Effect of water pH and salinity on the survival of eggs and larvae of the euryhaline teleost, Gasterosteus aculeatus L.

Abstract

The effect of water acidification and salinity on the survival of the eggs and larvae of the euryhaline teleost, Gasterosteus aculeatus, was studied using tap water that was low in calcium and high in total aluminium as the basic medium. The survival of eggs from fertilisation to hatching increased with an increase in pH from 4·5 to 6·5. Survival was higher at a given pH at higher salinities (equivalent to 5% and 10% seawater) than in tap water. The salinity experienced by the female prior to spawning also had an effect on egg survival. Survival for 7 days after hatching was high except at the lowest pH levels. The salinity experienced by the female had no significant effect on larval survival.