Live fish transport for ornamental and food trades causes significant stress and mortality; welfare improvements reduce suffering and financial losses.
Live fish transport subjects fish to hypoxia, ammonia buildup, temperature fluctuation, and physical agitation — all acute stressors. Many fish arrive at destinations already dead or severely compromised. Welfare improvements including appropriate water volume, oxygenation, temperature control, and duration limits reduce both mortality and suffering. Some operations use anesthetics to reduce metabolic demand during transit.