Effect of road conditions on physiological stress responses and post-transportation growth and survival of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings

Abstract

ABSTRACT To understand the effects of road condition on physiological changes and post-transportation growth and mortalities, different groups of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings (Average mass: 0.37 g) were transported over good (fully asphalted road) or bad roads (dirt road with bumpy surface) for 6 h. Physiological stress responses as well as post-transportation survival rates and growth performance indices were assessed for the fish groups transported over the different road conditions. Transportation over the bad road significantly increased MO2 and TAN excretion rates. The bad road induced significantly higher (p = .0215) post-transportation mortality rates of nearly 12% over 7 d post-transportation, compared to just 2% for the fish transported over the good road. From an economic viewpoint, the 12% mortality rates recorded for the fish transported over the bad road could represent significant monetary losses in instances where large quantities of fingerlings are purchased and transported.