Oxygen consumption in Tilapia fingerlings Coptodon zillii after direct transfer to different salinities

Abstract

The study aimed to estimate the oxygen consumption rate of Coptodon zillii fingerlings transferred directly to different salinities. Intermittent-flow oxygen consumption meter was used for oxygen consumption measurements, a standard modified method depending upon the amount of oxygen decrease in water, using the water flow rate into the chamber containing the experimental fish Coptodon  zillii which transferred directly to the salinities (1.5, 7.5, 15, 30psu). (practical salinity unit). The results showed the minimal rates of oxygen consumption were at salt concentrations asymptotic to that recorded in the natural habitat of the studied fish which were (7.5, 15psu). While it increased significantly at higher 30psu and low 1.5psu salinities.

The study concluded that oxygen consumption rates in C. zillii fingerlings became at lower range in the isosmotic milieu and increased at hyper and hypo-osmotic environments.