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Behaviour and ecology of salmonid fishes exposed to episodic pH depressions

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The behaviour and ecology of lake charr Salvelinus namaycush, brook charr S. fontinalis, and Atlantic salmon Salmo salar, are reviewed to assess the susceptibility of these species to mortality from exposure to episodic pH depressions and accompanying changes in water quality. Critical life history periods are identified from an examination of: spawning site characteristics, timing of ‘acidic pulses’, changes in the sensitivity of developing fish to acidic water, and the ability of these species to detect and avoid deleterious chemical conditions. The three species appeared to be most vulnerable to pH depressions during Snowmelt as: alevins emerging from the redd (brook charr); free embryos in the interstitial spaces of the spawning rubble (lake charr); and embryos during hatching and juveniles during smoltification (Atlantic salmon). Factors that may modify the toxic effects of or the behavioural responses to low pH included: water temperature, acclimation and body energy reserves. The effect of site-specific or episodic mortality of early life history stages on recruitment to the population could not be evaluated due to the lack of information on compensatory mechanisms.

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  1. Department of Zoology, Group for the Advancement of Fish Studies, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, NIG 2W1, Canada

    John M. Gunn

  2. Fisheries Branch, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Toronto, Ontario, M7A 1W3, Canada

    John M. Gunn

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Gunn, J.M. Behaviour and ecology of salmonid fishes exposed to episodic pH depressions. Environ Biol Fish 17, 241–252 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00001491

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