Effects of manganese on juvenile mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus) cultured in water with varying salinity—Implications for inland mariculture

The effects of 5 mg/L of dissolved manganese on juvenile mulloway at salinities of 5, 15 and 45 ppt were determined by comparing their survival, growth and blood plasma and organ chemistry with those of fish grown at the same salinities without manganese addition. Survival of mulloway at 45 ppt in the presence of 5 mg/L of manganese (73 ± 13%) was significantly lower than all other treatments, which achieved 100% survival. Those fish grown in water without manganese exhibited rapid growth, which was not affected by salinity (SGR = 4.05 ± 0.29%/day). Those fish grown at 5 ppt and 45 ppt in the presence of manganese lost weight over the 2-week trial (SGR − 0.17 ± 0.42 and − 0.44 ± 0.83%/day, respectively), whilst those at 15 ppt gained some weight (SGR 1.70 ± 0.20%/day). Manganese accumulated in the gills, liver and muscle of the fish and significant differences in blood plasma chemistry were observed. Blood plasma sodium and chloride of fish exposed to manganese were significantly elevated in hyperosmotic salinity (45 ppt) and depressed at hyposmotic salinity (5 ppt) compared with unexposed fish at the same salinity; consistent with manganese causing apoptosis or necrosis to chloride cells. We did not, however, observe any gill epithelial damage under light microscopy. Blood plasma potassium was significantly elevated at all salinities in the presence of manganese and liver potassium and glycogen reduced. These findings are consistent with manganese interfering with carbohydrate metabolism.