Acute toxicity of nitrite to mud crab Scylla serrata (Forsskål) larvae

Early larval stages of mud crab Scylla serrata were exposed to different concentrations of nitrite (40, 80 and 160 mg L⁻¹ and a control, without added nitrite) and three salinity levels (25, 30 and 35 g L⁻¹) using a static renewal method. No interactive effect of nitrite and salinity was detected. Estimated LT₅₀ in 96‐h toxicity tests decreased in all stages with increasing nitrite concentrations in all salinity levels. The 96‐h LC₅₀ values of nitrite‐N were 41.58, 63.04, 25.54, 29.98 and 69.93 mg L⁻¹ for zoea 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. As the larvae grew, they showed a progressive increase in tolerance to nitrite. The toxicity of nitrite to larvae increased with exposure time. The median lethal concentration was not affected by salinity. The chloride component of salinity within 25–35 g L⁻¹ did not seem to be as effective in alleviating toxicity as has been reported in other crustacean species. Based on 96‐h LC₅₀ and an application factor of 0.1, the ‘safe level’ of rearing mud crab larvae was calculated to be 4.16, 6.30, 2.55, 2.99 and 6.99 mg L⁻¹ nitrite‐N for zoea 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively.     

Formalin as an alternative to trifluralin as prophylaxis against fungal infection in mud crab Scylla serrata (Forsskål) larvae

The toxicity of formalin and trifluralin to the larval stages of the mud crab Scylla serrata was compared in a static bioassay. Prophylactic doses of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 μg L⁻¹ formalin and 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 μg L⁻¹ trifluralin were used. Toxicity was assessed on the basis of survival of larvae after 24, 48, 72 and 96 h exposure to the test chemicals and metamorphosis to the next larval stage. Result shows that larval survival in all stages was significantly reduced at concentrations of 20 and 25 μg L⁻¹ formalin whereas larvae were able to tolerate all trifluralin treatments. However, larvae became more tolerant to high formalin concentrations as the larval stage progressed. Survival was better at 5, 10 and 15 μg L⁻¹ formalin and in all trifluralin treatments than the control in almost all the larval stages. Faster metamorphosis was observed at 5 and 10 μg L⁻¹ formalin and 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 μg L⁻¹ trifluralin concentrations. Doses of formalin and trifluralin obtained from the toxicity experiments were applied as prophylaxis to newly hatched larvae in white plastic basins. Prophylactic doses of 5 and 10 μg L⁻¹ formalin and 0.05 and 0.1 μg L⁻¹ trifluralin applied every other day were found to be effective in enhancing survival and larval development to megalopa compared with control. However, no megalopae survived to crab instar in all formalin treatments. Although the use of fungicides in rearing systems resulted in higher survival compared with controls, other strategies (i.e. maintenance of good water quality and hygienic practices in the hatchery) should be further investigated as an alternative to the use of chemicals in hatcheries.     

Effects of temperature and salinity on oxygen consumption of tawny puffer Takifugu flavidus juvenile

The respiratory rates of Tawny puffer Takifugu flavidus juvenile were measured at four temperatures (20, 23, 26 and 29 °C) and seven salinities (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 g L^?1). The results showed that both temperature and salinity significantly affected the oxygen consumption of tawny puffer juvenile. The oxygen consumption rate (OCR) increased significantly with an increase in the temperature from 20 to 29 °C. Over the entire experimental temperature range (20–29 °C), the Q₁₀ value was 1.59, and the lowest Q₁₀ value was found between 23 and 26 °C. The optimal temperature for the juvenile lies between 23 °C and 26 °C. The OCR at 25 g L^?1 was the highest among all salinity treatments. The OCRs show a parabolic relationship with salinity (5–35 g L^?1). From the quadratic relationship, the highest OCR was predicted to occur at 23.56 g L^?1. The optimal salinity range for the juvenile is from 23 to 25 g L^?1. The results of this study are useful towards facilitating an increase in the production of the species juvenile culture.     

Effects of salinity and temperature during incubation on hatching and development of lingcod Ophiodon elongatus Girard, embryos

The interactive effects of salinity and temperature on development and hatching success of lingcod, Ophiodon elongatus Girard, were studied by incubating eggs at four temperatures (6, 9, 12 and 15°C) and five salinities (15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 g L^?1). Hatch did not occur in any of the 15°C treatments. Degree days (°C days) to first hatch was not influenced by temperature or salinity, however, calendar days to first hatch differed significantly for temperature (P<0.0001, 61±1, 44±1 and 35±1 days for 6, 9 and 12°C respectively). Degree days to 50% (427.1±4.2) hatch was not significantly influenced by temperature but was by salinity (P=0.0324). Viable hatch (live with no deformities, 74.1±4.0%) was greatest at 9°C and 25 g L^?1 but not significantly different in the range of 20–30 g L^?1. Larval length (9.4±0.13 mm) was greatest at 9°C and 20–30 g L^?1. Temperature and salinity significantly influenced all categories of deformities with treatments at the upper (12°C and 35 g L^?1) and lower limits (6°C and 15 g L^?1) producing the greatest deformities. The optimal temperature and salinity for incubating Puget Sound lingcod eggs was found to be 9°C and 20–30 g L^?1.     

Salinity and temperature effects on whole-animal thyroid hormone levels in larval and juvenile striped bass,Morone saxatilis

Whole-animal thyroxine (T₄) and 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine (T₃) levels were measured in larval and juvenile striped bass, Morone saxatilis, reared for 10 days at one of three levels of salinity (equivalent to fresh water (FW), one-third seawater (1/3 SW), and seawater (SW) and two temperatures (15°C and 20°C). The striped bass were pre-metamorphic larvae, metamorphic larvae or juveniles. The short-term effects of seawater on plasma T₄ levels of juvenile striped bass were also measured. Higher salinities increased T₄ levels in premetamorphic larvae. In metamorphic larvae, SW and 1/3 SW increased T₄ levels and SW increased T₃ levels at 20°C. This response was eliminated in those at 15°C. Whole-animal thyroid hormone content was unaffected by salinity or temperature in juvenile striped bass, although significant fluctuations in plasma T₄ levels occurred in those transferred to 1/3 SW and SW. The thyroid axis of striped bass responds to salinity and temperature as early as in the pre-metamorphic stage. Thyroid hormones may mediate the beneficial effects of salinity on larval striped bass growth and survival.     

The combined effects of temperature and salinity on embryos and larvae of the black-lip pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera (L.)

This paper reports on a 4 × 4 factorial design experiment conducted to examine the combined effects of temperature and salinity on embryonic development and growth and survival of black-lip pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera (L.) larvae. The temperatures used were 20 °C, 25 °C, 30 °C and 35 °C, and the salinities were 25°/_oo, 30°/_oo, 35°/_oo and 40°/_oo. Response surface contour diagrams were generated from the survival and growth data to estimate optimal conditions. Normal development of embryos occurred only from 25 °C to 30 °C. The optimal conditions for maximum survival and growth were 26–29 °C and 28–32°/_oo. Temperatures of 35 °C or greater were lethal for larvae and, at all temperatures tested, larval growth and survival were lowest at a salinity of 40°/_oo.     

The larval rearing of the marine ornamental crab, Mithraculus forceps (A. Milne Edwards, 1875) (Decapoda: Brachyura: Majidae)

The goal of this study is to develop a larviculture protocol for Mithraculus forceps, a popular marine aquarium species. Different temperatures (25±0.5°C and 28±0.5°C), stocking densities (10, 20, 40 and 80 larvae L^?1), prey densities (newly hatched Artemia of 1, 4, 7 and 12 nauplii mL^?1) and metamorphosis to crab conditions (Systems A and B) were tested. The best survivorship and faster development were obtained when the larvae were reared at a density of 40 larvae L^?1 for 7 days post hatching (DPH) in System A, at 28°C and fed with 7 mL^?1 of newly hatched Artemia nauplii. After 7 DPH all the megalopa were moved to System B and the same temperature and prey density were maintained. At the end of the experiment, 12 DPH, survivorship of 74.1±4.8% was obtained.     

Larval growth, survival and development of Metapenaeus monoceros (Fabricius) cultured in different salinities

Larvae of Metapenaeus monoceros (Fabricius) at protozoea 1 (PZ1) stage were stocked in 2‐L glass flasks to investigate the effects of various salinities (25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 and 55 ppt) on growth and survival until the post‐larval (PL) stages. The PZ larvae were not able to tolerate a sudden salinity drop of over 10 ppt. Yet, an abrupt salinity increase of over 10 or even 15 ppt did not cause mortality. The PZ larvae were successfully acclimated to different test salinities at a rate of 4 ppt h^?1. The larvae displayed better tolerance to high rather than low salinities. The lowest and highest critical salinities appeared to be 22 and 55 ppt respectively. Taking into account survival, growth and development results, the optimal salinity for the larval culture of M. monoceros inhabiting the Eastern Mediterranean was 40 ppt. At this salinity, the PZ1 larvae were successfully cultured until PL1 stage within 11 days with 68% survival on a feeding regime of Tetraselmis chuii Kylin (Butcher) (20 cells μ L^?1), Chaetoceros calcitrans Paulsen (50 cells μ L^?1), Isochrysis galbana Parke (30 cells μL^?1) and five newly hatched Artemia nauplii mL^?1 from M1 onwards at 28 °C.     

Effect of salinity on survival, growth, oxygen consumption and ammonia-N excretion of juvenile whiteleg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei

In this study, we tested the lower salinity tolerance of juvenile shrimps (Litopenaeus vannamei) at a relatively low temperature (20 °C). In the first of two laboratory experiments, we first abruptly transferred shrimps (6.91 ± 0.05 g wet weight, mean ± SE) from the rearing salinity (35 000 mg L^?1) to salinities of 5000, 15 000, 25 000, 35 000 (control) and 40 000 mg L^?1 at 20 °C. The survival of L. vannamei juvenile was not affected by salinities from 15 000 to 40 000 mg L^?1 during the 96‐h exposure periods. Shrimps exposed to 5000 mg L^?1 were significantly affected by salinity, with a survival of 12.5% after 96 h. The 24‐, 48‐ and 96‐h lethal salinity for 50% (LS₅₀) were 7020, 8510 and 9540 mg L^?1 respectively. In the second experiment, shrimps (5.47 ± 0.09 g wet weight, mean ± SE) were acclimatized to the different salinity levels (5000, 15 000, 25 000, 35 000 and 40 000 mg L^?1) and then maintained for 30 days at 20 °C. Results showed that the survival was significantly lower at 5000 mg L^?1 than at other salinity levels, but the final wet weight under 5000 mg L^?1 treatment was significantly higher than those under other treatments (P<0.05). Feed intake (FI) of shrimp under 5000 mg L^?1 was significantly lower than those of shrimp under 150 00–40 000 mg L^?1; food conversion efficiency (FCE), however, showed a contrasting change (P<0.05). Furthermore, salinity significantly influenced the oxygen consumption rates, ammonia‐N excretion rates and the O/N ratio of test shrimps (P<0.05). The results obtained in our work provide evidence that L. vannamei juveniles have limited capacity to tolerate salinities <10 000 mg L^?1 at a relatively low temperature (20 °C). Results also show that L. vannamei juvenile can recover from the abrupt salinity change between 15 000 and 40 000 mg L^?1 within 24 h.     

Improved techniques for rearing mud crab Scylla paramamosain (Estampador 1949) larvae

A series of rearing trials in small 1 L cones and large tanks of 30–100 L were carried out to develop optimal rearing techniques for mud crab (Scylla paramamosain) larvae. Using water exchange (discontinuous partial water renewal or continuous treatment through biofiltration) and micro‐algae (Chlorella or Chaetoceros) supplementation (daily supplementation at 0.1–0.2 million cells mL⁻¹ or maintenance at 1–2 millions cells mL⁻¹), six different types of rearing systems were tried. The combination of a green‐water batch system for early stages and a recirculating system with micro‐algae supplementation for later stages resulted in the best overall performance of the crab larvae. No clear effects of crab stocking density (50–200 larvae L⁻¹) and rotifer (30–60 rotifers mL⁻¹) and Artemia density (10–20 L⁻¹) were observed. A stocking density of 100–150 zoea 1 (Z1) L⁻¹, combined with rotifer of 30–45 mL⁻¹ for early stages and Artemia feeding at 10–15 nauplii mL⁻¹ for Z3–Z5 seemed to produce the best performance of S. paramamosain larvae. Optimal rations for crab larvae should, however, be adjusted depending on the species, larval stage, larval status, prey size, rearing system and techniques. A practical feeding schedule could be to increase live food density from 30 to 45 rotifers mL⁻¹ from Z1 to Z2 and increase the number of Artemia nauplii mL⁻¹ from 10 to 15 from Z3 to Z5. Bacterial disease remains one of the key factors underlying the high mortality in the zoea stages. Further research to develop safe prophylactic treatments is therefore warranted. Combined with proper live food enrichment techniques, application of these findings has sustained a survival rate from Z1 to crab 1–2 stages in large rearing tanks of 10–15% (maximum 30%).     

Combined effects of salinity and potassium concentration on juvenile mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus, Temminck and Schlegel) in inland saline groundwater

This paper reports on experiments conducted to examine the combined effects of salinity and potassium concentration on survival and growth of juvenile mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus, Temminck and Schlegel) in inland saline groundwater. Three separate experiments were conducted in 20 (±1)°C water. In the first experiment, mulloway were held in 60 L aquaria (triplicate) with salinities of 5, 15, 25 or 35 g L^?1 and potassium concentrations of 20%, 40%, 60% or 80% of the concentration present in oceanic water of the equivalent salinity in a 4 × 4 factorial combination for 7 days. Response surface contour diagrams were generated from survival data to estimate optimal conditions. The results showed that maximum survival of juvenile mulloway occurred at salinities of >14 g L^?1 and potassium concentrations of >38%. Survival was lowest at salinities of <7 and >33 g L^?1 and potassium concentrations of <25%. The second experiment was conducted with mulloway held in 60 L aquaria at salinities of 15, 25 or 35 g L^?1 and potassium concentrations of 40%, 60%, 80% or 100% in a 3 × 4 factorial combination for 44 days. Optimal conditions for maximum survival and growth of mulloway were within a salinity range of 15–35 g L^?1 and potassium concentration above 40%. The third experiment was conducted in three 500 L tanks to record the survival and growth of mulloway fingerlings held at 20 (±1)°C, 23 g L^?1 salinity and potassium concentrations of 50% for 8 months. Survival and growth of mulloway fingerling in inland saline groundwater were similar to those reported from a semi‐intensive floating tank system in inland saline water and sea cage trials in oceanic water.     

Assessment of temperature or salinity effects on larval development by catecholamine‐induced metamorphosis of hatchery‐reared flat oyster,Ostrea angasi (Sowerby 1871) larvae

A need to improve larval rearing techniques led to the development of protocols for catecholamine‐induced settlement of flat oyster, Ostrea angasi, larvae. To further refine these techniques and optimize settlement percentages, the influence of salinity or temperature on development of O. angasi larvae was assessed using epinephrine‐induced metamorphosis. Larvae were reared between salinities of 15–35 and temperatures between 14.5 and 31°C. The greatest percentage survival, growth, development occurred when larvae were reared between 26 and 29°C and between salinities of 30 and 35. Larvae reared outside this salinity and temperature range exhibited reduced growth, survival and/or delayed development. Short‐term (1 h) reduction in larval rearing temperature from 26°C to 23.5°C significantly increased larval metamorphosis without affecting larval survival. Short‐term (1 h) increase in larval rearing temperature from 26°C to 29 and 31°C decreased larval survival and metamorphosis. To ensure repeatability in outcomes, tests showed that larvae sourced from different estuaries did not vary significantly in their metamorphic response to short‐term temperature manipulation and epinephrine‐induced metamorphosis.     

Effects of culture conditions on larval growth and survival of stalked barnacles (Pollicipes pollicipes)

Pollicipes pollicipes (Crustacea: Scalpelliformes) is a highly prized food in Portugal and Spain and consequently a species of considerable interest to aquaculture. Surprisingly, however, larval culture conditions for this barnacle have not been optimized. This study investigated the effects of temperature, diet, photoperiod and salinity on the growth and survival of P. pollicipes larvae. Temperature had a significant effect on specific growth rate (2.6–5.9% total width per day, from 11 to 24°C), reducing mean development time to the cyprid from 25 days at 11 °C to 10 days at 24°C, although this was accompanied by a significant increase in mortality to over 90% above 22°C. Mid‐range temperatures (15–20°C) maximized total survival (19–31% respectively). Algal diets of Tetraselmis suecica, T. suecica/Skeletonema marinoi and S. marinoi/Isochrysis galbana did not affect specific growth rate significantly, but survival (on average 39% in 15 days) and the proportion of high‐quality healthy cyprids was significantly higher on the latter two diets (11–15% of initial number of larvae). Photoperiod did not significantly affect the survival, although specific growth rate was significantly higher at 24:0 and 16:8 L:D. Salinity (20–40 g L^?1 range) did not affect growth and survival significantly. The best growth and survival were accomplished using rearing temperatures of 15–20°C, daily feeding with T. suecica/S. marinoi or I. galbana/S. marinoi and a photoperiod of 24:0 L:D.     

Effect of recovery salinity on survival of acutely stressed halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L) larvae

First‐feeding halibut larvae (245‐day degrees; 40 days post hatch), reared at 34 g L^?1 salinity and 7°C, were subjected to handling and allowed to recover in a range of salinities (0–34 g L^?1) and at 10°C. Survival of the unfed larvae was determined daily for 18 days. Mortality rates approached 0 after 4 days in all treatments and presumed starvation‐induced mortality started at about 11 days post handling. By 20 days post treatments, all larvae had died. Salinities in the range of 10–20 g L^?1 produced significantly (anova , P<0.01) higher initial survival (71–95%) than salinities above 20 g L^?1 (24–48%) or below 10 g L^?1 (0–19%) and this survival pattern changed little in unfed larvae for the first 10 days following the stressor. For example, 24 hour post handling, survival of halibut was improved from 28.7±16.5% (mean±standard error, n=3) at 34.0 g L^?1 to 95.2±4.8% at 13 g L^?1. A second‐order polynomial regression of 4‐day post‐handling survival data (y=?0.002x ²+0.0603x+0.0699, r²=0.3936) predicted a maximum survival at 15.1 g L^?1 salinity. These results have important implications for halibut aquaculture and research when handling of larvae is unavoidable. For practical applications, we recommend reducing salinity of receiving waters to 15–20 g L^?1 with a slow (3–4 days) reacclimation to ambient conditions.     

OPTIMAL SALINITY-TEMPERATURE COMBINATIONS FOR THE EARLY LIFE STAGES OF GILTHEAD BREAM,Sparus auratus L.

High larval mortalities during rearing of gilthead bream, Sparus auratus L., led to experiments on the influence of salinity and temperature on eggs and yolk-sac larvae. Test salinities ranged from 5 to 70 ppt for eggs and from 15 to 45 ppt for larvae; experimental temperatures were 18–20°C for eggs and 18, 23 and 26°C for larvae. Spawning conditions were 18–20°C and 33–35 ppt salinity; the yolk-sac larvae were chosen from hatches obtained under similar conditions (18°C and 35 ppt salinity). For eggs the optimum survival range was found to be 30–50 ppt at 18°C and 15–60 ppt at 23°C, while that for yolk-sac larvae was 15–25 ppt at all three temperatures. Choosing normal development (no dorsal curvature) as the decisive criterion, the optimum salinity range for egg incubation was reduced to 30–40 ppt at 18°C and to 35–45 ppt at 23°C, while that for the yolk-sac stage remained 15–25 ppt at all test temperatures. Egg incubation was most successful at salinity-temperature combinations close to those during spawning, whereas salinity had to be reduced by at least 10 ppt for yolk-sac larvae.     

Influence of feeding regime and temperature on development and settlement of oyster Ostrea edulis (Linnaeus, 1758) larvae

Under controlled conditions of food density and temperature, larval performances (ingestion, growth, survival and settlement success) of the flat oyster, Ostrea edulis, were investigated using a flow‐through rearing system. In the first experiment, oyster larvae were reared at five different phytoplankton densities (70, 500, 1500, 2500 and 3500 μm³ μL^?1: ≈1, 8, 25, 42 and 58 cells μL^?1 equivalent TCg), and in the second, larvae were grown at four different temperatures (15, 20, 25 and 30°C). Overall, larvae survived a wide range of food density and temperature, with high survival recorded at the end of the experiments. Microalgae concentration and temperature both impacted significantly larval development and settlement success. A mixed diet of Chaetoceros neogracile and Tisochrysis lutea (1:1 cell volume) maintained throughout the whole larval life at a concentration of 1500 μm³ μL^?1 allowed the best larval development of O. edulis at 25°C with high survival (98%), good growth (16 μm day^?1) and high settlement success (68%). In addition, optimum larval development (survival ≥97%; growth ≥17 μm day^?1) and settlement (≥78%) were achieved at 25 and 30°C, at microalgae concentrations of 1500 μm³ μL^?1. In contrast, temperature of 20°C led to lower development (≤10 μm day^?1) and weaker settlement (≤27%), whereas at 15°C, no settlement occurred. The design experiments allowed the estimation of the maximum surface‐area‐specific ingestion rate  = 120 ± 4 μm³ day^?1 μm^?2, the half saturation coefficient {X_K} = 537 ± 142 μm³ μL^?1 and the Arrhenius temperature T_A = 8355 K. This contribution put a tangible basis for a future O. edulis Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) larval growth model.     

Survival of blue king crab Paralithodes platypus Brandt, 1850, larvae in cultivation: effects of diet, temperature and rearing density

Blue king crab (Paralithodes platypus) larvae were cultivated to test the effects of diet, temperature and rearing density. Dietary treatments included no feeding (unfed), Artemia nauplii enriched with diatoms Thalassiosira nordenskioeldii (THAL), unenriched Artemia fed in addition to Thalassiosira (A+THAL) and a control diet of Artemia enriched with frozen Isochrysis paste (ISO 6). Trials were conducted at 6 °C, and a rearing density of 10 zoea L^?1, with six replicates per treatment. The ISO 6 diet was also tested at 3 °C (ISO 3) and 9 °C (ISO 9), and at densities of 20 (ISO 20) and 40 (ISO 40) zoea L^?1. Survival of zoea larvae fed the A+THAL diet (91.7%) was significantly higher than all others, whereas unfed zoea larvae died within 2 weeks. Temperature and rearing density had no significant effects on survival. Time required to reach stage C1 was significantly greater at 3 °C (109 days) than at 6 °C (70 days), but did not decrease further at 9 °C. After reaching the postlarval (glaucothoe) stage, half of the replicates in the ISO 20 and ISO 40 treatments were fed continuously, but survival did not differ significantly from unfed glaucothoe. We conclude that blue king crab larvae are not lecithotrophic and can be cultivated with high survival using the proper diet. These techniques can be used to produce large numbers of juvenile crab for laboratory research, or could be modified for use in stock‐enhancement programmes.     

Baseline culture parameters for the cyclopoid copepod Oithona colcarva: a potential new live feed for marine fish larviculture

Feeding copepods during early larval culture stages of marine fish has proven to be advantageous for growth and survival of marine finfish larvae. However, commercial availability of most copepods is limited; thus, there is an impetus to evaluate promising copepod species to meet the diverse dietary demands of various marine fish. The marine cyclopoid copepod, Oithona colcarva, was isolated out of zooplankton samples taken from waters within Tampa Bay, Florida. Once isolated, trials were conducted to determine the appropriate culture parameters for producing nauplii to feed marine fish larvae. The effects of temperature (22°C, 26°C and 30°C), salinity (15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 g L^?1), stocking density (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 and 8.0 individuals mL^?1) and diet (Nanno 3600 microalgae paste, Colurella adriatica, Rhodomonas lens, Tisochrysis lutea, Chaetoceros gracilis and/or Tetraselmis chuii) on nauplii production during a single life cycle of reproducing individuals were examined. Results of those trials indicated that a culture temperature of 30°C and a salinity of 30 g L^?1 were advantageous for maximum nauplii production. Furthermore, a diet containing a 1:1:1 mixture of T. lutea, C. gracilis and T. chuii and a stocking density of at least 8 individuals mL^?1 were identified as beneficial. The results of these trials, the potential for large‐scale culture and observations on the performance of marine fish larvae fed Oithona colcarva nauplii are discussed.     

Effect of temperature and salinity on virulence of Edwardsiella tarda to Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus (Temminck et Schlegel)

Experiments were designed to determine the effects of temperature and salinity on the virulence of Edwardsiella tarda to Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. In the temperature experiment, a two‐factor design was conducted to evaluate the effects of both pathogen incubation temperature and fish cultivation temperature on pathogen virulence. E. tarda was incubated at 15, 20, 25 and 30±1°C, and the fish (mean weight: 10 g) were reared at 15, 20 and 25±1°C respectively. The fish reared at different temperatures were infected with the E. tarda incubated at different temperatures. The results of a 4‐day LD₅₀ test showed that temperature significantly affected the virulence of E. tarda (P<0.01) and the interaction between the two factors was also significant (P<0.01). For fish reared at 15°C the virulence of E. tarda was the highest at 25°C of pathogen incubation, followed by 20, 15 and 30°C. When the fish rearing temperature was raised to 20 and 25°C, the virulence of E. tarda incubated at all temperatures increased. Isolation testing demonstrated results similar to those of LD₅₀. The higher rearing temperature increased the proliferation rate of the pathogen in fish. In the salinity experiment, the incubation salinity of E. tarda was at 0, 10, 20 and 30 g L^?1, respectively, and the fish with mean weight of 50 g were cultured in natural seawater of 30 g L^?1. The results of one‐way anova in 4‐day LD₅₀ test showed that incubation salinity significantly affected virulence. Virulence was lower when the salinity of the incubation medium was at 0 and 30 g L^?1, higher at 10 and 20 g L^?1. The results of isolation test were in accordance with those of LD₅₀. At 20 g L^?1E. tarda had a faster proliferation rate than that at 10 g L^?1.     

Growth of juvenile common snook (Centropomus undecimalis Bloch, 1792) reared at different temperatures and salinities: Morphometric parameters,RNA/DNA,and protein/DNA ratios

We investigated the growth of juvenile common snook (Centropomus undecimalis) reared at 25°C and 28°C and salinities of 0.3, 15, and 32 g L^?1. Total length, weight, RNA/DNA, and protein/DNA ratios were determined after 90 days of experiment. Higher growth was observed at 28ºC compared with 25°C, at the same salinity. At 28°C and 15 g L^?1 salinity, the weight (25.14 g) of juveniles was twice that of the juveniles reared at the lower temperature. At different salinities, only higher temperature affected growth, with higher weight values obtained at 15 g L^?1 in comparison with 0.3 and 32 g L^?1. Length was similar at 0.3 and 15 g L^?1. The RNA/DNA ratio was greater in juveniles reared at a salinity of 15 g L^?1 when compared with 0.3 and 32 g L^?1. This study shows that the combination of higher temperature and intermediate salinity promotes better growth of common snook juveniles.