Survival, growth, food conversion efficiency and plasma osmolality of juvenile Siganus guttatus (Bloch, 1787): experimental analyses of salinity effects

We studied the effects of salinity on survival, growth, food conversion efficiency and plasma osmolality of juvenile Siganus guttatus in two independent experiments. In the first experiment, fish were transferred from 30 ‰ salinity to freshwater, 5, 10, 20 and 30 ‰ salinities for 192 h. No fish died when transferred directly from 30 ‰ to salinities >5 ‰. However, all fish died in the freshwater treatment. In the second experiment, survival, growth, feeding rate, food conversion efficiency and plasma osmolality of fish were analyzed during 6 weeks in salinities of 5, 10, 20 and 30 ‰ (control). At the end of this experiment, the final weight and the specific growth rate of fish were significantly greater at 10 ‰ than fish in all other treatments. Feeding rate increased significantly with decreasing salinity: 10 ‰ > 20 ‰ > 30 ‰. However, the food conversion efficiency was not significantly different between fish in any treatment. Plasma osmolality of fish in 20 and 30 ‰ salinity was significantly greater than fish reared at 10 or 5 ‰. A salinity of 13.95 ‰ (411.88 mOsmol/kg) was the point of isosmolality for juvenile S. guttatus.     

Food intake,growth, food conversion,and body composition of catfish exposed to different salinities

The effects of different salinities (0, 2, 4, 6 and 10‰) on food intake, growth, food conversion, and body composition of the freshwater catfish Mystus vittatus (Bloch) were studied. Under a restricted feeding schedule daily intake of food was found to be salinity dependent. Fish reared in 10‰ consumed more Tubifex tubifex, converted less efficiently and displayed poor growth as compared to individuals reared in fresh water. Fish flesh production decreased from 483 g (fresh water) to 177 g (10‰ salinity) as the salinity was increased. Water content of the fish was found to decrease with increase in salinity, while maximum ash (25.56%) and fat (42.25%) were exhibited by fish reared in 10‰ salinity.     

Performance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Litopenaeus vannamei</Emphasis> postlarvae reared in indoor nursery tanks under biofloc conditions at different salinities and zero-water exchange

Shrimp farming at low salinity is a trend that will continue to grow globally. Performance of Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae in the nursery at different salinities with a biofloc technology (BFT) system needs to be explored further, as the nursery is currently used as a transitional stage between the hatchery and grow-out ponds. Hence, this study evaluated the effect of seven salinity levels (2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 25, and 35 ‰) on the performance of L. vannamei postlarvae reared with a BFT system and zero-water exchange at 2000 org/m³. Additionally, this study evaluated the water quality of all salinity treatments. After 28 days of culture, the findings showed that, under biofloc conditions, salinity affected the performance of some variables of water quality in some cases, but only the combination of a high nitrite-N concentration (>4 mg/l) and low salinity (2 and 4 ‰) caused up to 100 % shrimp mortality in the first 2 weeks. In the rest of the treatments (8, 12, 16, 25, and 35  ‰), shrimp survival was >72 %. Shrimp mortality was affected by salinity, especially when it decreased from 35–25–16 to 12 and 8 ‰. The organisms reared at low salinities presented lower final weights and specific growth rate than those reared at higher salinities. An inverse relationship was shown between the ion concentration and the final weight of shrimp.     

Growth performance,oxidative stress,and non-specific immune responses in juvenile sablefish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anoplopoma fimbria</Emphasis>, by changes of water temperature and salinity

Juvenile sablefish, Anoplopoma fimbria (mean length 15.5 ± 1.9 cm, mean weight 68.5 ± 4.8 g), were used to evaluate the effects on growth, oxidative stress, and non-specific immune responses by changes of water temperature (8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 °C) and salinity (100 (35.0), 90 (31.5), 80 (28.0), 70 (24.5), 60 (21.0), 50 (17.5), and 40% (14.0) (‰)) for 4 months. The growth performance was significantly increased at the temperature of 12 and 14 °C, and the feed efficiency was notably decreased at the temperature of 18 °C. The growth performance and feed efficiency were also significantly decreased at low salinity. The antioxidant responses such as superoxide dismutase and catalase were significantly increased by the high temperature and decreased by the low salinity. The immune responses such as lysozyme and phagocytosis were elevated by the temperature of 18 °C and decreased by the salinity of 50%. The results of this study indicate that the growth performance of juvenile sablefish, A. fimbria, is influenced by the temperature and salinity, and the excessive temperature and salinity levels can affect the antioxidant and immune responses.     

Optimization of culture conditions for larval GIFT tilapia Oreochromis niloticus using response surface methodology and effects of HAMP-1 and c-type lysozyme mRNA expression in liver

Response surface methodology (RSM) in concert with central composite experimental design was firstly applied to optimize the culture condition for larval Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) tilapia. Larvae were reared at different water temperature (16–37 °C) and salinity (0–20 ‰) for 35 days. Results showed that the linear and quadratic effects of temperature and salinity on specific growth rate (SGR), survival and hepatic HAMP-1 mRNA levels were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The interacting effects of temperature and salinity on SGR and survival were significant (P < 0.05), but the interaction on the levels of hepatic HAMP-1 and c-type lysozyme mRNA was not significant (P > 0.05). A significant increase in the levels of c-type lysozyme mRNA was observed as salinity increases; the quadratic effects of salinity were insignificant (P > 0.05). The regression equations of SGR, survival, the levels of hepatic HAMP-1 and c-type lysozyme mRNA toward the two factors of interest were established using multiple regression analysis, with the coefficients of determination being 0.980, 0.982, 0.968, and 0.949, respectively (P < 0.01). Based on RSM, the optimal temperature/salinity combination was obtained at 28.2 °C/6.8 ‰ of which the greatest SGR (10.08 % day^?1) and survival (91.34 %) were simultaneously attained. Adequately increasing salinity would improve growth, survival, and innate immune function in larval GIFT tilapia.     

Optimum low salinity to reduce cannibalism and improve survival of the larvae of freshwater African catfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clarias gariepinus</Emphasis>

The freshwater African catfish Clarias gariepinus is carnivorous and cannibalistic even during the larval and juvenile stages and this behavior causes economic losses in aquaculture. This study examined for the first time the effect of salinity on cannibalism, survival, and growth of African catfish larvae in the hatchery. Larvae (4 days old, median 7.8 mm TL, 2.8 mg BW) of the African catfish were reared for 21 days at nominal salinity 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 ppt. After 21 days, they grew to 10–39 mm (median 22 mm) and 10–490 mg (median 90 mg), with no significant difference by salinity treatments. Survival ratios were similarly low (24–31%) at 0, 1, 3, and 7 ppt and significantly higher (49–55%) at 2, 4, 5, and 6 ppt. Cannibalism was significantly lower, 15–30% at 4–6 ppt, than the 40–50% at 0–3 and 7 ppt. Size variation was lower at 4–6 ppt and higher at 0–3 and 7 ppt. We recommend hatchery rearing of African catfish at the optimum low salinity of 4–6 ppt rather than in full fresh water at least up to 21 days. This rearing method fosters larval welfare and improves hatchery production.     

Low salinity increases survival,body weight and development in tadpoles of the Chinese edible frog Hoplobatrachus rugulosus

Water salinity affects survival, growth and metamorphosis of anuran tadpoles. Hoplobatrachus rugulosus is considered not only as a freshwater amphibian but is also found in brackish wetlands. However, whether salinity change interferes with hatching, survival, body mass and development of H. rugulosus tadpoles is unknown. We found that salinity levels of <4‰ did not affect of survival or hatching of H. rugulosus eggs. At an early larval stage, tadpoles could tolerate up to 9‰ salinity for 96 h; however, body water content decreased when salinity was >5‰. After a 3‐week experiment, body weights of tadpoles exposed to 2‰ and 4‰ salinities were higher but that of the 6‰ group was lower compared with the 0‰ group. More than 90% of tadpoles exposed to 2‰ and 4‰ salinity showed complete metamorphosis. Salinity levels <4‰ promoted survival of tadpoles better than 0‰, whereas none of tadpoles in the 6‰ group became juvenile frogs in 50 days. Time taken to reach metamorphosis was shorter for 2‰ and 4‰ (47.22 ± 0.28 and 47.26 ± 0.33 days, respectively) than for 0‰ (49.31 ± 0.35 days). Juvenile frogs in the 2‰ group had greater body weight than the control. It could be concluded that salinity of <4‰ increased survival and body weight of H. rugulosus tadpoles, and shortened the time taken to reach metamorphosis.     

Effects of different salinity and temperatures on the growth,survival, haematocrit and blood biochemistry of Goldfish (Carassius auratus)

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of different salinities (0‰, 6‰ and 12‰) and temperatures (23, 27 and 31 °C) on the food consumption, growth, blood biochemistry and haematocrit of Goldfish. After 45 days of exposure to different salinities and temperatures, Goldfish showed a good adaptation to these salinities and temperatures in terms of blood biochemistry (glucose and triglyceride) and haematocrit. Salinities (0‰ and 6‰) and temperatures (23 and 27 °C) did not affect the weight gain, specific growth rate, final biomass and feed conversion rates, but these parameters were significant (P<0.05) at 12‰ salinity and 31 °C temperature. Plasma total protein levels decreased with the increase in salinity (P<0.05), while they were independent of temperature. In conclusion, Carassius auratus, a freshwater stenohaline fish, showed good growth in saline waters with maximum 12‰ salinity and 31 °C temperature.     

Experimental assessment of the effects of sublethal salinities on growth performance and stress in cultured tra catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus)

The effects of a range of different sublethal salinities were assessed on physiological processes and growth performance in the freshwater ‘tra’ catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) juveniles over an 8-week experiment. Fish were distributed randomly among 6 salinity treatments [2, 6, 10, 14 and 18 g/L of salinity and a control (0 g/L)] with a subsequent 13-day period of acclimation. Low salinity conditions from 2 to 10 g/L provided optimal conditions with high survival and good growth performance, while 0 g/L and salinities >14 g/L gave poorer survival rates (p < 0.05). Salinity levels from freshwater to 10 g/L did not have any negative effects on fish weight gain, daily weight gain, or specific growth rate. Food conversion ratio, however, was lowest in the control treatment (p < 0.05) and highest at the maximum salinities tested (18 g/L treatment). Cortisol levels were elevated in the 14 and 18 g/L treatments after 6 h and reached a peak after 24-h exposure, and this also led to increases in plasma glucose concentration. After 14 days, surviving fish in all treatments appeared to have acclimated to their respective conditions with cortisol levels remaining under 5 ng/mL with glucose concentrations stable. Tra catfish do not appear to be efficient osmoregulators when salinity levels exceed 10 g/L, and at raised salinity levels, growth performance is compromised. In general, results of this study confirm that providing culture environments in the Mekong River Basin do not exceed 10 g/L salinity and that cultured tra catfish can continue to perform well.     

Effects of salinity level on the survival,growth, feed utilization,carcass composition,haematological and serum biochemical changes of juvenile Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) (Asso, 1801) grown in ground saltwater

A study was performed to examine the effects of salinity on water quality, fish performance, carcass composition and haemato‐biochemical parameters in juvenile meagre, Argyrosomus regius. Fish (5.0 g) were stocked in fibreglass tanks at four salinity levels: 8‰, 16‰, 24‰ and 32‰, and fed a pelleted diet (47/17 protein/lipid) for 56 days. Results indicated that the growth, feed utilization, carcass composition and haemato‐biochemical parameters of meagre gradually improved with the increase in salinity up to 24‰ and then significantly (p ≤ .05) decreased at 32‰. The survival per cent showed a significant decrease when A. regius exposed to 8‰ salinity. An improvement with 32%, 47% and 34.1% of FCR, protein productive value and energy utilization was detected at 24‰ compared with 8‰ salinity respectively. The highest content of protein and the lowest of lipids were recorded in fish carcass at 24‰ compared with the opposite trend at 8‰ salinity. The 24‰ salinity treatment exhibited the highest value of haemoglobin (4.9 g/dl) and the lowest ratio (0.73) of albumin/globulin. The serum total protein, albumin and globulin were significantly higher at 24‰ and 32‰ salinity than those at 8‰ and 16‰ salinity groups. These findings indicate that 24‰ salinity level might be the best for meagre.     

Salinity and temperature tolerance of brown-marbled grouper Epinephelus fuscoguttatus

Grouper have to face varied environmental stressors as a result of drastic changes to water conditions during the storm season. We aimed to test the response of brown-marbled grouper to drastic and gradual changes in temperature and salinity to understand the grouper’s basic stress response. The results can improve the culture of grouper. Brown-marbled grouper, Epinephelus fuscoguttatus (6.2 ± 0.8 g) were examined for temperature and salinity tolerances at nine different environmental regimes (10, 20, and 33 ‰ combined with 20, 26 and 32 °C), in which the fish were subjected to both gradual and sudden changes in temperature and salinity. The critical thermal maximum (50 % CT_MAX) and the upper incipient lethal temperature (UILT) were in the ranges of 35.9–38.3 and 32.7–36.5 °C, respectively. The critical thermal minimum (50 % CT_MIN) and the lower incipient lethal temperature (LILT) were in the ranges of 9.8–12.2 and 14.9–22.3 °C, respectively. The critical salinity maximum (50 % CS_MAX) and the upper incipient lethal salinity (UILS) were in the ranges of 67.0–75.5 and 54.2–64.8 ‰, respectively. Fish at temperature of 20 °C and a salinity of 33 ‰ tolerated temperatures as low as 10 °C when the temperature was gradually decreased. Fish acclimated at salinities of 10–33 ‰ and a temperature of 32 °C tolerated salinities of as high as 75–79 ‰. All fish survived from accumulating salinity after acute transfer to 20, 10, 5, and 3 ‰. But all fish died while transferred to 0 ‰. Relationships among the UILT, LILT, 50 % CT_MAX, 50 % CT_MIN, UILS, 50 % CS_MAX, salinity, and temperature were examined. The grouper’s temperature and salinity tolerance elevated by increasing acclimation temperature and salinity. On the contrary, the grouper’s temperature and salinity tolerance degraded by decreasing acclimation temperature and salinity. The tolerance of temperature and salinity on grouper in gradual changes were higher than in drastic changes.     

Effects of abrupt salinity increase on nitrification processes in a freshwater moving bed biofilter

The nitrification process is a widely used biological approach responsible for ammonia and nitrite removal in recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) biofilters. Given this pivotal role, the influence of different water quality parameter on nitrification efficiency is important information for RAS operations. One influencing parameter is salinity, and salinity fluctuations in freshwater RAS biofilters are reported to affect the nitrifying bacteria. This study investigated the effects of abrupt increase in salinity in freshwater RAS on substrate-dependent (1’-order) as well as substrate independent (0’-order) nitrification rates. A 100% inhibition was found for surface specific removal (STR) of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) and surface specific nitrite removal (SNR) when salinity was abruptly increased to 25‰ and above. A fast turnover (i.e. steep decline in [NH₄-N⁺] and [NO₂-N⁻]) were observed at lower salinities (≤10‰), while limited/no degradation of either ammonia or nitrite was seen at salinities above 25‰. At low substrate loading (1’-order process), removal rate constants (k_1a) of 0.22 and 0.23 m d^-1 were observed for ammonia and nitrite degradation, respectively, declining to 0.01 m d^-1when adding marine RAS water increasing the salinity to 15‰. Similar observations followed at high nutrient loadings (0’-order process) with STR and SNR of 0.10 and 0.12 g N m^-2 d^-1, respectively, declining to 0.01 g N m^-2 d^-1 at 15‰. When salinities of 25‰ and 35‰ were applied, neither TAN nor nitrite degradation was seen. The results thus demonstrate a pronounced effect of salinity changes when freshwater RAS biofilters are subjected to fast/abrupt changes in salinity. RAS facility operators should be aware of such potential effects and take relevant precautions.     

Effect of Salinity on Growth,Feed Utilization,and Survival of Tilapia rendalli Under Laboratory Conditions

ABSTRACT

Juvenile T. rendalli were evaluated for 10 weeks to determine the effect of salinity on growth, feed utilization, and survival in tanks. Fish weighing 3.94 ± 0.44 g were stocked into twelve 50-L rectangular tanks at 15 fish /tank. The fish were raised in three salinity levels (5, 10, 15‰, and freshwater as a control). There were three replicate tanks per treatment. After the feeding experiment, a digestibility trial was conducted for two weeks. After 70 days, fish in the 10‰ treatment grew significantly larger (P < 0.05) than those in 5‰, 15‰, and freshwater. T. rendalli cultured in 10‰ had significantly lower feed conversion ratios and higher feed conversion efficiency and protein efficiency ratios. Survival of the fish was significantly (P < 0.05) different and depended on salinity level. The apparent digestibilities of crude protein, fat, ash, and gross energy were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in T. rendalli cultured in the 10‰ salinity treatment. However, apparent digestibility of dry matter did not differ significantly (P < 0.05) between 10‰ and 5‰. The results obtained indicate that 10‰ is optimal for T. rendalli in tank culture.     

Effects of salinity and temperature on the growth and survival of New Zealand shortfin,Anguilla australis,and longfin,A. dieffenbachii,glass eels

The ideal water conditions for maximizing the performance of the nursery culture of glass eels harvested from the wild for aquaculture need to be determined for the New Zealand shortfin (Anguilla australis) and longfin (Anguilla dieffenbachii) eels. This study determined the survival and growth of glass eels reared under different temperature and salinity conditions in the laboratory. The growth and survival of shortfin and longfin glass eels reared in salt water (35‰) maintained at 25 °C was examined over 84 days from capture. The mean specific growth rate (SGR) was higher in shortfin [2.30±0.29% body weight (b.w.) day^?1] than longfin glass eels (1.52±0.06% b.w. day^?1), and survival was also higher in shortfin (76.0±4.16%) than for longfin glass eels (28.7±6.36%). A second experiment identified the effect of salinity (0, 17.5‰ and 35‰) and temperature (17.5 and 26.5 °C) on the acclimation, growth performance and survival of shortfin and longfin glass eels over a period of 84 days from capture. There was no incidence of mortality for either shortfin or longfin glass eels reared across all salinity treatments (0‰, 17.5‰ and 35‰) at 26.5 °C, while survival of shortfin and longfin glass eels reared at 17.5 °C was the highest in 17.5‰, followed by 35‰ and 0‰ treatments. Both temperature and salinity affected the SGR of shortfin glass eels, with the highest SGR observed for shortfin glass eels reared in 0‰ water maintained at 26.5 °C. In longfin glass eels, salinity alone had an effect on the SGR, with the highest SGR observed in glass eels reared in 0‰ water regardless of the water temperature (17.5 and 26.5 °C). In addition, the adaptability of glass eels to salinity was evaluated from the development and the physiological responses of gill chloride cell (CC) morphology. The number and size of CCs increased significantly with increasing salinity in both shortfin and longfin eels.     

iTRAQ proteomic analysis of salinity acclimation proteins in the gill of tropical marbled eel (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Anguilla marmorata</Emphasis>)

Osmoregulation plays an important role in the migration process of catadromous fish. The osmoregulatory mechanisms of tropical marbled eel (Anguilla marmorata), a typical catadromous fish, did not gain sufficient attention, especially at the molecular level. In order to enrich the protein database of A. marmorata, a proteomic analysis has been carried out by iTRAQ technique. Among 1937 identified proteins in gill of marbled eel, the expression of 1560 proteins (80 %) was quantified. Compared with the protein expression level in the gill of marbled eel in freshwater (salinity of 0 ‰), 336 proteins were up-regulated and 67 proteins were down-regulated in seawater (salinity of 25 ‰); 33 proteins were up-regulated and 32 proteins were down-regulated in brackish water (salinity of 10 ‰). These up-regulated proteins including Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, V-type proton ATPase, sodium–potassium–chloride co-transporter and heat shock protein 90 were enriched in many KEGG-annotated pathways, which are related to different functions of the gill. The up-regulated oxidative phosphorylation and seleno-compound metabolism pathways involve the synthesis and consumption of ATP, which represents extra energy consumption. Another identified pathway is the ribosome pathway in which a large number of up-regulated proteins are involved. It is also more notable that tight junction and cardiac muscle contraction pathways may have correlation with ion transport in gill cells. This is the first report describing the proteome of A. marmorata for acclimating to the change of salinity. These results provide a functional database for migratory fish and point out some possible new interactions on osmoregulation in A. marmorata.     

Effects of different salinities on growth performance,survival, digestive enzyme activity,immune response,and muscle fatty acid composition in juvenile American shad (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Alosa sapidissima</Emphasis>)

The effects of salinity on survival, growth, special activity of digestive enzymes, nonspecific immune response, and muscle fatty acid composition were evaluated in the American shad (Alosa sapidissima). Juveniles of 35 days after hatching were reared at 0 (control), 7, 14, 21, and 28 ppt for 60 days. At the end of the experiment, juvenile American shad presented higher survival and specific growth rate (SGR) in salinity group (7, 14, and 21 ppt) than control group (P < 0.05). The special activity of trypsin and chymotrypsin was highest in fish reared at 21 ppt, while the highest lipase special activity was obtained in control group (P < 0.05). The special activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lysozyme (LZM), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) showed significant increases in salinity group (14 and 21 ppt) compared to control group (P < 0.05). Lower muscle ash contents were detected in salinity group (14, 21, and 28 ppt) than control group (P < 0.05), while the contents of crude lipid and crude protein were significantly higher than control group (P < 0.05). The level of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) exhibited a decreasing trend, while an increased level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was detected with the increase of salinity. Among the PUFA, the content of n-3 fatty acids in muscle tissue was found to be increasing with the increasing salinity, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Results indicate that appropriate increase in salinity was reasonable and beneficial for juvenile American shad culture after a comprehensive consideration, especially salinity range from 14 to 21 ppt.     

Feeding physiology and scope for growth of the oyster Crassostrea corteziensis (Hertlein, 1951) acclimated to different conditions of temperature and salinity

There is a particular interest in Mexico for the grow-out and breeding in captivity of the native oyster Crassostrea corteziensis. However, there is a lack of knowledge of the effect of temperature and salinity on the feeding physiology that maximizes the growth and eventually achieves the maturation of C. corteziensis. Our aim was to evaluate the filtration and clearance rates, oxygen consumption, ammonium excretion rates, assimilation efficiency, and scope for growth of the oyster C. corteziensis acclimated during 2 weeks to different combinations of temperature (23, 26, 29, and 32 °C) and salinity (20, 30, 40, and 50 psu). Oysters were fed with a standard suspension of the microalga Chaetoceros muelleri as total particulate matter, which was supplied at 4.2 L h^?1 into 10 1-L tanks used as experimental chambers. The results showed that filtration and clearance rates increased with increasing temperature and decreased with increasing salinity, with the highest values obtained at 29 °C and 20 psu. Ammonium excretion and, to lesser extent, oxygen consumption matched with the variations in the feeding rate. The values of the scope for growth (SFG) suggested that C. corteziensis is able to grow out in all combinations of temperatures and salinities tested in this work. However, the SFG decreased at higher salinity (50 psu) in both extreme temperatures (23 and 32 °C), with highest value occurring at intermediate temperature and the lowest salinity. The SFG increased with increasing temperature and decreased with increasing salinity, which was explained by the increase in the feeding rates and ammonium excretion, coupled with higher absorption efficiency of the food. We concluded that higher filtrations and scope for growth of oysters occurred at 29 °C in brackish-water (20 psu) rather than in marine-water conditions. The results obtained can be considered highly useful information for aquacultural management of this oyster species, and useful to establish suitable sites to enhance their cultivation and maximize the growth of C. corteziensis.     

Salinity effects on osmoregulation and gill morphology in juvenile Persian sturgeon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Acipenser persicus</Emphasis>)

The effect of abrupt and 5-day gradual salinity transfers from freshwater (FW) to 11 ‰ Caspian Sea brackish water (BW) was investigated in juvenile Persian sturgeon Acipenser persicus with three different weight groups: 1–2 g (1.62 ± 0.27 g), 2–3 g (2.55 ± 0.41 g) and 3–5 g (4.28 ± 0.76 g). Mortality rates, blood osmotic pressure, gill morphology and branchial Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase (NKA) activity were measured 4 and 10 days after abrupt transfer and 9 and 15 days after the initial gradual transfer (i.e. 4 and 10 days after reaching Caspian Sea salinity). Fish under 3 g could not survive increased salinity, and the blood osmotic pressure of the remaining surviving fish increased and remained elevated. However, heavier fish were able to survive and successfully acclimate, even to rapid salinity change with osmotic pressure reduced to Caspian Sea osmolality levels. At the gill level, the developmental increase in chloride cell volume and a higher NKA content most probably allow juveniles weighing more than 2 g to sharply increase NKA activity if the fish are transferred to BW. The rapid chloride cell proliferation occurring with increased salinity should strengthen this acclimation response. Therefore, a drastic physiological change occurs when fish weigh more than 2 g that allows migration to higher salinities. The triggering signal on chloride cells must be further investigated in order to optimize this functional step.     

Effect of Salinity on Embryonic Development,Hatchability, and Growth of African Catfish,Clarias gariepinus,Eggs and Larvae

Abstract

Effects of salinity on embryonic development and growth of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, eggs and larvae were studied. Eggs were incubated at 27-29°C in 2,4,6,8, and 10 ppt sodium chloride. Rate of embryonic development was delayed in all salt solutions by 15, 15,28 and 30 minutes, in 2,4,6, and 8 ppt sodium chloride, respectively, when compared with the control group (0% salt); total mortality occurred at 12 hours after gastrula stage in the 10 ppt concentration. Percentage hatching was 45.1,47.7, 59.5,49.2, and 26.6% while percentage deformity was 10.4, 16.1, 52.0, 28.6, and 71.6% in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 ppt salt treatments, respectively. There were significant differences (P <0.05) in the hatching percentage and in deformity percentage between 4, 6, and 8 ppt. Rate of yolk absorption was significantly faster in the control and 2 ppt salt treatments, but slower in 4, 6, and 8 ppt. Rate of increase in length was slower with increasing salinity. The optimum salinity for African catfish eggs and was between 0-2 ppt and acceptable up to 6 ppt. The results suggest that increasing salinity delayed hatching and development of African catfish eggs and larvae, respectively, as well as increased the deformity of the larvae.