Effect of Water Ammonia Nitrogen Concentration on Survival of Mosquitofish Gambusia affinis

Abstract

In this study, the relationship of the growth of invasion fish with water eutrophication processes was explored in Yangtze estuary, China. High water ammonia nitrogen concentration produced high effects on the growth and survival of mosquitofish Gambusia affinis. When the ammonia nitrogen was higher than 51.75 mg/l, the fish death rate obviously increased with days, and at the 4th day fish presented the highest mortality, while 23.72 mg/l ammonia nitrogen conditions have been able to ensure fish survival for two days in experiment treatment. Therefore, ammonia nitrogen of Grade V polluted water (national water quality criteria) is just 3 mg/l, and the water can be enough to support fish normal survival. Our results suggest mosquitofish was a suitable pioneer species for restoring polluted water ecology and purify water.