Effects of Lowered Dissolved Oxygen Concentrations on Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) Embryos and Larvae

Abstract
Channel catfish embryos and resulting larvae were exposed to several reduced dissolved oxygen concentrations and control concentrations near air saturation at 25 and 28 C (7.8 and 7.3 mg/liter, respectively). At 25 C survival was similar but slightly reduced at 60% and 70% saturation (5.0 and 5.8 mg/liter) and was statistically less (P=0.01) at 30% and 50% saturation (2.4 and 4.2 mg/liter). No embryos hatched at 20% (1.7 mg/liter) and 25 C. Survival to the end of the test at 28 C was slightly reduced at 50%, 60%, and 70% saturation (3.8, 4.6, and 5.4 mg/liter) and was statistically less (P = 0.01) at 30% saturation (2.3 mg/liter). At all reduced oxygen concentrations at 25 and 28 C embryo pigmentation was lighter, duration of hatch was extended, feeding was delayed, and growth was reduced.