366 fish hatchi.ky management 



Table 44. kecommendkd loadings and ireaimenls im:r siiiimmng lmi iok 

 rainbow or brook iroui l.iod i'lr i'ound). the ccjntalner almosl'ukrl is 

 blair, elsii and wildliee service, unit bi.isiied.) 



carbon dioxide and oxygen tensions in the shipping water that are not 

 present in the natural environment. Osmotic shock can be a very serious 

 problem, particularly if fish reared in hatcheries with buffered water from 

 limestone formations are stocked into dilute acidic waters. 



Addition of receiving water to the fish distribution tank before fish are 

 unloaded requires effort, but the benefits will more than justify the effort 

 in many situations. As fish are gradually changed from hauling water to re- 

 ceiving water, they have an opportunity to make some adjustments to their 

 future environment. Flowing water also aids in removing fish from the tank 

 with minimum stress. 



Shipping Fish In Small Containers 



Polyethylene bottles have been used to transport small trout, especially by 

 horseback to back-country areas. After the bottle is filled with water, fish, 

 ice, and oxygen, it is placed in an insulated container for shipment. 



Plastic bags frequently are used to ship small numbers of tropical fish, 

 warmwater fish, and trout (Figure 112). Upon arrival at the destination the 

 plastic bags should be allowed to float unopened in a shaded area of the re- 

 ceiving water supply for about 30 minutes to acclimate the fish. 



There are varying and sometimes conflicting opinions regarding fish 

 loads, water volume, the use of buffers, and container sizes to be used in 

 shipping fish. Some suggested shipping loads are presented in Table 44. 



The following excerpts from private communications collected at the 



