Comparative morphology of blood cells of Ambassis nalua, A. vachelli, and Inegocia japonica

Abstract

Hematological investigation is an essential tool for monitoring fish health. This objective of this research was to compare morphometric traits and blood cell characteristics between two representative pelagic fish species (Ambassis nalua and A. vachelli) and one benthic species (Inegocia japonica) collected from seagrass meadows off Libong Island in Thailand, where they were exposed to human activity. Blood samples were collected and prepared using the smear technique. The erythrocytes of all observed specimens had elliptical or oval shapes. The largest erythrocytes were observed in I. Japonica. In addition, I. japonica and A. nalua had a significant degree of erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities. According to hematological profiling, lymphocytes made up the majority of leukocytes in I. japonica, followed by neutrophils. The morphometric erythrocyte data of I. japonica possibly indicated the greater oxygen requirement of fish living in demersal habitats as a result of their adaptation to the environment. The baseline parameters from the hematological data of the sampled fish will be used to monitor environmental quality.