Effects of Acute Acid Stress on Hatching and Mortality of Hermaphroditic Teleost, Rivulus marmoratus (Cyprinodontiformes; Rivulidae)

Abstract

The effects of acute acid stress on hatching success and hatching period of laboratory‐reared hermaphroditic fish Rivulus marmoratus were examined. The effects of acute acid toxicity on mortality was also determined in three life stages of this fish. There was a significant negative effect of acid stress on hatching performance in the R. marmoratus embryos. The hatching success was only 5% at pH 3.5 compared to over 78% at pH higher than 4.0. The hatching period was also delayed by low pH treatments. The larval and juvenile stages were more sensitive to acid toxicity on mortality than the adult stage, but larvae and juveniles showed similar sensitivity. The 96‐h LC50 value was pH 3.8 in larval and juvenile stages and pH 3.3 in adult stage.