Effect of salinity on growth and survival in fingerling silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix )

In recent years due to severe drought and reduced rainfall in the Khouzestan Province, water salinity in some inland fish culture sites reached up to 9 ppt. So this research was carried out over a period of 21 days in salinities (3, 6, 9, 12ppt) and fresh water (>1ppt) for control on growth performance and survival in fingerling silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) . For this reason silver carp (weight: 13.55±0.726 g and total length: 11.04±0.093 cm) were placed in 250 l- fibreglass tank (10 silver carp / tank) at 24.16±1.35 ° C. These treatments were tasted in three replicates. Fishes were biometric once per week (7, 14 and 21 days) through out the experimental period for evaluation of growth. The result of this trial indicate that salinities up to and including 3ppt did not affect weight gain, specific growth rate, survival and length. Higher salinities (6 and 9 ppt) produced significant stress, and adverse effects on these factors. In 12ppt all fishes died prior to 7 days. Silver carp, a freshwater stenohaline fish, exhibited good growth without any signs of stress up to 3ppt salinity. Silver carp could be cultured successfully at salinity up to 3ppt but above this level, salinityinduced stress could adversely affect growth and survival.