Optimisation of larval culture of the mussel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mytilus</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">edulis</Emphasis> (L.)

The blue mussel Mytilus edulis is a commercially important species whose fishery and culture generally relies on natural spat collection. Hatchery-production could provide an alternative source of seed, enabling reliable expansion of the industry. Mussel spawning and larval rearing trials were carried out to optimise elements of hatchery production. Culturing fertilised eggs at low density (20–200 eggs cm⁻²) rather than high density (400–720 eggs cm⁻²) significantly improved the quality of first veliger larvae and differences in this improvement were evident between the eggs from different females (maternal effects). Veliger larval growth at 17 or 21°C was significantly faster than growth at 14°C. Feeding veliger larvae an identical total ration either daily or at 2–3 day intervals did not significantly affect their growth. Different microalgal diets (1: Isochrysis sp. (clone T-ISO), 2: Chaetoceros calcitrans forma pumilus, 3: C. muelleri, 4: mixed Isochrysis sp. (clone T-ISO) and C. calcitrans f. pumilus, and 5: mixed Isochrysis sp. (clone T-ISO) and C. muelleri) were tested on veliger larval growth and mixed diets outperformed single-species diets.     

Growth and survival of grouper <Emphasis Type="Italic">Epinephelus</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">coioides</Emphasis> (Hamilton) larvae fed free-living nematode <Emphasis Type="Italic">Panagrellus redivivus</Emphasis> at first feeding

The free-living nematode, Panagrellus redivivus, was tested as live food for grouper Epinephelus coioides larvae during the first feeding stage. A series of experiments were conducted to determine the acceptability of the free-living nematodes in grouper larvae at first feeding, the optimum nematode density and the response of the larvae to nutritionally enriched nematode. All experiments were conducted in 200-L conical tanks filled with 150-L filtered seawater and stocked at 15 larvae L⁻¹. Duration of feeding experiments was up to day 21 (experiment 1) and 14 days (experiment 2 and 3). Brachionus plicatilis and Artemia (experiment 1) and Brachionus plicatilis alone (experiment 2 & 3) was used as the control treatment. Observations indicated that the grouper larvae readily fed on free-living nematodes as early as 3 days posthatching, the start of exogenous feeding. Optimum feeding density for the larvae was 75 nematodes ml⁻¹. The enrichment of cod liver oil or sunflower oil influenced the total lipids and n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids of P. redivivus, which in turn influenced those of the grouper larvae, however, growth and survival of the larvae were not affected (P > 0.05). The results from this investigation showed that the nematode, P. redivivus, can be used as first live food for grouper larvae from the onset of exogenous feeding until they could feed on Artemia nauplii.     

Effects of salinity and dietary n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids on the survival,development, and morphogenesis of the larvae of laboratory-reared mud crab <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scylla serrata</Emphasis> (Decapoda,Portunidae)

We investigated the effects of feeding rotifers containing various levels of n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (n-3HUFA) to Scylla serrata larvae at different developmental stages on their survival, development, and morphogenesis when they were cultured at six salinity levels. The first-, third-, and fifth (last)-stage zoeae and megalopae were reared to first-stage crabs at salinities of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35‰, with three different feeding regimes of rotifers containing different levels of n-3HUFA. The larvae successfully developed to the subsequent stages at 20–35‰ salinity. The highest survival rates to first-stage crabs were recorded at 20–25‰ salinity. The morphological features of the megalopa observed in the last-stage zoeae, represented by the ratio of the chela length to carapace length, tended to advance with increasing salinity, indicating higher assimilation efficiency at higher salinities. The megalopal features of the last-stage zoeae were enhanced when the larvae were fed rotifers containing higher amounts of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). As reported previously, final-stage zoeal larvae with advanced megalopal features often experienced moult death syndrome (MDS). These results show that when larvae are fed rotifers with high DHA under high-salinity conditions, morphogenesis is accelerated, resulting in MDS. Therefore, to evaluate the effects of salinity on larval survival, it is necessary to examine larval morphogenesis in terms of MDS. In conclusion, we recommend that not only survival but also larval morphogenesis should be examined when evaluating the results of rearing experiments with S. serrata larvae.     

Influence of stocking density and type of feed on the rearing of crucian carp, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carassius carassius</Emphasis> (L.), larvae under controlled conditions

Two experiments were conducted into the rearing of crucian carp larvae under controlled conditions in an experimental closed water system. In both cases, the rearing lasted 21 days. The first experiment concerned the initial stocking density (from 50 to 600 individuals per l), whilst the second one studied the first food offered (two types of Artemia nauplii, decapsulated Artemia cysts and three types of commercial feeds) which were applied at the moment of exogenous feeding commencement. The best results were obtained using 50 larvae per l, whilst there were no significant differences within the range 200–600 larvae per l. The application of dry feed had a negative influence on the survival and other parameters. The highest survival rate was found in the groups fed with freshly hatched Artemia naupli. The results obtained indicate that the rearing of crucian carp larvae may be successfully conducted in very high stocking densities. However, the very high sensitivity of crucian carp larvae to the type of food offered during the initial days of life should be taken into account. The data presented in this article could be very useful in crucian carp larviculture.     

Enhancement of survival and metamorphosis rates of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penaeus monodon</Emphasis> larvae by feeding with the diatom <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thalassiosira weissflogii</Emphasis>

The purpose of this study was to compare the performance of two species of diatoms, Thalassiosira weissflogii and Chaetoceros gracilis, in the larviculture of the black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon. Shrimp larvae were fed with either C. gracilis, T. weissflogii, or a combination of the two species of diatoms. The larvae fed solely with T. weissflogii or a combination of the two types of diatom had significantly higher survival rates and faster metamorphosis than those fed solely with C. gracilis. The numbers of diatom cells consumed by larvae during 3-h periods were determined, revealing that larvae consumed significantly higher numbers of C. gracilis than T. weissflogii. However, when the protein, total fatty acid, and polyunsaturated fatty acid content of the two species of diatom are compared, significantly higher amounts of each are found in T. weissflogii. Converting the number of diatom cells consumed into equivalent protein, total fatty acid, eicosopentaenoic acid, and decosahexaenoic acid reveals that larvae fed with T. weissflogii received significantly higher amounts of all the nutrients, compared to those consuming C. gracilis. The results showed an advantage of feeding T. weissflogii to C. gracilis in enhancing survival and metamorphosis in P. monodon larvae.     

The effect of live feeds bathed with the red seaweed <Emphasis Type="Italic">Asparagopsis armata</Emphasis> on the survival,growth and physiology status of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sparus aurata</Emphasis> larvae

Larval rearing is affected by a wide range of microorganisms that thrive in larviculture systems. Some seaweed species have metabolites capable of reducing the bacterial load. However, no studies have yet tested whether including seaweed metabolites on larval rearing systems has any effects on the larvae development. This work assessed the development of Sparus aurata larvae fed preys treated with an Asparagopsis armata product. Live prey, Brachionus spp. and Artemia sp., were immersed in a solution containing 0.5% of a commercial extract of A. armata (Ysaline 100, YSA) for 30 min, before being fed to seabream larvae (n = 4 each). In the control, the live feed was immersed in clear water. Larval parameters such as growth, survival, digestive capacity (structural-histology and functional-enzymatic activity), stress level (cortisol content), non-specific immune response (lysozyme activity), anti-bacterial activity (disc-diffusion assay) and microbiota quantification (fish larvae gut and rearing water) were monitored. Fish larvae digestive capacity, stress level and non-specific immune response were not affected by the use of YSA. The number of Vibrionaceae was significantly reduced both in water and larval gut when using YSA. Growth was enhanced for YSA treatment, but higher mortality was also observed, especially until 10 days after hatching (DAH). The mortality peak observed at 8 DAH for both treatments, but higher for YSA, indicates larval higher susceptibility at this development stage, suggesting that lower concentrations of YSA should be used until 10 DAH. The application of YSA after 10 DAH onwards promotes a safer rearing environment.     

Comparison of the lipid profiles from wild caught eggs and unfed larvae of two scombroid fish: northern bluefin tuna (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Thunnus thynnus</Emphasis> L., 1758) and Atlantic bonito (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sarda sarda</Emphasis> Bloch, 1793)

Lipids and essential fatty acids are determinants of the reproductive process in marine fish, affecting fecundity, egg quality, hatching performance, pigmentation and larval malformation. We have analyzed and characterized the lipids of eggs and unfed larvae of two wild caught scombroid fish, the Atlantic northern bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) and Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda). Dry matter and total lipid contents, polar and neutral lipid classes and total lipid fatty acid contents were determined in the eggs of bluefin tuna and eggs and unfed larvae during the development of Atlantic bonito. Bluefin tuna eggs had slightly but significantly more dry mass than bonito eggs but very similar lipid content. However, bluefin tuna eggs presented a higher polar lipid content due to increased proportions of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylinositol (PI). Bonito eggs and larvae showed increasing dry mass and decreasing lipid content with development. The proportion of polar lipids increased due to increased PE, PS and PI, whereas choline-containing polar lipids (phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin) remained relatively constant. Free cholesterol also increased, whereas the levels of other neutral lipids, especially triacylglycerol and steryl ester fractions, decreased, presumably due to utilization for energy to drive development. Bluefin tuna eggs had higher levels of n − 3 and n − 6 highly unsaturated fatty acids due to higher docosahexaenoic and arachidonic acid contents, respectively, than bonito eggs. The results are discussed in relation to the lipid and fatty acid requirements of larval scombroid fish in comparison to those of other larval marine finfish species under culture conditions.     

Pathological characteristics of olive flounder <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralichthys olivaceus</Emphasis> experimentally infected with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptococcus parauberis</Emphasis>

Pathological characteristics of olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus experimentally infected with Streptococcus parauberis were studied. Various stressful conditions, aeration and netting stress in particular, led to induced mortality by S. parauberis. Netting stress-induced mortality was positively correlated to bacterial dose and stressful conditions. Inflammation of the heart and pericarditis was the major pathological change observed in olive flounder experimentally infected with S. parauberis. During the infected period, the number of bacteria in the infected olive flounder was recorded over time. S. parauberis remained in all fish organs tested, especially in the heart and brain.     

Effects of early weaning strategies on growth,survival and digestive enzyme activities in cobia (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rachycentron canadum</Emphasis> L.) larvae

The effects of weaning strategies of cobia (Rachycentron canadum L.) larvae to commercial microdiets, either from rotifers or from Artemia, on growth, survival and enzymatic digestive capacity, were investigated. In the first experiment, cobia larvae were weaned from rotifers by co-feeding with a microdiet (Otohime) from 8, 13 or 20 days post-hatching (dph). The larvae in the control treatment were fed rotifers (2–12 dph), Artemia nauplii from 7 dph, and co-fed with the microdiet from 20 dph. In the second experiment, the larvae were weaned from Artemia, which was fed to the larvae from 7 dph, by co-feeding with a microdiet (NRD) from 8, 13 or 18 dph. The larvae in control treatment were fed rotifers, then Artemia to the end of the experiment (28 dph). Weaning of cobia larvae onto a microdiet directly from rotifers significantly reduced growth, survival and digestive capacity of the larvae and did not lead to larval acceptance of the microdiet, compared to those weaned from Artemia in the first experiment. Early weaning of cobia larvae onto NRD microdiet (on 8 or 13 dph) from Artemia in the second experiment also reduced growth, survival rate and gut maturation index, compared to those fed live feed. With available microdiets, weaning of cobia larvae could start from Artemia at around 18 dph in order to obtain comparable growth, survival and gut maturation to larvae fed live feed.     

Use of a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Noctiluca</Emphasis>-killing bacterium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Marinobacter salsuginis</Emphasis> strain BS2 to reduce shrimp mortality caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Noctiluca scintillans</Emphasis>

The ability of an algicidal bacterium Marinobacter salsuginis strain BS2, isolated from shrimp pond water, to reduce shrimp mortality was investigated under laboratory conditions. When two species of shrimp (Penaeus monodon and Litopenaeus vannamei) (body length 1.5–1.8 cm) were cultured together with the dinoflagellate Noctiluca scintillans, nearly 80 % of the shrimps died within 7 days. However, when bacterial strain BS2 was also added to the culture, N. scintillans was killed within 48 h, and shrimp survival rates on the 7th day improved from 23 to 87 % for both P. monodon and L. vannamei. The bacterium BS2 alone had no effect on shrimp condition. Under conditions of increased dissolved oxygen, the effect of using BS2 was greater, and shrimp survival rates improved even more dramatically, from 26 to 98 %. These studies provide the first evidence that the use of killing bacteria, isolated from shrimp culture water, can suppress harmful algal blooms (HABs) and thus restore the efficiency of shrimp production. The control of HABs in this way in shrimp culture farms would be a major benefit for shrimp production.     

Embryonic development and morphology of eggs and newly hatched larvae of Pacific herring <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clupea pallasii</Emphasis>

The embryonic development and morphology of eggs and newly hatched larvae of the Pacific herring Clupea pallasii were described using laboratory-reared specimens originating from the Miyako Bay stock. The eggs were almost spherical in shape, 1.33–1.46 mm (mean: 1.38 mm) in diameter, and had a thick adherent chorion. They had a segmented pale yellow yolk, no oil globule, and a relatively wide perivitelline space. A subgerminal cavity was observed during the gastrula period, whereas the blastocoel did not appear. Mass hatching occurred by 271 h 45 min after fertilization, and the newly hatched larvae were 7.1–7.7 mm (mean: 7.5 mm) in total length with 53–56 myomeres at 9.6°C. The embryonic development of Pacific herring was substantially similar to that of zebrafish Danio rerio, American shad Alosa sapidissima, as well as Atlantic herring Clupea harengus, and generally followed the basic developmental pattern of teleosts. However, Pacific herring larvae hatched at a more developed stage than some other clupeoids, such as Japanese sardine Sardinops melanostictus, and the progressed developmental stage at hatching could be interpreted as an advanced adaptation.     

Development of digestive enzyme activity in larvae of spotted sand bass <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralabrax maculatofasciatus</Emphasis>. 1. Biochemical analysis

Spotted sand bass Paralabrax maculatofasciatus is a potential aquaculture species in Northwest Mexico. In the last few years it has been possible to close its life cycle and to develop larviculture technology at on pilot scale using live food, however survival values are low (11%) and improvements in growth and survival requires the study of the morpho-physiological development during the initial ontogeny. In this research digestive activity of several enzymes were evaluated in larvae, from hatching to 30 days after hatching (dah), and in live prey (rotifers and Artemia), by use of biochemical and electrophoretic techniques. This paper, is the first of two parts, and covers only the biochemical analysis. All digestive enzyme activities were detected from mouth opening; however the, maximum activities varied among different digestive enzymes. For alkaline protease and trypsin the maximum activities were detected from 12 to 18 dah. Acid protease activity was observed from day 12 onwards. The other digestive enzymes appear between days 4 and 18 after hatching, with marked fluctuations. These activities indicate the beginning of the juvenile stage and the maturation of the digestive system, in agreement with changes that occur during morpho-physiological development and food changes from rotifers to Artemia. All enzymatic activities were detected in rotifers and Artemia, and their contribution to enhancement the digestion capacity of the larvae appears to be low, but cannot be minimised. We concluded that the enzymatic equipment of P. maculatofasciatus larvae is similar to that of other marine fish species, that it becomes complete between days 12 and 18 after hatching, and that it is totally efficient up to 25 dah.     

Use of the freshwater rotifer <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brachionus angularis</Emphasis> as the first food for larvae of the Siamese fighting fish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Betta splendens</Emphasis>

Larvae of the Siamese fighting fish Betta splendens were reared on the mass-cultured small freshwater rotifer Brachionus angularis Laos strain (UTAC-Lao), Paramecia sp., and Artemia as live food sources. Larvae fed live food were found to have a significantly high survival rate (97.5–100%) 18 days after hatch (DAH) in comparison to the control unfed larvae, which died by 12 DAH. Rotifer-fed larvae were found to grow faster than paramecia-fed larvae. The fastest growth rate was observed in larvae fed a combination of rotifer and Artemia, with growth in these larvae increasing by 282% by 18 DAH [total length (TL) 11.3 ± 1.2 mm] relative to body measurements taken 3 DAH. The next fastest growth rate was observed in rotifer-fed larvae, with a 158% increase in growth observed by 18 DAH (TL 7.6 ± 0.5 mm). The paramecia-fed larvae were found to grow by only 54.3% (TL 4.6 ± 0.1 mm) during the same period.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Neoheterobothrium hirame</Emphasis> (Monogenea) alters the feeding behavior of juvenile olive flounder <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralichthys olivaceus</Emphasis>

We monitored feeding behavior and survival of starved juvenile olive flounder experimentally infected with the gill monogenean Neoheterobothrium hirame. Infected flounder increased amount of the time spent in the water column by 117% when trying to capture live mysids, Neomysis sp. They also showed different feeding patterns from those of uninfected fish and made fewer attacks towards prey during one feeding attempt. Although the average numbers of mysids captured by individuals were similar between infected and uninfected fish, heavily infected fish tended to catch less prey. These results indicate that N. hirame reduces the feeding efficiency of the host for capturing live prey and possibly makes them more vulnerable to predation during feeding. We could not detect any obvious difference in survival rates between uninfected, lightly and heavily infected fish during 3 months of starvation. There was no evidence that starvation makes fish more susceptible to N. hirame. The present study provides first experimental evidence that N. hirame affects feeding behavior of juvenile olive flounder and supports the idea that this parasite indirectly reducing the host’s survival and may be responsible for the recent reduction of the flounder population in Japan.     

A review of spawning induction,larviculture, and juvenile rearing of the fat snook, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Centropomus parallelus</Emphasis>

The fat snook, Centropomus parallelus, is a commercially valuable marine fish species with potential for aquaculture. This paper describes the development of technology for mass production of fat snook juveniles at the Experimental Fish Hatchery of the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, focusing on research about reproduction, larviculture, and juvenile rearing. Induced spawning of wild fat snook was first achieved in 1991 with a single injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). There was a substantial increase in egg quality when broodstock was conditioned in maturation rooms and induced to spawn. Different dosages of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue (LHRHa) with saline injection and colesterol implant were also tested. As fat snook exhibits group-synchronous oocyte development, females could be induced to spawn (with 35–50 μg kg⁻¹ of LHRHa) once a month, resulting in up to four consecutive spawnings. Results of larval culture were highly variable at the beginning; survival rates were frequently around 1% until the juvenile stage. Several experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of environmental factors and feeding quality on survival and growth. With the improvement of the spawning induction technique and better larviculture practices, survival rates increased to 10–30%. Studies on the particular requirements of juveniles in terms of stocking density, feeding, nutrition, and environmental factors were also performed in order to improve growth rates and feed utilization. The present study demonstrates the feasibility of mass production of fat snook juveniles. However, further research is needed to develop cost-effective grow-out technology.     

Homogeneity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptococcus dysgalactiae</Emphasis> from farmed amberjack <Emphasis Type="Italic">Seriola dumerili</Emphasis> in Japan

Streptococcus dysgalactiae strains have been isolated from cultured amberjack Seriola dumerili and yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata in Japan. To characterize the fish isolates, we performed genetic analysis and compared the biochemical properties of these isolates with those of the S. dysgalactiae subsp. dysgalactiae and S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis strains isolated from mammals. The genetic analysis revealed that the fish isolates were genetically very similar to each other with high DNA–DNA relatedness (>95.4%) and sequence homology. Meanwhile, the DNA relatedness between mammalian isolates and the fish isolates was 73.4–82.6%. In biased sinusoidal gel electrophoresis (BSFGE) analysis, the restriction patterns of mammalian isolates were different from those of fish isolates. The fish isolates did not show streptokinase activity in plasminogen obtained from mammals. These characteristics enabled us to distinguish between the fish isolates and the Sdd and Sde strains isolated from mammals. In order to obtain epidemiological information on the fish isolates, BSFGE patterns from 284 S. dysgalactiae strains from fish in Japan were examined. Based on the results of BSFGE analysis, the fish isolates were classified into 16 groups (AP1–AP16) with restriction enzyme ApaI. The dendrogram based on BSFGE analysis indicated that all fish isolates using in this study were closely related.     

Potential of cinnamon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cinnamomum verum</Emphasis>) oil to control <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptococcus iniae</Emphasis> infection in tilapia (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oreochromis niloticus</Emphasis>)

In this study, four essential oils—cinnamon oil, leech lime oil, lemongrass oil, and turmeric oil—were examined for their antimicrobial activities against Streptococcus iniae, a bacterium that is pathogenic in fish, in which it causes streptococcosis. Cinnamon oil was the most potent antimicrobial agent among these oils, with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 40 μg/ml. By using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), it was found that the major components of cinnamon oil were cinnamaldehyde (90.24), limonene (2.42%), cinnamyl acetate (2.03%), linalool (1.16%), and α-terpineol (0.87%). Of these compounds, only cinnamaldehyde exhibited antimicrobial activity against S. iniae, with an MIC of 20 μg/ml. In an in vivo trial, no mortality was apparent in fish fed on fish diets supplemented with 0.4% (w/w) of cinnamon oil and with 0.1% (w/w) of oxytetracycline 5 days prior to infection with S. iniae. These results indicate that cinnamon oil had a protective effect on experimental S. iniae infection in tilapia, and thus has the potential to replace the antibiotics used to control this disease.     

Artificial gynogenesis and assessment of homozygosity in meiotic gynogens of spotted halibut (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Verasper variegatus</Emphasis>)

In the present study, methodology of gynogenetic induction in spotted halibut were developed and optimized; the sex ratio of putative meiotic gynogenetic diploids was determined using AFLP-based molecular sexing technique; the homozygosity of gynogenetic population was assessed as opposed to cultivated population. The results showed that high percentage of meiotic gynogenetic diploids were generated when the eggs fertilized with irradiated heterologous sea perch frozen sperm (30–50 mJ cm⁻²) were cold shocked in sea water of −1°C for 40–75 min at 5 min after fertilization. About 15,200 diploid gynogenetic larvae were achieved and they exhibited normal morphology similar to diploid control. The gynogenetic diploids were 100% female, which first confirmed the female homogamete (XX/XY) sex determination in spotted halibut. The genetic analysis showed that the average H _O was, respectively, 0.404 and 0.724 in gynogenetic population and cultivated population, indicating an increase of homozygosity in gynogenetic population.     

Uptake of dissolved free amino acids by spiny lobster <Emphasis Type="Italic">Panulirus japonicus</Emphasis> phyllosoma larvae

This study examined the ability of late stage (instar XXVI) Japanese spiny lobster Panulirus japonicus phyllosoma larvae to uptake seven l-type amino acids (AAs; aspartic acid, Asp; threonine, Thr; glutamic acid, Glu; glycine, Gly; alanine, Ala; valine, Val; and methionine, Met) from the rearing medium. The time course uptake during incubation for 5 h in solutions containing 1, 2, 5, 10, or 20 μM of each AA was determined using high performance liquid chromatography. There was considerable individual variation in uptake rates and even occasional release of AAs, but larvae showed net uptakes of all seven AAs. Two polar acidic AAs (Glu and Asp) were readily taken up whereas neutral AAs, including three considered as essential for crustaceans (Val, Met, and Thr), had lower uptake rates. Transient releases of AAs by the larvae were common for the AAs with the lowest uptake rates at 1–2 h of incubation. Uptake rates increased with increasing AA concentration but less so for those taken up in larger amounts. Larvae took up AAs to a total of 16.4 μmol/g/h for incubation in the 20 μM solution. The ability to uptake nutrients directly from the medium may be important for the well-being of the larvae.     

Antibacterial effect of medium-chain fatty acid: caprylic acid on gnotobiotic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Artemia franciscana</Emphasis> nauplii against shrimp pathogens <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vibrio harveyi</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">V. parahaemolyticus</Emphasis>

The present study was carried out to determine the antibacterial effect of caprylic acid in the culture system of Artemia franciscana nauplii inoculated with shrimp pathogens Vibrio harveyi and V. parahaemolyticus. To begin with, the antibacterial effect of different concentrations (1, 10 and 100 mM) of caprylic acid against V. harveyi and V. parahaemolyticus was assessed through bacterial growth study. This indicated that at 100 mM concentration, the growth of the pathogens was completely inhibited within 5 h, whereas, in 1.0 and 10 mM concentrations, effective inhibition was observed with the extension of time. Subsequently, the influence of pH variation on the growth inhibitory effect of 10 mM caprylic acid against V. harveyi and V. parahaemolyticus at different pH (5–7) was also made through bacterial growth study. At pH 5, the pathogen growth was very less, compared with pH 6 and 7. The Artemia nauplii (instar II) reared in 10 mM caprylic acid supplemented medium were challenged with V. harveyi and V. parahaemolyticus, and the mortality was recorded at an interval of 6 h up to 60 h. In this study, the mortality of Artemia nauplii reduced to 20.61 and 16.30% in V. parahaemolyticus and V. harveyi challenged groups, respectively. The present results provide evidence for the potential antibacterial activity of caprylic acid in aquaculture against luminescent vibrios.