o f f i sh sp e ci e s.

3.1 Transportation by open system. T he o pe n sy st em c on si st s o f wa te r f il le d c on ta in er s i n w hi ch th e b as ic r eq ui re me nt s f or su rv iv al ar e s up pl ie dc on ti nu ou sl y f ro m o ut si de s ou rc es . T he s im pl es t o f t he se a re s ma ll ta nk s,

plastic containers, cans, buckets, bowls, boxes, calabashes, clay pots, trucks,

v a n s, e t c . ( F i gu r e 1 ) .

Ta b le 2 . G u id e o n fi s h a g e g ro u p/ s i ze a n d t r an s p or t ru l e

Duration of transport

(Hours)

F i sh s i z e ( g /l ) 1 12 24 48

Newly hatched larvae 120 80 40 10

1/4 inch (0.64 cm) Fry 60 50 40 20

1 inch (2.54 cm) Fingerlings 120 100 75 40



Larger Fish 480 180 120 60


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F i gu re 1 Va r io u s c o nt a in e rs u s ed i n t r an s po r ti n g f i sh

Procedurei . Al m o st f i l l c o n t ai n e rs wi t h c l e an wa t e r a n d t r a n sf e r f i sh a t r a t es n o t

m o re t h an t h e f o ll o wi n g. ( f or o p e n t r a ns p or t at i on l e s s t h an 5 h o ur s d i st a nc eTilapia fingerlings - 200-230 fish 50 jerican of water.

A du lt Ti la pi a - 10 0- 150 f is h bu cke t of w at er Catfish fingerlings -500-750 fis h/50 jerican of water.Catfish Adult -150-200 fish jerican of water.

Catfish juveniles -400-500 fish/50L Jerican of water

Ta b l e 3 : R e c o m me n d a ti o n s i n t r a n sp o r t in g d i f f er e n t s i z e s o f f i s h w i t h d e f u se d o x y g e n t a n k s

Duration of transport

(Hours)

F i sh s i z e ( g /l )1 6 12 24

Larvae and Fry NR NR NR NR

1 inch Fingerling 120 60 30 30




Larger Fish 480 480 360 240

N R = N o t R ec om me nd ed


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i i. C ov er w at er t op w it h l ea ve s t o s ha de f is h f ro m s un li gh t a ndheat and to reduce splashing or net to prevent jumping out.

i i i . Ag i t at e wa t e r a t i n t e rv a l s t o h e l p t h e su p p ly o f o x y ge n .

i v. As m u c h a s p o ssib l e b e f a st a n d a v o id d e l ay i n t r a nsi t .v. Allow fish to swim out freely from the container during stocking.O p en t r an s po r ta t io n m et h od i s s u it a bl e f o r mo v em e nt o f f i sh w i t hi n t h e f a rm ,for short distances and for periods not longer than 2 hour except for catfisheswh i c h c a n e n d ur e 5 h o u r s. F o r l o n ge r d i st an c e s, a i r o r o x y ge n sh o u ld b e

supplied constantly or intermittently. Transportation tanks, vans or trucksw i th f a ci l it i es f o r a i r/ o xy g en s u pp l y c an b e u s ed . O p en m et h od i s s u it a bl e t ot r a nsp o r t c a t f ish e s f o r lo n g d i st an c e s b u t wa t er m ust be r e n ewe d ( c h an g e d) a ti nt er va ls o f 4 -5 ho ur s o r l es s i f t he w ea th er (w at er ) g et s h ot . I ce b lo ck c an beu se d t o l o we r t he t e m pe r a t ur e f o r lo n g er h o ur s o f j ou r n e y.T h e a d va n ta g e o f t h is m et h od i s t h at it i s s i mp l e, ec o no m ic a l a n d r e qu i re s n o

s p ec i al s k il l f o r a d op t io n . I t i s h o we v er r i sk y. F i ng e rl i ng s c an d i e t h ro u ghw at er s pl as hi ng i n t he c on ta in er. O pe n m et ho d i s a ls o l im it ed b y t im e a nddistance.

3.2 Transportation by closed system.T he c lo se d s ys te m m ak e u se o f s ea le d c on ta in er s i n w hi ch a ll t he b as ic

r e qu i re me n ts f o r f i sh s u rv i va l a r e s e lf c o nt a in ed . I t i s b y f a r t h e m o st i d ea lmet hod f or l ive fi sh t ran spo rt . Th e s ui tabl e c on tai ner i s o xy ge nat ed

polyethylene (plastic) bags or tanks. They are best used for long distancet r a nsp o r ta t i o n o f f i ng e r l in g s o f Ti l a p ia , Ca r p , He t er o t i s a n d o t h er we a k sp e c ie so f f i sh . P l a sti c b a g s sh o u ld no t b e u se d t o t r a n sp o r t b r o od e r / ad u l t f i sh o r po stf i n ge r l i ng wit h sha r p sp i n es, a s t h i s wi l l r e su lt i n b u r sti n g o f th e c o n t ai n e r. I t i se s se n ti a l t o m a in t ai n a d eq u at e o x yg e n i n t h e w a te r w h il e t r an s po r ti n g f i shu si ng t hi s m et ho d. T he t ech ni qu e re co mme nd ed f or o xy ge nat in g w at er d ur in g f is h t ra ns po rt i s t he u se o f p ur e b ot tl ed o xy ge n. I t m ay b e b ub bl edc o n t in u o usl y i n t o an u n se al e d c on t a i ne r d u r in g t r a nsp o r t, o r i n j e ct e d i n t o a

plastic bag containing water and fish which is then sealed air-tight for

transport.

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W h en pl a st i c b ag s a r e u s ed , o x yg en is a d de d a f te r w a te r a n d f i sh . O n e- f ou r tho f th e b a g u s ua l ly c on t ai n s w a te r a nd f is h an d t h re e f o ur t hs c o nt a in s o x yg e n.Af t e r a d d in g o xy g e n t h e b a g i s se a l ed sh ut wi t h a t wi ste d r ub b e r b a n d, st r in g o r o t h er m a t er i a l . As a p r e ca u t i on a g a in st l e a ka g e , t h e f i r st p l a sti c b a g sh o u ld b e

placed inside a second bag whenever possible. The sealed double bag of fish isthen placed in a box or other container for added protection and loaded onto av e h i cl e f o r t r a nsp o r t. I f p r o pe r l y p a c ka g e d a n d i n su la t e d f r o m h e a t, t h e secontainers can transport fish for 24 to 48 hours without water exchange.

P r o c ed u r al st e ps t o i l lu st r at e t h i s m e t ho d a r e g i v en b e l ow.

Procedure:1 . C u t t h e p l as t ic b a g m at e ri a l t o a p pr o pr i at e d i me n si o n a s s h ow n i n f i gu r e2

F igu re 2 Cu t i ng t t h e p l a sti c b a g m a t er i a l t o d i me n si on .

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2 . F ol d o ne e nd a nd t ie i t

F igu re 3: Fo ld in g a nd ti ei ng on e e nd a nd t ie i t

3. Melt and fuse the tied end, then fill 1/4 with water to check for l ea ka ge ( Fi gu re 4 ).

F ig ure 4 : M e l t in g a nd f u si ng t i e d e n d a n d f il l i n g wi t h wa t e r.


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4 . P l a ce a p r e - de t e rm i n ed we i gh t o r n u m be r o f f i sh i n t h e p l a st i c b a g .5 I n se r t o x yg e n h o se i n to b a g, d e pr e ss i t t o f o rc e o u t a t mo s ph e ri c a i r a n dsl o wly b u b bl e p u r e o x y ge n t h r o ug h t h e wa t e r ( F i g ur e 5 ) .

Figure 5: Oxygen hose inseted into bag, 50 jerocan of water.pu re ox yg en h os e t hr oug h t he w at er. S qu eez e bag cl os ed w hi le r emo vi ng

oxygen hose, and tie bag securely

F i gu re 6 . Squeeezing and tieing bag securely7 . P la ce t he s ea le d b ag s i nt o w ov en s ac ks , c ar db oa rd , o r w oo de n

boxes for protection during transport (Figure 7a).

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We t c l ot h es p l ac ed ov er th e b ag s w i ll ke ep th e m c o ol . I c e m a y b e p l ac e d o nt o p o f t h e b a gs i n h o t w e at h er. S o me f o rm o f s h ad e c a n a l so b e p r ov i de d. C u t

banana or coconut leaves are commonly used.

4.0 CHANGING WATER DURING TRANSPORT.D u ri n g h o t w e at h er o r lo n g t r ip s , f i sh m ay r i se t o th e s u rf a ce a n d s t ar tg as pi ng f or a ir. T hi s m ea ns o xy ge n in t he w at er h as b ee n d ep le te d a nd w at er s h ou l d b e c h an g ed . ( F ig u re 7 b ).

F ig ure 7a . S e a le d b a g s p l a ce d i n wo v en sa c ks o r wo o d en b o x

F i g u re 7 b : A d e qu a t e o x y ge n d ep l e t ed o x yg e nT he f ol low in g pr ecau tio ns s hou ld be e xer ci sed w hen ad di ng w at er to a

container of fish or when transferring fish into fresh receiving water.

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i. The new water should be clean, not muddy and should be free of chemical pollutants. Water from clean, clear-running springs ors tr ea ms i s b es t.

i i . P o o rl y a e r at e d wa t er f r o m we l l s, o r r e se rv o i rs sh o u ld b e a v o i de d b e c au seo f l ow d i ssol v e d.

i i i. N e w w a te r s h ou l d b e t h e s a me t e mp er a tu r e a s t h e o r ig i na l w a te r.To c ha n g e wa t e r, e m p ty h al f o f t h e o l d wa t e r f r o m t h e t r a nsp o r t c o n ta i n er

a n d t h e n r e f i ll wi t h n e w wa t er o f t h e sa m e t e m pe r a tu r e . T h e f a r m er s c a n k n o w

t hi s b y us i ng a s im pl e m er cu ry t he rm om et er o r f ee li ng t he w at er d ir ec tl y.P l as t ic b a gs c an be s q ue e ze d a r ou n d t h e n e ck a n d f i ll e d t o a l lo w w a te r b u t n o tf i sh t o e s ca p e. S i ph o n t u be s a r e u s ed t o r e mo v e d i rt a n d f i sh w a st e f r om t h e

bottom of the transport container. Do not add water quickly into the containera s t h is m a y i n ju r e f i sh . I t sh o ul d be a d de d c a re f ul l y. A f te r 1 0 mi n ut e s c h an g ea ll of th e w at er. I t i s a dv is ab le t ha t t he t em pe ra tu re o f n ew w at er sh ou ld no t

d i ff e r f r o m t h a t o f th e t r a n sp o r t wa t er b y m o r e t h a n 3 d eg r e es c e n ti g r a de . I f i td o es , r e pl a ce o n ly on e f o ur t h o f t h e o l d w a te r i n it i al l y a nd w a it 10 mi n ut e s,then replace one fourth of the water again and w ait 10 minutes beforecompletely changing the water.

5.0 AERATING TRANSPORT WATER.A e ra t io n i s t h e p r oc e ss f o r ad d in g pu r e o x yg e n o r ai r i nt o w a te r f or t h e p u rp o seof increasing the dissolved oxygen content. Transport water can be aerated bya gi ta ti on or ai r c an be p um pe d i nt o i t d ur in g e me rg en ci es w he n w at er e xc ha ng e i s i mp os si bl e a nd f is h a re c le ar ly u nd er s tr es s. A gi ta ti on i s t he

process of increasing the amount of oxygen in water by stirring, pouring,

s h ak i ng o r s o me o t he r m ec h an i ca l m e an s . A g it a ti o n c an b e d o ne i n s e ve r always. A small quantity of the old water can be removed and poured repeatedlyf r om a h ei g ht o f 3 0 - 5 0 cm t hr o ug h a s c re en , or p or o us c l ot h ba c k i n to t h et r an s po r t c on t ai n er ( Fi g ur e 8 ) . A p e rs o n c a n a l so s t ic k hi s h an d in t o t h e w a te r su b m er g ed u p t o th e k n u ck l e s wi t h f i n g er s sp r e ad , an d br i sk ly wa ve b a c k a n d

forth. Electrical devices are also used for agitation.


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F i g u re 8 . P o ur i n g o l d wa t e r b a c k i n t o t h e t r a n sp o r t c o n ta i n er.

P u mp i ng a i r i n to t h e t r an s po r t w a te r c a n b e d o ne c o nt i nu o us l y f r om t h e s t ar to f t r a ve l o r a s a n e m e rg e n cy m e a su r e . T h e f i n e st a i r b u b bl e s p o ssib l e sh o u ld

be pumped into the water. Oxygen diffuses faster through fine bubbles. Largebubbles forcefully pumped into the water may injure fish. Equipment whichcan be used includes bicycle tire pumps, battery operated aerators from

a q u ar i u m sh o p s, a ir f il l e d i n n er t ub e s wi t h a i r b e i ng sq u e ez e d t h r o ug h ar e g u la t e d n oz z l e a n d a n y o th e r l o c al l y b u i lt d e v i c e ( F i g ur e 9 ) .

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F i g u re 9 P u mp i n g a i r i n t o a t r an sp o rt c o nt a i n er

Ag i t at i o n c a n b e d o n e si m u lt a n eo u sl y wi t h a e r at i o n . Ho we ve r t h e se a r e o n l yt e mp o ra r y m e as u re s a nd w i ll n o t k ee p t h e f i sh a l iv e v e ry l o ng . T h ey m a y b et r ie d u n ti l t h e w a te r c a n b e e x ch a ng e d. Do not b u b bl e y o u r b r e at h t h r o ug h t h ewater. It contains carbon dioxide, not oxygen. You will only hasten the deathof your fish by doing this.

6.0 TEMPERATURE O F TRANSPO RT WATERWa rm -w at er fi sh sp ec ie s ( tr op ic al fi sh ) a re s ui ta bl y t ra ns po rt ed i n w at er temperatures ranging from 18 to 28 degrees centigrade. The ideal temperaturei s 2 1 t o 2 5 d eg r e es c e n ti g r ad e .

Wa r m wa t er h o l d s l e ss o x y ge n t h a n c o l d wa t er. Re sp ir a t o ry r e q u ir e m en t s o f f i sh ar e a l so gr e at e r a t h i gh er te mp e ra t ur e s. T h us f e we r f i sh ca n b etransported per unit volume of warm water. The golden rule of fisht ra ns po rt i s t o al wa ys m ai nt ai n su ff ic ie nt o xy ge n i n th e t ra ns po rtwater.

T hi s c an b e d on e i n t he f ol lo wi ng w ay s:

1. Keep transport containers cool. They should always be kept shadeda n d o u t o f d i re ct s un l ig h t. A s w a te r w a rm s , i t ho l ds l e ss o x yg e n, s o

prevent rapid warming of the transport containers.2. Ice may be packed around containers on long trips (Figure 10). Do not

a dd i c e d i re c tl y t o t h e w a te r c o nt a in i ng t h e f i sh . B e c a re f ul t o p r ev e ntow a te r f ro m d ro p pi n g be l ow 1 8 C w h en u s in g i c e.

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F i gu re 1 0: P a c ki n g i c e a ro u n d a p l ast i c b a g u sed f o r f i sh t r an sp o rt

3 . A we t c l o th m a y a l so b e wr a p pe d a r o un d c o n ta i n er s t o r e d u ce t e m pe r a t ur eby evaporative cooling if ice is not available.

7.0 DURAT I ON AND M ODE OF T RANS PORT.M or e f is h c an b e t ra ns po rt ed p er u ni t v ol um e o f w at er i f t he d ur at io n o f

t r a nsp o r t i s sh o r t. T h e f a st est , sm o o th e st a n d m o st d i r e ct m e a ns o f t r a nsp o r tpossible should be used. A rough rider with long stops greatly decreases thea b il i ty o f f i s h t o s ur v iv e t r an s po r t. F i sh s h o ul d b e t r an s po r te d w i th s p a ci o us ,a i r y v a n s, i f o p e n m e t ho d i s u se d. An d f o r b o t h m e t ho d s f i sh sh o ul d b etransported during the coolest part of the day or at night in hot weather.

8.0 S TO C KI N G P R OC E DU R ESS t o ck i n g f i sh i n t o t h ei r n e w h o m e a f t e r t ra n spo r t c a n b e t h e m o st c r it i c a l asp e cto f t h e t r an s po r t p r oc ed u re . Te m pe r at u re s o f t h e t r an s po r t w a te r a n d w a te r w he re t he f is h ar e t o b e s to ck ed mu st be e qu al iz ed be fo re s to ck in g th e f is h.T h is n o rm a ll y r e qu i re s 1 5 t o 3 0 m i nu t es . A t e mp e ra t ur e d i ff e re n ce n o g r ea t er t h an 3 d e gr e es c e nt i gr a de i s t o le r ab l e.

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W he n f is h a rr iv e a t t he ir de st in at io n, th e p ro ce du re s u se d t o c ha ng e w at er d u r i ng t r a n sp o r t ( Se c t io n 4 .0 o f t hi s b u l le t i n ) mu st b e f o l l owe d t o a c cl i m at i z ethem to the new water. This allows water temperature in the transport

c on ta in er to eq ua li ze w it h t he n ew w at er, a nd al lo ws f is h t o a dj us t t o c ha ng esi n t he q u al i ty o f t h e n e w w a te r.P la st ic ba gs s ho ul d b e f lo at ed on th e w at er sur fa ce w her e t he f is h ar e t o ber el ea se d w hi le t he w at er e xc ha ng e a nd a cc li ma ti za ti on p ro ce du re i s d on e.F is h a re t he n a ll ow ed to sw im ou t o f t he b ag s i nt o t he ir ne w s ur ro un di ng s

( F ig u re 11 ) . F i sh t r an s po r te d i n c o nt a in e rs w h ic h c a n n o t b e s e t i n to t h e n e ww a te r ma y b e t r an s fe r re d wi t h a s o ft n et , o r di p pe d o u t w i th a s c oo p or b uc k et .Do not pour fish from any height into their new environment (Figure 12).T h e y wi l l be we a k a f t er t r an sp o rt a n d c a n e a si ly b e i n j u re d b y r ou g h ha n d li n ga t t h i s st a g e. Al l o w t h e m t o swi m sl o wl y i n t o t h e wa t er

F ig ure 11 : F lo at t ra ns po rt b a gs w he re t he f is h wi ll b e s to ck ed

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F ig ure 1 2: I mm er se t he b ag a nd a ll ow f is h t o s wi m o ut . D o n ot d um p o rp o ur t h e f i sh i n. ( b)

9.0 SUMMARY

i Pre -transportation handling activities such as harvesting,packaging and loading into the vehicle must be carried outw it ho ut w as te o f ti me t o mi ni mi ze s tr ug gl in g a nd t o a vo id

overcrowding and suffocation.ii Remove weak and sick fish before packagingi ii S to p f eed ing f is h 24 t o 48 h ou rs p ri or t o t ran spo rt ing t hem .iv Prepare all transport containers, oxygen and other equipment

before setting out.

v Harvest fish for transport during the coolest part of the day(very early morning)vi Quickly, but gently, lead harvested fish into a transport

containervii Insulate fish from heat during transport.viii Tr an sp or t f is h o n t he f as t e st , s m o ot he st me an s o f

transportation available

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ix Petroleum products and other dangerous chemicals shouldn ot b e i n t he s am e c om pa rt me nt w it h t he f is h. T he se c an

c au s e f i sh d ea t h.x Upon arrival at their Anew home@, adjust fish to their new

surroundings slowly by gradually exchanging water to avoidt e mp e ra t ur e s h oc k .

xi. Alow fish to swim from the transport container into the new

pond. Never throw or pour the fish into the pond.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Bolorunduro P. I. 1995. Fish Seed Selection, Transportation andStocking. Technical Paper for training of Fisheries SubjectM a tt e r S pe c ia l is t s o f A g ri c ul t ur a l D ev e lo p me n t P ro j ec t s a tMonthly Technology Review Meetings.5p

2. Bolorunduro P. I. and A. Y. Abdullah 1996. Wa t e r Qu a l it y Ma n a ge me n tin Fish Culture NAERLS Extension Bulletin No.98. FisheriesS e r i es No .3 , 5 2 p

3. I C A .1990. International Center For Aquaculture. Auburn

Un i v e r si t y . Tr a n sp o r t i n g F i s h Wa t e r Ha r v e st i n g a n dAq u ac u l t ur e F o r Ru r a l De v el o p m en t G T 1 1 9P

4. Madu, C. T. 1999. Transportation of live fish. N IF FR G ui de S er ie s.No. 12.

5. Viveen W. J. A. et al .1986. P ra ct ic al Ma nu al fo r t he C ul tu re o f African Catfish (Clarias garienpinus) 93 P.

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