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Review

Adaptation Mechanisms of Aquatic Animals to Saline–Alkaline Water Aquaculture: Physiological, Energetic and Molecular Perspectives

by
Yingsha Qu
1,2,
Huichen Li
1,3,
Bo Zhang
1,
Hongwu Cui
1,
Jianlei Chen
1,
Yong Xu
1,
Zhengguo Cui
1,
Keming Qu
1 and
Hao Li
1,*
1
National Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266000, China
2
Weihai Municipal Bureau of Marine Development, Marine and Fishery Supervision and Inspection Detachment, Weihai 264200, China
3
College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Fishes 2026, 11(4), 202; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes11040202
Submission received: 14 February 2026 / Revised: 20 March 2026 / Accepted: 23 March 2026 / Published: 27 March 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Influences of Environmental Change on Fishes and Fisheries)
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Abstract

Saline–alkaline water constitutes a vital strategic non-traditional fishery resource in China, characterized by high pH values, elevated carbonate alkalinity, and complex ionic compositions. These extreme environmental conditions impose significant stress on aquatic animals, mainly by inducing ionic toxicity and disrupting acid–base regulatory mechanisms. Such disruptions subsequently lead to osmotic imbalance, metabolic dysregulation, and immunosuppression, thus restricting the survival and growth of aquatic species in aquaculture systems. Consequently, the sustainable development of the saline–alkaline aquaculture is imperative for enhancing production efficiency and promoting the utilization of marginal land and water resources. This review comprehensively summarizes the current status of saline–alkaline aquaculture and highlights the stress-inducing impacts of salinity, alkalinity, and specific ionic ratios on teleost fishes and crustaceans. It further explores key adaptive mechanisms, including osmoregulatory and ionoregulatory strategies, bioenergetic trade-offs related to oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion, coordinated antioxidant and innate immune responses, as well as recent findings from multi-omics research. This review aims to offer a scientific foundation for the selection and breeding of saline–alkaline-tolerant strains, the precise regulation of aquaculture water environments, and the development of ecological aquaculture models in saline–alkaline regions, thereby facilitating the sustainable utilization of saline–alkaline land and water resources.
Keywords: saline–alkaline water; aquaculture; stress physiology; osmoregulation; bioenergetics; immune response; multi-omics; teleosts; crustaceans saline–alkaline water; aquaculture; stress physiology; osmoregulation; bioenergetics; immune response; multi-omics; teleosts; crustaceans

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MDPI and ACS Style

Qu, Y.; Li, H.; Zhang, B.; Cui, H.; Chen, J.; Xu, Y.; Cui, Z.; Qu, K.; Li, H. Adaptation Mechanisms of Aquatic Animals to Saline–Alkaline Water Aquaculture: Physiological, Energetic and Molecular Perspectives. Fishes 2026, 11, 202. https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes11040202

AMA Style

Qu Y, Li H, Zhang B, Cui H, Chen J, Xu Y, Cui Z, Qu K, Li H. Adaptation Mechanisms of Aquatic Animals to Saline–Alkaline Water Aquaculture: Physiological, Energetic and Molecular Perspectives. Fishes. 2026; 11(4):202. https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes11040202

Chicago/Turabian Style

Qu, Yingsha, Huichen Li, Bo Zhang, Hongwu Cui, Jianlei Chen, Yong Xu, Zhengguo Cui, Keming Qu, and Hao Li. 2026. "Adaptation Mechanisms of Aquatic Animals to Saline–Alkaline Water Aquaculture: Physiological, Energetic and Molecular Perspectives" Fishes 11, no. 4: 202. https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes11040202

APA Style

Qu, Y., Li, H., Zhang, B., Cui, H., Chen, J., Xu, Y., Cui, Z., Qu, K., & Li, H. (2026). Adaptation Mechanisms of Aquatic Animals to Saline–Alkaline Water Aquaculture: Physiological, Energetic and Molecular Perspectives. Fishes, 11(4), 202. https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes11040202

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