The specific growth rates(SGR),growth hormone(GH),survival rate,feed intake ratio,feed conversion efficiency(FCE)and body composition in muscles of juvenile turbot(Scophthalmus maximus)［body weight of(7.16±0.07)g］,which had been reared at salinities 12,18,24,30 and 36 for 60 days,were investigated.The results showed that the SGR of the fish reared at salinity 18,24,30 and 36 were 1.97,1.87,1.87 and 2.00 %/d,respectively,with a survival rate of 100%for these groups(P>0.05).However,the SGR and survival rate of the fish reared at salinity 12 were 1.45 %/d and 80.77%,respectively,both of which had significant differences in comparison with those of the control(salinity 30)(P<0.05).GH was the lowest in the fish reared at salinity 12 and the highest at salinity 36,both of which had significant differences in comparison with that of the control(P<0.05).FCE and feed intake ratio were 1.12%-1.38% and 1.19-1.28 %/d,respectively.FCE was the lowest in the fish reared at salinity 12,and the highest at salinity 36,both of which had significant differences in comparison with that of the control(salinity 30)(P<0.05);while feed intake ratio was the highest at salinity 30,and the lowest at salinity 12,with significant differences compared with that of the control(P>0.05).Although SGR had not significantly correlative with salinity,SGR increased with the rise of FCE and GH.The crude protein decreased with the rise of water salinity and showed significant difference between groups(P<0.05).Fish reared at salinity 12 had the lowest crude fat and highest ash content ,both of which were significantly different from the control(P<0.05).Moisture had no significant differences between groups(P>0.05).Thus,the results indicated that the changes in salinity could have significant impacts on SGR,GH,FCE,feed intake ratio and protein in muscles of juvenile turbot.Rearing in brackish water can enhance growth performance and flesh quality of the fish,and the proper salinity is 18.The results from this study provide important reference for salinity selection in turbot mariculture.