Gill and Skin Oxygen Uptake, Biochemical, Hematological, and Histological Responses of Eel (Anguilla bicolor bicolor) Exposed to Air

Abstract

Research on the Anguilla bicolor bicolor McClelland, 1844 eels has been widely proposed, but study related to air oxygen uptake through gills and skin for A. bicolor bicolor has not been found. This information is very important in the development of future cultivation technology. This study aims to analyze the oxygen uptake of A. bicolor bicolor through gills and skin, blood biochemistry, blood image and histology to air exposure. Eels were exposed to air for one hour (A), two hours (B) and three hours (C), and eels in the water were used as control. A total of 66 fish (77.68±1.54 g) of eels were imported from Bogor City, Indonesia. Oxygen uptake from the air through the gills and skin reduced with longer exposure time. After 3 hours of exposure time, the percentage of oxygen uptake through the gills decreased from 64.52% to 54.29% and the percentage of oxygen uptake through the skin increased from 35.48% to 45.71%. Eels use different proportions of their gills and skin together when exposed to air. Air exposure affected the blood biochemistry values, blood image and showed the highest values on air exposure for 3 hours.