Haematological characteristics of freshwater-reared and wild mullet, Mugil platanus Günther (Osteichthyes, Mugilidae)

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Mullets, MlIgil plalal/lIS Günthcr, 1880, were obtained from the estua- rine area ofCananéia (São Paulo, Brazil) and fromll'cshwater rearing tanks. For each fish the body weight, body length, gonad wcight and gonad maturation stage were recorded and the allometric index (K) was calculated. Blood was collected for hematocrit (Ht), hemoglobin levei (I-Ib), total cell count (Er), and the dctermination of hematological indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC), as well as the dilTerenlial leukocyte counl (Iymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, basophils and "other cells"). The avera- ges ofthe hematological unalyses, hel11atological indeces, condition factor und leuko- cytes percentage ofthe specil11ens acc\imated to Ii'esh \Vater \Vere significantly higher than those ofthe specimens li'ol11 the estuary.