BEHAVIORAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL STRESS RESPONSES OF Java barb (Barbonymus gonionotus) TO ENVIRONMENTAL SALINITY CHALLENGE

Abstract

Salinity impose stress on the physiology of the exposed freshwater fish population can modify their structure. In this study some indicators of behavioral and physiological stress responses were examined during exposure of Java barb (Barbonymus gonionotus) to different saline concentrations. Based on the result of median lethal salinity level (LC50) (12.9ppt), one sublethal (12ppt) and two lethal salinity levels (14ppt and 16ppt) were selected to study the acute stress responses of fish for a period of 72h. A number of physiological responses, such as disturbance in body fluid, alterations of blood biochemical and hematological parameters and behavioral responses were detected with increasing ambient salinity. Fish exposed to different sub-lethal and lethal salinities exhibited clinical signs agitated behavior, respiratory distress, abnormal nervous behavior and death were recorded. From the present investigation, it was observed that higher salinity may affect the physiological and behavioral stress responses in freshwater fish.