Monitoring water quality changes and ornamental fish behaviour during commercial transport

Live transport of fishes is recognised as a major source stress leading to poor welfare and mortality within the ornamental fish industry. While previous studies have aimed simulate stressors experienced by during in laboratory, there little documented evidence actual conditions under commercial conditions. The aim this study was monitor water quality health (physiology behaviour) through supply chain for three popular freshwater ornamentals (neon tetra, oranda, variatus platy). Water samples were collected at nine stages beginning arrival UK wholesaler from Singapore their recovery wholesaler, subsequent shipment retail stores. chemistry recorded various points tested common pathogens. Fish parameters measured included mortality, injuries, waterborne cortisol behavioural changes. Most found change significantly chain, including pH, carbonate hardness (KH), chloride (Cl?), nitrate (NO3?), sodium (Na+), magnesium (Mg2+), potassium (K+) calcium (Ca2+). Pathogens detected each stage transport, but no disease outbreaks observed. Mortality low not affected stage. Behaviour most between different transport. Neon tetras orandas showed some changes behaviour platys more findings highlight that are often over-looked simulated confirm need species-specific indicators