Salinity Tolerance of Young American Shad, Alosa sapidissima

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Abstract
Young American shad were subjected to abrupt and gradual changes between saltwater and freshwater media. No mortality occurred with salinity increase, even abrupt change from fresh water or 5 o/oo salinity to about 30 o/oo salinity. Complete mortality occurred with abrupt salinity decrease from about 30 to 0 o/oo but not with gradual decrease from about 5 to 0 o/oo. Young American shad tolerate salinity change, especially salinity increase. Instances of apparent intolerance of salinity change reported in the literature and observed by myself may be primarily due to handling stress. Euryhaline ability permits American shad to use brackish and freshwater nurseries. The importance of brackish nurseries probably depends on the rate of seaward dispersal of the young and the proximity of brackish water to the chief spawning grounds.

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