Among the four strains used for the study, two strains (S8 and S186) showed 30ppt as their optimal salinity for growth. Other two strains (S100 and S165) showed maximum growth at 25ppt and 20ppt respectively. Strains which showed a preference for 30ppt seawater exhibit their halophilic nature. D. hansenii is salt tolerant and it has been reported that some strains are able to grow in the presence of 20% (w/v) NaCl