Effect of dietary soybean lecithin on reproductive performance of Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis (H. Milne-Edwards) Broodstock

The effect of increasing levels of dietary phospholipids (PL) on the ovarian development and reproductive performance of Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis were investigated using four semipurified formulated diets supplemented with 0%, 1.2%, 2.4%, and 3.6% PL. Four groups of 40 females, with an average individual body weight of 95–120 g, were fed the experimental diets for a period of 7 months. Male crabs were introduced into the female rearing system in March, and mating, spawning, and egg hatching occurred in the following month. After 10 weeks of feeding, females fed the diet with 2.4% PL had a significantly higher gonadosomatic index (GSI) than females fed the diet with 0% PL, whereas females fed the diet with 1.2% PL had a significantly higher hepatic moisture content and lower hepatic lipid content than the other groups (P < 0.05). After mating, the spawning rate was higher among females fed diets with 3.6% and 2.4% PL (95% and 92%, respectively) compared with females fed diets with 0% and 1.2% PL (both 81%). The results showed that egg production (total number of eggs/female) and fecundity increased with increasing dietary PL level, with females fed diets with 0% and 1.2% PL supplementation having significantly lower values than females fed the diet with 3.6% PL (P < 0.05). In conclusion, our results suggest that dietary PL supplementation has a positive effect on ovarian development and reproductive performance of E. sinensis broodstock. Further study should aim to investigate the optimal PL level in the broodstock diet of E. sinensis in respect to offspring quality.     

The effect of dietary n-3 HUFA levels and DHA/EPA ratios on growth, survival and osmotic stress tolerance of Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis larvae

The effect of varying levels of dietary n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) and docosahexaenoic acid/eicosapentaenoic acid (DHA/EPA) ratios on growth, survival and osmotic stress tolerance of Eriocheir sinensis zoea larvae was studied in two separate experiments. In experiment I, larvae were fed rotifers and Artemia enriched with ICES emulsions with 0, 30 and 50% total n-3 HUFA levels but with the same DHA/EPA ratio of 0.6. In experiment II, larvae were fed different combinations of enriched rotifers and Artemia, in which, rotifers were enriched with emulsions containing 30% total n-3 HUFA, but different DHA/EPA ratio of 0.6, 2 and 4; while Artemia were enriched with the same emulsions, but DHA/EPA ratio of 0.6 and 4. In both experiments, un-enriched rotifers cultured on baker's yeast and newly-hatched Artemia nauplii were used as control diets. Larvae were fed rotifers at zoea 1 and zoea 2 stages; upon reaching zoea 3 stage, Artemia was introduced.Experiment I revealed no significant effect of prey enrichment on the survival of megalopa among treatments, but higher total n-3 HUFA levels significantly enhanced larval development (larval stage index, LSI) and resulted in higher individual dry body weight of megalopa. Furthermore higher dietary n-3 HUFA levels also resulted in better tolerance to salinity stress. Experiment II indicated that at the same total n-3 HUFA level, larvae continuously receiving a low dietary DHA/EPA ratio had significantly lower survival at the megalopa stage and inferior individual body weight at the megalopa stage, but no negative effect was observed on larval development (LSI). The ability to endure salinity stress of zoea 3, zoea 5 and megalopa fed diets with higher DHA/EPA ratio was also improved.     

Reproductive performance and offspring quality of Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis (H. Milne-Edwards) females fed an optimized formulated diet and the razor clam Sinonovacula constricta

After feeding female Eriocheir sinensis on an optimized formulated diet or fresh razor clam Sinonovacula constricta for 7 months, their reproductive performance and offspring quality were compared. To evaluate diet nutrient contents, the proximate, fatty acid and amino acid compositions of the formulated diet and the razor clam were analysed. The nutritional value of the diets was determined by assessing survival, gonadosomatic index (GSI) and hepatosomatic index (HSI) of female crabs from both diet treatments, together with the percentage of females that spawned, total egg production per female and fecundity (number of eggs g^?1 female wet weight). Furthermore, the quality of eggs and newly hatched larvae from the two dietary treatments were determined using the following parameters: egg diameter, wet weight and dry weight, hatchability, proximate and fatty acid profile of eggs, larval carapace length, resistant to starvation and osmotic shock, larval survival and development to the zoea II stage. Higher protein, phospholipids (PL) and amino acids (AA) contents were found in the razor clam while the formulated diet contains higher levels of ash, total lipid (TL) and 18:1n‐9, 18:2n‐6 and 22:6n‐3 fatty acids. Although female crabs fed the two different diets showed similar reproductive performances, newly hatched zoea I larvae produced by the crabs fed the formulated diet had significantly longer mean carapace length and shorter development time to the zoea II stage under identical culture condition (P<0.05). Moreover, dietary fatty acid appeared to have more significant effects on the fatty acid composition of the hepatopancreas than it did on mature ovaries or eggs. This suggests that the fatty acid profile of mature ovaries is indicative of the specific fatty acid required for ovarian development in E. sinensis. In conclusion, our results show that the optimized formulated diet developed in this laboratory can totally replace the razor clam, a broodstock food widely used in E. sinensis hatcheries in China. This encouraging result should facilitate more reliable hatchery production of this important aquaculture species.     

维生素E、C和HUFA交互作用对中华绒螯蟹生殖性能的影响

通过投喂添加或不添加VE、VC和HUFA的四组实验饲料,经198d饲养实验,以雌蟹的性腺系数、产卵力、孵化率、各组织超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和过氧化产物丙二醛(MDA)含量等为指标,研究这两类营养素交互作用对其生殖性能的影响。结果表明,VE、VC和HUFA对雌蟹生殖性能有显著的影响(P<0.05):在产卵力方面,1组为3790个卵细胞·g-1体重,极显著高于2组(为2317个卵细胞·g-1体重)和3组(为2129个卵细胞·g-1体重)(P<0.01),显著高于4组(为3050个卵细胞·g-1体重)和5组(对照组)(为3010个卵细胞·g-1体重)(P<0.05);而孵化率方面,1组(86.17%)极显著高于2组(36.06%)、3组(29.18%)和4组(25.73%)(P<0.01),也显著高于5组(71.12%)(P<0.05)。1组和2组雌蟹性腺中SOD活性分别为40.09Nu·mL-1和39.87Nu·mL-1,相应地,MDA含量分别为6.87nmol·mL-1和3.33nmol·mL-1;而3组和4组雌蟹,尽管其性腺中SOD活性较高,分别为79.21Nu·mL-1和85.2Nu·mL-1,但由于饲料中抗氧化性VE、VC的缺乏,导致脂质过氧化发生,其MDA含量显著增加(P<0.05),分别为12.65nmol·mL-1和25.18nmol·mL-1。4组雌蟹的产卵力较大,但因VE、VC的缺乏发生脂质过氧化,导致所产的卵质低下,从而影响了卵子的孵化率。结果表明,VE、VC和HUFA都是河蟹保持良好的生殖性能的必需营     

磷脂和HUFA对中华绒螯蟹幼蟹存活、生长、蜕壳及生化组成的影响

实验用中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)幼蟹初始体质量为1.8 g左右。饲料A添加6%鳕鱼肝油和4%大豆卵鳞脂(饲料含4.53%磷脂和1.08%HUFA), 饲料B添加10%的猪油(饲料含0.39%磷脂和0.18%HUFA); 实验蟹单个体饲养(可防止蜕壳期间蟹相互残杀而获得饲料外的营养源), 雌蟹(F)、雄蟹(M)各60个, 实验周期120 d。结果表明: 两组饲料条件下, 幼蟹的存活率、增重率、特定生长率、平均蜕壳次数、蜕壳间隔时间及肝胰腺指数均无显著差异(P>0.05)。但无论是雌蟹还是雄蟹, A组幼蟹肝胰腺和肌肉的总脂含量显著低于B组(P<0.05), 并且A组蟹肝胰腺和肌肉中磷脂、多不饱和脂肪酸和高度不饱和脂肪酸的含量显著高于B组(P<0.05)。这表明, 在中华绒螯蟹幼蟹饲料中添加4.53%磷脂和1.08%HUFA对其存活、生长、蜕壳无显著影响, 但可使其肝胰腺和肌肉中的总脂含量降低, 而磷脂、多不饱和脂肪酸和高度不饱和脂肪酸的含量升高。本研究结果旨在为中华绒螯蟹幼蟹的营养学研究提供理论依据, 同时也为生产上幼蟹饲料的开发提供参考。     

Enrichment of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) fillets with conjugated linoleic acid and omega-3 fatty acids by dietary manipulation

An experiment was conducted in aquaria with channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) to determine the efficacy of augmenting fillets with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (n − 3 HUFA) by feeding diets amended with products containing high levels of these nutrients. Refined menhaden fish oil at 1.5% of diet supplied the n − 3 HUFA. CLA was used at dietary levels of 0.5% and 1% with a preparation that contained approximately 65% isomers of CLA. Corn oil was added to the basal diet at maximum inclusion level for added lipids of 3% for the control diet and to adjust total added lipid content of the other diets to 3%. Average initial body weight was 57.39 ± 0.25 g/fish. Six experimental diets were fed twice daily to four replicate aquaria for six weeks. At that time, fish were group weighed for determination of weight gain and feed conversion. Fillets of six fish per aquarium were recovered and stored at − 80 °C for moisture and total lipid analyses, fatty acid analysis, and sensory evaluation. Results showed feed consumption and feed conversion did not differ (P > 0.05). Significantly (P < 0.05) greater body weight gains were observed only for fish fed the diets with two combinations of CLA and 1.5% fish oil compared to fish fed the diet containing 0.5% CLA and corn oil. Fillet n − 3 HUFA levels were significantly (P < 0.05) elevated for fish fed diets containing fish oil when compared to n − 3 HUFA of fillets of fish fed diets containing either corn oil or CLA and corn oil. Similarly, fillets from fish fed diets amended with CLA contained substantial amounts of CLA of up to 6.4% of total lipids. Fillets from fish fed corn oil or fish oil diets had no CLA. Taste panel evaluation indicated that fillets containing n − 3 HUFA and CLA were essentially without fishy off-flavor and had excellent sensory qualities. Catfish fillets produced by amending diets with sources of n − 3 HUFA and CLA at the levels used in this study would contain elevated levels of these nutraceuticals and could be an important human food source for these healthful fatty acids.     

磷脂和HUFA对中华绒鳌蟹幼蟹存活、生长、蜕壳及生化组成的影响

实验用中华绒鳌蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)幼蟹初始体质量为1.8 g左右.饲料A添加6%鱼肝油和4%大豆卵鳞脂(饲料含4.53%磷脂和1.08%HUFA),饲料B添加10%的猪油(饲料含0.39%磷脂和0.18%HUFA);实验蟹单个体饲养(可防止蜕壳期间蟹相互残杀而获得饲料外的营养源),雌蟹(F)、雄蟹(Lul)各60个,实验周期120 d.结果表明:两组饲料条件下,幼蟹的存活率、增重率、特定生长率、平均蜕壳次数、蜕壳间隔时间及肝胰腺指数均无显著差异(P>0.05).但无论是雌蟹还是雄蟹,A组幼蟹肝胰腺和肌肉的总脂含量显著低于B组(P<0.05),并且A组蟹肝胰腺和肌肉中磷脂、多不饱和脂肪酸和高度不饱和脂肪酸的含量显著高于B组(P<0.05).这表明,在中华绒鳌蟹幼蟹饲料中添加4.53%磷脂和1.08%HUFA对其存活、生长、蜕壳无显著影响,但可使其肝胰腺和肌肉中的总脂含量降低,而磷脂、多不饱和脂肪酸和高度不饱和脂肪酸的含量升高.本研究结果旨在为中华绒鳌蟹幼蟹的营养学研究提供理论依据,同时也为生产上幼蟹饲料的开发提供参考.     

The effects of algal diets on population growth and egg hatching success of the tropical calanoid copepod, Acartia sinjiensis

As natural diets of fish larvae, a number of calanoid copepod species are being investigated for use as live prey in aquaculture hatcheries. One of these, the tropical calanoid copepod, Acartia sinjiensis, has good potential as a live feed for tropical reef fish larvae. However, the rearing techniques for A. sinjiensis require further development to improve productivity. This study was carried out to investigate the population growth and egg hatching success of A. sinjiensis when fed a range of mono-and binary algal diets, including algae in the form of frozen paste.For the population growth experiment, the final A. sinjiensis population, including eggs, nauplii, copepodites and adults, was determined after feeding eight algal diets (two frozen algae, four live monoalgal and two live binary algal diets) for 8 days at temperature 28 ± 1 °C; salinity 34 ± 1 psu and photoperiod 12 L:12 D. Five replicates, with an initial 12 adult A. sinjiensis per replicate, were set up for each treatment. In a separate experiment, effects of diets on egg hatching success were examined after 48 h incubation of eggs produced by A. sinjiensis fed the same eight diets.The results showed that diet significantly affected both population growth and hatching success of A. sinjiensis. Of the diets tested, the binary algal diets were more successful than monoalgal diets, while the frozen algae had little dietary value. The highest population growth was recorded on A. sinjiensis fed a binary diet of Tetraselmis chuii and the Tahitian strain of Isochrysis sp. (T-ISO) (final population: 1091 ± 80), which was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than all other diets tested except for the other binary diet of Nannochloropsis sp. and T-ISO (final population: 897 ± 123). Diet also had a significant effect (P < 0.001) on egg hatching rate, though the highest hatch rate was recorded with eggs produced by A. sinjiensis fed binary diet Nannochloropsis sp. and T-ISO (88.1 ± 2.1%), this was not significantly different from that of eggs produced by A. sinjiensis fed either T-ISO alone (88.0 ± 1.7%) or the binary algal diet of T. chuii and T-ISO (76.4 ± 7.1%). The results of this study suggest that among the diets tested, a combination of live T. chuii and T-ISO was the best for the culture of A. sinjiensis.     

The effects of dietary HUFA level on flame angelfish (Centropyge loriculus) spawning,egg quality and early larval characteristics

This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) on flame angelfish (Centropyge loriculus) reproduction, and egg and larval quality. In the experiment, formulated diets containing 1.8, 2.9 or 3.6% n‐3 HUFA were fed to flame angelfish broodstock (n = 4) for 5 months. Mean fecundity (daily egg production), egg fertilization rates and embryo viability were used as indicators of egg quality. In addition, mean egg diameter, oil globule diameter, per cent hatch, larval size at hatch, per cent survival to yolk exhaustion and larval size at yolk exhaustion were recorded for each treatment. Flame angelfish fed the diet containing 3.6% n‐3 HUFA exhibited significantly increased fecundity, fertilization rates and embryo viability than fish that were fed the other two formulated diets. Egg diameter, egg oil globule diameter, larval size at hatch, larval survival to yolk exhaustion and larval size at yolk exhaustion from the 3.6% n‐3 HUFA broodstock treatment group were not significantly different from those derived from the Control broodstock treatment. These data revealed that flame angelfish egg quality could respond rapidly (within weeks) to maternal dietary changes. Results from this study further support that dietary HUFA composition can significantly affect broodstock reproductive performance as well as subsequent performance of eggs and larvae.     

Effect of dietary HUFA on tissue fatty acid composition and reproductive performance of Chinese mitten crab <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eriocheir sinensis</Emphasis> (H. Milne-Edwards) broodstock

This study was conducted to determine the optimum highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) level in semi-purified diets for female Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis broodstock. Five isolipidic and isonitrogenous diets were formulated to contain different HUFA levels (0.14, 0.65, 1.15, 1.64, and 2.07%, respectively) by the supplementation of HUFA-rich fish oil. Diets were fed to triplicate groups of 25 female crabs (75 animals per treatment) stocked in concrete tanks for 8 months. The hepatopancreas, ovary, and muscle of the crabs were sampled after 3-month culturing, and the eggs were sampled after 8-month culturing. The reproductive performance of E. sinensis broodstock was evaluated in relation to the different dietary HUFA levels. Moreover, the fatty acid composition of the hepatopancreas, ovary, muscle, and eggs was determined in crabs fed various levels of HUFA. The results showed that a significant positive correlation was observed between the dietary HUFA level and the HUFA content in hepatopancreas, ovary, and egg, respectively. However, no significant difference in gonadosomatic index, hepatosomatic index, and total ovarian and hepatopancreatic lipid content among the treatments was observed after 3-month culturing. Also, the reproductive performance was similar for all treatments after 8-month culturing. The fact of lacking significant correlation between reproductive parameters and dietary HUFA level was discussed in respect of the catadromous life cycle of E. sinensis and warranted further research with more comprehensive approaches.     

Successful culture of larvae of Litopenaeus vannamei fed a microbound formulated diet exclusively from either stage PZ2 or M1 to PL1

In three separate experiments, harpaticoid copepods Tisbe monozota (alive and dead) and a microparticulate microbound diet were evaluated as alternatives to live Artemia nauplii as food, beginning at either stage PZ2 or M1, in the larval culture of Litopenaeus vannamei. Larvae were cultured in 2 L round bottom flasks at a density of 150 L^− 1 (Experiment 1) and 100 L^− 1 ( 3.2 and 3.3) at 28 °C, 35‰ salinity and 12:12 LD photoperiod, and fed 4×/day^- 1. Larvae were initially fed a mixture of phytoplankton to stages PZ2 or M1 and then fed either live Artemia, live or dead copepods, or a microparticulate microbound diet. The experiments were terminated and all larvae were harvested when more than 80% of larvae had molted to postlarvae 1 (PL1) within any flask representing any of the treatments. The comparative value of the different diets and feeding regimes was determined by mean survival, mean dry weight and total length of individual larva, and percentage of surviving larvae that were PL1. Trypsin activity of samples of larvae from each treatment was also determined. The microparticulate microbound diet effectively served as a complete substitute for Artemia nauplii when fed beginning at stage M1. When fed at the beginning of the PZ2 stage, survival was comparable to that of larvae fed Artemia, but mean dry weight, mean total length, and percent of surviving larvae that were PL1 generally were significantly less. Responses to the feeding of copepods, whether fed dead or live, as a substitute were generally significantly less than those of larvae fed either the Artemia nauplii or the microparticulate diet. Values of trypsin activity (10^− 5 IU/μg^- 1 dry weight) corresponded to the relative proportions of the different larval stages within a treatment, with higher activity being characteristic of early stages. Previously demonstrated successful results with another species of crustacean suggest that the microparticulate microbound diet has characteristics that should be effective in the culture of the carnivorous stages of other crustacean and fish larvae that are currently fed live Artemia nauplii.     

Use of egg custard augmented with cod liver oil and Moina micrura on production of freshwater prawn postlarvae

Use of egg custard augmented with cod liver oil (CLO) fed during the day, and of an overnight feed with Moina micrura, were evaluated in terms of its effects on production of freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) postlarvae (PL). Four levels of CLO (0, 1,3 and 5%) were tested. Significantly higher mean (sd) productions, ranging from 11.27 (1.16) to 13.02 (1.70) PL l^–1, were obtained for larvae fed egg custard enriched with CLO compared with that of 7.83 (1.58) PLl^–1 for larvae fed egg custard without CLO. The development and survival of larval stages were also higher for the CLO diets. The -3 highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) in egg custard increased with increasing CLO level (0–5%). The fatty acid composition of postlarvae reflected the composition of the diet.     

The effects of supplemental dietary cholesterol on growth, development and survival of mud crab, Scylla serrata, megalopa fed semi-purified diets

The effects of varying levels of dietary cholesterol on growth, development time and survival of mud crab, Scylla serrata megalopa were investigated using semi-purified microbound diets (MBD). Five iso-energetic diets containing different level of cholesterol ranging from 0.14% to 1% of dry weight of the diet were tested. Fifteen megalopa were reared individually for each dietary treatment, and development time and survival were recorded on a daily basis. More than 25% of megalopa from all treatments were able to metamorphose into the first crab stage, suggesting that the endogenous level of cholesterol in the basal diet (0.14%) was sufficient to support development of the megalopa stage of this species. Widest mean carapace width (3.53 ± 0.08 mm) and highest mean dry weight (2.11 ± 0.22 mg) were recorded for juveniles that molted from megalopa fed live Artemia, whereas no megalopa in the unfed control treatment metamorphosed into crabs. The average development time from megalopa to the juvenile crab stage varied between the treatments, where megalopa fed live Artemia or MBD containing 0.2%, 0.4% or 0.8% total cholesterol showed the most synchronized molting (between 8.0 and 9.9 days). Longest development time was recorded for the megalopa fed diets containing 0.14% or 1% total cholesterol (both 11 days). Highest survival (74.3%) was recorded for the megalopa fed a diet containing 0.8% cholesterol. The results of this study are valuable in research to develop formulated diets for mud crab larvae as a replacement for live food in hatchery culture.     

Effects of dietary phospholipid and highly unsaturated fatty acid on the gonadal development, tissue proximate composition, lipid class and fatty acid composition of precocious Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis

Precocious puberty is a major constraint to the economical rearing Eriocheir sinensis farming. Although dietary phospholipid (PL) and highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) reportedly enhanced ovarian development in normal adult E. sinensis , it had opposite effects of reducing precocity in juveniles . This study investigated the effects of dietary PL and HUFA on survival, gonadal development and biochemical composition of precocious E. sinensis . Two diets with PL and HUFA supplementation (diet A) and deficient (diet B) were formulated and fed to precocious E. sinensis . Although no significant differences were found on survival and gonadosomatic index of crabs fed both diets, crabs fed diet B had significantly higher hepatosomatic index and hepatopancrean lipid content than crabs fed diet A. The percentages, 14:0, 18:1n-9, 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3, in hepatopancreas, muscle and gonads were positively correlated to the diets. Interestingly, the crabs fed diet B accumulated significantly higher 18:2n-6 in gonads and muscle than those fed diet A. Furthermore, substantially higher 20:4n-6 was detected in the gonad and muscle than in the diets. These results suggested that dietary PL and HUFA had limited effects on male gonad biochemical composition. Meanwhile, the precocious E. sinensis may be capable of negating the negative effects of HUFA deficiency by enhanced tissue 18:2n-6 accumulation and converting 18:2n-6 to 20:4n-6.     

Growth, survival and biochemical composition of spider crab Maja brachydactyla (Balss, 1922) (Decapoda: Majidae) larvae reared under different stocking densities, prey:larva ratios and diets

The spider crab Maja brachydactyla is overexploited on the NW coast of Spain. Aquaculture of this species can be the solution to the problem, and consequently, several attempts of intensive larval rearing have been conducted. However, most of the studies already published do not provide enough zoo technical data, especially in terms of larval and prey densities or the nutritional quality of diets used for rearing.Three experiments were carried out to evaluate the conditions for intensive larval rearing of M. brachydactyla. Larval stocking density (10, 50 and 100 larvae L^− 1), prey:larva ratio (15, 30 and 60 enriched Artemia larva^− 1) and diet (enriched Artemia, non-enriched Artemia and polychaete supplement) effects on growth and survival of this species were studied. For larval culture nine, 35 L, 150 μm mesh-bottomed PVC cylinders (triplicates for each treatment and larval stage) connected to a recirculation unit, were used. Temperature and salinity were kept constant at 18 °C and 36‰ respectively. A 12 to 18 day trial was conducted for each experiment and samples of larvae were collected at each larval stage (zoea I, zoea II, megalopa) in the inter-molt phase and at first juvenile. Survival, carapace length and width, dry weight (DW), and proximate biochemical content (protein, carbohydrates and total lipid) as well as lipid class composition were determined.Stocking densities of 100 larvae L^− 1 resulted in higher growth in DW and higher content in lipids and protein for zoea I (ZI) and zoea II (ZII) than 10 larvae L^− 1. However, survival decreased with increasing stocking density.The use of 60 preys larva^− 1 produced larvae with significantly higher DW and protein content, especially at ZII stage, than lower prey densities. Survival rate obtained feeding 60 preys larva^− 1 up to the megalopa stage was almost two-fold (42.2%) the rate obtained using 15 preys larva^− 1 (24.8%).Larvae fed on enriched Artemia (EA) showed an increase in weight up to megalopa (518.9 ± 26.5 μg) in contrast to larvae fed on non-enriched prey (A) (467.9 ± 6.9 μg). Variation in DW correlated with the total lipid content (L) of the larvae (L_EA = 70.1 ± 37.5 μg ind^− 1; L_A = 28.9 ± 3.2 μg ind^− 1) especially in terms of neutral lipids. The use of an initial density of at least 50 larvae L^− 1 and 60 enriched Artemia larva^− 1 can be considered the most adequate rearing parameters in order to obtain good results in growth and survival of M. brachydactyla.     

Effects of dietary phospholipids and highly unsaturated fatty acids on the precocity,survival, growth and hepatic lipid composition of juvenile Chinese mitten crab,Eriocheir sinensis (H. Milne‐Edwards)

Precocious puberty is one of the major constraints to the further development of Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) farming industry. Although dietary phospholipids (PL) and highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) supplementation have been shown to enhance the growth of larval E. sinensis in other studies, it is still unknown whether this also leads to a higher precocity rate for juvenile E. sinensis. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary PL and HUFA on precocity, survival, growth and hepatic lipid composition of juvenile E. sinensis. Two diets were formulated with PL [3.95% dry weight (DW)] and HUFA (0.98% DW) supplementation (diet A) and without PL and HUFA supplementation (diet B) and fed to juvenile E. sinensis. Although dietary PL and HUFA levels did not significantly affect the survival and growth performance of juvenile E. sinensis, compared with crabs fed diet A, a higher precocity rate was found among juvenile E. sinensis fed diet B (P=0.051). A higher total lipid content, but significantly lower levels of HUFA and PL (P<0.05) were found in the hepatopancreas of crabs fed diet B than in those fed diet A. Meanwhile, the precocious females had significantly lower hepatosomatic index, arachidonic acid (20:4n‐6), eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n‐3) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n‐3) contents in their hepatopancreas when compared with that of the normal immature juveniles (P<0.05). The results suggest that the occurrence of precocious puberty among farmed juvenile E. sinensis could be reduced by the inclusion of appropriate level of dietary PL and HUFA.     

Effects of various levels of dietary protein on survival,molting frequency and growth of juvenile blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus)

An 18-week study was conducted to examine growth characteristics of the juvenile blue crab (Callinectes sapidus Rathbun) fed various levels of dietary protein. Hatchery raised individuals (157) of identical age (160 days) from the same gravid female were assigned to one of four dietary treatments: adult brine shrimp (Artemia salina Leach) and artificial pelleted diets containing crude protein levels of 23, 37, and 49%.Growth rate, measured as a function of mean weight and mean carapace width, indicated that brine shrimp-fed crabs were larger (P < 0.05) than crabs fed artificial pelleted diets. Also, blue crabs fed either 37 or 49% crude protein were larger than crabs fed the 23% crude protein diet. Molting frequency was greater in the brine shrimp-fed crabs than in those fed the artificial diets. No differences in growth were detected when comparing males vs. females fed the artificial diets. However, females demonstrated greater growth than males within the brine shrimp treatment. Protein concentration of freeze-dried whole blue crab carcasses was greater in brine shrimp-fed crabs than in crabs fed the artificial pelleted diets (P < 0.05).     

Effects of phospholipid addition to diets with different inclusion levels of fish oil on growth and fatty acid body composition of juvenile swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus

Six experimental diets were designed with two phospholipid (PL; 0% and 1.5%) and three fish oil levels (0%, 1% and 3%) to evaluate the effects of dietary fish oil and PL levels on growth, survival and fatty acid composition of juvenile swimming crab, Portunus trituberculatus. Diets were iso‐energetic and iso‐nitrogenous and each diet was fed to triplicate groups (initially weight, 24.88 ± 0.04 g per crab) for 59 days. Weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) increased with dietary PL addition to 0% fish oil‐supplemented diets (P < 0.05). On the other hand, WG and SGR decreased with dietary PL addition to 3% fish oil diets (P < 0.05). Crabs fed PL supplemented diets had higher haemolymph low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations and muscle crude lipid levels (P < 0.05) than crabs fed a none PL supplemented diet. The percentage of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA; % total FA) in both polar and neutral lipids fractions of muscle tissue only increased in case of PL addition to 0% and 1% fish oil‐supplemented diets (P < 0.05). HUFA levels in the neutral lipids fraction of the hepatopancreas increased by dietary PL addition at each dietary fish oil level (P < 0.05). In this study, both dietary fish oil and PL addition contributed to a high n‐3/n‐6 ratio in muscle and hepatopancreas of P. trituberculatus. In conclusion, PL addition is only meaningful with fish oil‐deficient diets, in which case it enhanced lipid transport and HUFA absorption efficiency, hence improving the nutritional value of the diet.     

Spawning Characteristics of the South African Mudcrab Scylla serrata (Forskål) in Captivity

Scylla serrata is a potential aquaculture species in Southern Africa. Information about its reproductive biology is required as a prerequisite to establishing hatchery technology. Adult female S. serrata were caught in the Umlalazi estuary on the subtropical east coast of South Africa and kept in captivity to observe and record spawning characteristics. Data collected included crab size and mass, time in captivity prior to spawning, fecundity per batch, relative fecundity, individual egg mass and size, size of zoea 1 larvae, incubation time, and hatch success rate. Of the 119 crabs kept in captivity 83% spawned in the maturation system– most within 40 d of capture. The crabs were highly fecund (mean relative fecundity per batch = 10,655 ± 4,069 eggs/g female) and the majority of the batches hatched within 288 h (12 d) at 27 C. Spawning in captivity occurred throughout the year, with a peak in late winter/early spring. This differs slightly from records of ovarian maturity stages of the crabs in the wild. A pattern of synchronous spawning was recorded where the females were observed to extrude their eggs in groups, commonly within 3 d of one another, separated by long periods of inactivity, suggesting an exogenous spawning cue. A total of 1,374,488 zoea larvae were obtained per kg of female per month. This means that if sufficient mature females can be caught from the wild, these could be used for stocking hatchery operations. The crabs were easy to maintain, mature, and spawn in captivity. This will facilitate future domestication which will eventually reduce the need for wild caught broodstock. The spawning characteristics of South African 5. serrata At in well with those observed for the genus throughout its distribution implying that ecological and fisheries management could be similar.     

微粒饲料中鱼油n-3HUFA的分子结构对真鲷仔稚鱼生长、存活的影响

制备3种基本组成相同、添加不同类型鱼油的微粒饲料。将3种微粒饲料分别投喂真鲷(Pagrus major)仔鱼,探讨了微粒饲料中鱼油n—3HUFA的不同分子结构对真鲷仔、稚鱼生长、存活的影响。25d的养殖试验结果表明,虽然饲料2中n-3HUFA的含量高于饲料1中n—3HUFA的含量,饲料3中n—3HUFA的含量同饲料1中n—3HUFA的含量相等,但是用饲料1投喂的真鲷仔、稚鱼的全长、成活率要优于分别用饲料2和饲料3投喂的真鲷仔、稚鱼的全长、成活率。而且,用饲料1投喂的真鲷仔、稚鱼体内n-3HUFA和DHA的含量高于用饲料2和饲料3投喂的真鲷仔、稚鱼体内n—3HUFA和DHA的含量,这说明真鲷仔、稚鱼对天然鱼油的消化、吸收要优于对乙酯化鱼油的消化、吸收。