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The Effects Of Salinity On The Growth And Survival Of The Crayfish, Procambarus Actus Actus (Girard), Emily Deaver

OES Theses and Dissertations

The white river crayfish, Procambarus acutus acutus was tested in low salinity water for growth and survival. Thirty animals were placed in each test pool at O, 4 and 8 ppt and grown for 75 days. Growth was defined as increase in carapace length and wet weight. Crayfish grew at a faster rate and had the lowest mortality at 4 ppt. Water hardness, defined as the total concentration of calcium and magnesium expressed as the calcium carbonate equivalent, ranged from 35 mg/1 to 195 mg/1. Pools of crayfish tested at concentrations of approximately 100 mg/1 total hardness exhibited the best …