Johannes Cheong, Shigeharu Senoo, Audrey Daning Tuzan, Yuli Andriani, Ilham Misbakudin Al Zamzami, Esti Handayani Hardi, Asni Anwar, Fui Fui Ching
Marine ecosystems are increasingly vulnerable to multiple stressors associated with climate change, resulting in significant ecological impact including ocean acidification. A 30-day experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of acidified seawater on the growth performance, nutritional status and free neuromast of olfactory organ condition of early larval stage of Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) larvae. In this experiment, carbon dioxide (CO2) gas was introduced to lower seawater pH, and a timer system was installed to maintain the pH within specific ranges (5.5, 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0) while, a control treatment (pH fluctuating from 7.8 to 8.5) was also set, mimicking the current pH value of the seawater. Asian seabass larvae (initial total length: 2.13 ± 0.23 mm) were stocked at 30 individual/L in a 7L experimental aquarium in triplicate. The highest survival rate was obtained by Asian seabass larvae reared in control treatment 30.9±8.6% %, while total mortality was observed in pH 5.5 as early as day 1, followed by pH 6.0 and 6.5 at day 2 and 7.0 at day 5, respectively. The larvae in control group showed significantly better growth (14.25±1.02 mm) with excellent nutritional condition. Meanwhile, exposure to acidified seawater significantly reduced the length and density of larval olfactory neuromast hair cells compared to the control. It was concluded that acidified seawater induced mortality at early stage and triggered poor morphological development, resulting from inadequate nutritional condition and impaired sensory function. © 2026, Egyptian Society for the Development of Fisheries and Human Health. All rights reserved.
Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Borneo Marine Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, 88400, Malaysia; UMS-Kindai Aquaculture Development Centre, Kindai University, Wakayama, Shirahama, 649-2211, Japan; Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang Regency, West Java, Jatinangor, 45363, Indonesia; Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Universitas Brawijaya, Jawa Timur, Kota Malang, 65145, Indonesia; Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Universitas Mulawarman, Kalimantan Timur, Samarinda, 75117, Indonesia; Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar, Sultan Alauddin 259 Street, South Sulawesi, Makassar, 90211, Indonesia
