Effect of Temperature and Hypersalinity on Hatching Success of Spotted Seatrout Eggs

Hatching success of spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) eggs was examined after embryos were exposed to various temperature (20–32°C) and salinity (30–70‰) combinations. Spotted seatrout eggs were obtained from temperature–photoperiod induced spawns. Eggs held at 26°C exhibited a higher overall hatching success than eggs held at other test temperatures when salinities exceeded 40‰. Hatching success at salinities below 40‰ was highest at 23°C. For eggs held at 26°C, both the median lethal salinity (LC50) and the near-total lethal salinity (LC99) were higher than they were for eggs held at other test temperatures, suggesting that incubation of eggs at salinities above 30‰ may be more successful at this temperature.