Use of Salt, Anesthetics, and Stocking Density in Transport of Live Fish: A Review

Abstract

For freshwater or marine fish farming to be successful, live fish must be transported. This can be performed with eggs, larvae, juveniles, and adults. Nonetheless, because of the handling, confinement, and duration of transport, it is considered a difficult procedure. To prevent significant physiological changes that could result in fish mortality, it is crucial to look for ways to reduce stress and enhance the quality of transport water. Consequently, a comprehensive range of research on the use of additives in water, including salt and artificial or natural anesthetics, is presented in this review, which also discusses potential changes in water quality factors during transport, such as dissolved oxygen (DO), carbon dioxide (CO2), pH, ammonia, and temperature. The usage of stocking densities during transport is also covered in this review, with consideration given to the various recommendations for each species, fish size, and length of transport.