Effects of Using the Valeriana officinalis Extract During Transportation of Swordtail, Xiphophorus helleri

This experiment was conducted to test the Valeriana officinalis root extract during transportation of swordtail, Xiphophorus helleri. For the transport experiment, fish were distributed in 24 plastic bags of which 12 contained the V. officinalis root extract (1 g L-1) (group B) and the remaining had no herbal extract and acted as control (group A). Transport lasted 24 h and every 6 h, 3 bags of each treatment were sampled. Survival, water quality parameters and whole-body cortisol were then studied. Results indicated that no significant differences (p>0.05) in the dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature and ammonia levels were observed between treatments at all the assay periods. Whole-body cortisol levels in group B was significantly (p<0.05) lower than control group. The survival rate (%) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in group B compared to the control group. The present research revealed that the application of V. officinalis root extract will be effective in suppressing stress responses in X. helleri and it can be recommended for ornamental fish transport.