太平洋牡蛎在对Pb2+富集和排出过程中的生理水平变化

为研究牡蛎对Pb²⁺富集和排出过程中生理代谢的变化,将太平洋牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)暴露于含有浓度为0.2 mg/L Pb²⁺的海水中,18 d后转入洁净海水中继续暂养18 d。实验结果表明,在牡蛎对Pb²⁺富集的过程中,其摄食率、滤水率、耗氧率和排氨率显著提高,转入洁净海水培养后,其摄食率、滤水率、耗氧率和排氨率迅速降低,6 d左右恢复正常水平。总体来说,在浓度为0.2 mg/L Pb²⁺海水胁迫下,牡蛎通过提升其生理代谢水平以抵御Pb²⁺的毒性影响,转入洁净海水后,Pb²⁺对牡蛎生理代谢产生的毒性影响迅速恢复。     

长牡蛎壳黑选育品系和野生群体在摄食和代谢方面的比较

为探究长牡蛎壳黑选育品系优良性状的生理学基础,采用实验生态学方法比较研究了长牡蛎壳黑选育品系和野生群体在不同温度和盐度下的摄食和代谢差异。结果显示,在16~32 ℃范围内,温度对长牡蛎滤水率、耗氧率和排氨率均有显著影响。随温度升高,两群体滤水率先增加后降低。野生群体滤水率在24 ℃达到最大值,壳黑品系在28 ℃达到最大值。两群体耗氧率和排氨率均随温度升高呈增加趋势,并未发现显著性转折点。长牡蛎壳黑选育品系和野生群体间滤水率和排氨率差异显著,壳黑品系滤水率均高于野生群体,耗氧率均低于野生群体,且在32 ℃壳黑品系排氨率显著低于野生群体。在盐度15~35范围内,盐度对长牡蛎滤水率、耗氧率和排氨率均有显著影响。随盐度升高,两群体的滤水率、耗氧率和排氨率总体均呈先增加后降低的趋势。长牡蛎壳黑选育品系和野生群体间滤水率差异显著,壳黑品系滤水率均高于野生群体,且在盐度15~25条件下壳黑品系排氨率均低于野生群体。两群体O:N值均在16 ℃和盐度35组最大,温度升高或盐度降低均会致使两群体O:N值下降。温度实验中,在32 ℃时,野生群体O:N最低值为7.57,壳黑品系O:N值变化范围为10.52~29.31。盐度实验中,在盐度20时,野生群体O:N最低值为9.10,壳黑品系O:N值变化范围为11.51~22.98。研究表明,相较于野生群体,长牡蛎壳黑选育品系更能适应高温和低盐环境,而较高的摄食率和较低的代谢率可为其提供更多的能量用于生长。     

低氧胁迫下虾夷扇贝的行为特征及生理生化响应

为研究低氧胁迫对虾夷扇贝(Patinopecten yessoensis)行为、生理生化(免疫防疫功能及关键呼吸酶)的影响, 设置了 1 mg/L、2 mg/L、4 mg/L、7 mg/L (对照组) 4 个溶解氧梯度, 测定分析了虾夷扇贝行为特征(外壳的开闭合程度大小)、耗氧率、排氨率、抗氧化酶[超氧化物歧化酶(SOD), 过氧化氢酶(CAT)]和呼吸相关酶[乳酸脱氢酶(LDH) 和丙酮酸激酶(PK)]活性的响应情况。结果发现: (1)虾夷扇贝的存活率随着 DO 浓度的降低而降低, DO=1 mg/L 时的存活率仅为 55%; 在 DO=1 mg/L, 2 mg/L 和 4 mg/L 时, 虾夷扇贝的半致死时间分别为 95.97 h、147.37 h 和 209.58 h。 (2)将扇贝行为特征划分为 5 个等级, 按照 0~4 赋分, 评分越高, 代表扇贝状态越好。从扇贝行为特性的量化指标来看, DO 浓度越低, 评分分数越低, 虾夷扇贝状态越差。(3)低氧胁迫对虾夷扇贝耗氧率、排氨率有显著影响(P＜0.05), 在 DO≤2 mg/L 下, 氧氮摩尔比＜7, 虾夷扇贝主要由蛋白质供能; DO≥4 mg/L, 虾夷扇贝由蛋白质和脂肪氧化供能为主。(4)低氧胁迫对虾夷扇贝 SOD、CAT 和呼吸酶有显著性影响(P＜0.05)。24 h 的低氧胁迫使得肝胰腺及闭壳肌的自由基 ROS浓度升高; 48~96 h的低氧胁迫下, SOD、CAT酶活开始降低。不同的溶解氧浓度下代谢途径不同, DO= 2 mg/L 时, 有氧呼吸代谢转变为葡萄糖-丙酮酸-乳酸的呼吸途径; DO=1 mg/L 时, 呼吸代谢途径可能优先选择葡萄糖-琥珀酸途径。从生理生化层次上来看, 免疫功能下降和呼吸代谢途径改变可能会引起虾夷扇贝行为特征改变。     

4种滤食性贝类滤水率的测定

用室内流水方法测定了不同规格紫贻贝、菲律宾蛤仔、太平洋牡蛎和紫石房蛤的滤水率、耗氧率和排氨率。试验结果表明:(1)紫贻贝、菲律宾蛤仔、太平洋牡蛎和紫石房蛤的滤水率(叶绿素)分别为(0.390±0.098)L/(g.h),(0.362±0.064)L/(g.h),(0.204±0.046)L/(g.h)和(0.041±0.008)L/(g.h);有机颗粒物(POM)分别为(0.4816±0.0821)L/(g.h),(0.3356±0.0305)L/(g.h),(0.1535±0.0428)L/(g.h)和(0.0790±0.0165)L/(g.h)。(2)每隔12 h出现滤食高峰和低谷,紫贻贝和菲律宾蛤仔到达高峰后下降慢,上升快,太平洋牡蛎和紫石房蛤则与之相反。(3)滤水率与体重呈负幂函数关系:CR'=aWb(b<0),紫贻贝、菲律宾蛤仔、太平洋牡蛎和紫石房蛤的b值分别为-0.4211,-0.3374,-0.3252和-0.3137;耗氧率分别为(1.453±0.124)mg/(g.h)、(0.653±0.083)mg/(g.h)、(0.066±0.011)mg/(g.h)和(0.022±0.010)mg/(g.h)。菲律宾蛤仔和太平洋牡蛎的耗氧率和排氨率随个体增大而下降。     

溶氧水平对黄颡鱼稚鱼摄食、生长及呼吸代谢的影响

在(28±0.5)℃循环水环境中设置4种溶氧水平,分别为2.92 mg/L(G1组)、4.71 mg/L(G2组)、6.77 mg/L(G3组)、9.68 mg/L(G4组),研究初始体重为(1.62±0.02)g的黄颡鱼(Pelteobagrus fulvidracoR.)稚鱼的生长、摄食及呼吸代谢规律。结果显示:G3组特定生长率(SGR)、饲料效率(FE)均显著高于其它各试验组(P<0.05)。试验鱼的耗氧率、排氨率与溶氧水平无正相关性,G3组的耗氧率、排氨率始终显著高于其它三组。第6周测定发现:摄食后1~4 h内耗氧率和排氨率均呈现迅速上升,到达最大值后再缓慢下降,二者均在09∶00和21∶00出现高峰,G3组的耗氧率高峰值分别为0.345、0.331 mg/g.h,G3组的排氨率高峰值分别为24.194、17.770μg/g.h。结果表明:不同溶氧条件下,黄颡鱼稚鱼的耗氧率、排氨率变化过程具有类似的特征,二者在能量代谢机制上相互关联;在6.77 mg/L的溶氧水平下,黄颡鱼稚鱼生长最快、呼吸代谢最为旺盛。     

温度对两种鲤耗氧率、排氨率及窒息点的影响

为了揭示温度对鲤呼吸代谢影响,采用密闭流水法测定了不同温度下两种规格松浦鲤(Cyprinus carpio Songpu)与松浦镜鲤(Cyprinus carpio Songpu mirror)的耗氧率与排氨率,密封进出水口测定窒息点。结果显示：两种鲤的耗氧率、排氨率与窒息点均随水温上升而增加,1龄松浦镜鲤的耗氧率与排氨率显著高于1龄松浦鲤的耗氧率与排氨率,2龄松浦镜鲤的耗氧率与排氨率低于2龄松浦鲤,但差异不显著。两种鲤的昼夜耗氧率与排氨率变化趋势基本一致。1龄松浦鲤与1龄松浦镜鲤的窒息点为0.38～0.60 mg/L,2龄松浦鲤与2龄松浦镜鲤的窒息点为0.11～0.37 mg/L,且各组间差异显著。结果表明温度对两种鲤的耗氧率、排氨率与窒息点影响较大,且1龄时期松浦镜鲤比1龄松浦鲤代谢旺盛,2龄时期两种鲤代谢程度相近。     

MS-222和丁香酚对中华鲟幼鱼耗氧率与排氨率的影响

研究了麻醉剂MS-222和丁香酚对中华鲟(Acipenser sinensis Gray)幼鱼呼吸与排泄的影响.结果表明,2种麻醉剂对中华鲟幼鱼的耗氧率和排氨率都有显著影响(P＜0.05).随着麻醉剂浓度的升高,中华鲟幼鱼的耗氧率和排氨率均先升高后降低.MS-222质量浓度为16 mg/L或丁香酚质量浓度为12 mg/L时均可以显著降低中华鲟幼鱼的耗氧量和氨氮的排放;随着2种麻醉剂浓度的进一步升高,耗氧率和氨氮的排放没有显著的降低.在2种麻醉剂的作用下,中华鲟幼鱼的耗氧率和排氨率随温度升高而增大,其回归关系可用指数函数表示,相关系数R2均大于0.9.方差分析表明,不同实验组4个温度梯度间的耗氧率和排氨率都有极显著差异(P＜0.01).在10～25℃的温度范围内,中华鲟幼鱼的O:N比值范围为12.37～23.21,表明在适宜的温度范围内,中华鲟幼鱼的代谢产物以蛋白质为主,脂肪和碳水化合物次之.结论认为,MS-222质量浓度为16 mg/L或丁香酚质量浓度为12 mg/L时可以使中华鲟幼鱼进入麻醉Ⅱ期,满足活鱼运输的要求,可以推荐为中华鲟幼鱼运输时的麻醉剂量,且运输时应以低温为宜.     

长牡蛎高糖原含量新品系正反交家系的生理代谢

为了探究糖原含量差异显著的长牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)自交家系和正反交家系在生理代谢水平上的差异,本研究开展了在一定温度(20℃)和盐度(32)下自交组和正反交组的滤水率、耗氧率和排氨率实验。结果显示,滤水率方面,自交组AA最大,BB最小,二者差异显著(P0.05);正交组AB和反交组BA二者差异不显著且大小介于2个自交组之间,正反交组的杂种优势值为8.44%。耗氧率方面,自交组BB最大,正交组AB最小;自交组AA与BB差异显著(P0.05),正反交组杂种优势值为-43.87%;耗氧率与糖原含量呈负相关,相关系数为-0.884,达到极显著性水平(P0.01)。排氨率方面,各组之间的排氨率无显著差异,大小为0.04 mg NH_3-N/(g·h)。研究表明,糖原含量品系正反交家系的差异在生理代谢上主要表现为滤水率和耗氧率的差异。     

低氧胁迫对鲻幼鱼生长、能量代谢和氧化应激的影响

为研究低氧胁迫对鲻幼鱼生长、能量代谢和氧化应激的影响,实验将其放在溶解氧(DO,mean±SE)含量分别控制在(1.66±0.41)、(4.35±0.53)、(7.03±0.36)mg/L的条件下养殖10 d,然后恢复至接近饱和溶解氧含量7.0 mg/L的条件下养殖30 d,研究其特定生长率、排氨率、耗氧率、氧氮比和血浆、肌肉、肝脏及鳃组织的总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)、过氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力、抗超氧阴离子活力(ASOR)、丙二醛(MDA)含量、乳酸(LD)含量、总谷胱甘肽(T-GSH)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)和氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量。结果表明:低氧胁迫对鲻幼鱼的生长、能量代谢影响显著,较严重缺氧组鲻的体质量、特定生长率(SGR)、耗氧率和排氨率显著低于其他处理,不具有补偿生长的能力;而轻微缺氧组获得完全补偿生长。低氧胁迫对鲻氧化应激指标影响显著,胁迫结束时鲻通过提高某些抗氧化酶的活力来增强抗氧化能力,以提高其应对恢复正常溶解氧环境可能带来的氧化应激的能力,同时在恢复溶氧后鲻氧化应激反应也较强烈。在恢复溶解氧阶段,肝脏中GSH显著增加,说明鲻体内的保护机制被激活。肝脏和鳃中MDA的含量在低氧胁迫后与溶解氧含量呈明显的负相关性,在复氧30 d后仍然高于对照组,表明低氧胁迫加强鲻肝脏和鳃组织脂质过氧化反应。     

四种消毒剂和一种抗生素对锦鲤幼鱼鳃功能的影响

为研究KMn O4、新洁尔灭、漂白精、聚维酮碘等4种消毒剂和呋喃西林对锦鲤幼鱼鳃器官呼吸功能和排氨功能的影响,以呼吸频率、耗氧率和排氨率为指标,进行了上述药物的浸泡试验。结果表明,高浓度的KMn O4溶液(20 mg/L)暴露,可降低锦鲤幼鱼的呼吸频率和耗氧率,升高其排氨率,低浓度(5 mg/L)暴露则对其无明显影响。无论是低浓度还是高浓度的KMn O4溶液暴露均会降低锦鲤幼鱼的耗氧率。新洁尔灭短时间(5~15 min)暴露不会影响锦鲤幼鱼的呼吸频率、耗氧率和排氨率,而长时间(2~4 h)暴露,即使浓度较低(0.1 mg/L),也会导致锦鲤幼鱼呼吸频率下降,耗氧率和排氨率升高。漂白精暴露仅造成锦鲤幼鱼耗氧率的降低。5 mg/L浓度的聚维酮碘暴露造成了幼鱼鳃部溃烂,并最终导致其死亡。呋喃西林暴露不会影响锦鲤幼鱼的呼吸频率和耗氧率,但长时间(24 h)浸泡,即使在低浓度(1 mg/L)情况下,仍会导致锦鲤幼鱼排氨率升高。4种消毒剂中,新洁尔灭和漂白精对锦鲤幼鱼鳃的呼吸功能和排氨功能影响最小。     

Acute Effect of Ammonia and Nitrite on Respiration of Penaeus setiferus Postlarvae under Different Oxygen Levels

The white shrimp Penaeus setiferus is a potential species for culture in the Gulf of Mexico. It has been demonstrated that postlarval P. setiferus is a species sensitive to ammonia and nitrite. In this study, the effect of ammonia and nitrite on the oxygen consumption of Penaeus setiferus postlarvae subjected to different dissolved oxygen concentrations was investigated. Un-ionized ammonia tended to reduce the oxygen consumption of P. setiferus postlarvae. The addition of 0.4 mg/L un-ionized ammonia-N modified the response of the postlarvae to lower dissolved oxygen levels. Exposure to 0.7 mg/L un-ionized ammonia-N caused severe effects on the respiratory rate and it was lethal at low dissolved oxygen concentrations. Nitrite exposure decreased the respiratory rate of post-larvae in high dissolved oxygen concentrations, whereas postlarvae exposed to nitrite under hypoxic conditions showed higher oxygen consumption than unexposed animals. The decreases of the oxygen consumption induced by the interactive effect of ammonia or nitrite and low dissolved oxygen concentration indicate a harmful condition. The results indicate that P. setiferus postlarvae is a sensitive organism to the combined effect of un-ionized ammonia or nitrite and low dissolved oxygen concentrations.     

底部微孔增氧管布设距离和增氧时间对刺参养殖池塘溶氧的影响

为明确刺参养殖池塘中微孔增氧的效果以及增氧管的布设间距、增氧时间对水体溶氧的影响,研究测定了在夏季刺参养殖池塘一个增氧周期内(每天23:00—7:00增氧8 h,7 d一个周期)水体中溶氧(DO)、亚硝酸盐氮(NO_2~--N)、COD的变化。结果显示:连续充气增氧的8 h内DO持续增加,增氧2 h上升速率缓慢,增氧2~6 h上升速率迅速提高,增氧6~8 h上升速率下降,连续充气8 h能够显著改变夜间溶氧降低现象;增氧7 d时间内,NO_2~--N和COD持续下降,分别由0.025 mg/L下降到0.014 mg/L、18.46 mg/L下降到14.15 mg/L。对充氧管道不同距离处DO的测定结果表明,距离增氧管1~2 m处DO较高,3~4 m处缓慢下降,与1~2 m处差异不显著(P0.05),DO保持在5.22 mg/L左右,距离5 m以上时DO下降速度较快,与1~2 m处差异显著(P0.05)。研究表明:微孔增氧可以明显增加水体DO,减少COD、NO_2~--N;微孔增氧机充氧时间6~8 h效果较好;微孔增氧管之间的布设距离在6~8 m可以实现高效增氧。     

Effect of Combined Non‐ionized Ammonia and Dissolved Oxygen Levels on the Survival of Juvenile Dourado,Salminus brasiliensis (Cuvier)

The aim of this study was to assess the mean lethal concentration (LC₅₀) of dissolved oxygen in high ammonia concentration and also the LC₅₀ of ammonia under hypoxic conditions for juveniles of dourado, Salminus brasiliensis. In the first experiment, the non‐ionized ammonia (NH₃) concentrations were: 0.026, 0.447, 0.612, 0.909, and 1.334 mg/L, and the dissolved oxygen concentration was maintained at approximately 1.65 mg/L. In the second experiment, the dissolved oxygen concentrations were: 1.64, 1.99, 3.33, 5.10, and 7.77 mg/L, and the non‐ionized ammonia concentration was kept at approximately 0.927 mg/L. The mean lethal concentrations of non‐ionized ammonia varied from 0.584 to 0.577 mg/L, indicating that LC₅₀ values were almost unaffected by exposure time. The estimated LC₅₀ of dissolved oxygen varied from 4.02 to 5.02 mg/L, indicating a slight increase in the mean lethal concentrations as the exposure time increased. Results from this study indicate that interaction between these two parameters increases mortality and also suggest that dourado is susceptible to the combination of high ammonia with low dissolved oxygen concentrations.     

Information on Selected Water Quality Characteristics for the Production of Black Sea Bass,Centropristis striata,Juveniles

Abstract

Recent interest in the culture of black sea bass, Centropristis striata, has led to questions regarding the environmental requirements of this species for economically-viable production. Here, we present the results of short-term laboratory studies on ammonia toxicity, nitrite toxicity and oxygen consumption rates. Fifty percent of the juveniles died when exposed to 0.7-0.8 mg/L un-ionized ammonia-N for 24 hours (25°C, 23 g/L salinity). All exposed fish survived exposure to ≤ 0.6 mg/L un-ionized ammonia-N for 10 days. Black sea bass juveniles survived 24-hours exposure to 250 mg/L nitrite-N when exposed in 12 or 20 g/L salinity. Fish exposed for 24 hours to nitrite in 35 g/L salinity died when exposed to 250 mg/L nitrite-N, but survived exposure to 100 g/L nitrite-N. All fish exposed to 50 mg/L nitrite-N for 10 days survived (salinities of 12, 20 and 35 g/L). Mean oxygen consumption rate was 0.09 mg/hour/g (25°C). Fish weight significantly affected oxygen consumption rate with larger fish consuming less oxygen per unit time on a weight-specific basis. No treatment effect was observed due to salinity or dissolved oxygen concentration. The information reported here in combination with previous reports provides insight into the environmental requirements of black sea bass culture.     

池塘溶氧昼夜变化对鳜葡萄糖代谢和血糖含量的影响

为探究池塘溶氧昼夜变化对鳜(Siniperca chuatsi)葡萄糖代谢和血糖含量的影响,本研究分别在17:00 (T1)、23:00 (T2)、次日07:00 (T3)、11:00 (T4)、17:00 (T5)共5个连续时间点采样并测定分析,比较了鳜池塘常氧组(>5 mg/L)与昼夜溶氧变化组葡萄糖代谢相关指标的时序差异。结果显示,1 d中,池塘溶氧经历常氧与低氧的周期性变化,T3时,池塘溶氧最低,平均为0.93 mg/L;T5时,池塘溶氧最高,平均为10.58 mg/L。T3和T4时,血浆中葡萄糖显著降低,乳酸含量显著升高;肝脏中肝糖原含量下降,乳酸含量显著升高,ATP含量显著降低;肝脏有氧代谢柠檬酸合酶(CS)活性显著降低,无氧代谢酶乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性显著升高;糖酵解酶中己糖激酶(HK)、磷酸果糖激酶(PFK)、丙酮酸激酶(PK)活性显著升高,糖原分解酶糖原磷酸化酶(GP)活性无显著变化;hk、pfk、pk、ldh-a和gp基因表达量显著上升,cs表达量显著下降,葡萄糖转运蛋白glut2表达量无显著变化。研究表明,鳜养殖池塘中,溶氧存在昼夜周期性交替变化,溶氧水平...     

Effect of nitrite on larval development of giant river prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii

The effects of ambient nitrite concentrations on larval development of giant river prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii were evaluated. The trials were conducted in two phases: phase 1, larvae from stages I through VIII and phase 2, larvae from stage VIII until post-larvae. In both phases larvae were kept in water with nitrite (NO₂-N) concentrations of 0, 2, 4, 8 and 16 mg/L. Oxygen consumption was analyzed for larvae in stage II at nitrite concentrations of 0, 4, and 8 mg/L. Survival, weight gain, larval stage index and metamorphosis rate decreased linearly with increasing ambient nitrite concentration. However, there was no significant difference between larvae subjected to 0 and 2 mg/L NO₂-N. In phase 1, there was total mortality at 16 mg/L NO₂-N, while in phase 2 larval development stopped at stage X in this treatment. The oxygen consumption in stage II increased significantly at NO₂-N concentration from 0 to 4 mg/L, but there was no difference between 4 and 8 mg/L NO₂-N. In conclusion, increasing ambient nitrite up to 16 mg/L NO₂-N delays larval development, reduces larval growth rate and causes mortality, whereas no significant effect occurs for levels below 2 mg/L NO₂-N. However, the establishment of a general safe level of nitrite to M. rosenbergii hatchery may be difficult due to the great variability in larvae individual sensitivity.     

纹缟虾虎鱼胚胎耗氧率及Cu2+、Pb2+、Zn2+对其影响的研究

用微量碘量法测定纹缟虾虎鱼胚胎发育过程的耗氧率以及Cu2+、Pb2+、Zn2+对其胚胎耗氧率影响。实验结果表明:在24±0.3℃条件下,胚胎耗氧率随胚胎发育时间呈上升的趋势,在出膜前达到最高,其中以原肠期和出膜期耗氧率变化最显著。胚胎各时期耗氧率与发育时间的相关方程为:ORt=0.0702e0.0193t(R2=0.9402)。胚胎耗氧率随三种重金属离子浓度升高呈逐渐上升的趋势,当Cu2+浓度达到0.4 mg/L以及Pb2+、Zn2+浓度分别达到2.0 mg/L时,耗氧率开始降低。三种重金属离子对纹缟虾虎鱼胚胎耗氧率影响由强到弱依次为:Cu2+>Zn2+>Pb2+。     

敌百虫、溴氰菊酯对大鳞副泥鳅仔鱼及多刺裸腹溞的急性毒性实验

采用静水实验法在p H值为8.2±0.1、水温(25±2)℃,溶解氧大于5 mg/L条件下,以5日龄大鳞副泥鳅(Paramisgurnus dabryanus)仔鱼和多刺裸腹溞(Moina macrocopa)为材料,研究了敌百虫和溴氰菊酯2种常用药物对大鳞副泥鳅仔鱼和多刺裸腹溞的急性毒性。结果显示:敌百虫对5日龄大鳞副泥鳅仔鱼和多刺裸腹溞的安全浓度分别为0.400 0 mg/L、0.048 9 mg/L;溴氰菊酯对大鳞副泥鳅仔鱼和多刺裸腹溞的安全浓度分别为0.160 0μg/L、0.004 2μg/L。结果表明,敌百虫急性毒性要显著性强于溴氰菊酯。     

The Effects of Different Types of Stress on Blood Glucose in the Giant Tiger Prawn Penaeus monodon

Abstract— Juvenile Penaeus monodon prawns were exposed to a variety of putative stressom and blood glucose concentrations monitored as an index of metabolic stress. Prawns were held under controlled conditions and food deprived for 12–18 h before blood sampling. Juvenile prawns maintained in tanks at densities of 9, 23, 36 and 50 prawns/m² for 4 wk did not have significantly different baseline levels of blood glucose, with mean concentrations varying from 1.1 to 1.3 mmol/L. In contrast, as an index of overall condition, antennal length and rostral spine length were significantly degraded in the 36 and 50 prawns/m² groups compared to the 9 and 23 prawns/m² groups ( P < 0.05). Blood glucose levels were significantly elevated after prawns were exposed to air for 10 min and also increased Significantly when dissolved oxygen was decreased from 6.5 mg/L to 2.1 mg/L. ( P < 0.05). Gassing of water from pH 8.5 to 5.9 with carbon dioxide, with a corresponding decrease of dissolved oxygen from 6.6 to 5.9 mg/ L, induced a rapid and significant rise in blood glucose levels from 1.1 to 2.3 mmol/L. In contrast, a decrease of water pH from 8.3 to 5.9 with sulfuric acid, did not result in a significant change in blood glucose concentrations. These findings are discussed in relation to pond management for maintaining prawns in a low stress environment.