Effects of Potassium, Magnesium and Age on Growth and Survival of Litopenaeus vannamei Post-Larvae Reared in Inland Low Salinity Well Waters in West Alabama

Abstract— The production of Litopenaeus vannamei in inland low‐salinity well water is a growing industry in several regions of the world. The state of Alabama in the southeastern USA is one such region with a large saline aquifer that could be utilized for shrimp culture. However, some farmers are experiencing problems rearing marine shrimp while others are having considerable success. Previous work has correlated low levels of potassium andor magnesium to poor shrimp survival. The problem is further complicated by the fact that the age at acclimation may also influence survival. In our present study, we evaluated the effects of potassium, magnesium, and the age of acclimation on growth and survival of PL at two farms. The first experiment was run in a static system utilizing four replicate tanks per treatment. Fifty PL₁₇ (0.0066 g) that had been acclimated to 4 ppt seawater were stocked into each tank and the following treatments evaluated: low salinity well water (LSWW) without mineral supplements, LSWW with KCl, LSWW with MgCl₂, and LSWW with KCl and MgCl, added to the water. Shrimp were harvested, counted and weighed after 4 wk. Survival was significantly higher in treatments receiving mineral supplements whereas biomass was only higher in the two treatments with potassium supplements. The second experiment was set up initially as a static system filled with 8.5‐ppt reconstituted sea water that was then converted to a flow‐through system using LSWW. This experiment evaluated the effect of PL age at acclimation on survival and growth at four different ages (PL₁₅, PL₁₉, PL₂₃, and PL₂₇). All tanks were stocked with 50 PL₁₃L. vannarnei. Two days after stocking, and then at 4‐d intervals, a series of four tanks were converted to flow through (rate of 40 Lhr) using LSWW. After acclimation, water flow was maintained in all tanks until 28 d after stocking when tanks were harvested and surviving shrimp were counted and weighed. Survival and growth increased with PL age when shrimp were acclimated to inland low salinity well water.     

The Effects of Temperature, Age, and Acclimation to Salinity on the Survival of Farfantepenaeus paulensis Postlarvae

Abstract.— Salinity tolerance limits during the ontogenetic development of Farfantepenaeus paulensis postlarvae (PL) were determined at different temperatures. Initially, PL 10, 20, 30, 40, 60 and 80 maintained in 30 ppt (parts per thousand) salinity, 22‐25 C, were directly transferred to 15 combinations of salinity (2, 5, 10, 20 and 30 ppt) and temperature (15, 20 and 30 C) for 96 h. Irrespective of age or salinity, higher survival rates were registered at 25 C. PL 10 suffered high mortality, especially at low salinities combined with low (15 C) or high (30 C) temperatures. From PL 20 to PL 40, an increase in survival was observed in all combinations. For PL 60 and 80, tolerance to low salinity was reduced, suggesting that PL have a maximum age by which they are able to develop adaptability to low salinities. In general, the effect of temperature contributed more significantly to mortality in PL 10 and PL 30, but its influence decreased afterwards. From PL 40, salinity becomes the main factor determining mortality. In order to examine the effects of acclimation to salinity on the tolerance limits, a second set of experiments was performed with PL 5, 10, 15 and 25 acclimated to 2, 5, 10, 20 and 30 ppt, 25 C, over a 5‐d period. Postlarvae were then transferred to different salinity levels (2, 5, 10, 20 and 30 ppt) and kept for 96 h. High mortality of PL 10 occurred after direct transfer from high to intermediate/low salinity levels. Although the acclimation to salinity increased survival, it was still poor. An increase in the salinity tolerance was observed from PL 15 to 30, even with no acclimation. Results indicate that PL 10 do not have a fully developed osmoregulatory capacity to cope with low and/or abrupt changes of salinity. It is recommended that non‐acclimated PL 10 should only be released in environments with salinity at or above 20 ppt. If acclimation is carried out, PL may be released in salinities above 10 ppt. The release of PL 10 in salinities below 5 ppt may result in mortality rates of up to 70%. The best age for the release of non‐acclimated F. paulensis PL in environments with low and/ or wide fluctuations of salinity would he PL 15‐30.     

Acclimation of Litopenaeus vannamei Postlarvae to Low Salinity: Influence of Age, Salinity Endpoint, and Rate of Salinity Reduction

Abstract.— Inland culture of Liropenaeus vannarnei in low salinity well waters is currently conducted on a small scale in a few areas in the U.S. To successfully rear shrimp in low salinity water, postlarvae (PL) must be transferred from high-salinity larval rearing systems to low-salinity growout conditions. To determine effective transfer methods, a series of experiments were conducted under controlled conditions to evaluate the influence of PL age, rate of acclimation, and salinity endpoint on 48 h survival of shrimp. Three age classes of L. vannurnei PL (10, 15, and 20-d) were acclimated from a salinity of 23 ppt to treatment endpoint salinities of 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 ppt. Survival of PL₁₀ acclimated to 0, 1, or 2 ppt salinity was significantly lower than survival of PL acclimated to salinities of 4, 8, and 12 ppt. Survival of PL, and PL₂₀ shrimp was only reduced for the 0 ppt salinity treatment, thus indicating a clear effect of age on salinity tolerance. The same age classes of PL were acclimated from 23 ppt to final salinity endpoints of I or 4 ppt at three different rates of salinity reduction: low, 19%/h; medium, 258/h, and high, 478/h. Survival was not significantly influenced by the acclimation rates for any of the three PL age classes. As in the fixed rate experiments, survival of the 10-d-old PL was significantly lower for shrimp acclimated to the 1 ppt endpoint compared to the 4 ppt endpoint. Under the reported conditions, age appears to influence PL tolerance to a salinity end-point. A 10-d-old PL can be acclimated to 4 ppt with good survival, whereas 15- and 20-d-old PL can be acclimated to a salinity of 1 ppt with good survivals.     

Larval growth, survival and development of Metapenaeus monoceros (Fabricius) cultured in different salinities

Larvae of Metapenaeus monoceros (Fabricius) at protozoea 1 (PZ1) stage were stocked in 2‐L glass flasks to investigate the effects of various salinities (25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 and 55 ppt) on growth and survival until the post‐larval (PL) stages. The PZ larvae were not able to tolerate a sudden salinity drop of over 10 ppt. Yet, an abrupt salinity increase of over 10 or even 15 ppt did not cause mortality. The PZ larvae were successfully acclimated to different test salinities at a rate of 4 ppt h^?1. The larvae displayed better tolerance to high rather than low salinities. The lowest and highest critical salinities appeared to be 22 and 55 ppt respectively. Taking into account survival, growth and development results, the optimal salinity for the larval culture of M. monoceros inhabiting the Eastern Mediterranean was 40 ppt. At this salinity, the PZ1 larvae were successfully cultured until PL1 stage within 11 days with 68% survival on a feeding regime of Tetraselmis chuii Kylin (Butcher) (20 cells μ L^?1), Chaetoceros calcitrans Paulsen (50 cells μ L^?1), Isochrysis galbana Parke (30 cells μL^?1) and five newly hatched Artemia nauplii mL^?1 from M1 onwards at 28 °C.     

Effects of Nitrite Exposure on Growth and Survival of Sea Bass,Lates calcarifer,Fingerlings in Various Salinities

Sea bass, Lates calcarifer, fingerlings were acclimated to 0. 15, and 32 ppt, and the toxic effects of nitrite exposure were assessed. The 96-hour median lethal concentrations (96-hour LC₅₀ for nitrite were estimated to be 14.5 mg/L at 0 ppt, 105 mg/L at 15 ppt and 93 mg/L at 32 ppt salinity. Chronic exposure to a nitrite concentration equivalent to 10% of the respective 96 hour LC₅₀ resulted in marked growth reduction: growth being reduced in the order of 0 ppt > 32 ppt > 15 ppt. In nitrite-free water, growth rate for fish raised at a salinity of 15 ppt was higher compared to fish raised at salinities of 0 ppt and 32 ppt, a phenomenon which probably reflected the advantage of a reduction in osmoregulatory work in an iso-osmotic environment.     

Studies of the Thermal and Haline Influences on Growth and Survival of Litopenaeus vannamei and Litopenaeus setiferus

A series of experiments were conducted to examine the effects of salinity (1–48 g/L) on the biological performance, as evaluated by growth and survival, of the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, and the Atlantic white shrimp, Litopenaeus setiferus, reared at temperatures of 20, 24 or 28 C. Poor growth and survival of L. vannamei was observed after 21–28 d of culture at low salinity (2 and 4 g/L) at 20 C. Raising salinity to 8 and up to 32 g/L significantly increased survival at this temperature, indicating that avoiding low temperatures is critical for survival of this species when reared at low salinity. A major improvement in the growth rate of L. vannamei was observed at 24 C, but it still was sub‐optimal compared to growth observed at 28 C. Irrespective of salinity, high survival rates were observed at both 24 and 28 C, but variable growth rates were recorded. Contrary to L. vannamei, the Atlantic white shrimp, L. setiferus, which was reared for 28 d at 24 C only, had better growth performance at 8 g/L compared to 2, 16 and 32 g/L. Under equal experimental conditions, L. setiferus had considerably lower weight gain and survival than L. vannamei.     

Salinity Effects on Early Life Stages of Southern Flounder Paralichthys lethostigma

Abstract.— In South Carolina, studies have been conducted to develop rearing techniques for southern flounder Paralichthys lethostigma a candidate for aquaculture development and stock enhancement programs. To help define environmental tolerances, a variety of salinity studies were conducted with the early life stages of this species. Eggs were buoyant at 32 ppt and sank at 29 ppt with salinities of 30–31 ppt providing varying levels of suspension in the water column. Eggs incubated at 0 and 5 ppt all died, whereas 82.5% hatched at 10 ppt but larvae died shortly thereafter. At 63 h post-fertilization, there were no differences in hatch level for eggs incubated at salinities of 15 to 35 ppt (mean hatch level 98.5%). In a 72-h study, fish 3 wk post-metamorphosis (13.7 mm TL, 50-d-old) were acclimated to seven salinities ranging from 0–30 ppt. Fish held at 0 ppt salinity exhibited a statistically (P < 0.05) lower survival (20.0%) than those exposed to 5–30 ppt salinity concentrations. No differences were detected in survival (mean 99.1%) among fish held in the higher salinities. A second study examined the tolerance of older juveniles to lower salinities. Juvenile flounder (95.2 mm TL, 220-d-old) were acclimated to 0, 1,5 and 10 ppt salinities and reared for 2 wk. Results showed that fish could tolerate salinities of 0–10 ppt (100% survival). These data indicate that salinity tolerance of southern flounder increases with age. In addition to the short duration studies, a replicated 11-mo duration tank grow-out study was conducted at mean salinity 5.4 ppt and mean temperahue 22.6 C with an all male population. Flounder grew from a mean length of 100 mm to 213 mm TL and weight from 8.9 to 104.3 g. Growth of the cultured fish approximated that observed among male flounders in the wild.     

Physiological short-term response to sudden salinity change in the Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis)

The physiological responses of Senegalese sole to a sudden salinity change were investigated. The fish were first acclimated to an initial salinity of 37.5?ppt for 4?h. Then, one group was subjected to increased salinity (55?ppt) while another group was subjected to decreased salinity (5?ppt). The third group (control group) remained at 37.5?ppt. We measured the oxygen consumption rate, osmoregulatory (plasma osmolality, gill and kidney Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activities) and stress (plasma cortisol and metabolites) parameters 0.5 and 3?h after transfer. Oxygen consumption at both salinities was higher than for the control at both sampling times. Gill Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity was significantly higher for the 55?ppt salinity at 0.5?h. Plasma osmolality decreased in the fish exposed to 5?ppt at the two sampling times but no changes were detected for high salinities. Plasma cortisol levels significantly increased at both salinities, although these values declined in the low-salinity group 3?h after transfer. Plasma glucose at 5?ppt salinity did not vary significantly at 0.5?h but decreased at 3?h, while lactate increased for both treatments at the first sampling time and returned to the control levels at 3?h. Overall, the physiological response of S. senegalensis was immediate and involved a rise in oxygen consumption and plasma cortisol values as well as greater metabolite mobilization at both salinities.     

Stocking strategies for production of Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) in amended freshwater in inland ponds

The performance of the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) under various stocking strategies was evaluated in earthen ponds filled with freshwater amended with major ions. Six 0.1‐ha earthen ponds located in Pine Bluff, AR, USA, were filled with freshwater in 2003 and 2004, and potassium magnesium sulphate added to provide 50 mg K⁺ L^?1 and stock salt added to provide 0.5 g L^?1 salinity. In 2003, three ponds either were stocked with PL₁₅ shrimp (39 PL m^?2) for 125 days of grow out or with PL₂₅ shrimp for 55 days (23 PL m^?2) followed by a 65‐day (28 PL m^?2) grow‐out period. In 2004, ponds were stocked with 7, 13 or 30 PL₁₅ m^?2 for 134 days of grow out. Salinity averaged 0.7 g L^?1 during both years, and concentration of SO₄^?2, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ was higher, and Na⁺ and Cl^? was lower in amended pond water than in seawater at 0.7 g L^?1 salinity. Potassium concentration in amended water was 52–61% of the target concentration. Shrimp yields ranged from 3449 kg ha^?1 in 2003 to 4966 kg ha^?1 in 2004 in ponds stocked with 30–39 PL₁₅ m^?2 for a 125–134‐day culture period. At harvest, mean individual weight ranged from 17.1 to 19.3 g shrimp^?1. In ponds stocked with PL₂₅ shrimp, yields averaged 988 and 2462 kg ha^?1 for the 1st and 2nd grow‐out periods respectively. Gross shrimp yield in 2004 increased linearly from 1379–4966 kg ha^?1 with increased stocking rate. These experiments demonstrated that L. vannamei can be grown successfully in freshwater supplemented with major ions to a final salinity of 0.7 g L^?1.     

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.     

Influence of Nursery Period on the Growth and Survival of Litopenaeus vannamei Under Pond Production Conditions

Techniques for head starting or nursing postlarvae (PL) has received considerable attention with regards to nursery protocols, yet there is little data pertaining to the effects of nursery period on the final growout of shrimp to marketable size. This study was performed to investigate the influence of nursery duration on survival and growth of Litopenaeus vannamei during subsequent pond culture. For this research, a single population of high health PL were received from a commercial hatchery and held in a tank for acclimation, quantification, and distribution to nursery tanks or ponds. Treatments included direct stocking of 10-d-old postlarvae (PL₁₀) into production ponds as well as the nursing of PL in a covered greenhouse nursery system for an additional 10 or 20 d. After nursing, the PL were harvested, quantified, and transferred to growout ponds. All ponds were stocked at a density of 35 PL/m² and maintained under standardized conditions. Shrimp were fed with a 35% protein shrimp feed, twice daily during the 112-d growth trial. Ponds were aerated as needed using a maximum of 19 hp/ha to maintain adequate dissolved oxygen (DO > 3.0). No statistical differences (P >0.05) were found in survival, yield, or growth between treatments. At harvest, survivals during growout were generally higher in ponds with nursed shrimp (77% for PL₂₀ and 79% for PL₃₀) than in ponds receiving PL₁₀ shrimp (67%). Yields were similar between treatments, ranging from 3,525 for direct stocked shrimp to 3,747 kg/ha for those that were nursed for 10 d. Although growth rates of PL under pond conditions will be faster than that of a nursery system, results suggest that a nursery period of at least 10 d helps improve survival during pond production and promotes better size uniformity. Shrimp nursed for 20 d showed little improvement in survival over shrimp nursed for 10 d but did result in a more uniform size of shrimp at harvest.     

Effects of Temperature and Salinity on Weight Gain, Oxygen Consumption Rate, and Growth Efficiency in Juvenile Red-Claw Crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus

Abstract.— Weight gain and metabolic rates, as determined by oxygen consumption rates, were examined in juvenile Australian red-claw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus exposed to different temperatures (16–32 C in 2 C increments) or salinities (0–30 ppt in 5 ppt increments). Mean weight gain, molting frequency, and survival (%) were dependent on temperature and salinity. In freshwater (0 ppt), maximal weight gain and molting frequency were observed at 28 C with maximal survival observed over the temperature range of 24–30 C. Metabolic rates in freshwater were temperature dependent (mean Q₁₀= 2.44). Maximal weight gain and molting frequency were observed at salinities of 0 and 5 ppt (28 C); however, survival was reduced at salinities ≥ 5 ppt. Metabolic rates were not salinity dependent and did not differ significantly over the salinity range from 0–20 ppt. Growth efficiencies, calculated by dividing weight gain by total metabolic energy expenditure (i.e., weight gain + metabolic rate), were highest at a temperature of 20 C (0 ppt) and at salinities of 0 and 5 ppt (28 C). These data suggest that, at higher culture temperatures, maximal weight gain of red-claw juveniles may be reduced when food resources are limited. Maximal weight gain, at optimal temperatures (28 C) with unlimited food supply, does not appear to be effected by low salinity conditions. Because of the potential commercial value of red-claw, culturists, should be aware of the relationship between environmental condition and metabolic energy requirements to ensure maximal weight gain and survival of juveniles.     

Hybridization between Crassostrea hongkongensis and Crassostrea ariakensis at Different Salinities

To evaluate the survival and growth performance of hybrid larvae and juveniles, we conducted hybridization experiments between Crassostrea hongkongensis and Crassostrea ariakensis at three salinities (15, 23, and 30 ppt). Hybrid fertilization occurred in one direction (C. hongkongensis ♀ and C. ariakensis ♂), and the fertilization rates did not differ significantly among the three trial salinities. Molecular genetics analysis revealed that hybrid progenies were true hybrids. Hybrid juveniles survived better than C. hongkongensis juveniles at a salinity of 30 ppt. Hybrid larvae and juveniles showed intermediate growth between C. hongkongensis and C. ariakensis progenies. The growth of hybrid juveniles was significantly greater than that of C. hongkongensis juveniles at a salinity of 30 ppt. Overall, C. hongkongensis has a high economic value but favorable hatchery and farm of this species is restricted to lower salinity sites. Because the hybrids were shown to have greater growth and survival characteristics at high salinity, hybrids may be a more desirable candidate to be cultured in those areas of China with higher salinities, such as the Bohai Sea of China where the salinity is usually 30 ppt.     

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.     

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.     

Effect of salinity on survival, growth, oxygen consumption and ammonia-N excretion of juvenile whiteleg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei

In this study, we tested the lower salinity tolerance of juvenile shrimps (Litopenaeus vannamei) at a relatively low temperature (20 °C). In the first of two laboratory experiments, we first abruptly transferred shrimps (6.91 ± 0.05 g wet weight, mean ± SE) from the rearing salinity (35 000 mg L^?1) to salinities of 5000, 15 000, 25 000, 35 000 (control) and 40 000 mg L^?1 at 20 °C. The survival of L. vannamei juvenile was not affected by salinities from 15 000 to 40 000 mg L^?1 during the 96‐h exposure periods. Shrimps exposed to 5000 mg L^?1 were significantly affected by salinity, with a survival of 12.5% after 96 h. The 24‐, 48‐ and 96‐h lethal salinity for 50% (LS₅₀) were 7020, 8510 and 9540 mg L^?1 respectively. In the second experiment, shrimps (5.47 ± 0.09 g wet weight, mean ± SE) were acclimatized to the different salinity levels (5000, 15 000, 25 000, 35 000 and 40 000 mg L^?1) and then maintained for 30 days at 20 °C. Results showed that the survival was significantly lower at 5000 mg L^?1 than at other salinity levels, but the final wet weight under 5000 mg L^?1 treatment was significantly higher than those under other treatments (P<0.05). Feed intake (FI) of shrimp under 5000 mg L^?1 was significantly lower than those of shrimp under 150 00–40 000 mg L^?1; food conversion efficiency (FCE), however, showed a contrasting change (P<0.05). Furthermore, salinity significantly influenced the oxygen consumption rates, ammonia‐N excretion rates and the O/N ratio of test shrimps (P<0.05). The results obtained in our work provide evidence that L. vannamei juveniles have limited capacity to tolerate salinities <10 000 mg L^?1 at a relatively low temperature (20 °C). Results also show that L. vannamei juvenile can recover from the abrupt salinity change between 15 000 and 40 000 mg L^?1 within 24 h.     

Toxicity of Chelated Copper to Juvenile Red Drum Sciaenops ocellatus1

Acute toxicity of chelated copper to juvenile red drum (x?= 3.1 g) was determined in a static test at 25 C and 8 ppt salinity. The 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h LC₅₀s were 1.90, 0.84, 0.75, 0.64, and 0.52 mg/L copper, respectively. Effects of temperature and salinity on the 96 h LC₅₀ (0.5 mg/L copper) for juvenile red drum (x?= 5.0 g) were tested at two temperatures, 25 and 30 C, and three salinities, 0.5, 8, and 30 ppt. Temperature significantly affected mortality; mortality in 0.5 and 8 ppt salinities was significantly higher at 30 C than at 25 C. An increase in salinity significantly reduced the mortality of juvenile red drum. Total mortality occurred in 0.5 ppt salinity within 48 h at 25 C and within 12 h at 30 C. Total mortality occurred in 8 ppt salinity within 72 h at 25 C and within 48 h at 30 C. No mortality occurred during 96 h in 30 ppt salinity at 25 C or 30 C.     

Influence of salinity on the energetics of gill and kidney of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

The effect of seawater acclimation and adaptation to various salinities on the energetics of gill and kidney of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) was examined. Smolts and non-smolts previously reared in fresh water were exposed to a rapid increase in salinity to 30 ppt. Plasma osmolarity, [Na⁺], [Cl^–], [K⁺] and [Mg⁺⁺] increased in both groups but were significantly lower in smolts than non-smolts. Gill Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase specific activity, initially higher in smolts, increased in both groups after 18 days in seawater. Kidney Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase specific activity was not affected by salinity in either group. Gill and kidney citrate synthase specific activity was not affected by seawater exposure in smolts but decreased in non-smolts. In a second experiment, Atlantic salmon smolts reared in fresh water were acclimated to 0, 10 or 30 ppt seawater for 3 months at a temperature of 13–14°C. Gill Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase was positively correlated with salinity, displaying 2.5- and 5-fold higher specific activity at 10 and 30 ppt, respectively, than at 0 ppt. Kidney Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase specific activity was not significantly affected by environmental salinity. Citrate synthase and cytochrome c oxidase specific activities in gill were slightly (6–13%) lower at 10 ppt than at 0 and 30 ppt, whereas kidney activities were lowest at 30 ppt. Oxygen consumption of isolated gill filaments was significantly higher when incubated in isosmotic saline and at 30 ppt than at 0 ppt, but was not affected by the prior acclimation salinity. The results indicate that although high salinity induces increased gill Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity, it does not induce substantial increases in metabolic capacity of gill or kidney.     

Temperature and Salinity Tolerances of the Tropical Spiny Lobster,Panulirus ornatus

Interest in the development of aquaculture of the tropical spiny lobster, Panulirus ornatus, has increased markedly over the past 10 yr because of strong market demand and high prices. In Australia, economic conditions will necessitate that a semi‐intensive approach be taken, possibly involving managed environmental conditions. Identification of optimal temperature and salinity levels will be necessary, and therefore two experiments were performed to examine these two parameters. Juvenile lobsters were grown in tanks at five temperatures (19, 22, 25, 28 and 31 C). Growth was significantly affected by temperature (P < 0.01), and maximal growth occurred at 25–31 C. Examination of the temperature effect on molt increment and intermolt period indicated that 27 C was the optimal temperature, at which molt increment was greatest and intermolt period the least. Temperature also had a significant (P < 0.01) positive effect on apparent feed intake (AFI). Juvenile lobsters were also exposed to four different salinities (20, 25, 30 and 35 ppt) over a period of 91 d. Significant differences (P < 0.01) were apparent for both survival and growth. Lowest survival occurred at 35 ppt which may be attributable to higher cannibalism at that salinity. Growth was highest at 35 ppt and progressively less at lower salinities. Although full marine salinity (35 ppt) will generate best performance of P. ornatus, its capacity to tolerate reduced salinity will provide greater opportunity to develop commercial aquaculture.     

Salinity tolerance of Nile tilapia fry (Oreochromis niloticus), spawned and hatched at various salinities

Fertilized eggs of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) spawned in freshwater, were removed from mouthbrooding females, 1 day post-spawning and artificially incubated at elevated salinities. At 6 days post-hatching, mean survivals of 85.5, 84.4, 82.5, 56.3, 37.9, 20.0 and 0% were recorded for broods incubated at salinities of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 32 ppt, respectively. Fertilized eggs exhibited a 96-h median lethal salinity (MLS-96) of 18.9 ppt, a value identical to that of 7- to 120-day-old fry and fingerlings. Fertilized eggs exhibited a higher median survival time (ST₅₀ = 978 min) than 7- to 395-day-old fry and fingerlings (ST₅₀ = 28.8–179.0 min).The salinity tolerances of fry spawned at various salinities and fry spawned in freshwater but hatched at various salinities, were determined using the median survival time (ST₅₀), mean survival time (MST) and 96 h-median lethal salinity (MLS-96) indices. For comparative purposes, fry spawned and hatched in freshwater were acclimatized to various salinities and their salinity tolerance determined. Fry salinity tolerance progressively increased with increasing salinity of spawning, hatching, or acclimatization. However, at equivalent salinity, early exposure (spawning) produced progeny of comparatively higher salinity tolerance than those spawned in freshwater and hatched at elevated salinity. Similarly, at equivalent salinity, progeny spawned in freshwater but hatched at elevated salinity exhibited higher salinity tolerance than those spawned and hatched in freshwater, then acclimatized to an elevated salinity.The utility of these methods of early salinity exposure toward the saltwater culture of tilapias is discussed.