Comparative Hematology of Wild and Captive Cunners

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Abstract
Hematological variables including erythrocyte numbers, hematocrit, osmotic fragility, differential leucocyte count, and cellular morphology were studied in wild (freshly caught) cunners Tautogolabrus adspersus, and compared with those of cunners held in captivity for 4 days. Statistically significant differences were found between wild and captive fish and between the sexes of wild fish. In captive fish, values for erythrocyte (RBC) numbers, hematocrit, mean erythrocyte volume, osmotic fragility, lymphocytes, eosinophils, and the incidence of degenerating RBCs were depressed, whereas values for immature RBCs, fine granulocytes, and immature fine granulocytes were increased compared with wild fish. Captive male cunners showed more pronounced changes in the incidence of immature fine granulocytes (increased) and hematocrit (depressed) than did females. The hematocrit appears to be a good variable for assessment of erythrocyte hematological status in cunner, based upon significant differences between groups of fish and on significant correlations between hematocrit and erythrocyte numbers. Survival of test fish was 95%. These results and methods should be useful in future studies of cunner, especially if recent interest in its use for pollution monitoring continues.