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Effects of Ammonia and Nitrite on Growth and Survival of Red Drum Eggs and Larvae
Author(s) -
Holt G. Joan,
Arnold C. R.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
transactions of the american fisheries society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.696
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1548-8659
pISSN - 0002-8487
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8659(1983)112<314:eoaano>2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - nitrite , ammonia , zoology , liter , larva , biology , drum , sodium nitrite , toxicology , chemistry , food science , ecology , biochemistry , endocrinology , nitrate , mechanical engineering , engineering
The tolerances of eggs, larvae, and postlarvae of red drum Sciaenops ocellatus to ammonia and nitrite were determined by measuring survival and growth after continuous exposure for 1–2 weeks. Ammonia concentrations that reduced the survival rate varied with age at first exposure. Concentrations as low as 0.3 mg/liter un‐ionized ammonia significantly reduced survival of newly hatched larvae in the first two weeks, whereas concentrations twice that high were tolerated by 3‐week‐old postlarvae. Young red drums tolerated high concentrations of nitrite, up to 100 mg/liter. Growth of survivors after 1 or 2 weeksˈ exposure was not significantly different from that of controls. Data indicate that un‐ionized ammonia may be a potential hazard in red drum culture systems, but that, under normal circumstances, nitrite should cause no problem.