The effects of 2,4,8 and 12 h transportation stress on serum cortisol,glucose,tissue glycogen and lactate of juvenile silver pomfret(Pampus argenteus)with an average weight of(10.05±0.23) g were evaluated at densities of 4,8 and 16 g/L.After transportation,fish from each density were moved into separate 1 m³ tanks for 24 h,and the 24 h cumulative mortality was monitored.The results showed that,the survival rate of fish at density of 16 g/L after 12 h transportation was 91.25%,and the others were 100%;Serum cortisol contents increased significantly after transportation(P<0.05),and the maximum was observed after 4 h transportation.At all densities,the serum cortisol contents after 12 h transportation were lower than those after 4 h transportation,but significantly higher than that of 0 h transportation.After 12 h transportation,the cortisol content of fish at density of 16 g/L was significantly higher than those at densities of 4 g/L and 8 g/L,respectively(P<0.05).Serum glucose,serum lactate and muscle lactate contents were all significantly increased after transportation(P<0.05).On the contrary,liver and muscle glycogen contents were all significantly reduced after transportation(P<0.05).However,during the transportation,more glycogen mobilization occurred in the liver instead of the muscle.In conclusion,higher transportation density could increase the stress response of silver pomfret,the transportation density of silver pomfret with an average weight of 10 g should not exceeded 16 g/L in the open system and small water volume conditions.Additionally,liver glycogen makes the most potential contribution to total energy expenditure during the whole transportation.