In the present study, the effect of density on transportation stress in Mesopotamichthys sharpey fingerlings was evaluated. For this purpose, four different densities, including 40, 80, 120 and 160 g/l were used as treatments each with 3 replicates. Simulation of transport procedure was carried out for 4 hrs. The blood samples were collected from the fish prior to loading from the stocking tank (control), after 4 hrs of transportation and from released fish into recovery glass tanks at 6, 12, 24, 48 and 96 hrs after transportation during recovery period. For blood sampling, fish immediately anesthetized by adding 2% 2-phenoxy ethanol and the blood samples were prepared. The cortisol, glucose and lactate value of plasma were measured. The results showed a significant increase in cortisol and glucose levels (in highest density) after transportation in all treatments (P<0.05). Lactate did not show a significant difference in experimental groups (P>0.05). The results showed that only cortisol level was significantly different with basal level at 96 hrs. Our findings showed that this species can be transported at higher densities up to 120 g/l.
