Effect of a constant magnetic field on water quality and rearing of European sheatfish Silurus glanis L. larvae

The influence of a constant magnetic field with an intensity ranging from 0.4 to 0.6 T (Tesla) was determined on physicochemical parameters of water and on rearing of larvae of the European sheatfish Silurus glanis L. larvae. In the experiment, feeding brood of European sheatfish was reared in two groups. One was kept in tanks supplied with magnetically treated water. The second group was kept in tanks supplied with water without treatment with a magnetic field (control). The fish tanks were supplied with circulating river water. Rearing was conducted for 15 days at an initial stocking density for both groups of 8 fish per litre. The mean fish mass obtained was 0.46 g, and in the control group 0.78 g (P<0.05). Stocking mortality was 19.1% in the tanks with a constant magnetic field, and 13.5% in the control group. No changes were observed in water phosphate, ammonium, organic compounds or chloride concentrations.