Quarantine tank

[Boomer]

Mike

As Scott T. said...if a lower salinity situation is less stressfull on a marine fish, then why don't they seek out lower salinity areas to live?

That is an easy question

Salintiy is not the sole reason. It is like many FW fish, such as bass, food protection, pH, O2, food, etc. Bass have a prefered pH but if the O2 is a little lower than they like they will remain in the higher O2 if the rest of the envirnomet fits their need. And it may be just the opposite, better food, protection at unprefered pH, so will live in the lower O2 evironment. Some where hidding in the house is a large 3-way plotted diagam showing the O2 vs Temp vs Salinity of the American Lobster and what then can withstand for survival.

Also, it is a well know fact the marine fish do better and are less stressed in lower salinity water, at least in captivity and it is really a captivity issue. It is as Charlie stated, in his article, that Nikki posted. MF are always fighting to retain water.

 

[kevinpo]

Clearly, any interference to the fish's osmoregulatory systems, either fresh water or marine, would quickly prove fatal! Fresh water fish would rapidly accumulate water (a typical sign seen in dropsy), while marine fish would dehydrate.

This quote is in reference to raising the salinity in marine fish which will cause them to dehydrate. The average internal SPG of marine fish is 1.010-1.011 so anything higher than that and they have to work harder to remove the excess salt to prevent dehydration. This is one of the reasons you can lower salinity faster than you can raise it without causing stress to the fish.

Regards,
Kevin