The Effects of Salinity Decrease on Lobster

Six male lobster and six female lobsters weighing 250-300 gr were studied. The salinity of the water ranged between 37±0.1ppt and 12±0.1ppt at the beginning and the end of the experiment respectively. During the study period, lasting for 36 days, temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen were kept almost at the same level. At salinity of 25 ppt some swelling and decrease in desire for food and in movement were observed. The first cases of mortality occured at slainity of 16 ppt and finally the three remaining male lobsters perished at salinity of 12 ppt. Generally, under the above mentioned conditions, the male lobster: exhibited better reactions and endurance than the females.