Live Fish & Crustacean Transportation

The transportation of live animals causes extensive stress which will result in mortalities or severely weakened fish. Sedation with AQUI‑S^® is proven to increase transport success and animal condition during both short transfers, tank to tank, or longer transfers, tank to market (>10 hrs).

When customers use AQUI-S^® to manage stress, they report:

• Improved survivability during & post-transport
• Lower metabolism and maintained water quality
• Improved animal quality post-transport
• Reduced disease risk post-transport

Fish respond to the transport process with several adverse reactions. In general, these reactions lead to a rapid deterioration in water quality which ultimately leads to deterioration in fish quality and increased mortality. When fish are stressed and confined to high densities, they respond with an increase in metabolic rate, blood flow, gill permeability and ion exchange. This results in increased oxygen (O₂) consumption and increased carbon dioxide (CO₂) excretion. In addition, fish increase production and excretion of waste products such as faeces and mucus. These waste products accumulate in the holding system and often lead to dangerous levels of toxic ammonia (NH₃).

Sedating fish with AQUI‑S^® prior to and during transport will reduce stress and decrease the metabolic activity of the fish. This leads to lower O₂ demand and a reduction in CO₂ and waste production. As a result, a non-toxic environment is maintained for longer in the transport vessel, aiding survival and maintaining a lower stress environment.  The mode and duration of transport will dictate the method of sedation and the dose of AQUI‑S^® required.

Learn how AQUI-S^® can help with the transport of finfish and lobster:

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