Effects of Water Temperature on Biochemical Characteristics of Mandarin Fish during Live Transportation

Objective and Methods: The effect of water temperature on Mandarin fish during live transportation was studied through testing the respiratory rate, ammonia nitrogen in water, glycogen and lactic acid in flesh and blood biochemical indicators at 20°C, 15°C,10°C and 5°C after transported for 0h, 3h, 10h and 24h. Results: The respiratory rate declined with the decreasing temperature and extending transportation time; the ammonia nitrogen in water increased with the temperature falling and lapse of time; the glycogen dropped as time went by and 24h later it declined with the temperature falling; but lactic presented a completely opposite trend; The cortisol decreased with the temperature declined, and rose first and then fell with the time; AST had a negative correlation with water temperature but GLU had a positive correlation; UREA decreased significantly with the declined temperature between 20°C and 10°C, and the level of it at 5°C was close to at 20°C.Conclutions: All these results revealed that 5°C should be selected for short distance transportation less than 10h and 10-15°C was the best choice for long distance transportation.