Abstract
This is a report on the capture, transport, and husbandry of pilotfish, Naucrates ductor. The objective of this work was to evaluate the most adequate process for capturing, transporting and maintaining pilotfish, while gaining understanding on their behavior. Collection was done in the Azores, by hook and line. Seventy six individuals were then transported to shore, where they were maintained for two months. After this, they were transported by sea over four days. This transport was then followed by an eight day transport by road along Portugal, Spain and multiple public aquaria in France. The animals endured this trip with no losses and multiple notes on husbandry and behavior are provided. Subsequently (2014 to 16), other animals were shipped by air to Atlanta (Georgia, USA), Plymouth (UK), Budapest (Hungary), Springfield (Missouri, USA), and Dubai (UAE), which involved multiple trials prior to the first shipment, to ensure survivorship and wellbeing during the long transit times. The trials revealed that shipping must occur in the presence of an ammonia quencher and pH buffering agents, including the addition of povidone-iodine to decrease bacterial growth, and ice, to keep temperature low.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the following Flying Sharks and ESTM staff members, both in Horta and Peniche, for their unwavering support: António Godinho, Gonçalo Graça, Hugo Morais and Isauro Rosa. We would also like to thank the following individuals from all the institutions these animals were delivered to, for providing valuable feedback of the animals’ wellbeing upon arrival to their facilities: Guillaume Eveillard (Cinéaqua, Paris, France), Stéphane Hénard (Nausicaá, Boulogne-sur-mer, France), Dirk Majewski (Zee Aquarium, Bergen aan Zee, Netherlands), Oliver Walenciak (Sea Life Centre, Oberhausen, Germany), Jean-Denis Hibbitt and Ben Spinks (Sea Life Centre, Weymouth, United Kingdom), Dominique Barthélémy (Oceanopolis, Brest, France), Pierre Morinière (Aquarium La Rochelle, France), Stéphane Auffret (Ocearium, Croisic, France), Kevin Curlee and Megan Olhasso (Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, USA), James Wright (National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth, United Kingdom), Tamás Farkasdi (Tropicarium, Budapest, Hungary), Allan Marshall (Wonders of Wildlife, Springfield, MO, USA), and Paul Hamilton (Dubai Mall, Dubai, UAE).
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Flying Sharks’ activities are supervised by the University of the Azores, at the Porto Pim Aquarium, and by the Superior School of Tourism and Sea Technology in Peniche. Both institutions can vouch that Flying Sharks’ activities, during the works described in this manuscript, adhered to local legislation on animal welfare and no animals were deliberately harmed during this process.
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Correia, J.P.S., de Vaissier Ferro Maurício, F., da Rosa, R.M.G. et al. Capture, husbandry and long-term transport of pilotfish, Naucrates ductor (Linnaeus, 1758), by sea, land and air. Environ Biol Fish 101, 1039–1052 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-018-0757-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-018-0757-8