February 15-18, 2009 Washington State Convention Center Seattle ...

EVALUATION OF WATER QUALITY FOR LIVE TRANSPORT OF BAIT AND
ORNAMENTAL FISH FROM ARKANSAS
Hugh K. Thomforde
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Fish Health Diagnostic Services
Lonoke Agricultural Center
P.O. Box 357
Lonoke, Arkansas 72086 USA
hthomforde@uaex.edu
Methods used for live transport on long-haul road vehicles are described. Golden shiners (Notemigonus crysoleucas), goldfish
(Carassius auratus) and fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) are transported live, from farms in Arkansas to regional
distributors located throughout north America. They are marketed as sportfish bait through retail bait shops. Goldfish are also
marketed as ornamental fish in pet stores. Most transport is by road, on specialized 18-wheel vehicles fitted with modular insulated
tanks systems supported by liquid oxygen.
To prepare the fish for transport they must be
harvested several days in advance of shipment. They
are held, without feeding, in well-water with 0.2
percent sodium chloride to purge them of digestive
and urinary metabolites. Purged fish ship successfully
because they release little ammonia to transport
water. However, all water quality parameters
degrade during transport. Truck drivers use a thermometer,
dissolved oxygen meter, and pH pen to manage
conditions. Major stressors experienced by fish
during transport are low dissolved oxygen, steady
accumulation of ammonia, and carbon dioxide from
respiration, and lowered pH consequent to carbon
dioxide increase. Despite purging, healthy shiners
monitored during long-haul traport experienced the most
significant water-quality degradation during the first
hours of transport, usually because of poorly adjusted
oxygen metering, uncontrolled pH fluctuations,
and stressful increases in temperature, ammonia, and
carbon dioxide. Electronic recording devices were
used to monitor temperature, oxygen and carbon
dioxide. Ammonia was measured from samples
collected periodically during transport. Appropriate
methods of handling, harvesting and loading reduce
physical injury, reduce stress and shock, and result in
improved water quality during transport.
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