Effect of stocking density in plastic boxes without oxygenation on the transport of pirarucu,Arapaima gigas (Schinz, 1822).

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]