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For the evaluation of the effects of the transport density of pirarucu juveniles, 210 juvenile pirarucus, Arapaima gigas (488 ± 26.5 g) were randomly distributed in 12 plastic boxes at transport densities of 98, 146, 195, and 244 g L−1. The transport was carried out on a paved highway for 4 h, and at the end of the transport, all were returned to the laboratory. After transport (AT), 8 fish from each experimental unit were transferred to 12 tanks (250 L) for the final samplings. Blood was sampled at three different times: immediately a AT, 24, and 48 h after transportation. The survival and hematocrit, cortisol, glucose, and lactate were measured. The results showed significant differences (p < 0.05) for all blood parameters, and there was no mortality throughout the experiment. At the end of the analysis, pirarucus were able to be transported at a density of 244 g L−1 for up to 4 h in open systems without oxygenation, recovering from stress until 48 h AT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]