PACKAGING PHYSIOLOGY OF TROPICAL FISH - THREE SPECIES OF FAMILY POECILIIDAE

Abstract

The packaging physiology of three species of the family Poeciliidae was studied under laboratory conditions. Reducing the temperature from 25 to 20°C was found to significantly lower the rate of oxygen consumption for mollies, swordtails and guppies. An experimental tank was designed to enable water samples to be collected at a determined time interval. The experiments record the effect of various test components of oxygen., pH, total ammonia and carbon dioxide levels with time. The test components clinoptilolite, tris-HC1 buffer and 2-phenoxyethanol were studied. Mollies, swordtails and guppies could survive low oxygen levels (below 2 mg/1). The optimum pH was found to be in the range of 8.0-8.5. Clinoptilolite was found to be effective in reducing the total ammonia level in transport water at concentration pf 10g/1 and 20 g/1. Tris buffer of concentrations 0.02M and 0.04M was found to be effective in controlling the pH level and reducing the total carbon dioxide level. Over prolonged period of 40 hours and at optimum stocking numbers the combination of 10 g/1 clinoptilolite with 0.04M tris was found to be the most effective in reducing the percentage mortality of mollies, swordtails and guppies. Addition of 0.05 g/1 2-phenoxyethanol to the test group pf 10 g/1 clinoptilolite with 0.04M tris was found to further reduce the percentage mortality for mollies and swordtails.