Ontogenesis of osmotic regulation in the striped mullet, Mugil cephalus L.

The osmoregulatory capabilities of juvenile striped mullet, Mugil cephalus L ., of three size-groups (20–29, 30–39 and 40–9 mm s.l.) were compared in a series of six salinities ranging from fresh water to full sea water. The two smaller size-groups were able to tolerate instantaneous transfer from the brackish water in which captured, to all salinities but fresh water, while the 40–69 mm group were tolerant of instantaneous transfer to all experimental salinities. At high environmental salinities, the osmotic regulatory capabilities improved with growth in size to an apparently definitive condition in fish of 40–69 mm s.l. The smallest of these individuals were estimated to be about 7.5 months old. The osmotic regulatory capability in waters of low salinity had reached a definitive state with the development of tolerance to such salinities. The ontogenetic pattern for Mugil cephalus is virtually identical to that of the Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar .