- Research Article
- 10.21676/23897864.7138
Critical real-time water quality parameters linked to epidermal alterations in red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) fry during transport
- Dec 30, 2025
- Intropica
- Hernan A Alzate-Díaz + 2 more +2
The growing global interest in aquaculture products has driven efforts to optimize the transport of fingerlings, particularly red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.). This study evaluated, in real time, changes in water quality parameters during the transport of red tilapia fingerlings, using 250 individuals per sealed plastic bag containing 2.5 L of water and 6.5 L of oxygen (99.5%), under three transport durations (5, 12, and 20 hours), with three replicates per treatment (n = 9). Water quality variables, including pH, dissolved oxygen, and temperature, were monitored at the beginning and end of the transport period. Fingerling survival was 100% across all treatments. Data recorded by HOBO data loggers showed a significant increase in dissolved oxygen due to oxygen infusion, with mean values of 7.86 ± 4.15 mg/L at 5 hours, 9.76 ± 3.17 mg/L at 12 hours, and 11.29 ± 3.39 mg/L at 20 hours. pH values decreased slightly but significantly, with means of 5.77 ± 0.17, 6.00 ± 0.19, and 5.95 ± 0.21 at 5, 12, and 20 hours, respectively, indicating progressive water acidification. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed a homogeneous epidermal tissue morphology, with no evidence of structural damage across the different transport durations. Goblet cells measuring 4–5 μm were identified, indicating preservation of epidermal integrity throughout the transport period. Continuous monitoring enabled the identification of environmental changes and their impact on fingerling health and stress responses, providing key information for optimizing transport protocols and highlighting the importance of maintaining suitable water conditions and using data loggers for real-time environmental assessment.
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