High salinity effect on mortality of sandfish Holothuria scabra (Jaeger, 1833)

Abstract

The sandfish Holothuria scabra is a sea cucumber with a very high economic value. Sandfish cultivated in brackish water ponds will face a high salinity problem in the dry season. This study aimed to analyse the effect of high salinity on sandfish mortality. The study was done in a controlled tank in which the sea water was allowed to evaporate naturally, without the addition fresh water, so that the salinity increased continually. High salinity can cause injury and death to sandfish; before death, there was an evisceration. The death salinity of sandfish was 47 ppt. Sandfish have a greater range of tolerance to salinity than other sea cucumber species.