Short-term variation in the ammonium excretion rate by Calanus sinicus during the post-capture period was evaluated in 1-h incubations. Incubation water volume (13 mL vs. 100 mL) did not significantly affect the excretion rate, and the overall mean excretion rate of C. sinicus was similar to reported values from congeneric species. However, the 24-h variations in the excretion rate denoted that acclimation stress decreased the excretion rates 1–2 h after introduction to a no-food condition. The effect of presence/absence of food was not significant up to 24 h after capture.