title: Variable survival across low pH gradients in freshwater fish species.
abstract: A series of 14 day experiments was conducted on five common New Zealand fish species (redfin bully Gobiomorphus huttoni, inanga Galaxias maculatus, brown trout Salmo trutta, longfin eel Anguilla dieffenbachii and koaro Galaxias brevipinnis) to assess the effect of pH on survival and changes in body mass. No species survived in water of pH <4 although there was 100% survival of all adults at pH 4.5, G. maculatus larvae were also tested and had high mortality at this pH. Results suggest that adults are tolerant of low-pH waters; however, successful remediation of anthropogenically acidified streams will require an understanding of the susceptibility to low pH on different life cycle stages.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Jellyman
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Harding
mesh_terms: D000811:Anguilla / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size; D005618:Fresh Water; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009520:New Zealand; D036441:Osmeriformes / Q000502:physiology*; D014337:Trout / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: New Zealand; experimental ecology; mortality; naturally acidic waters; tolerance