OPTIMAL SALINITY-TEMPERATURE COMBINATIONS FOR THE EARLY LIFE STAGES OF GILTHEAD BREAM,Sparus auratus L.

High larval mortalities during rearing of gilthead bream, Sparus auratus L., led to experiments on the influence of salinity and temperature on eggs and yolk-sac larvae. Test salinities ranged from 5 to 70 ppt for eggs and from 15 to 45 ppt for larvae; experimental temperatures were 18–20°C for eggs and 18, 23 and 26°C for larvae. Spawning conditions were 18–20°C and 33–35 ppt salinity; the yolk-sac larvae were chosen from hatches obtained under similar conditions (18°C and 35 ppt salinity). For eggs the optimum survival range was found to be 30–50 ppt at 18°C and 15–60 ppt at 23°C, while that for yolk-sac larvae was 15–25 ppt at all three temperatures. Choosing normal development (no dorsal curvature) as the decisive criterion, the optimum salinity range for egg incubation was reduced to 30–40 ppt at 18°C and to 35–45 ppt at 23°C, while that for the yolk-sac stage remained 15–25 ppt at all test temperatures. Egg incubation was most successful at salinity-temperature combinations close to those during spawning, whereas salinity had to be reduced by at least 10 ppt for yolk-sac larvae.     

驼背鲈(Chromileptes altivelis)的胚胎发育及仔、稚、幼鱼形态观察

对驼背鲈(Chromileptes altivelis)的胚胎发育及仔、稚、幼鱼的形态特征进行了详细的观察与研究,描述了从受精卵到仔、稚、幼鱼各发育期的时间和形态特征变化。结果表明,在水温25-26℃、盐度30的海水中,受精卵历时27 h 25 min完成整个胚胎发育过程,经历从卵裂、囊胚、原肠、神经胚到肌节形成、各器官的逐渐形成、变化、完善等一系列的胚胎发育和变化过程;根据其卵黄囊消长情况、鳞片的覆盖状态、体色发生的不同变化以及第二背鳍和腹鳍的消长,将胚后发育分为仔、稚、幼鱼3个阶段。在水温22-26℃、盐度29-31、DO≥5 mg/L的条件下,2-3 d仔鱼卵黄囊消失,开口摄食;生长发育至31 d,仔鱼已变态进入稚鱼期;培育至57 d,稚鱼完成变态,成为幼鱼。第二背鳍棘和腹鳍棘的生长与收缩等石斑鱼类早期发育的共性生长特征及其体表特性体色变化特征为驼背鲈胚后发育过程中最明显的特征。     

Effects of egg disinfection and incubation temperature on early life stages of spotted wolffish

Eggs of spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor Olafsen)were incubated at constant 4, 6 and 8 °C, and disinfected withglutaric dialdehyde (150 p.p.m. for 5 min) once ortwice a month during two thirds of the incubation period, to prevent growth ofmicroorganisms. Hatching of apparently normal larvae started earlier when eggswere disinfected twice a month compared to once a month at all incubationtemperature regimes. The time to 50% hatch was 900 and 920 day-degrees (16 and16,5 weeks) at 8 °C, 835 and 880 day-degrees (20 and 21 weeks)at 6 °C and 725 and 800 day-degrees (26 and 28,5 weeks) at 4°C, in the egg groups disinfected twice or once a month,respectively. The best survival until hatching was noted when eggs weredisinfected twice a month and incubated at 6 and 8 °C.Survivalwas very low at 4 °C. Prematurely hatched larvae wereregistered in all egg groups disinfected twice a month and the highestfrequencywas noted in the 8 °C groups. The larval weight at normalhatching in the 6 and 8 °C groups was negatively correlatedwith incubation temperature and intervals of disinfection during the incubationperiod, but after 42 days feeding with live feed (unenrichedArtemia) the weights of the larvae were not significantlydifferent. The specific growth rates of the larvae from the eggs incubated at 6°C and 8 °C were 3.0% and 3.2%, respectively.The mean survival of larvae was between 88% and 96% at 42 days post-hatching.Young wolffish originating from the 6 °C incubation groupsshowed lowest mortality.     

Effects of Temperature on Growth and Efficiency of Yolk Utilisation in Eggs and Pre-feeding Larval Stages of Atlantic Salmon

Three embryonic stages of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) were subjected to eight constant incubation temperatures (4, 7, 10, 12, 14, 16, 19 and 22 °C) exceeding the range usually experienced in natural conditions. A change in thermal tolerance during the embryonic and larval development was registered: pre-hatching stages showed an upper thermal limit at about 16 °C, while hatched larvae survived until 22 °C. Temperature significantly affects developmental rate, resulting in a faster development and, consequently, lower yolk weight percentage at higher temperatures. We found positive relationships between incubation temperature and body size (length and weight) in the less developed stages, in which some yolk remained, but size decreased at increasing temperatures when yolk was completely exhausted.     

盐度对克氏原螯虾孵化率的影响

研究了不同盐度对克氏原螯虾受精卵孵化的影响.水温25 ℃条件下,盐度0～8时克氏原螯虾的受精卵均可孵出幼体.但以盐度0～4时孵化率较高,每个亲体平均孵出的幼体数量较多,高出此盐度范围时孵化率明显降低,且随着盐度升高,孵化时间延长.试验表明,0～4的盐度为克氏原螯虾孵化的适宜盐度,孵化率较高,孵化时间较短.     

Effects of temperature and lipid droplet adherence on mortality of hatchery-reared southern hake Merluccius australis larvae

Effects of exogenous (water temperature) and endogenous (lipid droplet adherence) factors were experimentally tested on early survival of southern hake Merluccius australis reared under controlled conditions. Experiments to determine the effect of temperature (10, 12 and 14 °C) on larval growth rates and yolk-sac absorption rates of unfed southern hake were carried out under laboratory conditions. There was no significant differences in growth rates at the temperature range tested (ANCOVA, F = 0.164, p > 0.25), but yolk-sac absorption rates and mortality increased with temperature (ANCOVA, F = 53.84, p < 0.001). A high percentage (between 31 and 81%) of hake eggs showed a lipid droplet not adhered (i.e., freely moving in the yolk, and not located in the posteriormost portion of the yolk-sac). In a second experiment, fed southern hake larvae with the lipid droplet not adhered during embryonic development did not survive after yolk-sac absorption. This study provides the first data on the influence of the lipid droplet absorption on larval survival of cultured hake, and can be used as an early indication of the quality of the batch.     

温度和盐度对中华原钩虾幼体孵化、存活及生长的影响

采用室内受控实验方法测定了不同温度(15,20,25和30℃)和盐度(盐度5,10,15,20,25,30和35)以及温度和盐度交互作用对中华原钩虾幼体孵化、存活及生长的影响。结果表明,中华原钩虾幼体孵化的数量受水温影响显著(P<0.05),20℃幼体孵化率最高,平均每只亲体孵化幼体30.67个。水温对幼体生长的影响差异十分显著(P<0.01),15~25℃范围内,幼体的日增长和特定生长率随水温升高而增加,水温25℃时达到最大值,平均日增长体长为0.23 mm/d、体质量平均日增长体质量为0.20 mg/d,特定生长率体长为6.40%/d、体质量特定生长率为15.79%/d;当水温高于25℃,钩虾的日增长和特定生长率降低。根据相关性方程式推算其最适孵化温度为21.50℃,最适生长温度为20~25℃。中华原钩虾幼体的存活率受温度的影响差异不显著(P>0.05),20℃钩虾幼体存活率最高,为98%,30℃存活率最低,为87.67%。盐度对中华原钩虾孵化幼体数量、存活率及幼体生长的影响差异不显著(P>0.05)。温度和盐度交互作用结果表明,中华原钩虾对盐度有较好的适应能力,温度对中华原钩虾种群发展的影响要大于盐度的影响。     

Effects of temperature and salinity on the survival and development of mud crab, Scylla serrata (Forsskål), larvae

The combined effects of temperature and salinity on larval survival and development of the mud crab, Scylla serrata, were investigated in the laboratory. Newly hatched larvae were reared under 20 °C temperature and salinity combinations (i.e. combinations of four temperatures 25, 28, 31, 34 °C with five salinities 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 g L⁻¹). The results showed that temperature and salinity as well as the interaction of the two parameters significantly affected the survival of zoeal larvae. Salinity at 15 g L⁻¹ resulted in no larval survival to the first crab stage, suggesting that the lower salinity tolerance limit for mud crab larvae lies somewhere between salinity 15 and 20 g L⁻¹. However, within the salinity range of 20–35 g L⁻¹, no significant effects on survival of zoeal larvae were detected (P>0.05). The combined effects of temperature and salinity on larval survival were also evident as at low salinities, both high and low temperature led to mass mortality of newly hatched larvae (e.g. 34 °C/15 g L⁻¹, 34 °C/20 g L⁻¹ and 25 °C/15 g L⁻¹ combinations). In contrast, the low temperature and high salinity combination of 25 °C/35 g L⁻¹ resulted in one of the highest survival to the megalopal stage. It was also shown that at optimal 28 °C, larvae could withstand broader salinity conditions. Temperature, salinity and their interaction also significantly affected larval development. At 34 °C, the mean larval development time to megalopa under different salinity conditions ranged from 13.5 to 18.5 days. It increased to between 20.6 and 22.6 days at 25 °C. The effects of salinity on larval development were demonstrated by the fact that for all the temperatures tested, the fastest mean development to megalopa was always recorded at the salinity of 25 g L⁻¹. However, a different trend of salinity effects was shown for megalopae as their duration consistently increased with an increase in salinity from 20 to 35 g L⁻¹. In summary, S. serrata larvae tolerate a broad range of salinity and temperature conditions. Rearing temperature 25–30 °C and salinity 20–35 g L⁻¹ generally result in reasonable survival. However, from an aquaculture point of view, a higher temperature range of 28–30 °C and a salinity range of 20–30 g L⁻¹ are recommended as it shortens the culture cycle.     

盐度对棘头梅童鱼胚胎发育和仔鱼存活的影响

观察比较了11个盐度梯度[0、5、10、15、20、25、30(自然海水)、35、40、45、50]下,棘头梅童鱼(Collichthys lueidus)胚胎的沉浮情况、孵化时间、孵化率和畸形率,并测定了初孵仔鱼的不投饵存活系数(SAI)。结果表明:(1)棘头梅童鱼胚胎在海水盐度为30及以上时100%漂浮;盐度为25时,95%漂浮,5%悬浮;盐度为20时95%悬浮,5%沉底;盐度为15时95%沉底,5%悬浮;盐度为10及以下时100%沉底。在水温18～20℃的条件下,棘头梅童鱼胚胎在盐度5～40范围内经28～32 h能孵化出仔鱼,盐度对孵化时间影响不显著(P>0.05)。但孵化率和畸形率因盐度不同而有显著差异。综合分析表明棘头梅童鱼胚胎孵化的适宜盐度范围为15～35,孵化最适盐度范围在20～30之间。(2)在可孵出鱼苗盐度范围(5～40)内,棘头梅童鱼仔鱼SAI值为(1.80±0.03)～(11.85±0.02),与卵的孵化率呈正相关关系。仔鱼生存的适宜生长盐度为10～30,最适盐度范围为20～25。     

盐度对杂交石斑鱼受精卵孵化和卵黄囊仔鱼形态及活力的影响

为了研究盐度对褐点石斑鱼(Epinephelus fuscoguttatus)♀×清水石斑鱼(Epinephelus polyphekadion)♂杂交后代(简称杂交石斑鱼)受精卵孵化、卵黄囊仔鱼形态及活力的影响,将杂交石斑鱼受精卵置于不同盐度水体中,观察盐度胁迫下卵径、油球径、孵化率及畸形率,以及孵化后卵黄囊仔鱼形态变化和活力状况。结果表明,在本研究条件下,受精卵卵径随盐度降低而增大,油球径不随盐度变化而变化。在盐度18~36范围内均能孵化仔鱼,但因盐度不同孵化率和初孵仔鱼畸形率有显著差异(P0.05);随盐度升高,孵化率呈先升后降的变化,初孵仔鱼畸形率则相反。盐度24~36组孵化后3 d仔鱼卵黄囊几乎完全消耗,组间无显著差异(P0.05)。在盐度24~36范围内,随着盐度的增加,仔鱼的不投饵存活系数(SAI值)呈先升后降的变化曲线;盐度30~33范围内,初孵仔鱼SAI值大于5;5日龄仔鱼全部死亡,半数死亡时间出现在孵化后3.5 d。综上分析表明,该杂交石斑鱼受精卵孵化及仔鱼培育的适宜盐度范围为24~36,最适盐度范围为30~33。     

云纹石斑鱼胚胎发育及仔、稚、幼鱼形态观察

对云纹石斑鱼Epinephelus moara胚胎发育及仔、稚、幼鱼形态进行了观察与研究,详细描述了各发育期的形态特征和发育时间。结果表明:1)在水温22±0.2℃、盐度30、溶氧7.8mg/L、pH8.25的条件下,云纹石斑鱼的受精卵历时38h 17min开始孵化出膜。胚胎发育可分为受精卵、卵裂、原肠、神经胚和器官形成及出膜6个阶段,受精、胚盘形成、2细胞等28个时期。2)在水温23±1℃,盐度30±3,DO≥5mg/L,pH8.0±0.5的海水中,培育至5d,卵黄囊完全消失,成为后期仔鱼;培育至27d,发育最快的云纹石斑鱼结束仔鱼期,进入稚鱼期;培育至65d,发育最快的稚鱼完成变态,成为幼鱼。胚后发育过程主要是根据卵黄囊、鳍膜、鳞片、体色及第1腹鳍棘与第2背鳍棘相对长度的变化分为仔鱼、稚鱼和幼鱼3个时期。其中仔鱼期又根据其卵黄囊的有无划分为前期仔鱼和后期仔鱼。     

Some effects of temperature and salinity on laboratory-reared eggs and larvae of Polydactylus sexfilis (Pisces: Polynemidae)

Effects of temperature and salinity on eggs and yolksac larvae of Polydactylus sexfilis (Cuvier and Valenciennes) were examined in laboratory experiments. Data on developmental rates as influenced by temperature are presented. Larval length at 95% yolksac absorption was maximized between 23.8 and 28.6°C. Based on the development of functional eyes and jaws, larvae were judged capable of feeding before the yolk was completely absorbed. Larvae incubated at intermediate temperatures also had larger amounts of yolk remaining when eyes and jaws were judged functional. Temperature and salinity effects on hatching success, survival at the end of the yolksac stage, and morphological abnormalities were studied in a 10 × 5 (temperature × salinity) array of treatments. In 34‰ sea water, normalized larval survival at the end of the yolksac stage was greater than 50% between temperatures of 21.9 and 28.0°C. Larval survival decreased at lower temperatures and salinities. Proportions of abnormal larvae increased at temperature and salinity extremes, and normal development was maximized between 26 and 34‰. Larvae (74 h after fertilization) were more tolerant to extreme high temperatures than were newly fertilized eggs. Upper salinity tolerance limits of 42-h larvae were greater at 26.2°C than at 23.5 or 29.2°C, and lower salinity was less tolerated at the two extreme temperatures. Based on the results, recommended temperatures and salinities for rearing P. sexfilis eggs and early larvae are 24–28°C and 26–34‰.     

大菱鲆胚胎和仔稚鱼的热刺激耐受能力

以培育大菱鲆Scophthalmus maximus耐高温品系为目的,研究了胚胎和仔稚鱼对热刺激的耐受力差别,为通过高温刺激选育大菱鲆耐高温品系提供指导和基础数据。实验分别对大菱鲆胚胎期(孵化前期)、卵黄囊期(初孵仔鱼,0dph)、前弯曲期(10dph)和弯曲期(25dph)的仔鱼、稚鱼(50dph)使用22～33℃范围内不同梯度的高温海水,进行突变热刺激,2h后转入原水体中培育,记录之后60～84h的死亡率、仔鱼孵化率、畸形率等数据。结果表明,上述5个发育期大菱鲆经受2h热刺激的亚致死温度为24、23、<22、28、28℃,半致死温度为26、28、22、29、29℃,致死温度为30、29、27、30、30℃。根据热刺激后24和48h死亡率,耐热能力由弱到强依次为10dph<胚胎<0dph<25dph<50dph,总体上呈现随生长发育逐渐增强的趋势。10dph左右可能为大菱鲆热刺激耐受力低谷,此时也是开鳔期,对外界环境反应灵敏,受到不良环境刺激易导致死亡。     

Changes in Na+,K+-ATPase activity and gill chloride cell morphology in the grouper Epinephelus coioides larvae and juveniles in response to salinity and temperature

The activity of the enzyme Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase and morphological changes of gill chloride cells in grouper, Epinephelus coioides larvae and juveniles were determined 6–48 h after abrupt transfer from ambient rearing conditions (30–32 ppt, 26.5–30 °C) to different salinity (8, 18, 32, 40 ppt) and temperature (25, 30 °C) combinations. Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity in day 20 larvae did not change at salinities 8–32 ppt. Activity decreased significantly (P <0.01) after exposure to 40 ppt at 25–30 °C, which was accompanied by an increase (P <0.05) in density and fractional area of chloride cells. Enzyme activity in 40 ppt did not reach a stable level and larvae failed to recover from an osmotic imbalance that produced a low survival at 25 °C and death of all larvae at 30 °C. Enzyme activity and chloride cell morphology in day 40 groupers did not change in 8–40 ppt at 25 °C and 8–32 ppt at 30 °C. A significant decrease and a subsequent increase in Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity in 40 ppt at 30 °C was associated with the increase in chloride cell density resulting in an increased fractional area but a decreased cell size. Enzyme activity and chloride cells of day 60 grouper were unaffected by abrupt transfer to test salinities and temperatures. These results demonstrate that grouper larvae and juveniles are efficient osmoregulators over a wide range of salinities. Salinity adaptation showed an ontogenetic shift as the larvae grew and reached the juvenile stage. This development of tolerance limits may reflect their response to actual conditions existing in the natural environment.     

Influence of water salinity on the survival of embryos and growth of the sichel larvae Pelecus cultratus (L.) under controlled conditions

The purpose of this study was to analyse the influence of water salinity on the incubation of eggs and growth of the larvae of sichel Pelecus cultratus (L.) under controlled conditions. The following water salinity was considered: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 0 ppt for the control. The eggs incubation time depended on the water salinity, lasting from 56.3°D [9 ppt] to 107.7°D [0 ppt]. The higher water salinity, shorter the incubation time. The highest survivability of larvae was obtained in water of the salinity equal 3 ppt and in freshwater, where respectively 87% and 84% of the larvae survived. No hatched larvae were obtained in water of the salinity of 12 and 15 ppt, as all embryos died during the experiment. Larvae were reared up for 21 days. The final body weight, depending on the water salinity, reached from 43.5 mg [9 ppt] to 74.6 mg [3 ppt], at the respective body lengths of 19.3 mm and 23.2 mm. The highest body gains and lengths of larvae were observed in water of the salinity of 3 ppt. The lowest survivability of sichel larvae occurred in water of the salinity 9 ppt, where it was only 53.2%. The survivability of larvae in freshwater and water of the salinity of 3 ppt was quite similar: 96.2% and 95.6% respectively. Water salinity degree of 12 and 15 ppt appeared to be lethal for both embryos and larvae of the sichel.     

The influence of salinity on the morphological development of yolk sac larvae of Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus (L.)

The effects of incubation salinity on survival and morphological development of yolk sac larvae of Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus (L.), were studied at two salinities, 35.5%o and 32.3%o. Yolk sac larvae incubated at 35.5%o developed early tail deformities before 50 day-degrees (9 days post-hatch), and necrosis, oedema and calculus in the urinary bladder at about 150 day-degrees (28 days post-hatch). However, the incidence and severity of mouth deformity was not influenced by salinity. The cumulative mortality up to first feeding was 17% when the larvae were incubated at 3 5.5%o compared to 7% at 32.3%o. A broad variation between the different larval groups was noted in the extent of injuries induced by the higher salinity. Therefore, salinity must be considered as a critical environmental parameter for the yolk sac larvae of Atlantic halibut in aquaculture.     

Improvement in the feeding activity, early growth and survival of Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis larvae fed a casein peptide-based microdiet supplemented with inosine monophosphate

Two feeding experiments were conducted to determine the effect of a 5′-inosine monophosphate (IMP)-supplemented casein peptide-based microdiet (MD) on the feeding activity, growth and survival of Pacific bluefin tuna (PBT) larvae. PBT larvae [total length: 14.0 mm (Exp. 1) or 13.3 mm (Exp. 2)] were fed a casein peptide-based MD supplemented with or without 3% IMP for 12 days. As a negative control, a limited number of yolk-sac larvae of spangled emperor Lethrinus nebulosus were fed only for the first 7 days and starved for the next 5 days. A sufficient amount of yolk-sac larvae of spangled emperor was fed in the Exp. 2. All fish in the control group had died by 9 or 10 days after the experiment. Extensive mortality was observed in fish fed the MD. The MD was only found in the stomach contents of PBT fed the MD + IMP. Of the fish fed an IMP-supplemented diet, 50% survived for 12 days after the initiation of both feeding experiments. In addition, significantly higher growth than that observed during the first 7 days was seen in the PBT in the IMP treatment after 12 days of the feeding experiment. These results suggest that the supplementation of casein peptide-based MD with IMP could improve the feeding activity, survival and growth performance of PBT.     

Experimental infection of Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus L., yolk-sac larvae with infectious pancreatic necrosis virus: detection of virus by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization

Three different concentrations (10⁷, 10⁵ and 10³ TCID₅₀ ml^-1) of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) serotype Sp isolated from Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus L., were used to bath-challenge Atlantic halibut yolk-sac larvae. The larvae challenged with 10⁷ TCID₅₀ ml^-1 suffered significantly higher cumulative mortality than the other challenged groups and the control group, and affected individuals displayed necrosis of the intestine, liver and kidney. In larvae from the groups challenged with 10⁷ and 10⁵ TCID₅₀ ml^-1, IPNV was detected by immunohistochemistry and in situ RNA/DNA hybridization in the intestine, liver and kidney. In addition, some individuals stained IPNV-positive in the heart and eye/brain region. Detection by in situ hybridization did not appear to be more sensitive than immunohistochemistry. However, background staining was virtually absent in comparison with immunohistochemistry, and the staining seemed to be more distinctly localized to the cytoplasm of infected cells. The results show that farmed halibut yolk-sac larvae can be infected by IPNV immediately after hatching, with resulting high mortality. As the larvae are not immunologically mature at this stage of development, vaccination is not recommended.     

Experimental infection of Atlantic halibut,Hippoglossus hippoglossus L., yolk-sac larvae with infectious pancreatic necrosis virus: detection of virus by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization*

Three different concentrations (10⁷, 10⁵ and 10³ TCID₅₀ ml^?1) of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) serotype Sp isolated from Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus L., were used to bath-challenge Atlantic halibut yolk-sac larvae. The larvae challenged with 10⁷ TCID₅₀ ml^?1 suffered significantly higher cumulative mortality than the other challenged groups and the control group, and affected individuals displayed necrosis of the intestine, liver and kidney. In larvae from the groups challenged with 10⁷ and 10⁵ TCID₅₀ ml^?1, IPNV was detected by immunohistochemistry and in situ RNA/DNA hybridization in the intestine, liver and kidney. In addition, some individuals stained IPNV-positive in the heart and eye/ brain region. Detection by in situ hybridization did not appear to be more sensitive than immunohistochemistry. However, background staining was virtually absent in comparison with immunohistochemistry, and the staining seemed to be more distinctly localized to the cytoplasm of infected cells. The results show that farmed halibut yolk-sac larvae can be infected by IPNV immediately after hatching, with resulting high mortality. As the larvae are not immunologically mature at this stage of development, vaccination is not recommended.     

Assessment of temperature or salinity effects on larval development by catecholamine‐induced metamorphosis of hatchery‐reared flat oyster,Ostrea angasi (Sowerby 1871) larvae

A need to improve larval rearing techniques led to the development of protocols for catecholamine‐induced settlement of flat oyster, Ostrea angasi, larvae. To further refine these techniques and optimize settlement percentages, the influence of salinity or temperature on development of O. angasi larvae was assessed using epinephrine‐induced metamorphosis. Larvae were reared between salinities of 15–35 and temperatures between 14.5 and 31°C. The greatest percentage survival, growth, development occurred when larvae were reared between 26 and 29°C and between salinities of 30 and 35. Larvae reared outside this salinity and temperature range exhibited reduced growth, survival and/or delayed development. Short‐term (1 h) reduction in larval rearing temperature from 26°C to 23.5°C significantly increased larval metamorphosis without affecting larval survival. Short‐term (1 h) increase in larval rearing temperature from 26°C to 29 and 31°C decreased larval survival and metamorphosis. To ensure repeatability in outcomes, tests showed that larvae sourced from different estuaries did not vary significantly in their metamorphic response to short‐term temperature manipulation and epinephrine‐induced metamorphosis.