Stages of fish transportation

• Spawn or eggs: Blastula stage or beyond morula stage.
• Hatching or larvae: 5-10 mm (3-10 days)
• Fry stage: 1-5 cm (3-4 weeks)
• Fingerling stage: 7-10 cm (4-10 weeks)

Causes of fish mortality in transportation

• Oxygen starvation due to constant respiration and oxidation of excreta.
• Accumulation of toxic substances like CO₂ and NH₃.
• Sudden fluctuations in temperature.
• Hyperactivity, stress and exhaustion of the fish due to splashing in the container wall.
• Diseased fish and due to weakness
• Physical injury.

Characters of fish for transport

• Healthy and active
• Free from diseases
• Not very small and weak
• Treated against disease
• Well-conditioned