Influence of salinity on growth and survival of juvenile Sardinella brasiliensis

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of changes in seawater salinity on juvenile Brazilian sardine (Sardinella brasiliensis). Through two assays, the LC50 (96 h) and the zootechnical performance (42 days) were determined, respectively. In the first assay, six treatments of salinity 0, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 parts per thousand (ppt) with three replicates were established. For this, 100-L cylinder-conical tanks were used, with 30 individuals with 45-day after eclosion (DAE) per unit, without water renewal and feeding. In the groups of salinity 0 and 7 ppt, all fish died on the first day. The LC50 was estimated at salinity 11.13 ppt. The second trial was designed with five treatments (salinity 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 ppt), with three replicates. Two thousand-L cylindrical-conical tanks were used, with 30 individuals (58 DAE) per unit, with water renewal and feeding until apparent satiation. In the treatment salinity 7 ppt, all fish died by the second day. At salinity 35 ppt, the highest growth rates (2.78 g) and survival (100%) were observed. Salinity 14 ppt had the lowest survival (83%) and growth (1.48 g). We concluded that the juvenile sardines can be adapted to environments with salinity from 14 ppt, with significant losses. However, salinity 35 ppt showed the highest survival and growth rates.