Cage‐pond integration of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) with carps

Cage‐pond integration system is a new model for enhancing productivity of pond aquaculture system. A field trial was conducted using African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in cages and carps in earthen ponds. There were four treatments replicated five times: (1) carps in ponds without cage, (2) tilapia at 30 fish m^?3 in cage and carps in open pond, (3) catfish at 100 fish m^?3 in cage and carps in open pond, (4) tilapia and catfish at 30 and 100 fish m^?3, respectively, in separate cages and carps in open pond. The carps were stocked at 1 fish m^?2. The cage occupied about 3% of the pond area. The caged tilapia and catfish were fed and the control ponds were fertilized. Results showed that the combined extrapolated net yield was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the catfish, tilapia and carps integration system (9.4 ± 1.6 t ha^?1 year^?1) than in the carp polyculture (3.3 ± 0.7 t ha^?1 year^?1). The net return from the tilapia and carps (6860 US$ ha^?1 year^?1) and catfish, tilapia and carps integration systems (6668 US$ ha^?1 year^?1) was significantly higher than in the carp polyculture (1709 US$ ha^?1 year^?1) (P < 0.05). This experiment demonstrated that the cage‐pond integration of African catfish and Nile tilapia with carps is the best technology to increase production; whereas integration of tilapia and carp for profitability.     

Evaluation of Nile tilapia pond management strategies in Egypt

Five pond management strategies for Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus L. production were evaluated in 0.1‐ha earthen ponds in Egypt during a 145‐day production cycle. Pond management strategies developed by the Pond Dynamics/Aquaculture Collaborative Research Support Programme (PD/A CRSP) were compared with a traditional and a modified Egyptian pond management strategy. Young‐of‐year Nile (mixed‐sex or sex‐reversed) tilapia were stocked into ponds at 20 000 fish ha^?1. Sex‐reversed tilapia were stocked into chemical fertilization, organic fertilization plus formulated feed and feed only treatment ponds, whereas mixed‐sex tilapia were stocked into organic fertilization plus formulated feed and chemical plus organic fertilization plus formulated feed treatment ponds. Nile tilapia yields ranged from 1274 to 2929 kg ha^?1. Nile tilapia yields in organic fertilization plus formulated feed treatments were significantly greater than the yield from chemical fertilization ponds. PD/A CRSP pond management strategies did not produce significantly greater Nile tilapia yields than the traditional Egyptian system, but a larger percentage of harvested tilapia in the organic fertilization plus feed treatments were classified in the first and second class size categories compared with the traditional Egyptian system. Organic fertilization plus formulated feed pond management strategies had the highest net returns, average rate of return on capital and the highest margin between average price and break‐even prices to cover total variable costs or total costs.     

Nursing duration and pond fertilization level affect polycultures of Indian major carp (rohu Labeo rohita and mrigal Cirrhina mrigala) with monosex Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

This study investigated the effects of nursing duration on the subsequent performance of rohu (R) Labeo rohita and mrigal (M) Cirrhina mrigala in polyculture with monosex male Nile tilapia (T) Oreochromis niloticus at four levels of pond fertilization. Nile tilapia, rohu and mrigal were stocked at a ratio of 4:1:1 in a 90‐day trial based on 40 20‐m² pens fixed in four 400‐m² earthen ponds. Growth of carp fingerlings during prolonged nursing (5 or 12 months) was stunted compared with fish nursed over a conventional duration of 3 months (3) but showed superior growth subsequently. Mean daily weight gain of stunted rohu (12) ranged from 2.2 to 2.8 g per fish day^?1 compared with 1.1–1.6 g per fish day^?1 for younger fish (3). The comparable ranges for mrigal were 1.9–2.8 and 1.4–2.1 g per fish day^?1. Growth of Nile tilapia was inversely related to duration of carp nursing at the four levels of fertilization. Nile tilapia showed more response to increasing levels of fertilizer input (Y=?1.421+1.716X, where Y is the daily weight gain of Nile tilapia and X is the fertilizer level, r²=0.98, P<0.01, n=12). At a high level of fertilization (3.0 kg N:1.5 kg P ha^?1 day^?1), performance of stunted fingerlings (5 and 12) of both rohu and mrigal was similar (range 2.3–2.8 g per fish day^?1, P>0.05), but younger mrigal (M3) grew faster than rohu (2.1 g per fish day^?1 and 1.6 g per fish day^?1 respectively). Older rohu (12) appeared to perform particularly well, and Nile tilapia poorly at the lowest level of fertilization (1.5 N:0.75 kg P ha^?1 day^?1), suggesting the impact of age of seed on competition within polycultures. The net fish yield (NFY) of tilapia was not affected significantly (P>0.05) by differential stocking age of carps; therefore, combined NFY of the three experimental fish species was not affected by the age of carp, as tilapia was the dominant species in polyculture. The highest combined NFY of all species in the most intensively fertilized pond (3.0 N:1.5 P kg ha^?1 day^?1) was calculated at 4.06±0.08 g·m^?2 day^?1, which was significantly higher (P<0.001) than the yield (1.82±0.12 g·m^?2 day^?1) from the pond with the lowest fertilization. At the highest fertilizer level, tilapia, rohu and mrigal contributed 72%, 14% and 14%, respectively, to the NFY, whereas the ratio was 60%, 20% and 20% at the lowest fertilization level. The study indicated that yields from tilapia in polyculture with the two carp species in more eutrophic water can be optimized if advanced nursing of carps is practised. Moreover, higher inputs of inorganic fertilizer and advanced nursing of carp are economically attractive under Bangladeshi conditions. Advanced nursing of rohu also improves its performance in more extensive systems when tilapia densities are high.     

Pond farming of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), in northern Cameroon. Feeding combinations of cottonseed cake and brewery waste in fingerling culture, hand-sexed male monosex culture, and mixed culture with police-fish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell)

Twelve production trials were analysed retrospectively, covering three different rearing methods in which Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), were fed with combinations or cottonseed cake and brewery waste. Highest extrapolated net pond productions, including tilapia recruits, were obtained in tilapia fingerling rearing (W₀ <10 g; 11.8 t ha^?1 year^?1). Stocking African catfish, as police-fish (0.2 catfish m^?2) in mixed tilapia (W₀ > 90 g) culture was effective in controlling tilapia recruitment, but net pond production was low (4.1 t ha^?1 year^?1). Hand-sexing of male tilapias (W₀ > 90 g) only limited recruitment but resulted in a significantly higher net pond production (8.6 t ha^?1 year^?1) than in mixed culture. Extrapolated marketable production in the treatment stocked with hand-sexed tilapia males (tilapia only) was also higher than the extrapolated marketable production in the mixed culture treatment (tilapia and catfish combined), although this difference was not significant. Extrapolated net pond production and extrapolated net tilapia production were both significantly correlated to the daily feeding rate of cottonseed cake but not to the daily feeding rate of brewery waste. The high relative FCRs of the feed mixture were probably due to the brewery waste.     

Polyculture of silver barb, Puntius gonionotus (Bleeker), Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), and common carp, Cyprinus carpio L., in Vietnamese ricefields: fish production parameters

The fish production parameters of five polyculture combinations, consisting of small and large silver barb, Puntius gonionotus (Bleeker), small and large Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), and small common carp, Cyprinus carpio L., fingerlings in three replicates, were investigated in a rice-fish culture experiment (duration 149 days) conducted in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. The survival rate was not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by the polyculture combination, but when grouped according to species, the mean survival of silver barb and tilapia was 64.3% and 63.7%, respectively, significantly higher than the mean common carp survival rate (33.4%). The growth of silver barb and tilapia was proportionally related to the stocking density, probably because of intraspecific competition and a synergistic interaction between silver barb and tilapia. The growth of common carp was not significantly different among the polyculture combinations. The highest net production (474.1 kg ha^?1) was obtained in the polyculture combination consisting of 80% small-sized silver barb fingerlings, but the fish was not marketable at that time. In concurrent rice-fish culture, it is recommended to raise large silver barb fingerlings. Small tilapia can be polycul-tured with silver barb, provided a stocking density lower than 1400 ha^?1. Common carp is considered less suitable because of a limited tolerance for the water quality conditions in the ricefield and the large size required by the market.     

Effect of Bacillus cereus as a water or feed additive on the gut microbiota and immunological parameters of Nile tilapia

We evaluated the effects of Bacillus cereus, as an additive in water and feed, on the gut microbiota and immunological parameters of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings. Experiments were performed in tanks and net cages respectively. Experiment 1: Tilapia were housed in tanks for 42 days, and B. cereus was added to the water at 1.0 × 10⁴ cfu mL^?1 (Treatment 1) and 1.0 ×10⁵ cfu mL^?1 (Treatment 2) weekly. For the control, no probiotic was added. Experiment 2: Tilapia were housed in cages for 42 days, and the feed was supplemented with B. cereus at 1.0 × 10⁷ cfu g^?1 (Treatment 1) and 1.0 × 10⁸ cfu g^?1 (Treatment 2) weekly. For the control, no probiotic was added. Each treatment contained three replicates, with 50 male tilapias per replicate. The fish from the probiotic treatments in both tank and cage experiments had significantly higher serum lysozyme and peroxidase activities than the control. In the cage experiment, alkaline phosphatase and total superoxide dismutase activities in tilapia were significantly higher in probiotic treatments compared with the control. The results of polymerase chain reaction‐denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis showed that B. cereus supplementation in the feed and water affected the autochthonous gut bacteria community of tilapia and stimulated various potentially beneficial bacteria. Therefore, B. cereus, as a water or feed additive, could enhance the immune status and affect the gut microbiota of tilapia. Bacillus cereus was more effective as a feed supplement rather than a water additive for enhancing the immune status of tilapia.     

Productivity and Economics of Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus Cage Culture in South-East Brazil

ABSTRACT

Fish cage culture is an intensive, continuous-flow fish farming system, allowing intensive exploitation of water bodies with relatively low capital investment. This study aimed to determine the production function of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, in cages; the profit-maximizing biomass at 300–400 and 500–600 fish per m³ for cages of different volumes; and the influence of water body conditions in fish performance. Feed intake, survival rate, and water temperature were monitored daily; dissolved oxygen, pH, and transparency of water were monitored each 15 days. Caged tilapia were fed daily on commercial, floating pellets (32% crude protein) at 0900, 1300, and 1700, and feeding rate was adjusted based on weight gain and survival rate. Data were analyzed statistically by ANOVA (P = 0.05) and regression analysis; the Mitscherlich function was chosen to represent the production function. Carrying capacity of both stocking densities reached 200 kg/m³ and no differences were found (P > 0.05) regarding accumulated biomass and individual average weight over time. The larger stocking density yielded larger accumulated biomass and had better feeding efficiency and no differences between individual average weights of fish at both densities were observed (P > 0.05). Profit-maximizing biomass at 500–600 fish/m³ was 145 kg/m³ and at 300–400 fish/m³ was 121 kg/m³. Cage farming of Nile tilapia at 500–600 fish/m³, individual average weight 283 g, presented many advantages: optimization of space and production time, better feed efficiency, higher fish production per unit volume of cages, and increased profitability.     

Growth, Survival, and Body Composition of Cage-Cultured Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus Fed Pelleted and Unpelleted Distillers Grains with Solubles in Polyculture with Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii

Abstract.— A 12‐wk feeding trial was conducted in cages with juvenile Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus to evaluate distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) as a direct feed, the effects of pelleting on its utilization, and the compatibility of caged tilapia and prawns in polyculture. Nine 1.0‐m³ cages were stocked with 200 juvenile (26 ± 0.9 g) tilapia. Cages were suspended in a 0.2‐ha pond stocked with juvenile freshwater prawns Macrobrachium rosenbergii at 40,000/ha. Three replicate cages were randomly assigned to each dietary treatment. In one dietary treatment DDGS was fed as an unpelleted loose grain ration (26% protein). In a second dietary treatment fish were fed DDGS that had been steam‐pelleted (23% protein). Fish in a third dietary treatment were fed a commercial catfish diet (31% protein) for comparison. After 12 wk, individual weight, individual length, and specific growth rate were significantly higher (P < 0.05) and feed conversion ratio was significantly lower (P < 0.05) for fish fed the commercial catfish diet than for fish fed either unpelleted or pelleted DDGS. Specific growth rate was significantly higher (P < 0.05) for fish fed pelleted DDGS than for fish fed unpelleted DDGS. Survival did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) among treatments (>95%). Although growth was increased in fish fed the commercial diet, their cost of production (<0.66/kg gain) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than in fish fed unpelleted and pelleted DDGS (<0.26/ kg gain and <0.37/kg gain, respectively). The costs of gain in fish fed unpelleted DDGS was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than in fish fed the pelleted DDGS. Prawn production was 1,449 kg/ha and addition of tilapia in polyculture increased total pond productivity approximately 81 %. These data suggest that DDGS provides economical growth in tilapia when fed as a direct feed and that polyculture of tilapia may improve overall pond efficiency in freshwater prawn production ponds, even at temperate latitudes.     

Effects of Diffused Aeration and Stocking Density on Growth, Feed Conversion, and Production of Florida Red Tilapia in Cages

The effects of four levels of diffused aeration (0, 6, 12, and 24 hours/day) and two stocking densities (400 and 600 fish/m³) on the culture performance of caged Florida red tilapia were evaluated in 1 m³ cages in a 2 ha watershed pond on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Fish obtained a nutritionally-complete (36% protein), floating feed from demand feeders for 143 to 146 days. Diffused aeration had no significant ( P > 0.05) effect on fish growth, survival, feed conversion, and production in cages. Combined across all levels of diffused aeration, fish stocked at 400/cage had a greater growth rate (2.21 vs. 1.97 g/day), larger final body weight (370 vs. 335 g), and a lower feed conversion ratio (1.69 vs. 1.80) than fish stocked at 600/cage ( P < 0.05). The final biomass of fish stocked at the higher density (181 kg/m³) was greater than at the lower density (140 kg/m³). The enhancement of water exchange rates by diffused aeration did not increase tilapia growth rate or production in cages.     

Effects of seasonal and environmental changes on aquaculture production in tropical Lake Volta,Ghana

Globally, aquaculture production is faced with numerous challenges, notable among which is water quality. The study determined seasonal environmental changes in Lake Volta and its implications on cage production of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus in experimental and commercial farm (Sun Woo Farm) set-ups. For each set-up, three cages were used, each measuring 81 and 162.5 m³ for experimental and commercial, respectively. The cages were stocked with 22.5 g fingerlings at a rate of 40 and 80 m^?3 in experimental and commercial cages, respectively, and fed commercial diet. The growth performance, yield, economics, and selected water quality parameters were monitored during the dry and wet seasons between November 2014 and July 2015. There were no differences in water quality parameters between dry and wet seasons (p?>?0.05). Water quality for both seasons remained within limits required for good Tilapia growth in both set-ups. There were minimal variations in growth characteristics between seasons which were not significant; however, final mean weight and yields were high in the dry seasons in both set-ups. The cost of feed and fingerling accounting for about 80% of total costs were the major components identified to affect cost of production. A higher profit index and returns on investment were observed in the dry season in both set-ups and was linked to higher survival rates in the season. Production of Nile tilapia in cages can be cultured throughout the year without any adverse effects as exhibited in similar production patterns in both experimental and commercial set-ups.     

Grow-out culture of tropical abalone, Haliotis asinina (Linnaeus) in suspended mesh cages with different shelter surface areas

Thisstudy investigated the effects of shelter surface area (SSA) on the feeding,growth and survival of the donkey-ear abalone, Haliotisasinina reared in mesh cages (0.38×0.38×0.28m) suspended in flow-through tanks (water volume = 6m³). Cages had sections of polyvinylchloride (PVC) thatprovided shelters with surface area of 0.22 m², 0.44m² and 0.66 m².Hatchery-produced abalone with initial shell length of 32 ± 1mm and wet weight of 7.5 g were stocked at 50individuals cage^?1 that corresponded to stocking densities ofca. 227, 113 and 75 abalone m^?2 of SSA. The ratios of sheltersurface area to cage volume (SSA:CV) were 5.5, 11 and 16.5. Abalones wereprovided an excess red seaweed Gracilariopsis bailinae(= Gracilaria heteroclada) at weekly intervals overa 270-day culture period. Feeding rates (18–20% of wet weight), foodconversion ratio (26–27) and percent survival (88–92%) did notdiffer significantly among treatments (p > 0.05). Body size at harvest rangedfrom 56 to 59 mm SL and 52 to 57 g wet body weightwith significant differences between abalone reared at SSA 0.22m² and 0.66 m² (p < 0.05).Abalone reared in cages with 0.66 m² SSA grewsignificantly faster at average daily growth rates of 132 μm and188 mg day^?1. Stocking densities of 75–113m^?2 SSA in mesh cages suspended in flow-throughtanks resulted in better growth of abalone fed red seaweed.     

Small tropical reservoirs and fish cage culture: a pilot study conducted in Machakos district,Kenya

The findings of this study provide useful insights into the key aspects of fish cage farming to be considered during setting and overall management of multi-purpose water resources so as to maximise their aquacultural potential. The study was conducted in Machakos District, Kenya, to characterise limnochemistry and algal composition of three small man-made reservoirs Ngeki, Ngei and Kavovi, used for cage culture of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). In Ngeki, the open water was compared with areas in between the cages and significant differences in dissolved oxygen were found. For N, P and chlorophyll-a, no differences were noticed. In all the reservoirs, temporal variations were noticed for all parameters except NO₃N and NH₄N. Peak concentrations of nutrients occurred during the rainy season with lower values in the dry season (below detectable limits for SRP). All reservoirs were classified as hyper-eutrophic with a strong positive correlation between chlorophyll-a and TP. Algal abundances changed with season. Chlorophyta dominated at the start of the rainy season, while cyanobacteria prevailed at the onset of thermal stratification. Diatoms prevailed in the dry season but were notably absent in the rainy season. It was concluded that all the reservoirs are suitable for cage culture of Nile tilapia, but this should be undertaken with caution considering critical periods when anoxic conditions may occur.     

盐碱地池塘配置网箱养鱼试验

在盐碱地一个面积为2871m^2的鱼池中，配置4个网箱．分别放养罗非鱼、淡水白鲳和鲤，箱外放养鲢、草鱼和鲤。试验结果：罗非鱼箱(20m^2)出鱼525kg．平均单产26．3kg／m^2,淡水白鲳箱(12m^2)出鱼400kg,平均单产33.3kg／m^2,鲤鱼箱两个(各12m^2)分别出鱼488．5kg和522kg，平均单产为40．7kg／m^2和43．5kg／m^2。箱外出鲢516kg,草鱼130kg，鲤1125kg。总计全池出鱼3706．5kg，亩产鱼862kg，每亩纯盈利2173．85元。试验证明：池塘配置网箱养鱼．可同池主养几种鱼，起捕容易，管理方便。     

Polyculture of silver barb, Puntius gonionotus (Bleeker), Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), and common carp, Cyprinus carpio L., in Vietnamese ricefields: feeding ecology and impact on rice and ricefield environment

Rice production, ricefield environment and the feeding ecology offish were studied in an experiment conducted at a rice-fish station in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. In total, six treatments (three replicates) were investigated: four different polyculture combinations of small sized silver barb, Puntius gonionotus (Bleeker), Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), and common carp, Cyprinuso carpio L.; one treatment with pre-grown fingerlings; and a control treatment in which no fish were stocked. No insecticides or fungicides were utilized before or during the experiment. Frequent fertilization of the water and a low rice plant biomass during the early vegetative growth phase stimulated the development of phytoplankton and zooplankton. The total weed biomass was low (maximum = 5.3 g dry weight m^?2) and not significantly (P < 0.05) different between the treatments. A major component of the silver barb diet consisted of rice plants and accessible grains. However, the introduction of silver barb only had a significant effect on the number of rice tillers in the ratoon crop and not on the paddy yield. The quantitative differences in the diets of tilapia and common carp were minimal: both species fed mostly on detritus. Ricefields without silver barb produced the highest paddy yield (3120 kg ha^?1). The total yield of introduced fish increased after increasing the stocking density of silver barb from 319.9 to 494.1 kg ha-¹. The highest fish yield (541.8 kg ha-1) was obtained by stocking pre-grown fingerlings in the ricefields.     

Effects of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) stocking and artificial feeding on water quality and production in rohu–common carp bi‐culture ponds

Previous research showed that stocking 1.5 rohu (Labeo rohita) and 0.5 common carp (Cyprinus carpio) m⁻² yields the highest production in small holder ponds in Bangladesh. The present study looked into the effects of additional stocking of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis nilotica) in fed or non‐fed ponds on water quality and fish production. A low, additional stocking density of 0.2 Nile tilapia m⁻² was tested. All treatments were executed in triplicate in 100 m² ponds and the duration of the experiment was 4.5 months. The results showed that tilapia addition increased nutrient concentrations and reduced total suspended solid concentration and phytoplankton biomass (P<0.05). Tilapia stocking resulted in additional production without affecting the growth and production of rohu and common carp. Supplemental feeding increased the nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations, phytoplankton availability and the growth and production of rohu and common carp (P<0.01). The combination of supplemental feeding and tilapia stocking resulted in a higher net yield than the other treatments (P<0.05). Stocking 1.5 rohu, 0.5 common carp and 0.2 tilapia m⁻² in fed‐ponds is a good culture combination for polyculture farmers in South Asia.     

Production Parameters and Economics of Small-Scale Tilapia Cage Aquaculture in the Volta Lake,Ghana

To calculate the potential for cage aquaculture to create economic opportunities for small-scale investors on the Volta Lake, Ghana, a local NGO with technical support from the Government of Ghana ran two trials (one of four and one of six units) of small-scale cage aquaculture in the town of Dzemeni. Cages were built locally from available materials at a cost of approximately US$1000 per 48 m³ cage. An indigenous line of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, was stocked either as mixed sex (first trial) or all-males (second trial) at an average rate of 103 fish/m³ and grown on locally available pelleted feeds for approximately six months. Total costs averaged US$2038 per six-month production cycle. Gross yield ranged from 232 to 1176 kg/cage, averaging 460 kg/cage (9.6 kg/m³). Final average weight of mixed sex populations (253.05 ± 47.43g) was significantly less than of all-males (376.7 ± 72.30g). Likewise, percentage of fish over 300 g at harvest was significantly lower in mixed-sex (38.3%) compared to all-male (75.7%) populations. Mortality resulting primarily from poor handling during transport and stocking averaged 70% and was a major determinate of production and profitability. To break even, harvested biomass of fish needed to exceed 15 kg/m³. At 25 kg/m³, small-scale cage aquaculture generated a net income of US$717 per cage per six months (ROI = 30.2%) on revenues of US$3,500. Water quality in the area surrounding the cages was not negatively affected by aquaculture at the scale tested (5 tons of feed per six months).     

网箱养鱼高产试验及其技术因子的探讨

本文报导了网箱养殖莫桑比克罗非鱼(Tilapia mossambica)和草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)高产试验。其中网养莫桑比克罗非鱼获得每平方米净产97公斤，饲料系数为2．16：网养草鱼每平方米净产14．5公斤，饲料系数为2．49。此外，本文论述了网箱结构，饲养环境，养殖方式，饲料配方，投喂技术等技术因子对提高单位产量的关系。作者认为合理选择网箱，敷设饲料台，控制溶氧不低于3mg／L、水温不低于15℃，饲养密度为5—10公斤／米^2，单养，采用蛋白质组分不低于35％的颗粒饲料以及提供10％-2％的日给食率，是网养给食式鱼类获得高产并降低饲料系数的关键。     

Efficacy of an experimentally inactivated Streptococcus agalactiae vaccine in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) reared in Brazil

Tilapia aquaculture is one of the fastest‐growing segments of fish production in Brazil. Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is largely cultivated in the state of Parana, where Streptococcus agalactiae is the cause of severe disease outbreaks. The objective of this paper was to evaluate an inactivated S. agalactiae vaccine in tilapia for the control of streptococcal disease outbreaks. Tilapia, weighing approximately 20 g each, were intraperitoneally (i.p.) inoculated with 0.1 mL of the vaccine at a dose of 2.0 × 10⁸ colony‐forming unit (CFU) mL^?1. One group of tilapia (treatment 1) received one vaccine dose, and the other group of tilapia (treatment 2) received two doses, with an interval of 21 days. The control group was i.p. inoculated with 0.1 mL tryptic soy broth fish^?1. Immunized and control tilapia were i.p. challenged with 0.1 mL of 3.0 × 10⁷ CFU mL^?1 at 30 days post vaccination. The fish were monitored daily for disease signs and for mortality for 16 days post challenge. A statistically significant difference (P=0.0045) was found between the mortality of treatments 1 and 2. The value of relative per cent of survival of 83.6% and 96.4%, respectively, indicate that this vaccine was efficient in Nile tilapia.     

Effect of salinity on carrying capacity of adult Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus L. in recirculating systems

Effect of salinity on carrying capacity of a recirculation system for Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L.; production was assessed. Survival, growth and feed conversion ratio of adult Nile tilapia fed 30% crude protein diet for 88 days were measured at three different salinity levels (8, 15 and 25 g L^?1) and two stocking densities (20 and 40 m^?3) in three independent recirculating systems. Highest survival (98%) and a linear growth in net biomass (P<0.01) was observed in both densities at 8 g L^?1 and in 20 m^?3 treatment at 15 g L^?1. Highest net biomass growth was observed in the 40 m^?3 stocking density treatment at 8 g L^?1 salinity level (P<0.05). Overall biomass growth was significantly affected by salinity indicating a decrease in Nile tilapia carrying capacity with increased salinity. About 11 000 kg ha^?1 crop^?1 of Nile tilapia can be obtained in recirculating systems at 8 g L^?1 salinity, significantly higher than the net production at 15 g L^?1 (5200 kg ha^?1 crop^?1) and 22 g L^?1 (4425 kg ha^?1 crop^?1).     

Spawning performance and seed production from hybridization between Oreochromis spilurus and the GIFT strain of the Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

This study compared the spawning performance of four crosses between the salt‐tolerant tilapia Oreochromis spilurus and the fast‐growing genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT) strain of the Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus: (1) O. spilurus♀×O. spilurus♂ (SS); (2) Nile ♀× Nile ♂ (NN); (3) Nile ♀×O. spilurus♂ (NS) and (4) O. spilurus♀× Nile ♂ (SN). In each cross, males and females having mean weights of 157 and 115 g, respectively were stocked in 0.43 m³ tanks at a male to female ratio of 1:3. Seeds (unhatched eggs, yolk‐sac fry and free swimming fry) were harvested biweekly for 127 days. Viable spawns resulted from all crosses. The NN cross produced the highest total seeds tank^?1 (2890), seeds (kg female)^?1 day^?1 (48.3), seeds m^?2 day^?1 (23.3) and seeds female^?1 day^?1 (7.9), followed by the SS and SN crosses. The NS cross had the lowest fecundity. Lower spawning parameters in the NS and SN crosses may be attributed to the lower social compatibility between the males and females compared with that of the pure parents. The survival and growth of the offspring from the four crosses will be compared in seawater (37–40 g L^?1) to assess whether hybrid vigor was produced.