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.     

Growth of Tiger Puffer, Takifugu rubripes, at Different Salinities

Two 12‐wk rearing experiments were conducted to examine the effect of rearing salinities of 10–35 ppt on the growth of 3‐ and 170‐g‐size tiger puffer, Takifugu rubripes. Fish were reared in a closed recirculation system without introducing fresh culture water at 23 C and were fed commercial pellet diet for tiger puffer twice or three times daily to apparent satiation each, almost everyday. Growth of 3‐g‐size fish seemed to increase with decreasing salinity; however, there were no significant differences in the specific growth rate and weight gain among treatments because of differences in initial body weight. Final body weight and length of fish reared at 10 ppt were significantly higher than those for fish reared at 30 ppt although initial sizes were similar. Differences were not found for the feed efficiency (FE) and daily feed consumption. Apparent relationships were not observed between salinity and blood characteristics or proximate compositions of muscle of the cultured fish. Differing from smaller fish, growth of 170‐g‐size fish tended to decrease with decreasing salinity from 30 to 10 ppt and with increasing salinity from 30 to 35 ppt. Similar trends for FE were observed.     

Salinity regulates antioxidant enzyme and Na+K+‐ATPase activities of juvenile golden pompano Trachinotus ovatus (Linnaeus 1758)

Effects of salinity on the growth, survival, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and sodium‐potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na⁺K⁺‐ATPase) activities of juvenile golden pompano Trachinotus ovatus were studied under a laboratory condition. Experimental fish were reared at the salinities of 10‰, 18‰, 26‰ and 34‰ for 30 days. Growth and survival of juvenile golden pompano were significantly affected by the rearing salinity. Fish reared at 34‰ achieved the highest specific growth rate, while the highest survival was obtained when fish were cultured at the salinity of 26‰. The highest GPX activity was obtained when fish were cultured at 26‰, and the lowest GPX activity was observed when fish reared at 34‰ salinity. The SOD activities of fish reared at 18‰ and 34‰ were significantly higher than those reared at 10‰ and 26‰. The lowest of Na⁺K⁺‐ATPase activity was obtained in fish reared at 34‰, while the highest Na⁺K⁺‐ATPase activity was obtained when fish reared at 18‰. Results from present study indicate that juvenile golden pompano can be reared above 18‰ without sacrificing fish survival, and the best growth can be achieved when fish is reared at the salinity of 34‰. The salinity of 10‰ may be too low for juvenile golden pompano as the growth, survival and SOD activity were reduced.     

Effect of salinity on the rearing performance of juvenile golden pompano Trachinotus ovatus (Linnaeus 1758)

Effect of rearing salinity on the performance of juvenile golden pompano Trachinotus ovatus (Linnaeus 1758) was studied under a laboratory condition. Fish growth, survival, RNA/DNA ratio, pepsin activity, α‐amylase activity and FCR were used as evaluation criteria. The growth and RNA/DNA ratio were significantly affected by the rearing salinity. High growth rate and RNA/DNA ratio were observed when fish were reared at the salinity of 34‰. The pepsin activity of fish was not significantly affected by the rearing salinity. However, the α‐amylase activity of fish was significantly affected by the rearing salinity. The α‐amylase activity of fish reared at the salinity of 10‰ was significantly lower than fish cultured at the salinity of 34‰. Rearing salinity can significantly affect the FCR of juvenile golden pompano. The FCR of fish cultured at the salinity of 10‰ was 5‐times higher than the FCR of fish reared at 34‰. Results from the present study indicate that juvenile golden pompano can be reared above 26‰ without affecting fish performance, and the salinity of 10‰ may be too low to rear juvenile golden pompano as fish growth, RNA/DNA ratio and α‐amylase activity were reduced.     

Effects of salinity on Brazilian flounder Paralichthys orbignyanus from fertilization to juvenile settlement

The Brazilian flounder, Paralichthys orbignyanus, is a promising candidate for aquaculture, especially due to the euryhalinity demonstrated experimentally for large juveniles (3 g) and sub-adults. Flounder are observed in estuaries and were already reared in fresh and salt water, however little is known with respect of salinity tolerance during their early development. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of salinity from fertilization to juvenile settlement. Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of salinity. In trial 1 adult flounder were captured in the wild, transferred to the laboratory and induced to spawn. The gametes were hand striped, split in four samples and fertilized with water at 10, 15, 25, and 35‰. Eggs were considered fertilized when the first cell divisions were observed under the microscope. For the trial 2 newly hatched larvae were reared in four salinities (5, 10, 20, and 30‰) and their growth and survival were observed until metamorphosis. In trial 3 larvae and juvenile of different ages (6, 16, 30, 45, and 60 dah — days after hatching) were evaluated for their tolerance to fresh water. Although the fertilization rate was directly proportional to salinity, hatching was successful only in full salt water. Larvae did not survive in low salinity water (5‰) longer than 6 days, whereas growth was improved when larvae were reared at 20 and 30‰. Young larvae cannot survive in salinities below 4‰, but at 30 dah juvenile presented 100% survival in fresh water. The present findings demonstrate the need for high salinity water (30–35‰) for the successful reproduction and incubation of P. orbignyanus eggs. Flounder can be reared successfully at intermediate salinities (20‰) during larviculture, but at lower salinities (5 and 10‰) their survival and growth are impaired. However, immediately after flounder metamorphose into juveniles they survive even in fresh water, demonstrating the strong euryhalinity of this species even at early stages of development.     

Effect of dietary sodium chloride acclimation on growth and plasma thyroid hormones in tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (L.) in relation to sex

This trial was conducted in order to test the effect of supplemental dietary sodium chloride on growth and plasma thyroid hormone levels of male and female monosex groups of tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (L.) reared in fresh water and 10‰ brackish water. At the end of the experiment. the gonadal development of females was observed. A high‐salt diet (8% NaCl) was fed to female and male tilapia for a period of 3 weeks. After this time. both groups were transferred directly to fresh water and 10‰ brackish water, and a growth trial was conducted over 90 days. The results indicate that dietary supplementation with NaCl improved the growth of females and males at 30 days, except for females maintained in fresh water. Females reared in 10‰ brackish water showed an increase in growth rates that was accompanied by the highest plasma T3 levels. In contrast, males did not exhibit the same relationship in 10‰ brackish water, showing lower plasma T3 levels than in fresh water. Histological sections of O. niloticus ovaries revealed that female groups contained oocytes at different stages of development. At 90 days, females reared in 10‰ brackish water showed oocytes in maturation, while in fresh water, they showed the highest proportion of vitellogenic oocytes and no mature oocytes. The highest proportion of mature oocytes observed in brackish water was associated with the better growth rate in relation to fresh water. These results confirm that tilapia breed freely in low‐salinity brackish water as well as in fresh water.     

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.     

Growth, food conversion, maintenance and long-term survival of gilthead sea bream, Sparus auratus L., juveniles after abrupt transfer to low salinity

Juveniles of gilthead sea bream, Sparus auratus L., with individual weight 1.92 g, were reared under salinities of 8, 18, 28 and 38%o. The transfer to lower salinities (8-28%o) was abrupt. The results showed that better daily growth rates and food conversion efficiencies (FCE) when growing at 28%o gave the best performance. Statistically, salinity values above 28%o do not significantly affect daily growth rates and daily voluntary food intake. Maintenance requirement decreases linearly with increasing salinity. In particular, a l%o decrease of salinity is associated with a 0.014 (% body weight day^-1) increase of daily maintenance requirement. Mortality rates are high at salinities of 8 and 38%o (65% and 20% respectively) and minimal (1-3%) for fish reared under intermediate salinities (18-28%o). Finally, scope for growth, expressed as the minimum difference between food amount eaten and food attributed to growth, is better when the fish are kept at a salinity of 28%o. This means that most of the food amount eaten is attributed to growth and food wastage is minimal. These results confirm that gilthead sea bream fry show best performance when reared at a salinity of 28%o.     

Response of a freshwater air-breathing fish, Clarias batrachus to salinity stress: an experimental case for their farming in brackishwater areas in Andaman, India

The study was conducted to assess the effects of salinity on growth and biochemical composition of freshwater catfish, Clarias batrachus. A static nonrenewable acute toxicity bioassay test was conducted and LC₅₀ of salinity for 96-h exposure to the fingerling (14.5 cm) was 12.52 ‰. Based on these results, two sublethal salinity levels, viz. 4 and 8 ‰ were selected to study the long-term effects of salinity on C. batrachus for a period of 90 days. From the study, it was found that growth and survival rate were less in saline water (4 and 8 ‰). Maximum growth and survival were recorded in freshwater (0 ‰ salinity) and subsequently at 4 and 8 ‰. To assess the biochemical alteration, few important biomarkers were estimated. At the end of 90 days rearing period, glucose level in the brain and blood of C. batrachus was found to decrease with salinity. The level of liver and muscle glycogen in the fish reared at 4 ‰ was lower than that of control. Ascorbic acid in all organs under study was found to decrease with increasing salinity, which was attributed to stress mitigation effect of vitamin C. Acetylcholine esterase (AchE) activity recorded a gradual decrease with increasing salinity. Metabolic enzymes, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and adenosine triphosphosphtase (ATPase) activity also reduced both in liver and muscle tissues with increasing salinity. From the present investigation, it can be concluded that exposure to higher salinity significantly (P < 0.01) affects the growth and physiological response of Clarias batrachus.     

Performance and welfare of Atlantic salmon,Salmo salar L. post-smolts in recirculating aquaculture systems: Importance of salinity and water velocity

Producing a larger post-smolt in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) could shorten the production time in sea cages and potentially reduce mortality. Knowledge of the biological requirements of post-smolts in closed-containment systems is however lacking. In the present study, the effects of salinity and water velocity on growth, survival, health, and welfare of Atlantic salmon reared in RAS were examined. Salmon smolts were stocked in three separate RAS with salinities of 12, 22, and 32‰ and subjected to high (1.0 body lengths per s⁻¹) or low (0.3 body lengths second⁻¹) water velocity. Growth performance, survival, welfare, and physiological stress responses were monitored until the fish reached a bodyweight of around 450 g. Growth rate was higher at lower salinity and higher water velocity generally had a positive effect on growth in all salinities. Feed conversion ratio was lower at 12‰ compared to the 22 and 32‰ when the fish were between 250 and 450 g. Higher mortality, elevated plasma cortisol levels, higher incidence of cataract, and a higher expression of stress-induced genes in the skin (iNOS, Muc5ac-like) indicated a negative effect of higher salinity on fish welfare. Male maturation was low (<1%), and not affected by salinity or water velocity.     

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.     

The effect of salinity on growth and survival of juvenile black bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri)

Growth and survival of juvenile black bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri) were determined at salinities from 0 to 60 ppt (in 12-ppt increments) and from 0 to 12 ppt (in 4-ppt increments) in two separate trials of 6 and 4 months duration, respectively. Juvenile black bream were able to survive and grow at salinities ranging from freshwater (0 ppt) to 48 ppt. Osmotic stress was evident at 60 ppt, however, survival was not significantly affected. Fish reared at 24 ppt in trial 1 had a specific growth rate of 2.34±0.03%/day, a rate significantly higher only to those fish reared at 60 ppt (2.16±0.04%/day). Growth was greater at 24 ppt in association with the highest food intake and most efficient FCR. Although both food intake and FCR were not significantly higher than those obtained with fish reared at 12, 36 and 48 ppt, the combination of the two factors being optimised at 24 ppt lead to the greatest growth. Analysis of data from the second trial found no significant difference in the growth rate of black bream reared at salinities ranging from freshwater to 12 ppt, with SGR ranging from 1.92±0.05%/day to 2.05±0.02%/day. Variable results in freshwater between the two trials suggested that total hardness of freshwater may influence survival and/or an ontogenetic change in salinity tolerance may occur.     

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.     

盐度对点篮子鱼的存活、生长及抗氧化防御系统的影响

在容积为500 L的圆锥形塑料缸中分别用对照(自然海水)、配制的盐度为20、10、5的海水和淡水(地下水)养殖点篮子鱼［(67.76?26.12) g］,研究了不同盐度对点篮子鱼存活、生长和抗氧化酶活性的影响。结果显示,淡水组第9天出现死亡,至第27天时死亡率达100%,其余各组未出现异常,死亡率为0%。各盐度组鱼的特定生长率未表现出显著性差异,但盐度10组鱼体重显著高于盐度20和盐度5组,与对照组无显著性差异;盐度5组全长显著低于其余各盐度组。驯化40 d后,对各组鱼鳃、肝脏、肾脏和肌肉中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗超氧阴离子自由基、羟自由基活性检测结果显示,除盐度5组外,盐度10、20组点篮子鱼鳃、肝脏、肾脏、肌肉中SOD、CAT、抗超氧阴离子自由基和羟自由基活性在驯化40 d后均恢复到对照组水平,组间无显著性差异;盐度5组中鱼鳃的SOD和抗超氧阴离子自由基活性显著高于盐度10和盐度20组,肝脏、肌肉和肾脏中SOD、CAT、抗超氧阴离子自由基和羟自由基活性均恢复到对照组水平。点篮子鱼不同组织中SOD和CAT酶活力在不同盐度下均以肝脏中最高,肾脏和鳃次之,肌肉中最低;抗超氧阴离子自由基活力以肝脏中最高,极显著高于其余各组织中抗超氧阴离子自由基活力(P<0.01),肌肉次之,肾脏和鳃最低;羟自由基活力以肾脏中最高,显著高于其余各组织中羟自由基活力(P<0.05);鳃次之,肝脏和肌肉中最低,结果表明盐度能影响抗氧化酶活力大小,但并未影响鱼体内酶的分布。     

Effects of Salinity on Growth, Survival, and Selected Hematological Parameters of Juvenile Cobia Rachycentron canadum

Cobia Rachycentron canadum juveniles (119.7 mm TL, weight 8.5 g) were reared for 10 wk at three salinity levels: 5 ppt, 15 ppt. and 30 ppt. Growth and survival were determined through biweekly sampling. Blood samples obtained at termination of the study were analyzed to determine hematocrit, blood osmolality, and total protein. Results indicated that the overall growth of fish was significantly affected by salinity. Mean (± SE) total length (TL) and weight of fish reared at a salinity of 30 ppt were 201.7 ± 2.6 mm and 47.6 ± 1.9 g, respectively, followed by fish reared at 15 ppt (182.2 ± 1.7 mm, 34.1 ± 1.6 g). and 5 ppt (168.3 ± 5.8 mm TL, 28.3 ± 2.3 g). Differences in specific growth rates among treatments for the 10-wk period were also significant. No differences were detected in mean survival among fish reared at salinities of 5, 15, and 30 ppt (84, 94, and 94%, respectively). However, fish reared at salinity 5 ppt appeared to be in poor health as skin lesions, fin erosion, and discoloration were evident. Analysis of blood revealed that, while no differences existed among treatments with respect to plasma total protein, fish reared at a salinity of 5 ppt exhibited significantly reduced hematocrit (25% vs. > 30%) and plasma osmolality values (318 vs. > 353 mmolkg) relative to fish reared at higher salinities. Cobia can tolerate exposure to low salinity environments for short periods of time without mortality; however, moderate to high salinities are required for sustained growth and health of this species.     

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.     

Stimulatory effect of dietary taurine on growth performance,digestive enzymes activity,antioxidant capacity,and tolerance of common carp, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinus carpio</Emphasis> L., fry to salinity stress

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of dietary taurine (Tau) on performance, digestive enzymes, antioxidant activity, and resistance of common carp, Cyprinus carpio L., fry to salinity stress. Fish (0.97?±?0.033 g) were fed on different taurine levels of 0.0 (control), 5, 10, 15, or 20 g/kg diet up to satiation twice daily for 8 weeks. At the end of the feeding trial, fish were stressed by exposure to 10 ppt salinity for 3 days during which fish mortality was observed. Fish performance was significantly (P?<?0.05) improved by dietary taurine up to 15 g Tau/kg diet after which fish growth and feed intake were almost the same. Also, taurine supplementation significantly (P?<?0.05) elevated activities of intestinal amylase, lipase, and protease resulting in an improving in feed intake giving better performance. Furthermore, Tau-stimulated antioxidant activity of common carp was observed in a dose-related manner, where activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were significantly (P?<?0.05) higher, but malondialdehyde (MDA) value was significantly (P?<?0.05) lower in Tau-fed fish groups than those fed the control diet. In salinity stress experiment, highest survival rate was observed at fish fed Tau-supplemented diets without significant (P?>?0.05) differences over fish fed the control diet. It appears that taurine could be used as a feed supplement to confer better growth and health of common carp fry with optimal level of 15 g/kg diet.     

Survival and Growth of White Bass Morone chrysops Reared at Different Salinities

Abstract.— Juvenile white bass Morone chrysops (age 158 d, 110.4 mm total length) were reared at salinity levels of 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 parts per thousand (ppt). Fish (10/tank) were stocked in 64-L tanks with four replicates/treatment ( N = 40heatment) and fed a pelleted feed daily. Fish were sampled semimonthly for 70 d. Fish reared at salinities of 12 ppt and below were significantly ( P ≤ 0.05) larger (mean = 151.5 mm total length; range 146.8–155.7 mm) than fish reared at salinities of 16 and 20 ppt (mean 133.7 mm total length; range 131.5–135.8 mm) after 70 d. Survival was also higher ( P ≤ 0.05) among fish reared at salinities of 12 ppt or lower (mean 85.6%; range 77.5%–92.5%) compared to those reared at the two highest salinities (42.5% survival at 16 ppt; 5.0% survival at 20 ppt). Thus, although typically found in freshwater habitats, white bass can survive and grow in brackish water.     

Food Conditions and Water Salinity Affect Survival and Growth of Golden Mandarin Fish,Siniperca sherzeri,Larvae through Transcriptional Regulation of Growth and Lipometabolic Genes

Failing to initiate first feeding during the transition from endogenous nutrition to exogenous feeding will lead to starvation of fish larvae. However, little is known about the mechanism of first feeding selection of fish. Golden mandarin fish larvae (3 d after hatch, 2.05 ± 0.03 mg) were fed with four different foods for 7 d, including the following: M – Megalobrama amblycephala (prey fish larvae as natural food); S – surimi of M. amblycephala; A – Artemia (zooplankton); and MA –mixed M. amblycephala with Artemia (mixed food). Larvae fed with the mixed food achieved an appropriate balance between high survival and good growth through elevating the expression of growth genes (GH, IGF‐I, and IGF‐II) and fatty acid synthesis genes (FAD and ELO). Growth performance of fish fed with MA reared at different salinities (0, 5, and 10 ppt) was examined. The salinity of 5 ppt produced the best growth performance of the three salinity levels tested. Fish larvae adapted to high‐ or low‐salinity environments through increasing the expression of lipolysis genes (HSL, LPL, and HL). Therefore, both food type and salinity affect the growth, survival, and lipometabolism of golden mandarin fish larvae during initial feeding stage, and mixed food and 5 ppt salinity improved its survival and growth.     

Influence combinee des facteurs temperature et salinite sur la metamorphose et la croissance larvaire de la crevette rose Palaemon serratus (Pennant) (Crustacea,Decapoda, Palaemonidae)

The rate of metamorphosis of larvae, duration of larval stages and carapace lengths of postlarvae were measured in the common prawn, Palaemon serratus, reared in 30 different combinations of temperature and salinity. Temperature varied from 13°C to 29°C and salinity from 13‰ to 43‰. When salinity.was 13‰, this species was able to metamorphose at a temperature of 21°C. For salinities of 19‰, 25‰, 31‰, 37‰ and 43‰, the temperature range over which metamorphosis occurs extends from 17°C to 25°C. The equation of Van't Hoff can be adapted to calculate the relation between the rearing rate, which is the converse of the duration of larval stages, and the water temperature. The Q₁₀ values vary from 1.39 minimum at a salinity of 37‰ to 2.28 maximum at 31‰. Neither the effect of temperature (at 0.1%) nor that of salinity (at 1%) is significant for the carapace lengths of postlarvae.Tridimensional models of the combined effects of temperature and salinity on the rate of metamorphosis and on the number of metamorphosed postlarvae appearing daily were constructed for this species.