Response of anabas testudineus (bloch, 1792) to salinity for assessing their culture potential in brackish water inundation prone areas of indian sundarbans

The present study investigated the effect of salinity on growth and survival of Anabas testudineus for assessing their culture potential in brackish water. The estimated median lethal salinity concentration of 96-hour for A. testudineus (11.74 g) was 18.86 g l-1. Based on median lethal salinity concentration, survival and growth performances were assessed at three sub-lethal salinity levels. Highest growth performances were obtained in 5 g l-1 salinity followed by 0 g l-1, 10 g l-1 and 15 g l-1 salinity. The survival rate was not hampered up to 10 g l-1 salinity. This study implies that A. testudineus can be cultured up to 15 g l-1 salinity and can be considered as an ideal species to promote in Indian Sundarban delta where brackish water intrusion is frequent phenomenon. Key words: Anabas testudineus, fish growth, salinity stress, median lethal salinity, Indian Sundarban