The use of body water, sodium, potassium and calcium content to investigate the nutritional status of first year Atlantic salmon parr in two Scottish Highland streams

Abstract

Water content of Atlantic salmon parr fell from about 84% at emergence (late May) to just under 79% in September but rose again towards March. Na+ content consequently rose from 3·3 mg g−1 dry wt at the beginning of June to 6·2 mg g−1 in early July. It then fell to 4·4 mg g−1 in September, rising again towards March. K+ content rose to a maximum in July to stabilize at 16·6 mg g−1 dry wt in September. The resultant Na+/K+ ratio peaked at 0·43: 1 in mid‐June, falling to a minimum in mid‐August but rising again in March reflecting changes in the relative proportions of intra and extracellular water. The changes in whole‐body chemistry suggest a period of nutritional stress immediately after emergence and during the winter. In streams at higher altitude and of lower nutrient status, nutritional stress during the winter appears to be more severe.