Drinking and water absorption by the larvae of herring (Clupea harengus) and turbot (Scophthalmus maximus)

Citation

Tytler P & Ireland J (1994) Drinking and water absorption by the larvae of herring (Clupea harengus) and turbot (Scophthalmus maximus). Journal of Fish Biology, 44 (1), pp. 103-116. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.1994.tb01588.x

Abstract
The efficiencies of water absorption from the guts of the larvae of herring (Clupea harengus L.) and turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.) were estimated by two methods, The first method was based on the differences in the rates of accumulation, by drinking, and clearance from the gut of radiolabelled inert markers. The second method used the equilibrium level of radioactivity in the larvae to measure the concentration of the markers in the gut above background as water is absorbed from the gut. Water absorption efficiencies for herring larvae drinking sea water were estimated to be 77% using both methods. When external salinity was reduced to 50% sea water, drinking rates and water absorption efficiency in herring larvae fell substantially. Estimates of water absorption efficiency of seawater-adapted turbot larvae were similar (71-84%) to that of herring using both methods. Although temperature had a marked effect on both the rate of drinking and water absorption, there was no significant thermal effect on the efficiency of absorption from the guts of turbot larvae. The limitations of the techniques and the implications of the estimates in terms of water balance in fish larvae are discussed.

Keywords
water absorption; drinking; salinity; temperature; fish larvae; osmoregulation

Journal
Journal of Fish Biology: Volume 44, Issue 1

People

Mrs Jacquie Ireland

Lead Technical Specialist