Association between longline design and mussel productivity in Prince Edward Island, Canada

The first objective of this study was to document the design of subsurface longlines used for the farming of blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) in Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada; the second objective was to identify possible associations between longline design and mussel growth. In 2003, SCUBA divers visited 54 farms distributed in 16 culture embayments; they measured the spacing between longlines and the spacing between individual socks (sleeves) attached to longlines; they also sampled one-year-old mussels for the determination of the shell length, condition index, and sock weight. Here we report a remarkable degree of variation in longline configuration, with the following range of values: 1.2 to 3.0 m for sock length, 1.5 to 29.5 m for longline spacing, 26.4 to 62.4 cm for sock spacing, and 6.2 to 179.9 socks/100 m² for stocking density at the farm scale. A negative correlation was found between stocking density at the farm scale and total farming area at the bay scale, suggesting that growers adjusted husbandry in relation to the surrounding level of farming activity. In one major culture bay, Tracadie Bay, measurements were repeated over a three-year period (2002-2004). This monitoring led to the discovery of a coordinated effort by growers in raising the average sock spacing by 30% (+ 11 cm). Multiple regression analyses identified sock spacing as the only explanatory variable correlated with mussel weight in Tracadie Bay. The model suggests that an 11-cm increase in sock spacing can lead to an 18% weight gain for pre-market mussels (∼ 34 mm), the size group investigated in the study. However, this correlation between sock spacing and sock weight was tenuous over the three-year study period, showing up only in 2002. A similar correlation was found between sock spacing and condition index, although only in 2004. We conclude by suggesting that close spacing of mussel socks can negatively affect mussel yield, although only under certain conditions.     

Population ecology parameters and biomass of golden grey mullet (Liza aurata) in Iranian waters of the Caspian Sea

This paper examines the changes in the population ecology parameters and biomass of golden grey mullet (Liza aurata) in Iranian waters of the Caspian Sea from 1991 to 2005. For most years during this 14-year period, we estimated the age structure of the catch, length–weight relationship, von Bertalanffy growth parameters, condition factor, natural and fishing mortality and biomass. Growth parameters were estimated as L_∞ = 62.7 cm, K = 0.15 year⁻¹, t₀ = −0.23 year⁻¹. The instantaneous coefficient of natural mortality was estimated as 0.350 year⁻¹ and the instantaneous coefficient of fishing mortality varied during the 14-year period between 0.111 to 0.539 year⁻¹. Biomass estimates of golden grey mullet, from the biomass-based cohort analysis were increased from 13,527 mt in 1991–1992 to 23,992 mt in 2002–2003. In 2004–2005, it was estimated to be 23,658 mt. We concluded that at the present time, the stock of golden grey mullet is not being over-fished.     

Feeding and gut evacuation of cultured juvenile spiny lobsters, Jasus edwardsii

Low feed consumption has been suggested as a major impediment for the development of effective formulated diets for spiny lobsters. To seek an explanation for the low feed consumption, this study compared the feed consumption, appetite revival, foregut evacuation and fecal production of different sizes of spiny lobster Jasus edwardsii juveniles fed a fresh natural diet (i.e. mussel flesh) and a dry formulated diet. In addition, the effect of feeding frequency was determined by feeding juvenile lobsters the same ration of formulated diet at different time intervals. i.e., same ration delivered 3 week^− 1, 1 day^− 1, 2 day^− 1, 5 day^− 1 and 5 night^− 1. Lobster (10–15 g) growth and feed consumption (1.15% BW day^− 1) was maximized when receiving a single ration daily of the formulated diet. A slow appetite revival (AR > 18 h) on the formulated diet was consistent with the negative effect of increasing feeding frequency on growth and consumption. In addition, there appeared to be no major advantage in dry matter intake by providing the nutrient dense dry formulated diet to Jasus edwardsii. Lobsters fed fresh mussel flesh (79.8% moisture) consumed similar levels of dry matter as those lobsters fed the dry formulated feed (7.3% moisture). This appears to be due to high moisture gain and expansion of the dry feed in the lobster foregut. Foregut evacuation lasted 10 h for the two diets but a delay in initial foregut evacuation and processing of the formulated diet was evident, and may have negatively affected feed consumption, appetite revival and dry matter digestibility (61.2%) of the dry formulated diet compared to the mussel flesh diet (89.2%). Appetite revival on mussel flesh was almost complete by 12 h after a satiation ration and was governed primarily by the rate of foregut evacuation. Differences in the timing of foregut evacuation and fecal production between the two diets suggested that a greater proportion of the formulated diet entered the midgut directly.The results indicate that J. edwardsii cannot achieve high levels of feed consumption on formulated diets because gut throughput is reduced due to a small foregut capacity, expansion of the feed post-ingestion, lengthy foregut filling time (1–2 h) and clearance time (10 h), combined with slow gut throughput time (34–42 h) and appetite revival (> 18 h). A slow appetite revival and difficulties in processing and digestion of formulated diets appear as major issues to be resolved to improve the performance of formulated diets required for the commercial aquaculture of J. edwardsii and possibly other spiny lobsters.     

Salinity effects on reproduction of giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man)

Understanding the role of salinity in breeding and growth has the potential to enhance production of giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii. This study investigated the reproduction of females reared in salinities of 0, 6, 12, and 18 g L^− 1. Mean weight of females decreased with increased salinity (31.40 ± 1.54, 25.14 ± 1.16, 20.80 ± 0.81, and 16.62 ± 1.04 g at 0, 6, 12, and 18 g L^− 1, respectively). Larval production was delayed by 2 months in females reared in 12 g L^− 1 compared to 6 and 0 g L^− 1 and the cumulative number of berried females decreased with increased salinity. The number of larvae produced was positively correlated to weight of female. A larval production not only differed between salinity treatments, but also that larval production per gram of female differed between treatments. Females reared in lower salinity of 0 and 6 g L^− 1 produced larger numbers of larvae (12,155 ± 480 and 6519 ± 323, respectively) compared to 12 and 18 g L^− 1 (3751 ± 256 and 0, respectively). The number of larvae produced per gram of female was inversely related to the salinity levels (Y = − 37.54X + 685.65, n = 339, r² = 0.995, p < 0.05). Survival of larvae from females reared at 0 and 6 g L^− 1 was higher than those from females reared in 12 g L^− 1. This study clearly shows that female broodstock reared in lower salinity was larger, reproduced early, and produced more offspring than at higher salinity and this could significantly impact coastal prawn culture where seasonal fluctuation of salinity in the hatchery is common.     

Fecundity and growth-dependent mortality of Pacific anchovy (Engraulis japonicus) in Korean coastal waters

We propose a method of estimating natural mortality of marine pelagic fishes, especially for early-life stages, based on their fecundity. To estimate size-dependent fecundity, growth and mortality of Pacific anchovy (Engraulis japonicus), the most abundant fish species in coastal waters off the Korean peninsula, we undertook a synthesis of results from past studies and data. Assuming that the growth coefficient K varies with water temperature, we derived a modified von Bertalanffy growth equation covering all life stages based on otolith analysis of anchovies collected from southwestern coastal area of Korea in 1996. By revisting a past study on spawning and egg production of anchovies in the southern Korean coastal waters, we calculated a monthly-averaged fraction of mature females spawning per day to estimate that an average female anchovy spawns 36 times per year, and that the mean number of eggs produced by an average female is ca. 160 × 10³ yr⁻¹. Accepting the ‘bigger-is-better’ hypothesis, we derived a theoretical mortality curve that assumes instantaneous natural mortality as an inverse function of anchovy body length. Assuming equilibrium status of stock, estimated annual instantaneous mortality of anchovy between egg to age-1 stage was 11.3 yr⁻¹ and estimated size-specific mortality was 1.24 d⁻¹ mm in fork length. The derived theoretical mortality curve fit well the stage-specific mortalities, which were estimated independently based on ichthyoplankton surveys and anchovy samples collected by commercial nets, but underestimated the egg mortality (0.89 d⁻¹ vs. 0.83 d⁻¹).     

Mass production of Rhodopseudomonas palustris as diet for aquaculture

Three different types of anaerobic fermentations were used for the mass production of the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris as diet for aquaculture. The optimum agitation speed and malate concentration were 300 r.p.m. and 0.2% in the modified MYC medium, respectively. In batch fermentations of R. palustris, the maximum number of viable cells was 1.1×10¹⁰ c.f.u. ml⁻¹ with 2.65 g l⁻¹ of DCW, and the maximum specific growth rate and biomass productivity were estimated to be 0.12 h⁻¹ and 55 mg l⁻¹ h⁻¹, respectively. Crude protein content of R. palustris was about 72–74%. The composition of stearic acid and oleic acid of R. palustris was superior to those of Chlorella and yeasts, while that of other fatty acids tested was not. The amino acid profiles of the protein hydrolysate compared favorably with Food Agricultural Organization (FAO) guidelines. The biomass productivities from fed-batch experiments were found to be 50, 47 and 49 mg l⁻¹ h⁻¹ for linear, exponential, and sigmoidal feeding strategy, respectively. The maximum biomass productivity was found to be 112 mg l⁻¹ h⁻¹ in chemostat. Compared to growth in batch cultures, continuous fermentation yielded two times higher biomass productivity.     

Existence of APGWamide in the testis and its induction of spermiation in Haliotis asinina Linnaeus

Immunolocalization by using rabbit polyclonal antibody against APGWamide demonstrated that there was APGWamide immunoreactivity (APGW-ir) in the varicosed nerve fibers in the capsule, connective tissue and trabeculae of the testis whereas there was no APGW-ir in the ovary of sexually mature broodstocks of Haliotis asinina. In vivo bioassay, by injecting APGWamide into foot muscle of mature males and females (age over 24 months), showed that most males (87.50%) injected with 200 μl of 10^− 3 M APGWamide (170 μg APGWamide/animal) could be induced to spermiate whereas fewer males (43.75%) injected with 200 μl of 10^− 6 M APGWamide (0.17 μg APGWamide/animal) could spermiate. Following injection with 10^− 3 M, 53% of males spawned within 3 to 4 h, while the remaining males spawned within 2 to 3 h. The former tended to release more sperm at the range of 1.04 to 2 × 10⁹, and the latter at the range 3.62 × 10⁷ to 2.07 × 10⁸ cells, respectively, and that the sperm of the former group appeared to be more motile. Following the injection of 10^− 6 M, all inducible males spawned within 2–3 h, and 43% of spawned males have sperm around 2 × 10⁹, while 57% have fewer sperm number ranging from 2.75 × 10⁷ to 9.94 × 10⁸ cells. In contrast to males, none of the mature females with ripen ovary could be induced to ovulate. These data suggest that APGWamide is an important signaling molecule that plays a role in the male reproductive process that could be used to induce spermiation.     

Olive barb, Puntius sarana (Hamilton) is a potential candidate species for introduction into the grow-out carp polyculture system

The compatibility of olive barb, Puntius sarana (Hamilton) with major carps was studied in grow-out carp polyculture system for one year in a set of nine earthen ponds of 0.08 ha each. Three different species combinations evaluated were Control: catla (Catla catla Ham.), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Valenciennes), rohu (Labeo rohita Hamilton) and mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala Hamilton) at 0.5:0.5:1:1; T1: catla, silver carp, rohu and olive barb at 0.5:0.5:1:1 and T2: catla, silver carp, mrigal and olive barb at 0.5:0.5:1:1 at combined density of 7500 fingerlings/ha. While survival levels of the carps did not differ significantly in treatments (P > 0.05), silver carp recorded highest survival levels (94–96%) followed by olive barb (87–90%), mrigal (72–74%), rohu (72–73%) and catla (67–69%). The specific growth rate (SGR) and average harvested body weight (ABW) of catla and silver carp did not differ significantly among the treatments revealing their competition with mrigal or olive barb to be minimum. In absence of rohu in T2, both mrigal and olive barb showed higher SGR and ABW revealing minimal competition between these two species, while their lower performance in presence of rohu in Control and T1 indicated inter-specific competition with the latter. Such olive barb–rohu inter-specific competition, however, failed to yield significant effect on growth of rohu as revealed from its non-significant SGR difference in presence and absence of olive barb. The lower FCR (2.54 ± 0.06) and higher treatment biomass production (3418.4 ± 95.0 kg ha^− 1 year^− 1) in T1 with rohu–olive barb combination compared to T2 with mrigal–olive barb (2.84 ± 0.11; 3155.1 ± 104.7 kg ha^− 1 year^− 1) indicated feasibility and advantage of culturing rohu with olive barb rather than mrigal in carp polyculture. Further, similar biomass production in Control and T1 also indicated feasibility of replacing mrigal with olive barb in the grow-out carp polyculture system.     

Evaluation of hemato-immunological parameters during the reproductive cycle of the scallop Nodipecten nodosus in association with a carotenoid-enriched diet

The cultivation of scallops Nodipecten nodosus is a promising activity emerging in Brazil. The purpose of this study was to characterize the immune system of N. nodosus and evaluate the modulation of some hemato-immunological parameters during the reproductive cycle, in association with an astaxanthin-enriched diet. It was hypothesized that a supplementation on astaxanthin could enhance scallop immune system and minimize stress of reproduction. Scallops were separated in different groups: juveniles (J), adults (A), sexually mature (M), and recently spawned (S) animals. The last two groups were fed standard (M and S) or astaxanthin-enriched (Ma and Sa) diets. Scallop hemolymph contained two hemocyte populations: hyaline (HH) and granular hemocytes (GH). Antimicrobial peptides, similar to mussel defensins and mytilins, were found by immunodetection within the GH granules, even though the scallop hemolymph did not exhibit significant antimicrobial activity against different bacteria, including marine vibrios. Scallop hemocytes were able to phagocytose zymosan and produce reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI–NBT reduction). The number of circulating hemocytes (Neubauer chamber) varied from 12 to 26.10⁶ cells mL^− 1, and the GH was always the predominant cell type (67–99%). The plasma of N. nodosus contained lectins, specific to galactose and sialoconjugates, and their agglutinating activity was partially calcium-dependent. A phenoloxidase (PO) activity (146–446 U min^− 1 mg^− 1) was observed in the scallop hemolymph. However, this activity was not induced by trypsin or components of microorganism surface, and was strongly enhanced by alkaline pH (≥ 8.5). The total protein concentration of the plasma varied from 240 to 660 μg mL^− 1. In general terms, all examined hemato-immunological parameters (hemograms, superoxide anion production, PO activity, lectin titers and total protein concentration) had a similar profile during all the scallop reproductive cycle. Their levels increased significantly from juveniles to adults (except PO activity), and declined markedly (immune depletion) in the sexually mature scallops. After spawning, the animals had a tendency to recover the standard levels of their immune parameters. Apparently, the astaxanthin-enriched diet had no effect on the tested immune parameters except for a slight influence on the scallop immune-oxidative reactions (ROI production). The results obtained in this study suggested the occurrence of a general immune depletion in the sexually mature scallops, confirming that the reproductive stage is a critical period in scallop life.     

Low optimal temperatures for food conversion and growth in the big-headed turtle, Platysternon megacephalum

We held juvenile big-headed turtles, Platysternon megacephalum, from eastern China, at temperatures from 20 to 29.4 °C to determine effects on feeding, growth and food conversion. Food intake increased significantly from 20 to 22.4 °C, remained high until 27.1 °C, and then decreased dramatically at 29.4 °C. Digestive efficiency for energy decreased as temperature increased, whereas the digestive efficiency of protein increased from 20 to 25 °C, and decreased at higher temperatures. The relationships between specific growth rate (SGR), food conversion coefficient (C_c) and temperature (T) were curvilinear, and could be described by quadratic equations: SGR = −0.01 T² + 0.47 T − 5.24 and C_c = −0.37 T² + 17.20 T − 181.85. Maximum growth was estimated to occur at 23.9 °C, with 90% of the maximum being achieved within the range of 21.9–25.8 °C; maximal food conversion occurred at 23.2 °C, with a 90% range from 21.0 to 25.4 °C. The temperature range (22–25 °C) found to promote best growth and food conversion in juvenile P. megacephalum is lower than for many other freshwater turtles. Temperatures of 22–25 °C are recommended for use in culture of this species to maximize growth and food conversion.     

Physiological stress responses in spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor) subjected to acute disturbance and progressive hypoxia

The spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor) is considered a promising species for coldwater aquaculture. It is a sedentary, bottom-dwelling fish which exhibits a calm and “non-stressed” behaviour in captivity. There are, however, no reports on the physiological responses to stressors in this species. In the present study we investigated primary (cortisol secretion) and secondary (glucose mobilization) responses to common aquaculture stressors like disturbance and hypoxia. Pre-stress plasma cortisol levels were within those generally considered representative for unstressed fish (~ 10 ng ml^− 1), whereas basal glucose levels were unusually low (0.3–0.4 mM). After exposure to a short, but severe disturbance challenge (emptying the tank of water for 10 min), the increase in plasma cortisol level was slow and relatively weak, reaching a peak level of 25 ng ml^− 1 4 to 8 h after disturbance. When the fish were exposed to a gradually decreasing oxygen level in the tank, a significantly elevated plasma cortisol level (35 ng ml^− 1) was seen in the fish that remained in the tank until oxygen saturation had decreased to 20% oxygen saturation after 2.5 h. However, a two-fold higher plasma cortisol level (~ 70 ng ml^− 1) was seen in all fish exposed to reduced oxygen levels (60, 40 and 20% oxygen saturation) after 3.5 h recovery in normoxic water. Plasma glucose levels showed only moderate increases (~ 70%) following disturbance and hypoxia challenges. An in vivo injection of ACTH caused a strong elevation of plasma cortisol (peak level ~ 170 ng ml^− 1), demonstrating a high capacity for interrenal steroidogenesis in the spotted wolffish. The slow and relatively weak cortisol response to stressors, and low plasma glucose levels, may relate to the sedentary lifestyle of the spotted wolffish. The stress-response is characterised by a passive (reactive) coping style, which is considered adaptive for farming of this species.     

The growth of disk abalone, Haliotis discus hannai at different culture densities in a pilot-scale recirculating aquaculture system with a baffled culture tank

The growth rate of disk abalone, Haliotis discus hannai, energy consumption and changes in water quality were monitored in a pilot-scale recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) for 155 days. Baffles were installed in the RAS culture tanks to enlarge the attachment area and clean out solid waste materials automatically by hydraulic force only. The experimental disk abalones, of shell length 24.5 ± 0.5 mm, were cultured at three stocking densities, 700, 1300 and 1910 individuals/m² bottom area, in triplicate. The abalones were fed with sea mustard, Undaria pinnatifida, once a week. The abalone feed conversion rates and daily growth rates ranged from 24.5 to 25.9 and 0.32 to 0.36%, respectively. Their daily shell increments and survival rates ranged from 67.7 to 78.6 μm/day and 87.6–92.2%, respectively. The growth in weight tended to decrease at a culture density of 1300 individuals/m² bottom area, while shell increments and survival rates were acceptable at this density. The total power consumption for heating was 1185.4 kW, comprising 30.2% of the total power consumption, while the average water exchange rate was only 2.9% per day. The total ammonia nitrogen stabilized below 0.07 mg/L, after conditioning of the biofilter. The NO₂⁻–N, NO₃⁻–N and total suspended solid concentrations were also maintained within acceptable ranges for the normal growth of disk abalone. The use of the RAS with these newly designed culture tanks for disk abalone culture produced 1300 individuals/m² bottom area with a water exchange rate of only 2.9% per day and used about one-tenth of the heat energy of a conventional flow-through system.     

Natural carbon stable isotope ratios as indicators of the relative contribution of live and inert diets to growth in larval Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis)

The relative contributions of live Artemia metanauplii and an inert diet for growth of Senegalese sole larvae and postlarvae were assessed through the analysis of carbon stable isotopes ratios (δ¹³C) in both diets and whole larval tissue. Larvae were reared on four dietary regimes: 100% live prey (rotifers and Artemia), 100% inert formulated diet and two co-feeding regimes of 70:30 and 30:70 ratios of Artemia and inert diet, respectively. Larvae from the live food regime and both co-feeding regimes showed a steep increase in δ¹³C from 10 days after hatching (DAH) as a result of the onset and continuation of Artemia consumption. From 12 DAH fish larvae from all the regimes showed significant isotopic differences as their δ¹³C increased to final asymptotic values of − 15.1, − 15.6 and − 16.3‰ in the live food, 70:30 and 30:70 regimes, respectively. Carbon turnover rates in larvae from both live food and co-feeding regimes were relatively high (0.071 to 0.116 d^− 1) but more than 90% of the observed change in fish tissue isotopic values was accounted for by the retention of carbon in new tissue growth. A two-source, one-isotope mixing model was applied to estimate the nutritional contribution of Artemia and inert diet to postlarvae growth in the co-feeding regimes. At 23 DAH, the relative contribution of live and inert diets to tissue growth in larvae was respectively, 88 and 12% for the 70:30 co-feeding regime and 73 and 27% for the 30:70 co-feeding regime. At 17 DAH, the estimated proportion of tissue carbon derived from the inert diet was higher at 23 and 38% for the 70:30 and 30:70 regimes, respectively. The results suggest that co-feeding regimes in Solea senegalensis larvae may be adjusted to meet ontogenetic changes in the capacity for larvae to utilise inert diets. The contrasting levels of carbon isotope discrimination between diet and tissue in larvae reared on either 100% live feed or 100% inert diet indicate relatively poor utilization of nutrients from the inert diet. The use of isotopic discrimination factors as potential indicators of the digestive physiological performance of a consuming organism in regards to its diet is discussed.     

Identification of digestible carbohydrate sources for inclusion in formulated diets for juvenile spiny lobsters, Jasus edwardsii

Carbohydrates are a key ingredient in crustacean formulated diets because of their potential to greatly improve production efficiency. For the culture of spiny lobsters where daily food intake is limited, carbohydrates have the potential for delivering a low cost source of energy that could spare protein for growth. Therefore, the digestibility of different carbohydrate sources including refined sugars, mussel glycogen, algal polysaccharides, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and starches (i.e., native, dextrinised, gelatinised) were assessed in juvenile spiny lobster (30–60 g). This was done by measuring the rate of carbohydrate hydrolysis in vitro using enzyme homogenates and postprandial haemolymph glucose concentrations following ingestion of semi-purified diets containing different carbohydrate levels and sources. Fresh mussel gonads and a practical formulated diet were also included for comparison. Storage polysaccharides (i.e., gelatinised starches, dextrin, mussel glycogen) and the structural polysaccharide CMC were the best digested carbohydrate sources in vitro. CMC was more digestible than the algal polysaccharides, agar and alginate, and therefore may have potential as a binding agent in formulated diets for J. edwardsii. The poor hydrolysis of sucrose and trehalose suggests that their use as an energy source might be limited in J. edwardsii. Native wheat starch was the best digested among the various plant starches tested. Gelatinisation of starches markedly improved their digestibility suggesting that pre-treatment of the dietary starch source would have a beneficial influence on the digestibility of diets for J. edwardsii. Consumption of the semi-purified diets (i.e., 1% BW) containing the digestible starch sources (i.e., 27% dry weight), as well as the practical diet, resulted in high haemolymph glucose concentrations (> 5 mmol l^− 1) and a prolonged hyperglycaemic response (> 24 h) suggesting that these carbohydrate sources are well digested and absorbed, but possibly poorly utilised. In contrast, the fresh mussel gonad diet (i.e., 27% glycogen by dry weight) appeared to be better utilised (reduced glycaemia after 12 h). A lower inclusion level (i.e., 7%) of gelatinised maize starch reduced the peak (1.87 mmol l^− 1) and extent (12 h) of the glycaemic response. Using lower inclusion levels (< 27%) of the rapidly digested starches (i.e., gelatinised, dextrinised) identified in this study, or incorporating digestible carbohydrate sources resulting in slower appearance of haemolymph glucose (i.e., native wheat starch, CMC), in formulated diets may have the potential to improve their utilisation for growth of juvenile spiny lobsters.     

Production of astaxanthin from Haematococcus in open pond by two-stage growth one-step process

We have developed a two-stage growth one-step process for cultivation of Haematococcus using a self-designed system that mimics an open pond in the natural environment. The characteristics of this process are green vegetative cell growth and cysts transformation and pigment accumulation that proceed spontaneously and successively in one open photobioreactor. Four strains of Haematococcus (H. pluvialis 26; H. pluvialis 30; H. pluvialis 34; H. pluvialis WZ) were cultured in this imitation system for a duration of 12 days. The changes in cell density and medium pH were closely monitored, and the astaxanthin content and yield of the four Haematococcus strains were measured at the end of 12 days of cultivation. Two of the strains, H. pluvialis 26 and H. pluvialis WZ, were selected as strains suitable for mass culture, resulting in the astaxanthin yield of 51.06 and 40.25 mg L^− 1 which are equivalent to 2.79 and 2.50% of their dry biomass respectively. Based on the laboratory work, 6 batch cultures of H. pluvialis WZ were conducted successfully to produce astaxanthin in two 100 m² open race-way pond by two-stage growth one-step process. The astaxanthin content ranged from 1.61 to 2.48 g 100 g^− 1dry wt., with average astaxanthin content of 2.10 g 100 g^− 1dry wt. Compared with the one-stage production of astaxanthin based on continuous culture, the superiority of our process is that it can accumulate much more astaxanthin in red cysts. Compared with two-stage production of astaxanthin, the advantage of our process is that it does not need to divide the production process into two parts using two bioreactors. The presented work demonstrates the feasibility for producing astaxanthin from Haematococcus using a two-stage growth one-step process in open pond, culture systems that have been successfully used for Spirulina and Chlorella mass culture. The future of Haematococcus astaxanthin production has been also discussed.     

An evaluation of the nutritional value of alternative lipid sources to juvenile southern rock lobster, Jasus edwardsii

Experimental lobster feeds are currently based on fish meal and fish oil formulations, and although survival and growth similar to that of lobsters fed fresh blue mussels has been achieved, varying the protein level in previous experimental feeds has not increased growth beyond that of lobsters fed natural food. This experiment assessed the growth performance of lobsters fed pelleted feeds containing constant amounts of protein, lipid and energy where the lipid was provided by a range of oil-rich ingredients (fish oil, FO; fish oil with added soybean lecithin, FOL; canola oil, CO; tuna oil, TO; mussel meal, MM; and squid meal, SQM). Feed performance was assessed by lobster growth rate, survival, final biochemical composition, nutrient retention and nutrient efficiency. Twenty tanks containing 15 post-larval lobsters each (1.5 ± 0.04 g) were randomly allocated one of six test feeds in triplicate, and the two remaining tanks were fed freshly opened blue mussels (FRM) as a reference feed. Lobsters were fed daily to excess for 10 weeks. Final individual weights of whole body and digestive gland were measured, and tissue chemical composition analysed. There were no significant differences in survival (88.4 ± 3.3%), or specific growth rate (1.3 ± 0.1%.day^− 1) among the formulated feed fed lobsters, which were significantly lower than the survival (100 ± 0.0%) and SGR (2.2 ± 0.1%.day^− 1) of FRM fed lobsters. The SQM fed lobsters had a significantly lower lipid efficiency ratio and lipid productivity value than lobsters fed TO, FOL and MM feeds. The digestive gland lipid content (g.100 g wet tissue^− 1) of lobsters fed the feeds TO (3.7 ± 0.4), FO (3.5 ± 0.3) and SQM (2.2 ± 0.2) were significantly lower than lobsters fed feeds MM (9.9 ± 1.1), FOL (9.0 ± 2.3) and FRM fed lobsters contained most digestive gland lipid (12.3 ± 1.5).     

Prediction of apparent protein digestibility of ingredients and diets by in vitro pH-stat degree of protein hydrolysis with species-specific enzymes for juvenile Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

Aquafeed production faces global issues related to availability of feed ingredients. Feed manufacturers require greater flexibility in order to develop nutritional and cost-effective formulations that take into account nutrient content and availability of ingredients. The search for appropriate ingredients requires detailed screening of their potential nutritional value and variability at the industrial level. In vitro digestion of feedstuffs by enzymes extracted from the target species has been correlated with apparent protein digestibility (APD) in fish and shrimp species. The present study verified the relationship between APD and in vitro degree of protein hydrolysis (DH) with Litopenaeus vannamei hepatopancreas enzymes in several different ingredients (n = 26): blood meals, casein, corn gluten meal, crab meal, distiller's dried grains with solubles, feather meal, fish meals, gelatin, krill meals, poultry by-product meal, soybean meals, squid meals and wheat gluten. The relationship between APD and DH was further verified in diets formulated with these ingredients at 30% inclusion into a reference diet. APD was determined in vivo (30.1 ± 0.5 °C, 32.2 ± 0.4‰) with juvenile L. vannamei (9 to 12 g) after placement of test ingredients into a reference diet (35 g kg^− 1 CP; 8.03 g kg^− 1 lipid; 2.01 kcal g^− 1) with chromic oxide as the inert marker. In vitro DH was assessed in ingredients and diets with standardized hepatopancreas enzymes extracted from pond-reared shrimp. The DH of ingredients was determined under different assay conditions to check for the most suitable in vitro protocol for APD prediction: different batches of enzyme extracts (HPf5 or HPf6), temperatures (25 or 30 °C) and enzyme activity (azocasein): crude protein ratios (4 U: 80 mg CP or 4 U: 40 mg CP). DH was not affected by ingredient proximate composition. APD was significantly correlated to DH in regressions considering either ingredients or diets. The relationships between APD and DH of the ingredients could be suitably adjusted to a Rational Function (y = (a + bx)/(1 + cx + dx²), n = 26. Best in vitro APD predictions were obtained at 25 °C, 4 U: 80 mg CP both for ingredients (R² = 0.86; P = 0.001) and test diets (R² = 0.96; P = 0.007). The regression model including all 26 ingredients generated higher prediction residuals (i.e., predicted APD − determined APD) for corn gluten meal, feather meal, poultry by-product meal and krill flour. The remaining test ingredients presented mean prediction residuals of 3.5 points. A model including only ingredients with APD > 80% showed higher prediction precision (R² = 0.98; P = 0.000004; n = 20) with average residual of 1.8 points. Predictive models including only ingredients from the same origin (e.g., marine-based, R² = 0.98; P = 0.033) also displayed low residuals. Since in vitro techniques have been usually validated through regressions against in vivo APD, the DH predictive capacity may depend on the consistency of the in vivo methodology. Regressions between APD and DH suggested a close relationship between peptide bond breakage by hepatopancreas digestive proteases and the apparent nitrogen assimilation in shrimp, and this may be a useful tool to provide rapid nutritional information.     

Growth performance and physiological responses in striped knifejaw, Oplegnathus fasciatus, held under different photoperiods

The growth performance and stress response in striped knifejaw, Oplegnathus fasciatus (body weight 100–300 g) reared under four photoperiods (6L:6D, 12L:12D, 16L:8D and 24L:0D) were investigated. Fish were fed a commercial diet to apparent satiation, two times a day for 8 weeks. A trial of acute handling and confinement stress was also carried out to investigate the stress-induced levels of different stress indicators in O. fasciatus. Blood was also collected from undisturbed fish which was considered as control. Although there were no significant differences in weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) in fish exposed to 6L:6D, 16L:8D and 24L:0D photoperiods, all parameters in these photoperiods were significantly higher than those of 12L:12D photoperiod (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in protein retention efficiency (PRE) between fish exposed to 16L:8D and 24L:0D photoperiods, but PRE in both photoperiods was significantly higher than that of 12L:12D photoperiod.Acute stress significantly increased the plasma levels of cortisol (110.3 ng ml^− 1) and glucose (195.4 mg dl^− 1), and decreased plasma levels of total protein (0.8 g dl^− 1); however, all parameters were returned back to the levels indistinguishable from those of control, undisturbed fish within 24 h. The levels of cortisol, glucose and total protein in fish exposed to different photoperiods during the study were far from the stress-induced levels (P < 0.05). The results demonstrated that the growth performance of O. fasciatus reared from 100 to 300 g can be stimulated significantly by using the manipulated photoperiods where feeding time may be playing an important role to increase food intake and feed conversion efficiency. It also revealed that the artificial photoperiods did not cause significant stress response in fish.     

鲢鳙混养对三角帆蚌生长和养殖水质影响的围隔实验

2008年4月23日—9月21日通过围隔实验,研究了不同鲢鳙混养比例对三角帆蚌生长及水化学指标的影响。实验中鲢鳙混养比例设置了6个水平,分别为0/0(对照组),100/0,70/30,50/50,30/70和0/100。实验开始和结束时测量三角帆蚌湿重,壳长和壳宽。每个月上下旬测量围隔水化学指标包括NO3N、NO2N、NH3N、TN、TP、PO4P和COD。实验结果表明,鲢鳙混养比例100/0的围隔蚌壳长相对生长率显著低于混养比例0/0,50/50和0/100的围隔(P<0.05),而不同混养比例下蚌的成活率、蚌壳宽及蚌重增长均无显著差异(P>0.05)。从水质来看,混养比例30/70围隔TP显著低于100/0(P<0.05),COD显著低于100/0及70/30(P<0.05),NH3N显著低于100/0(P<0.05)以及PO4P显著低于70/30(P<0.05)。因此,综合蚌生长及水质指标,混养比例30/70围隔对三角帆蚌养殖最有利。     

Age, growth and life history of gunnel, Pholis fangi, in the Yellow Sea

We examined the formation of annuli by marginal observations on otoliths of gunnel (Pholis fangi) in the Yellow Sea to validate the age determination method and to derive the growth equation covering from larval to adult stages. Gunnels, ranging from 46 to 173 mm in total length, were collected by a bag net fishery from the western coastal waters off Korea from November 1998 to October 1999. Marginal observations indicated that the translucent zone (annual mark) on adult otolith was formed during the winter, whereas the opaque zone was formed during the summer. However, a translucent zone was formed between May and June in juvenile otoliths. This false ring was formed when the fish transited from the inshore pelagic life of larvae to the offshore bottom life of juveniles. The observed maximum age was 58 months. Using observed length-at-monthly age, growth in length was expressed by von Bertalanffy growth curve; L_t = 144.0 (1 − e^{−0.11 (t+0.43)}). P. fangi spawned in winter recruit to inshore, and grow quickly in the nursery habitats in spring. Gunnel inhabit the bottom offshore area during the summer season, and reappear inshore thereafter.