This study verified the optimum dietary salt level for the growth and ion regulation of silver catfish juveniles at different water pH levels (5.5, 7.0 and 9.0). The control diet was supplemented with NaCl to yield experimental diets with 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0% NaCl. Juveniles were collected at 15 and 35 days after the beginning of experiment for analyses of Na+ net fluxes. Exposure of silver catfish juveniles to alkaline or acidic water did not affect their survival. Fish fed with diets without NaCl supplementation and exposed to pH 7.0 showed significantly higher weight, length, specific growth rate and biomass per tank than those exposed to pH 5.5. Ionoregulatory disturbances of silver catfish maintained at all pH are less pronounced when fed higher dietary salt supplementation (1.0-2.0% NaCl). The increase of dietary NaCl reduced body Na+ loss and protected against the impact of acidic water on growth.
acidic water; alkaline water; dietary NaCl