Influence of Daily Water Temperature Changes on Chemiluminescent Response of Phagocytes and Mortality in Cultured Gray Mullet (Mugil cephalus L.)

The influence of daily water temperature changes on chemiluminescent (CL) response of phagocytes, plasma glucose level and mortality in cultured gray mullet (Mugil cephalus) was investigated. Among three experimental temperature groups, the fish in group I and group II were maintained constantly at $27^{\circ}C$ and $29^{\circ}C$, respectively, and those in group III were suffered daily elevation of water temperature from $27^{\circ}C$ to $29^{\circ}C$ for 5 hours, then restored again to $27^{\circ}C$. After 1 week of maintaining at each experimental tank, the fish in group III showed significantly lower CL peak value (p < 0.01) and higher plasma glucose levels (p < 0.05) than those in group I and group II. The cumulative mortality of group III was $86.9\%$ within 3 days after being subjected to acute handling stress. On the other hand, the cumulative mortalities of group I and group II were $12.5\%$ and $19.2\%$, respectively. In conclusion, gray mullet farms, especially, in the vicinity of thermoelectric power plants should avoid stressing the fish during periods of high water temperature.