Acclimation trials of wild and hatchery sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fry at different salinities

Abstract

Hatche and wild sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fry were transferred from sea water to low salinities and freshwater (FW) usiny three different operational protocols: 1) direct exposure to ow salimues and FW (LC 50 test, ST 50 test); 2) quick acclimation to FW (48h); 3) slow acclimation to FW (17d). Direct exposure to freshwater led to e death of all fry. Comete survival was observed after direct transfer to salinities ≥ 9 ppt, both in wild and hatchery fry. Eatchery fry tolerate direct transfer to low salinities (LC 50=4.393 ppt) better than wild fry (LC 50 = 3.215 ppt). Slow acclimation rotocol leads to higher survival rates (nearly 90 %) than does the quick procedure. In 48h and 17d accimation trials wild fry tolerate FW better tlan hatchery fry. Hypotheses to explain observed differences in wild and hatchery tolerances to low salinities and FW are discussed.