硝化毛球和底沙对硝化细菌脱氮效果的影响

本实验模拟工厂化养殖模式建立养殖水体净化装置,研究硝化毛球和底沙对硝化细菌净化效果的影响,结果表明:装载硝化毛球、铺设底沙和只投加硝化细菌制剂的三个实验组对养殖水体水质具有一定的净化效果,氨氮、亚硝氮等指标均低于空白组。其中装载硝化毛球的实验组氨氧化细菌、亚硝酸盐氧化细菌可在短时间大量生长繁殖,形成优势,使养殖池氨氮、亚硝酸盐浓度维持在较低水平;铺设底沙的实验组对硝化细菌净化水质效果影响不大。装载硝化毛球的实验组,水质最清澈,无异味,养殖池底部无残渣碎屑,青虾生长状况良好,增重最多。     

四联活菌制剂对养殖水体中氨氮及亚硝酸盐的降解

利用四联活菌制剂,在室内进行了对养殖池塘水体中氨氮及亚硝酸盐的降解试验.结果表明,光合细菌、纳豆芽孢杆菌、乳酸菌、硝化细菌具有较好的氨氮、亚硝酸盐降解性能,随着添加质量浓度的增加,氨氮、亚硝酸盐的去除率增加;各菌株氨氮降解能力依次为:乳酸菌＞光合细菌＞硝化细菌＞纳豆芽孢杆菌;亚硝酸盐降解能力依次为:硝化细菌＞纳豆芽孢杆菌＞光合细菌＞乳酸菌.四联活菌制剂对养殖水体中氨氮及亚硝酸盐降解试验结果表明,乳酸菌、光合细菌、硝化细菌、纳豆芽孢杆菌的协同作用对氨氮、亚硝酸盐的降解效果更显著、快速.当制剂添加量分别为1.5、3.0、4.5 kg/hm~2时,5 d氨氮的去除率分别为52%、80%、74%,亚硝酸盐的去除率接近100%,结果均显著高于添加同剂量单一菌株时的氨氮、亚硝酸盐的去除率.     

电气石对硝化菌生长和生物膜形成、熟化的影响

在培养基中添加电气石培养硝化菌,研究电气石对硝化菌生长的影响,并在此基础上将电气石添加到普通陶粒(CM)原料中制备了功能性陶粒(FCM),通过测定水中氨氮、亚硝酸盐氮和硝酸盐氮的含量变化,比较功能性陶粒和普通陶粒两种载体上生物膜的生长状况。结果表明:添加电气石的培养基中的亚硝化细菌和硝化细菌数量明显高于未添加电气石的对照组;FCM上的生物膜熟化过程对氨氮的去除率在第14 d趋于稳定,硝酸盐氮含量从第12 d逐渐升高,分别比CM早7 d和6 d,能较早发挥生物硝化功能。     

微生物对水产养殖水质调控作用研究

正本实验研究了光合细菌、放线菌、枯草芽孢杆菌三种细菌优化配比成的复合功能菌去除养殖水体有机氮效果。结果表明,光合细菌、放线菌、枯草芽孢杆菌混合培养生态制剂能有效去除养殖水体中的有机氮,对高浓度的氨氮、亚硝酸盐氮的去除率可达99.6%和94%。     

两种斑节对虾养殖模式水质净化效果与细菌群落结构的比较分析

为了提高对虾养殖系统水质净化能力,改善对虾养殖水环境,利用红糖+枯草芽孢杆菌和聚氨酯填料+硝化细菌分别构建生物絮团和内循环斑节对虾(Penaeus monodon)养殖系统,比较两个系统在对虾标苗和养殖阶段的水质净化效果和细菌群落结构,从微生物学层面探究其水质净化机理。将体长(0.5±0.1)cm的5日龄仔虾养殖在1 m³水体的帆布池中,标苗期密度为5 000 ind.·m^-3,养殖期降为400 ind.·m^-3。标苗结束时,各帆布池底铺约3 cm厚的砂子。生物絮团系统中加活化后的枯草芽孢杆菌,每天一次性加50%日投饲量的红糖,每隔7 d加0.5 L活化后的芽孢杆菌,每隔14 d换水20%。内循环系统中悬挂已挂膜的聚氨酯填料包,其上表面浸没在水中,内部放一个气石。每个系统设2组平行,各阶段养殖周期分别为20 d和40 d。实验结束时,采集生物絮团系统水样、底砂和内循环系统生物膜、水样及底砂的细菌样品,提取DNA,利用Illumina Mi Seq平台对DNA样品进行高通量测序。结果显示,生物絮团系统氨氮和亚硝酸盐氮浓度波...     

循环水养殖系统生物滤池细菌群落的PCR-DGGE分析

通过模拟实验对循环水养殖系统中不同初始NH ₄N浓度的生物滤池中生物膜上和水中的细菌数量及群落种类组成进行了研究。对成熟生物膜及水体样品中的异养菌、氨氧化菌、亚硝酸盐氧化菌的培养计数结果表明,随着生物滤池初始氨氮浓度增大,除异养细菌数量逐渐下降外,生物膜上的氨氧化菌和亚硝酸盐氧化菌数量呈逐渐增加趋势,且均高出水样3~4个数量级;同时对上述样品的16S rRNA基因片段的PCR扩增产物进行变性梯度凝胶电泳(DGGE)分析及其序列同源性分析的结果表明,生物膜和水中都有较高的细菌多样性,同一初始氨氮浓度的滤池中生物膜上的细菌多样性高于水中的。生物滤池中的细菌主要由拟杆菌门的黄杆菌纲和变形菌门的α-、β-、γ-变形菌纲的15种细菌组成。生物膜上的优势菌包括奥雷氏菌属、湖饲养者菌属、泥滩杆菌属、沉积杆菌属、雷辛格氏菌属、冷蛇形菌属和亚硝化单胞菌属等;水体中的优势菌则有明显差异,主要有蛋黄色杆菌属、Nautella,玫瑰杆菌属和一种硫氧化菌等。初始氨氮越高的滤池中,亚硝化单胞菌属的细菌在生物膜上所占比例越高,逐渐成为优势菌之一。实验证实,挂膜初期,提高水体中初始氨氮浓度,有利于硝化细菌的富集和固着,提高生物滤池的除氮效率。     

枯草芽孢杆菌改善水质提高凡纳滨对虾幼体抗逆性的研究

投放不同浓度梯度的枯草芽孢杆菌于凡纳滨对虾幼体养殖环境中,监测不同枯草芽孢杆菌使用浓度下与养殖环境相关的水质因子（氨氮、亚硝酸盐氮、化学需氧量）的变化;观察不同枯草芽孢杆菌使用浓度下凡纳滨对虾幼体对人工制造的胁迫环境的抗逆性;观测不同枯草芽孢杆菌使用浓度下凡纳滨对虾幼体的成活率与体重增长率。研究枯草芽孢杆菌对水质改善和凡纳滨对虾幼体抗逆性的影响。结果表明,枯草芽孢杆菌能显著（P〈0.05）降低化学需氧量、氨氮含量,抑制亚硝酸盐氮的产生;当枯草芽孢杆菌投放浓度为1.25×10^4cfu/ml时,水体中化学需氧量、氨态氮、亚硝酸盐氮含量均值比对照组分别降低了65.30%、59.70%、88.64%,成活率比对照组提高了10.00%,体重增长率是对照组的2.44倍;当枯草芽孢杆菌使用浓度为1.25×10^4～1.25×10^6cfu/ml时,对虾抗逆性显著（P〈0.05）增强,对虾在氨氮、亚硝酸盐氮、高锰酸钾、甲醛胁迫下24小时的成活率均值分别比对照组提高了16.94%、24.44%、44.17%、18.61%。     

生物絮凝技术处理水产养殖用水效果的初步研究

在水产养殖中应用生物絮凝技术(BFT),可以将养殖过程中产生的残饵和粪便转化为可被部分养殖对象重新摄食的絮体饵料,而且在絮凝体形成过程中对水体氨氮等物质的去除有明显作用。试验在自建的生物絮凝反应器中分别接种活性污泥和枯草芽胞杆菌(Bacillus subtilis),研究絮凝体形成过程中主要水质指标的变化情况。结果表明:接种活性污泥的装置中,氨氮、亚硝酸盐氮的去除率分别为72.25%、94.04%;接种枯草芽孢杆菌的装置中,氨氮、亚硝酸盐氮的去除率分别为81.53%、97.89%;同时接种活性污泥和枯草芽孢杆菌的装置中,氨氮、亚硝酸盐氮的去除率分别为40.85%、63.19%;对照装置中不接种任何物质,氨氮、亚硝酸盐氮的去除率分别为11.41%、70.56%。分别接种活性污泥和枯草芽孢杆菌的装置在去除氨氮、亚硝酸盐氮方面较好。试验装置中所形成的絮体颗粒直径在0.1~1.0 mm,粒径大小适合作为部分养殖鱼类稚鱼期的开口饵料。     

不同基质构建海水养殖系统硝化功能的比较分析

为比较不同基质构建海水养殖系统硝化功能的强弱,选取纤维毛球、陶粒、螺旋式生物绳等7种基质,其中陶粒、流化床填料、纤维毛球采取不同放置方式,共建立14个模拟海水养殖系统,比较不同基质硝化功能建立过程以及同种基质不同放置方式对氨氮和亚硝氮的去除效果。结果表明,单位体积珊瑚骨的氨氧化活性和亚硝酸盐氧化活性高于其他载体,在氨氮初始浓度20 mg/L条件下,氨氮和亚硝氮降解至检测不出分别需要3 d和11 d,而纤维毛球、陶粒、螺旋式生物绳、流化床填料、丝带内芯悬浮球、海绵内芯悬浮球硝化系统的建立分别需要18、26、30、25、27和22 d。纤维毛球100目筛绢悬挂、陶粒网兜悬挂、流化床填料100目筛绢悬挂优于其他放置方式,其中纤维毛球100目筛绢悬挂硝化功能建立时间为18 d,效果最优,流化床填料100目筛绢悬挂、陶粒网兜悬挂硝化系统建立分别需要21、24 d。     

墨瑞鳕循环水养殖系统中不同生物膜反应器水处理效率及微生物群落对比分析

固定床生物膜反应器(fixed-bed biofilm bioreactor, FBBR)和移动床生物膜反应器(moving- bed biofilm reactor, MBBR)在养殖水体氨氮(NH4+-N)和亚硝酸氮(NO2–-N)污染控制中已有较为广泛的研究,然而相关研究大多是在实验室完成的,目前尚缺乏实际生产的循环水养殖系统(recirculating aquaculture system, RAS)中FBBR和MBBR水体净化效能的对比研究。因此,本研究将FBBR (弹性毛刷滤料)和MBBR (PVC多孔环滤料)并联接入实际生产的墨瑞鳕(Macculochella peeli) RAS中,实现二者的同步连续运行(35 d),考察了其出水水质变化和微生物群落结构。出水水质变化表明,FBBR和MBBR中氨氧化能力的形成快于亚硝氮氧化能力,硝化能力渐趋成熟,可以有效控制养殖水体中的NH4+-N和NO2–-N浓度,但会导致养殖水体中硝酸氮(NO3–-N)积累和pH下降;单因素方差分析表明,FBBR出水中NH4+-N、NO2–-N、NO3–-N浓度和pH与MBBR出水无显著差异,两反应器的硝化效率相似。FBBR和MBBR在微生物群落上的相同点在于：优势菌门为变形菌门(Proteobacteria) (相对丰度分别为69.42%和86.92%),优势菌纲为γ-变形菌纲(γ-Proteobacteria) (40.71%和63.36%)和α-变形菌纲(α-Proteobacteria) (26.58%和21.74%),优势菌属为不动杆菌属(Acinetobacter) (27.50%和53.29%);硝化菌由亚硝化单胞菌属(Nitrosomonas)和硝化螺菌属(Nitrospira)构成;硝化螺菌属的相对丰度远高于亚硝化单胞菌属,两反应器中可能存在完全氨氧化菌。两反应器在微生物群落上的不同点在于FBBR微生物群落的丰富度和多样性以及硝化菌的相对丰度均高于MBBR。本研究可以为RAS养殖水体净化提供技术支撑,助推循环水养殖模式的推广应用。     

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.     

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.     

Involvement of gonadal steroids in final oocyte maturation of white perch (Morone americana) and white bass (M. chrysops): in vivo and in vitro studies

Plasma estradiol-17 (E₂), testosterone (T), 17,20-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) and 17,20,21-tri-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (20-S) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in white perch (Morone americana) and white bass (M. chrysops) that were induced to undergo final oocyte maturation (FOM) with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Plasma DHP levels increased in females of both species in association with oocyte germinal vesicle migration (GVM) and germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and decreased thereafter. Plasma 20-S levels also increased with oocyte GVM in white bass, but were several-fold lower than DHP levels. Circulating E₂ and T levels were greatest during GVM and GVBD in both species and decreased to low levels during oocyte hydration and ovulation. Follicles from white perch and white bass which received a priming injection of hCG in vivo, produced both DHP and 20-S in vitro after exposure to hCG and their oocytes underwent GVBD. Ovarian incubates from unprimed fish of either species produced only E₂ and T and their oocytes did not complete GVBD. Oocytes from unprimed bass, but not perch, matured when follicles were exposed to hCG in vitro. Both trilostane and cycloheximide blocked in vitro production of DHP and 20-S and oocyte GVBD by white perch follices. DHP and 20-S were equipotent inducers of FOM in the GVBD bioassay. None of several other structurally-related steroids tested were effective within a physiological range of concentrations. These results indicate a role for DHP and 20-S in the control of FOM in white perch and white bass.     

Cardiac,ventilatory and metabolic responses of two ecologically dissimilar species of fish to waterborne cyanide

Changes in heart rate, ventilatory activity and oxygen consumption were determined in trout (Salmo gairdneri) and brown bullhead catfish (Ictalurus nebulosus) during exposure to a steadily increasing concentration of waterborne cyanide selected to produce death in 8–9 hours for each species. The lethal cyanide concentration for the bullheads was an order of magnitude higher than for trout. Trout developed an immediate and gradually increasing bradycardia throughout the exposure period. Cyanide produced tachycardia in the bullhead followed by a gradual onset of bradycardia as the concentration of cyanide was raised. Pericardial injection of atropine (a muscarinic cholinergic antagonist) indicated that bradycardia in the trout was due initially to increased vagal tone but later due to the direct effect of cyanide on the heart. Hyperventilation in the trout persisted throughout the exposure period, although the rate and amplitude fluctuated and was variable between individual fish. During the last hour of exposure (highest cyanide concentration), ventilation was characterized by rapid, shallow breaths followed by a sudden respiratory arrest. The bullheads exhibited hyperventilation during the first 3 hours of exposure followed by a gradual, linear drop in ventilation rate and amplitude until death occurred. Cardiac and ventilatory responses in both species were attributed to stimulation of central and peripheral chemoreceptors by cyanide. Evidence is presented which suggests the initial response in the bullheads was due, at least in part, to gustatory stimulation by the cyanide. Oxygen consumption of the trout remained above pre-exposure levels for the majority of the test period. Oxygen consumption in the bullhead paralleled the changes in heart and ventilatory rates. Whole-body lactate levels of fingerlings of both species during cyanide exposure were measured to estimate the extent of anaerobiosis. Whole-body lactate levels were much greater in the bullheads than the trout, indicating a higher capacity for anaerobiosis, possibly due to a greater fuel supply. Overall, the trout responded to cyanide in a manner similar to that produced by environmental hypoxia whereas the bullheads experienced a gustatory stimulus which masked the hypoxia-like response.     

An overview of stress physiology of fish transport: changes in water quality as a function of transport duration

This study brings an integrated analysis about the relationship between water deterioration and its physiological consequences in live fish transport. The analysis was focused on the transport water and its deterioration, and physiological challenges imposed on the fish. Usual commercial handling procedures employed to mitigate fish stress during transport were discussed. Future topics of research for the establishment of safer fish transport protocols were proposed. Transport was classified into short (≤8 h) or long transport (>8 h). The main issue in short transports should be the prevention of water pH reduction, while in long transports it is the increase in ammonia. Plasma cortisol is the most employed marker for stress and is acutely elevated upon short episodes of transport, but remains elevated even in long‐transport events. Plasma glucose is perhaps a better marker for handling stress. Plasma lactate, pH, osmolality CO₂ and ions should be more often evaluated. Plasma Na⁺ and Cl^‐ are very useful markers of acidosis, due to their respective exchange for H⁺ and , for acid–base regulation. The establishment of species‐specific transport protocols should be preceded by such combined analyses of water and physiological parameters.     

Are hatchery‐reared abalone naïve of predators? Comparing the behaviours of wild and hatchery‐reared northern abalone,Haliotis kamtschatkana (Jonas, 1845)

Abalone populations have declined worldwide, generating interest in enhancement using hatchery‐reared individuals. In many cases, such restoration efforts have met with limited success due to high predator‐induced mortality rates. Furthermore, the mortality rates of outplanted hatchery abalone are often considerably higher than for wild individuals. This study uses northern abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana) as a case study to determine whether hatchery‐reared abalone behave differently than their wild counterparts. In the field, outplanted hatchery‐reared abalone were significantly less responsive than wild abalone, in terms of number of abalone responding and intensity of response, to nearby movement and to physical contact with an inert probe. Also, when encountering a cue to which all abalone responded (a seastar predator), hatchery‐reared individuals remained subdued. Anti‐predator behavioural deficits in hatchery‐reared abalone were more pronounced in 4‐year‐old individuals than in 1‐year‐old individuals, suggesting an influence of either age or amount of time spent in the hatchery environment. These behavioural differences are expected to increase the vulnerability of hatchery‐reared abalone to predators, and are likely a major cause of their elevated predator‐induced mortality when outplanted.     

Effects of cadmium on the kinetics of calcium uptake in developing tilapia larvae, Oreochromis mossambicus

The toxic effects of Cd²⁺ on Ca²⁺ influx kinetics in developing tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) larvae were evaluated. Addition of 20 µg l^-1 of Cd²⁺ to the environment of 0 and 3 day-old larvae competitively inhibited the Ca²⁺ uptake within 4h resulting in a great increase in K_m values for Ca²⁺ influx (19.3 and 17.4 fold, respectively) as compared with their respective controls. Consequently, the actual Ca²⁺ influx of larvae in solutions of 0.2 mM Ca²⁺ are suppressed by 32–45%. Also, 3 day-old larvae were more sensitive to internally accumulated Cd²⁺ than 0 day-old larvae. Although the Ca²⁺ influx in 0 and 3 day-old larvae may be restored to the levels of their respective controls with 24h of being transferred to a 20 µg l^-1 Cd²⁺ solution, total body Ca²⁺ content was significantly reduced in 3 day-old larvae. Increased Ca²⁺ uptake efficiency ensures sufficient Ca²⁺ for normal growth. However, rapid increase in Ca²⁺ influx after hatching also leads to higher Cd²⁺ uptake. Exposure to Cd²⁺ will lead to a drop in body Ca²⁺ content resulting in retardation of larval growth. Therefore, we conclude that if Ca²⁺ uptake is interfered with at this critical stage of development, larvae will not be able to maintain normal levels of body Ca²⁺ and will show signs of Cd²⁺ poisoning.     

Migratory dynamics of stream-spawning longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus)

Abstract– Literature evidence suggests that lake-dwelling longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus) enter tributary streams to spawn, Until the present study, the dynamics of this breeding migration had never been investigated quantitatively. During the summers of 1991 and 1992, longnose gar were captured as they entered Weaubleau Creek, Missouri, a tributary of Harry S. Truman Reservoir. The in-stream spawning migration began in early April and ended in late May, and was positively correlated with stream flow and water level, and negatively correlated with water temperature. In-stream residence times ranged from 15 to 94 days, with males exhibiting longer residence times than females. Once in-stream, longnose gar travelled as far as 10 km upstream and occupied certain pools at greater relative frequencies. Although the reason for this preferential utilization is not completely understood, it may relate to pool depth and riffle proximity. Longnose gar disperse from the spawning stream great distances, with gar captured in Weaubleau Creek being recaptured up to 48 km away. This information should provide fisheries biologists the means to consider the reproductive ecology of this species in their conservation and management decisions.     

Nutritional regulation of hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation and polyunsaturated fatty acid composition in zebrafish (Danio rerio) and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The desaturation and elongation of [1-¹⁴C]18:3n-3 was investigated in hepatocytes of the tropical warm freshwater species, zebrafish (Danio rerio) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation/elongation pathway was assayed before and after the fish were fed two experimental diets, a control diet containing fish oil (FO) and a diet containing vegetable oil (VO; a blend of olive, linseed and high oleic acid sunflower oils) for 10 weeks. The VO diet was formulated to provide 1% each of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3, and so satisfy the possible EFA requirements of zebrafish and tilapia. At the end of the dietary trial, the lipid and fatty acid composition was determined in whole zebrafish, and liver, white muscle and brain of tilapia. Both zebrafish and tilapia expressed a hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation/elongation pattern consistent with them being freshwater and planktonivorous fish. The data also showed that hepatic fatty acid desaturation/elongation was nutritionally regulated with the activities being higher in fish fed the VO diet compared to fish fed the FO diet. In zebrafish, the main effect of the VO diet was increased fatty acid Δ6 desaturase activity resulting in the production of significantly more 18:4n-3 compared to fish fed the FO diet. In tilapia, all activities in the pathway were greater in fish fed the VO diet resulting in increased amounts of all fatty acids in the pathway, but primarily eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3). However, the fatty acid compositional data indicated that despite increased activity, desaturation of 18:3n-3 was insufficient to maintain tissue proportions of EPA and DHA in fish fed the VO diet at the same level as in fish fed the FO diet. Practically, these results indicate that manipulation of tilapia diets in commercial culture in response to the declining global fish oil market would have important consequences for fish fatty acid composition and the health of consumers. Scientifically, zebrafish and tilapia, both the subject of active genome mapping projects, could be useful models for studies of lipid and fatty acid metabolism at a molecular biological and genetic level. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Production of diatom–bacteria biofilm isolated from Seriola lalandi cultures for aquaculture application

Controlled incorporation of selected microalgae and bacteria in aquaculture systems can be beneficial because they can act as microbiological control. That is why the characteristics of biofilm generated naturally in Seriola lalandi culture cages were analysed, their potential benefit to the growth of larvae was studied, and their controlled use for improving the larval viability and as a vector to improve incorporation of previously studied probiotic bacteria was tested. According to biodiversity results, these biofilms are composed of a diatom–bacteria mix showing a decrease in biodiversity in laboratory culture conditions being dominated by Navicula phyllepta and bacteria of the family Rhodobacteraceae. This can be produced on mesh substrates incorporated in bioreactors with rapid growth rate and adhesiveness. Preliminary results from the addition of substrates with this specific biofilm in larvae culture systems showed that it is consumed by the larvae without negative effects, while positive effects on the viability of larvae in combination with probiotics were observed. Considering preliminary results, the addition of these specific substrates with diatom–bacteria biofilms could be a good improvement for aquaculture systems and together with the use of probiotics can contribute to maintaining a stable and controlled system improving the viability of the larval fish culture in its early stages.