World Aquaculture Singapore 2022

November 29 - December 2, 2022

Singapore

SURVIVAL, GROWTH AND ROTIFER INTAKE OF ASIAN SEABASS Lates calcarifer LARVAE REARED IN ACIDIFIED SEAWATER

Cheong J. Z. D.*, Ching F. F., Mohd Faudzi N., and Senoo S.

 

Borneo Marine Research Institute

Universiti Malaysia Sabah

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

johannes_cheong_my21@iluv.ums.edu.my

 



Ocean acidification is a rising concern globally, and the effects on fish, especially the fragile larval stage is not well documented. This experiment was designed to investigate the effect of ocean acidification on the survival, growth and rotifer intake of Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) larvae. Carbon dioxide (CO2) gas was used in this experiment to acidify the water assisted with the use of timer system to keep the pH of water within the fixed range (5.5, 6.0, 6.5 and 7.0). A control treatment was used to compare the results with pH fluctuating from 7.8 to 8.5, mimicking the current pH value of the ocean. Asian seabass larvae (initial total length: 2.13 ± 0.23 mm) were stocked at 30 individual/L in a 6L experimental aquarium. The experiment was conducted for 30 days. At the end of experiment, the survival of Asian seabass larvae in control treatment is 30.92%. Total mortality was observed in pH 5.5 (day 3), 6.0 (day 4), 6.5 (day 4) and 7.0 (day 5) respectively. The changes in growth can only be observed up until day 2 of experiment. The total length recorded for Asian seabass larvae for day 1 and 2 in treatment pH 5.5 (2.19mm, 1.85mm), pH 6.0 (2.23mm, 2.01mm), pH 6.5 (2.16mm, 2.02mm), pH 7.0 (2.28mm, 2.16mm) and control (2.40mm, 2.50mm), respectively. The larvae in control treatment showed significantly better growth compared to other treatments with continued growth throughout the experiment period (final total length: 14.25 ± 1.02 mm). Rotifer intake also shows similar result where control treatment shows higher intake (10.7 ind) compared to other treatments, pH 6.0 (2.7 ind), pH 6.5 (1.3 ind) and pH 7.0 (2.7 ind), respectively. As conclusion, acidified seawater negatively impacts the survival, growth and rotifer intake of Asian seabass larvae. This result also shows the effect in the future if the current rate of carbon emission is not reduced. Continuation of ocean acidification will bring negative consequences towards the future of marine aquaculture industry.