Acute Toxicity of Ammonia and Nitrite to Yellow Perch, Perca flavescens.

Abstract

A series of static toxicity tests were conducted to determine the tolerance of yellow perch to ammonia and nitrite on larvae, juvenile and adult fish. Toxicity tests on adults were conducted at 18, 22, and 25 C. The tests on larvae showed highly varible results and were ultimately inconclusive. The 96h LC50 for ammonia and nitrite to juveniles were 0.77 mg/L as NH3-N and 78.24 mg/l as NO2-N, respectively. Adult and juvenile yellow perch had similiar tolerance levels. lc50 values for ammonia and nitrite varied with temperature and were 0.64 mg/l as NH3-N and 65.8 mg/l as NO2-N, respectively at 22 C. Lower water temeprature reduced the toxicity of ammonia and nitrite to yellow perch adults significantly. At 18 C, the LC50 values and nitrite were 59% higher (1.02 mg/l as NH3-N) and 34% higher (88.5 mg/l as NO2-N), respectively than the values at 22 C.