University of Hawaiʻi researchers identify tilapia salinity adaptation

Researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR) have identified the molecular mechanisms that allow Mozambique tilapia to survive in extreme salinity. The study, led by Professor Andre Seale and published in General and Comparative Endocrinology, explains how the fish adapt to environments ranging from freshwater to hypersaline ponds.

The research found that while many fish species use the hormone prolactin to regulate water and ion balance, Mozambique tilapia manage extreme salt stress through a continuous shift in the types of prolactin genes being expressed. This gradual genetic shift allows the fish to fine-tune their salt and water regulation during transitions into salty environments.

Understanding these mechanisms could enhance aquaculture by enabling tilapia farming in brackish water. This approach could help preserve freshwater resources for drinking and agriculture while potentially improving production traits such as growth, feed efficiency, and nutritional value.