草鱼幼鱼对烟酸的需要量

草鱼幼鱼的初始体重为(12.43±0.80) g,试验分为7组,其饲料中烟酸含量分别为5.1、9.8、16.6、32.2、66.7、130.1、271.5 mg·kg-1,每组设3个重复,每桶30尾鱼,日投喂率2%～3%,饲养试验周期为8周.研究不同含量烟酸对草鱼幼鱼生长性能、饲料系数、机体营养组分、造血功能及血脂的影响,以确定草鱼幼鱼饲料中适宜烟酸需要量.试验结果表明:①添加烟酸显著提高了特定生长率、增重率和草鱼幼鱼的存活率,对草鱼幼鱼肥满度无显著影响;烟酸含量为32.2 mg·kg-1时草鱼的特定生长率和增重率最大,饲料系数最低,并与其它各组存在显著差异;②添加烟酸对草鱼全鱼水分、灰分无显著影响,显著提高了全鱼粗脂肪含量,但各添加组间无显著差异,饲料中烟酸含量为66.7 mg·kg-1时,全鱼粗蛋白含量显著高于对照组及9.8 mg·kg-1组;③添加烟酸显著提高了血液红细胞计数和血红蛋白含量,但对血清胆固醇和甘油三酯无显著影响,烟酸含量为16.6 mg·kg-1及以上时显著提高血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇与低密度脂蛋白胆固醇,与对照组和9.8 mg·kg-1组存在显著差异.基于折线法分析,草鱼幼鱼获得最佳生长时对饲料中烟酸的最低需求量为25.5 mg·kg-1.     

饲料维生素E添加量对花鲈生长、组织中维生素E积累量

采用单因子试验设计方法,进行了饲料中添加维生素E对花鲈生长（增重率、存活率、特定生长率、饲料效率）、组织中维生素E积累量和免疫指标（血清中溶菌酶活性和总补体活性）影响的研究,设计了5个不同维生素E水平（0.6、24.7、49.0、98.8、198.2 mg•kg-1）的等氮等能饲料,对花鲈进行为期8周的生长实验,每个水平含3个重复,每个养殖单元放养初始体重为10.1g左右的花鲈20尾。饲养试验在海水网箱（1.5×1.0×1.0 m)中进行。结果表明：饲料中未添加维生素E组的增重率、饲料效率、特定生长率以及存活率显著低于维生素E添加组,随着饲料中维生素E添加量由0.6提高到49.0 mg•kg-1时,花鲈的增重率和特定生长率显著提高,以增重率和特定生长率为指标,花鲈最佳生长性能的饲料维生素E添加量为60.5 mg•kg-1左右;对鱼体生物学指标的分析表明,饲料中维生素E添加量达到49 mg•kg-1时能显著影响鱼体的肝体比指数,鱼体水分、粗脂肪不受饲料中维生素E添加水平的影响,然而对鱼体粗蛋白含量的影响显著;随着饲料中维生素E添加量由0.6提高到49.0 mg•kg-1时,花鲈肌肉和肝脏中维生素E的积累量显著升高,但当维生素E添加量达到49.0 mg•kg-1后,肌肉和肝脏中维生素E的积累量变化不显著;饲料中未添加维生素E组的花鲈血清溶菌酶和总补体活性显著低于维生素E添加组,花鲈血清溶菌酶和总补体活性随着维生素E添加量的增加而显著升高,饲料维生素E添加量达到98.8 mg•kg-1时,血清溶菌酶和总补体活性较高。综上所述,花鲈生长和免疫的维生素E适宜添加量为60.5～98.8 mg•kg-1左右。     

饲料中添加生物素对草鱼幼鱼生长、体成分和血清生化指标的影响

在纯化饲料中分别添加生物素0、0.05、0.10、0.20、0.40、0.80、1.60 mg/kg投喂初始质量为(5.92±0.25)g的草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)幼鱼8周,研究了不同生物素添加量对草鱼幼鱼生长性能、饲料系数、机体营养成分、血清生化指标的影响。试验结果显示:与对照组相比,添加生物素提高了草鱼幼鱼的增重率、特定生长率,降低了饲料系数。添加量为0.40 mg/kg时草鱼幼鱼的特定生长率和增重率最大,饲料系数最低,并与对照组存在显著差异(P<0.05);添加不同水平生物素对草鱼幼鱼全鱼水分、粗蛋白、粗脂肪含量无显著影响,但添加量为0.40 mg/kg时粗蛋白含量最大。0.10 mg/kg组和0.20 mg/kg组的全鱼灰分含量显著高于对照组(P<0.05);添加生物素对血清总蛋白(TP)、血糖(GLU)和总胆固醇(TC)无显著影响,但显著提高了血清甘油三酯(TG)含量,各添加组TG含量均显著高于对照组(P<0.05),1.60 mg/kg添加组的高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)含量显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。综合本试验结果,草鱼幼鱼饲料中生物素适宜添加量为0.40 mg/kg。     

草鱼幼鱼肌醇营养需要量的研究

以酪蛋白、明胶和鱼粉为蛋白源,配制含肌醇水平分别为0、50 mg/kg、100 mg/kg、200 mg/kg、400 mg/kg8、00 mg/kg、1 600 mg/kg的7组实验饲料。每组设3个重复,连续投喂体质量(4.78±0.18)g的草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idella)幼鱼9周,通过测定生长指标、部分血清生化指标和全鱼营养成分来评价饲料肌醇添加水平对草鱼幼鱼的影响。结果表明,饲料中肌醇添加水平≥200 mg/kg使草鱼幼鱼增重率(WGR)、特定生长率、血清中总胆固醇(TC)和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)含量与对照组相比有显著提高(P<0.05),而血清甘油三酯(TG)含量比对照组有显著降低(P<0.05);200 mg/kg和400 mg/kg肌醇添加组草鱼幼鱼饲料系数(FCR)比对照组有显著降低(P<0.05);饲料中添加肌醇对草鱼幼鱼存活率、血清中高密度脂蛋白胆固醇和全鱼营养成分无显著影响(P>0.05)。对WGR、FCR、TC、TG和LDL-C进行折线回归分析得出饲料中肌醇添加水平为166～214 mg/kg对草鱼幼鱼的生长比较适宜。     

草鱼幼鱼对饲料中泛酸需要量的研究

研究了饲料中泛酸钙添加量对平均体重(4.80±0.32)g的草鱼幼鱼生长和部分生理指标的影响。在相同基础配方中分别添加泛酸钙0、8、15、30、60、120、240 mg/kg饲料,进行为期8周的养殖试验,每个处理3个重复。结果表明:饲料中添加泛酸钙能提高草鱼幼鱼的增重率和特定生长率,降低饲料系数,对成活率无显著影响(P>0.05)。对照组的总胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇含量显著低于添加组(P<0.05),各添加组无显著差异(P>0.05)。鱼体灰分含量不受饲料中泛酸钙含量的影响,但能提高鱼体水分、蛋白和脂肪含量(P<0.05)。基于特定生长率折线法分析,草鱼幼鱼获得最佳生长时的饲料泛酸钙最低需求量为25 mg/kg。     

饲料中添加硫酸锌对奥尼罗非鱼幼鱼生长合机体抗氧化功能的影响

试验以硫酸锌为锌源,评价不同锌水平对奥尼罗非鱼幼鱼（Oreochromis aureus♂×Oreochromis niloticus♀）生长和抗氧化能力的影响。体质量为(4.13±0.32)g罗非鱼随机分配在18个水族箱中,每箱20尾,每3个箱为1个处理组,分别以添加锌为0、20、40、80、160和320 mg•kg^-1的6种饲料投喂,日投喂率为鱼体重5%～9%。8周的试验结果表明：20mg•kg^-1锌饲料组的增重率和鱼体蛋白含量显著高于其它各组(P＜0.05),蛋白质效率、饲料转化率也明显高于其它各组;全鱼脂肪含量随着饲料锌水平的升高而升高,但320mg•kg^-1锌饲料组降低;20mg•kg^-1锌饲料组,脊椎骨中锌离子浓度达到最大值且显著高于0mg•kg^-1锌饲料组(P＜0.05);20mg•kg^-1与40mg•kg^-1锌饲料组的血液中红细胞数量显著高于其它各添加组(P＜0.05),20mg•kg^-1锌饲料组的血液中血比容显著高于0mg•kg^-1组(P＜0.05),与其它各组没有显著差异;肌肉中,硫代巴比妥酸反应产物(TBARS)(Thiobarbituricacid reactive substances)的量,锌为0mg•kg^-1饲料组显著高于其它各组(P＜0.05)。综上所述,饲料中锌添加量为20mg•kg-1饲料促进了罗非鱼生长,使鱼体抗氧化功能增强。     

饲料中添加不同水平的维生素D_3对草鱼幼鱼生长和体成分的影响

本文以酪蛋白和脱脂豆粕为蛋白源,糊精为糖源,玉米油和豆油为脂肪源的半纯化饲料为基础饲料,研究维生素D3对草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)幼鱼生长及体成分的影响。维生素D3共设0,100,200,500,1000,2000,3000 IU/kg 7个添加梯度,每一梯度设3个重复,每个重复放养60尾初始体质量(3.86±0.34)g的草鱼,在(26.9±3)℃的流水系统中养殖8周。结果显示:维生素D3对草鱼幼鱼增重率、特定生长率、饲料系数、存活率、体水分、粗蛋白质、粗脂肪含量和血清钙浓度没有显著性影响(P>0.05);对照组和添加100 IU/kg维生素D3的试验组中,草鱼幼鱼的粗灰分显著低于其它试验组(P<0.05);与对照组相比,饲料中添加维生素D3对全鱼钙磷含量、血清磷离子浓度以及碱性磷酸酶活性影响显著(P<0.05)。根据维生素D3对全鱼钙磷含量的影响,草鱼幼鱼饲料中维生素D3适宜的添加量为1000 IU/kg。     

饲料锌对团头鲂幼鱼生长性能、血清生化指标和抗氧化功能的影响

以酪蛋白和明胶为蛋白源,七水硫酸锌(Zn SO4·7H2O)为Zn源,分别配制成7种Zn含量(7.4 mg/kg、20.3 mg/kg、32.1 mg/kg、51.0 mg/kg、84.4 mg/kg、169.7 mg/kg、332.4 mg/kg)的半纯化饲料,投喂初始体重为(3.6±0.1)g团头鲂(Megalobrama amblycephala)12周,考察Zn对团头鲂幼鱼生长性能、血清生化指标和抗氧化功能的影响,确定团头鲂幼鱼对饲料Zn的需要量。结果表明,随着饲料Zn含量增加,团头鲂增重率、特定生长率和全鱼Zn含量呈先增加后稳定的趋势;全鱼水分含量显著降低(P0.05),粗蛋白含量显著增加。饲料Zn含量对团头鲂饲料系数无显著影响。饲料中添加Zn显著影响血清总蛋白、尿素氮、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、总胆固醇以及甘油三酯含量,而对血清白蛋白含量和碱性磷酸酶活性无显著影响。随着饲料中Zn含量的增加,团头鲂肝丙二醛含量显著降低(P0.05),而肝过氧化氢酶和超氧化物歧化酶活性在各处理间均无显著差异。折线回归分析表明,团头鲂幼鱼(体重3.6~26.7 g)获得最佳生长时对饲料Zn需要量为32.6 mg/kg,获得最大鱼体Zn含量时Zn的需要量为47.6 mg/kg。本研究旨在确定团头鲂幼鱼对饲料中Zn的需要量,为配制团头鲂高效环保饲料提供科学依据。     

杂交鲟幼鱼饲料中有效磷需要量的研究

为研究杂交鲟(Acipenser baerii♀×Acipenser schrenckii♂)幼鱼对饲料中有效磷的需要量,实验以磷酸二氢钙为磷源,配制了有效磷水平分别为0.37%(对照组)、0.65%、0.96%、1.22%和1.48%的5组等氮等能饲料。每组饲料设置3个重复,每个重复22尾鱼,饲喂初重(10.06±0.39)g杂交鲟幼鱼8周。结果显示:(1)饲料中不同有效磷水平对实验鱼的成活率、肝体比、脏体比和肥满度均无显著影响。随饲料有效磷水平增加,实验鱼的增重率和特定生长率呈先升高后趋于平稳的趋势,0.96%、1.22%和1.48%组增重率和特定生长率均显著高于0.37%组和0.65%组;全鱼粗脂肪含量呈降低趋势;饲料效率和蛋白质效率均呈先升高后降低的趋势。(2)不同有效磷水平饲料对全鱼水分、粗蛋白和肌肉水分、粗蛋白、粗脂肪、粗灰分、磷含量均无显著影响。0.96%、1.22%和1.48%组全鱼粗灰分、磷含量和脊椎粗灰分、磷含量均显著高于0.37%组和0.65%组。(3)随饲料有效磷水平增加,实验鱼血清磷含量和碱性磷酸酶活性均呈先升高后趋于平稳的趋势。0.96%、1.22%和1.48%组血清磷含量显著高于0.37%组和0.65%组,对照组的碱性磷酸酶活性显著低于其他组。(4)分别利用折线模型拟合分析实验鱼的增重率、全鱼磷含量和脊椎磷含量与饲料有效磷水平的相关性,得到饲料中适宜有效磷需要量分别为0.93%、1.02%和0.95%。综上所述,建议杂交鲟幼鱼饲料中有效磷添加水平为0.93%~1.02%为最佳。     

吉富罗非鱼对饲料中锌的需要量

为考察吉富罗非鱼(GIFT,Oreochromis niloticus)对饲料中锌的需要量,以蛋氨酸锌为锌源,配制锌添加水平分别为0,10,20,40,80,160 mg/kg的6组等氮等脂饲料(实测值分别为9.98,21.47,33.75,56.03,88.16,172.54 mg/kg),饲喂初始体质量为(84.44±3.04)g的吉富罗非鱼,试验鱼分为6组,每组3个重复,每个重复20尾鱼,养殖周期为10周。结果显示,随着饲料中锌含量的增加,吉富罗非鱼的增重率、特定生长率先显著升高,在锌含量达到33.75 mg/kg后趋于稳定,添加锌显著降低了饲料系数,提高了成活率。饲料锌含量对全鱼水分、粗蛋白及灰分含量无显著影响,显著降低了全鱼粗脂肪含量。饲料中添加锌对血清总胆固醇含量无影响,显著提高了血清碱性磷酸酶的活性,碱性磷酸酶活性在锌含量达到33.75 mg/kg后趋于稳定,血清甘油三酯含量,乳酸脱氢酶、谷草转氨酶和谷丙转氨酶活性则呈下降趋势。饲料锌含量显著影响脊椎骨、全鱼和肝脏锌的含量,脊椎骨和全鱼锌含量先线性上升,在锌含量达到56.03 mg/kg后趋于稳定,各组的肌肉锌含量无显著差异。以增重率、骨骼锌和全鱼锌含量为评价指标,根据折线回归分析得出,以蛋氨酸锌为添加锌源,吉富罗非鱼对饲料中锌的需要量分别为32.37、55.67和56.13 mg/kg。     

Association between the interannual variation in the oceanic environment and catch rates of bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) in the Atlantic Ocean

The environmental processes associated with variability in the catch rates of bigeye tuna in the Atlantic Ocean are largely unexplored. This study used generalized additive models (GAMs) fitted to Taiwanese longline fishery data from 1990 to 2009 and investigated the association between environmental variables and catch rates to identify the processes influencing bigeye tuna distribution in the Atlantic Ocean. The present findings reveal that the year (temporal factor), latitude and longitude (spatial factors), and major regular longline target species of albacore catches are significant for the standardization of bigeye tuna catch rates in the Atlantic Ocean. The standardized catch rates and distribution of bigeye tuna were found to be related to environmental and climatic variation. The model selection processes showed that the selected GAMs explained 70% of the cumulative deviance in the entire Atlantic Ocean. Regarding environmental factors, the depth of the 20 degree isotherm (D20) substantially contributed to the explained deviance; other important factors were sea surface temperature (SST) and sea surface height deviation (SSHD). The potential fishing grounds were observed with SSTs of 22–28°C, a D20 shallower than 150 m and negative SSHDs in the Atlantic Ocean. The higher predicted catch rates were increased in the positive northern tropical Atlantic and negative North Atlantic Oscillation events with a higher SST and shallow D20, suggesting that climatic oscillations affect the population abundance and distribution of bigeye tuna.     

Rare serotype occurrence and PFGE genotypic diversity of Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from tilapia in China

Previously, we reported 10 PEGE types of 85 tilapia Streptococcus agalactiae(GBS), which shifted from Streptococcus iniae in China, by using PEGE method. Presently, larger and more representative tilapia GBS were isolated, for the ?rst time in China, to characterize their serotypes and genetic diversities more precisely than had done before. 168 GBS strains were distributed in ?ve provinces of China, in which Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan were the major ones, holding36.9%(62/168), 37.5%(63/168) and 19.6%(33/168), respectively. Serotypes, Ia, Ib and III, were observed in these strains and the most predominant one was Ia(95.2%), which mainly distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan. Ia initially occurred in 2009, it shoot up to 32.1% in 2010,but decreased to 16.1% in 2011 before went up to 45.2% in 2012. Ib sporadically occurred during2007–2011, III onlyoccurred in 2012. 14 different PFGE types, including 4 new types(N, O,P and Q), were observed, in which B, D, F and G were the predominant types, holding 83.9%(141/168) of the total GBS strains. Ia corresponded to 11 PFGE types(A–H, N–P), in which type D predominated(51%). Ib represented 3 genotypes(I, J and Q) and III harbored only 2genotypes(N and F). Type N and Fsynchronously presented in Ia and III. In summary, the genetic diversity of tilapia GBS varied by serotypes and changed with geographical locations and years.Although Iastillpredominated, new rareserotypeIII alreadyoccurred in China.     

Growth performance,digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Japanese sea bass,Lateolabrax japonicus fed with fructooligosaccharide

In this experiment, a feeding trial was performed to determine the effects of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) on growth performance, digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Japanese sea bass, Lateolabrax japonicus juveniles (initial weight 38.3 ± 0.5 g), and the fish were examined following feeding with six levels of FOS (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 6 g/kg) for 28 days. Significant enhancement of weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) was found in fish fed 1 g/kg FOS incorporated diets (p < .05), while the feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the 1, 2 g/kg FOS groups reduced significantly compared with the control (p < .05). Besides, the crude lipid in the 4, 6 g/kg FOS groups increased significantly compared with the control (p < .05). On the other hand, the erepsin and lipase activities significantly elevated in intestine of fish fed 2 g/kg FOS (p < .05) and the lysozyme activity in serum of fish fed 2 g/kg FOS were significantly higher than that in the control (p < .05). Moreover, the alkaline phosphatase activities in serum of fish fed 0.5, 1, 2 g/kg FOS were significantly higher than in control (p < .05). Regression analysis showed that the relationships between dietary FOS levels and either SGR, FCR, erepsin or lysozyme activities were best expressed by regression equations, and the optimal inclusion levels are 1.37, 1.80, 3.06, 3.11, 1.93 and 1.80 g/kg for SGR, FCR, erepsin, lipase, lysozyme and total superoxide dismutase activities, respectively. Overall, this study revealed that FOS incorporated diets could beneficial for L. japonicus culture in terms of increasing the growth, digestion and immune activities. Under the present experimental condition, the optimal supplementary level of FOS in the diet of L. japonicus is 1–3 g/kg.     

Growth hormone (GH) and reproduction: a review

Interaction between growth and reproduction occurs in many vertebrates and is particularly obvious at certain stages of the life cycle in fish. Endocrine interactions between the gonadotropic axis and the somatotropic axis are described, the potential role of GH being emphasised. A comparative analysis of these phenomena in mammals, amphibians and fish, suggests a specific role of GH in the physiology of puberty, gametogenesis and fertility. It also shows the original contribution made by studies on the fish model in this field of investigations.     

Purification and partial characterization of GtHs (cfLH and cfFSH) from Indian walking catfish (Clarias batrachus) (L.) and development of a homologous ELISA for cfLH

Two gonadotropins (GtH; Qa and Qb) were purified by gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography from the pituitaries of Indian walking catfish (Clarias batrachus). The presence of GtH during purification was assessed by in vitro oocyte maturation and in vivo steroidogenic activity, and their identities were determined by elution profiles, molecular weight, biological activities and yield. The molecular weights of Qa and Qb were 37 and 42 kDa, respectively, and composed of distinct subunits (Qa: 20 and 14 kDa and Qb: 26 and 18 kDa). Polyclonal antibodies raised against Qa immunostained Qa, Qb and pituitary GtH cells. A competitive Qa‐ELISA was developed whose sensitivity was 6.25 ng mL^?1 (1.25 ng well^?1) with intra‐ (3.5%) and inter‐ (12.4%) assay coefficients of variation. Displacement curves parallel to the standard were obtained with plasma and pituitary extracts of catfish, Qb and carp GtHII. The assay was validated by measuring the plasma Qa levels after LHRH treatment and in relation to ovarian growth in the female catfish during different reproductive phases. Based on the results, Qa and Qb corresponded to fish LH and FSH respectively. The findings will increase the knowledge of the mechanisms controlling fish reproduction and identification of sensitive phases in fish in captivity for hormonal manipulation.     

Controlled infection of Poecilia reticulata Peters (guppy) with Tetrahymena by immersion and intraperitoneal injection

Tetrahymena is a protozoan parasite, which infects guppy, Poecilia reticulata Peters, and causes substantial economical losses in commercial farms worldwide. Studies of guppy infected by Tetrahymena require standardized infection protocols. The LD50 for Tetrahymena infection of guppies by intraperitoneal (IP) injection was calibrated, and the level obtained was 946 parasites per fish. Guppy infection with Tetrahymena by immersion, imitating the natural route of infection via the integument, was studied under normal or stress conditions. Exposure to cold and netting (CNI) and to cold only (CI) followed by immersion exposure to 10 000 Tetrahymena per mL resulted in 22.5% and 19.2% mortality, respectively, as compared to 14.2% and 10% in groups that were netted only (NI) or non‐stressed (I). Histopathology revealed that immersion infection resulted in a systemic infection. Lysozyme levels, measured 3 weeks after infection, were significantly higher in the CNI group (288 μg per mg protein) compared with CI‐, NI‐ and I‐treated groups (94.5, 64 and 62.3 μg mg^?1, respectively). There was no evident parasite immobilization activity in body homogenates, suggesting no development of acquired immunity. Re‐infection by IP injection revealed no increase in protection in any of the treatment groups, mortality range of 56.3–75%, higher than in the non‐exposed control (40.6% mortality).     

Protein and amino acid composition from the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris exposed to prolonged starvation

Protein and amino acid composition of the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris (Cuvier, 1797) during fasting for 27 days were determined. Average protein content of octopus mantle was of 711.19 ± 46.80 g kg^?1 DW, and it decreased with increasing fasting days. The non‐essential amino acids content was higher (486.18 ± 11.08 g kg^?1 protein) than essential amino acids (425.82 ± 9.15 g kg^?1 protein) at the start of the experiment (unstarved animals). The results suggest that the amino acid profile of the mantle where the most abundant amino acids are Arg, His, Lys, Gly, Leu and Pro could indicate a prolonged fasting condition (>20 days) or poor nutrition of O . vulgaris. This study supports the idea of using mantle for metabolic needs of starved O . vulgaris suggesting that the degradation pathway of amino acids to pyruvate and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates was favoured contrary to the degradation pathway of ketogenic amino acids. Special considerations should be taken concerning Thr, Ile, Ser, Ala, Asx (Asp, Asn), Glx (Glu, Gln) (because of their fast intake) and Lys and His (due to their stable contents) during a prolonged period of fasting.     

Nitrogenous waste excretion and accumulation of urea and ammonia inChalcalburnus tarichi (Cyprinidae), endemic to the extremely alkaline Lake Van (Eastern Turkey)

The endemic, anadromous cyprinidChalcalburnus tarichi is the only fish species known to occur in alkaline Lake Van (Eastern Anatolia, Turkey). EightC. tarichi were maintained individually in Lake Van water (17 – 19°C; pH 9.8; 153 mEq·I^–1 total alkalinity; 22 total salinity) and tank water samples analyzed for 24 h in 2 to 4 h intervals. At zero time, < 1µM ammonia was present and urea was undetectable in the tank water; at 24 h, total ammonia and urea made up 114±32 and 35±25µM, respectively. Over the experimental period, ammonia-N and urea-N excretion averaged 1041±494 and 607±169moles·kg^–1 fish·h^–1, respectively. The extent of urea excretion was highly variable between specimens. Uric acid excretion was not detectable.Urea was present at high concentrations in all tissues and plasma (25 – 35moles·g^–1·ml^–1) of freshly caughtC. tarichi; total ammonia content of the tissues was by a factor of 1.9 (liver) to 3.0 (brain) lower. High arginase activity (2.4±0.2 U·min^–1·g^–1) was detected in the liver ofC. tarichi but ornithine carbamoylphosphate transferase, a key enzyme of the ornithine-urea-cycle, was absent. Ureagenesis is likely through degradation of arginine and/or uricolysis. High glutamine synthetase activity (11±0.6 U·min^–1·g^–1) and low ammonia content in brain suggest that, like other teleosts,C. tarichi has an efficient ammonia detoxification in the brain, but in no other tissue.Nitrogenous waste excretion at alkaline pH is discussed. The ability ofC. tarichi to excrete high levels of ammonia at extremely alkaline pH is unique among teleosts studied so far. The mechanism of ammonia excretion under Lake Van conditions remains to be elucidated.     

Imported ornamental fish are colonized with antibiotic‐resistant bacteria

There has been growing concern about the overuse of antibiotics in the ornamental fish industry and its possible effect on the increasing drug resistance in both commensal and pathogenic organisms in these fish. The aim of this study was to carry out an assessment of the diversity of bacteria, including pathogens, in ornamental fish species imported into North America and to assess their antibiotic resistance. Kidney samples were collected from 32 freshwater ornamental fish of various species, which arrived to an importing facility in Portland, Oregon from Colombia, Singapore and Florida. Sixty‐four unique bacterial colonies were isolated and identified by PCR using bacterial 16S primers and DNA sequencing. Multiple isolates were identified as bacteria with potential to cause disease in both fish and humans. The antibiotic resistance profile of each isolate was performed for nine different antibiotics. Among them, cefotaxime (16% resistance among isolates) was the antibiotic associated with more activity, while the least active was tetracycline (77% resistant). Knowing information about the diversity of bacteria in imported ornamental fish, as well as the resistance profiles for the bacteria will be useful in more effectively treating clinical infected fish, and also potential zoonoses in the future.