Salinity and temperature tolerances of black sea bass juveniles

The salinity and temperature tolerances of black sea bass Centropristis str iata juveniles (46 +/- 10.3 mm total length [mean +/- SD]) were estimated t o assist in decisions concerning location of culture facilities and types o f production systems. At 21 degreesC, all exposed fish survived for 7 d in salt concentrations of 10, 20, or 35 g/L. All fish exposed to salt concentr ations of 5 g/L died within 3 d. Temperature extremes were estimated after acclimation of fish to 24-25 degreesC. Half of the juveniles exposed to a g radual increase (+0.65 degreesC/d) or decrease (-0.51 degreesC/d) in temper ature (at a nominal salt concentration of 20 g/L) were dead when the water temperature reached 33.3 degreesC and 3.7 degreesC, respectively. Results o f this study indicate that this species requires saline water at or above a salt concentration of 10 g/L and that it may not be practical to keep blac k sea bass over winter or over summer in shore-based outdoor facilities loc ated in temperate climates.