Temperature and salinity tolerances of yellowfin sea bream,Acanthopagrus latus,at different salinity and temperature levels

Abstract Yellowfin sea bream Acanthopagrus latus (Houttuyn) (0.98 ± 0.27 g) were examined for temperature and salinity tolerances at nine different environmental regimes (0.3, 15 and 33 ppt combined with 10, 25 and 32 °C), in which the fish were subjected to gradual and sudden changes in temperature and salinity respectively. The 50% CTMax (critical thermal maximum) and the UILT (upper incipient lethal temperature) were in the range of 34.8–38.2 °C and 32.8–36.4 °C respectively. The 50% CTMin (critical thermal minimum) and the LILT (lower incipient lethal temperature) were in the ranges of 4.9–9.4 °C and 7.1–17.6 °C respectively. The 50% CSMax (critical salinity maximum) and the UILS (upper incipient lethal salinity) were in the ranges of 54–69‰ and 9–44‰, respectively. The fish at lower temperature (10 °C) and salinity of 33‰ tolerated temperature as low as 6 °C when the temperature was decreased gradually. The fish at 33 and 15‰ and lower temperature (10 °C) tolerated salinity as high as 66–67‰, whereas those at freshwater salinity level (0.3‰) and 32 °C tolerated salinity to 50‰ when salinity was increased gradually. The relationships among UILT, LILT, 50% CTMax, 50% CTMin, UILS, 50% CSMax, salinity and temperature are given.