Effects of salinity on embryos and larvae of tawny puffer Takifugu flavidus

Tawny puffer Takifugu flavidus is a fish species that has aquaculture potential in China because of its high market value. To determine the optimal condition of salinity for embryo development and larval culture of the species, the effects of salinity (0‰, 5‰, 10‰, 15‰, 20‰, 25‰, 30‰, 35‰, 40‰, and 45‰) on egg hatching and the survival and growth of larvae at 3–23 days post-hatch (dph) were assessed. Embryonic hatching rates were above 70% at salinities of 5‰ to 45‰, and all embryos at 0‰ died 4 days after fertilization. Survival rates (> 75%) of larvae at 24 h post-hatch at salinities of 10‰ to 40‰ were significantly higher than that at salinities of 5‰ and 45‰. The highest hatching rates and lowest percentage of mortalities occurred at salinities of 10‰ to 20‰. Results suggest that the embryos can tolerate a wide range of salinity (10–40‰), and optimal range of salinity for embryo development is between 10‰ and 20‰. The time of egg hatching was not influenced by salinity. Larvae of tawny puffer continued to survive until Day 23 of post-hatch at salinities of 5‰ to 35‰, but all larvae died within 20 dph at 45‰. The highest survival rate occurred at salinities of 15‰ to 35‰, and the highest growth rate was found at salinities of 15‰ to 25‰. The results suggest that the optimal salinity for larval survival and growth is between 15‰ and 25‰.