FISHERIES RESEARCH INSTITUTE,MOA,TAIWAN

The packaging status of imported marine ornamental fish was investigated from March 2009 to July 2010. The method of the importation of marine ornamental fish was by way of sealed packing and long distance air transport. Markets showed a species-specific preference and the dominant species were damselfish and anemonefish (genus Amphiprion). Water quality and volume of the package were closely related with fish survival. Accumulated mortality on arrival and after 10 days stocking in closed circulating system were 5.0 ~ 16.0% and 10.0 ~ 60.0%, respectively. Total ammonia concentration is the major constraint on the long distance transportation. To reduce the use of water volume, temperature and salinity were used to measure metabolic rate in the trials of package technical improvement. Under the condition of temperature of 22 ~ 26 ℃ and salinity of 30 psu, Ocellaris clownfish, (Amphiprion ocellaris (0.28 ± 0.20 g TBW) in the water volume of 40 ml/g can have 90% and 85% survival rate after 48 hrs packed and 7-day stocked, respectively.