This study evaluatedstress indicators of juvenile piau (Leporinus friderici) during and aftera 4-hour transportation in order to establish an appropriate transportationprotocol for this type of fish. Fish were transported in plastic bags (133.1g/L) and sampled before loading, during 1, 2, 3 and 4 h and after transportation(2, 6, 12 and 24 h). Blood samples were analyzed for cortisol and glucose levels,hematocrit, hemoglobin level, number and mean corpuscular volume of erythrocytes.Water pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature and ammonia were monitored before, duringand after transportation. No mortality was observed through the experiment.Ammonia levels increased throughout transportation, but the low pH values keptNH3 in safe levels for fish. Cortisol levels increased within 4 hof transportation, and returned to control condition 2 h after arrival. Plasmaglucose increased within one hour of transportation, reaching peak value within4 h and returning to initial condition 2 h after arrival. Erythrocyte numberand hemoglobin levels showed the lowest levels 2 h after arrival, and mean corpuscularvolume increased during transportation, decreasing at 12 and 24 h after arrival.Transporting piau is stressful, but fish recover the initial condition in shorttime, showing tolerance to the changes in the water quality parameters.
