Preferred pH of silver catfish Rhamdia quelen acclimated to different pH levels

The aim of this study was to investigate the preferred pH in silver catfish Rhamdia quelen acclimated to different pH. Fish were acclimated for one week at pH 4.2±0.1, 5.2±0.1, 6.3±0.1, 7.2±0.1, 8.0±0.1, and 9.0±0.1 and after this period, transferred to a polyethylene tube with a pH gradient from 3.5 to 10.0. The position of the fish in the pH gradient was observed 1, 6 and 12 hours after transference. Results indicated that acclimation to different pH did not change pH preference of silver catfish (pH 7.0-7.6), occurring only a transitory variation around 6 hours after transference. This pH preference coincides with the best pH indicated in the literature for growth of this species.