In simple terms, if the salinity is too high, the fish could "dehydrate." If it is too low, then the osmotic pressure would flood into the fish cells and cause the cells to rupture, or in simple terms, the cells of the fish would fill up w/ freshwater & "pop." AS for the pH, any flux from the norm can cause an excess of mucous secretions in the gills, and in essence, in time, suffocate the fish. Remember that the pH scale is logarithmic. That is for our pH of 8.2 in our saltwater tank, a pH of 7.2 is 10 times more acidic, a pH of 6.2 is 100 times more acidic, etc. The same is true for higher a pH (9.4 is 10 times more alkaline than saltwater, 10.4 is 100 times)