Effects of varying salinities on Lepeophtheirus salmonis survival on juvenile pink and chum salmon

Abstract

Survival of the sea louse Lepeophtheirus salmonis on juvenile Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha and Oncorhynchus keta was examined with respect to salinity (0, 7, 14, 21 and 28). Rapid mortality was observed in fresh water (0) but motile stage sea lice tolerated higher salinities (7, 14, 21 and 28) for up to 7 days. These findings suggest that salinities juvenile Pacific salmon typically encounter during early marine residence have little affect on motile sea louse survival.

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