The Effect of Salinity on Eggs and Larvae of Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus) PDF

Keywords

larvae, salinity, fish eggs

Abstract

A review of the effects of salinity on the early stages of fish is given, and methods used to study the effect of salinity on percentage of egg hatching and survival of Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus) larvae are described. Eggs of O. niloticus fertilized in a natural salinity of 2.1% were tested for hatching and for survival of the larvae in five salinity concentrations of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25%. Results show that successful egg hatching could be obtained at salinities up to 20%. Two lethal limits are also reported: at salinity 25% for larvae hatched in salinities 5, 10 and 15%; and at salinity 30% or those hatched in 20%. Both the two lethal limits were found to be extended to higher salinity by acclimation of the larvae.