致病性拟态弧菌的敏感药物和拮抗菌的筛选

采用纸片扩散法,系统测试了3株致病性拟态弧菌对8类23种抗菌药物的敏感性与联合用药的敏感性。结果显示:氨基糖甙类、头孢类、喹诺酮类和磺胺类等多种抗菌药物对病原弧菌均有抑制或杀死作用。庆大霉素与四环素类、头孢类、喹诺酮类、红霉素或氯霉素联用以及多粘菌素与头孢类、喹诺酮类、红霉素或氯霉素联用均表现出一定程度的累加或协同作用;同时,采用琼脂平板扩散法从9株非致病菌中筛选对致病性拟态弧菌具有拮抗作用的益生菌并对其抑菌活性进行测定。结果显示:HX-01和HX-05两株细菌的菌液和无细胞上清液对3株致病性拟态弧菌均具有拮抗作用。在拮抗菌—病原菌混合体系中,病原菌经24 h培养,菌数由原来的105CFU/mL增至2ⅹ108CFU/mL,但从第2天开始,随着拮抗菌产生的抗性产物浓度的增加,菌数快速下降,至第6天病原菌完全被杀死。而拮抗菌培养至第6天,菌数仍保持较高水平(2ⅹ107CFU/mL)。表明这两株拮抗菌对致病性拟态弧菌具有较强的拮抗作用。经数值鉴定法确定两株拮抗菌均为产碱杆菌。     

短小芽孢杆菌X93及胞外产物抑菌活性的研究

从健康养殖大黄鱼肠道中筛选出对病原弧菌有拮抗作用的潜在益生菌株X93,利用细菌快速鉴定系统和16S rDNA方法进行细菌种类鉴定;通过点种法对其抗菌谱进行测定;采用平板扩散法,研究了培养时间、温度、盐度、蛋白酶K和Fe3+等因素对其胞外产物抑菌活性的影响。结果显示:该菌株为短小芽孢杆菌(GenBank accession No.HM137033);对20株病原指示菌中的13株均产生不同程度的抑制作用,抗菌谱较广;菌株培养48 h后的胞外产物抑菌作用最强;在pH为7时,抑菌活性最大;达到最大抑菌活性的温度和盐度分别为28 ℃、5;蛋白酶K和不同浓度的FeCl3均会降低其抑菌活性。该菌对病原弧菌、迟缓爱德华菌和嗜水气单胞菌等水产上常见主要致病菌有良好的拮抗效果,且具有抑菌作用的胞外产物对温度、盐度和Fe3+有一定的适应范围,适宜作为益生菌株,有望在实际养殖环境中得到应用。     

麻醉剂丁香酚对鳗弧菌抑菌效果初步研究

水产麻醉剂丁香酚具有良好的抑菌和杀菌作用,不仅对食源性致病菌具有良好的抑制作用,也对水产致病菌具有潜在的抑菌效力。为探讨丁香酚对水产养殖业主要致病菌的抑菌作用,文章初步开展了丁香酚对鳗弧菌(Vibrio anguillarum)的抑菌效果研究。丁香酚质量浓度为6 400μg·mL~(-1)时,鳗弧菌培养平板中抑菌圈直径为(21.13±0.74) mm,表明鳗弧菌对此浓度的丁香酚表现为极敏。吸光度测定结果显示微孔中丁香酚质量浓度≥400μg·mL~(-1)时弧菌没有生长,表明丁香酚对鳗弧菌的最低抑菌浓度(MIC)为400μg·mL~(-1)。取400μg·mL~(-1)、800μg·mL~(-1)和1 600μg·mL~(-1)微孔中溶液涂抹于培养平板继续培养24 h,质量浓度≥800μg·mL~(-1)时鳗弧菌没有生长,表明最小杀菌浓度(MBC)为800μg·mL~(-1)。研究结果表明丁香酚对鳗弧菌具有良好的抑菌作用。     

鼠尾藻多酚分级组分的抑菌活性研究

采用平板生长抑制法对鼠尾藻Sargassum thunbergiikuntze多酚化合物各分级组分进行抑菌活性研究。结果表明,在一定浓度范围内各分级组分对副溶血弧菌、哈维氏弧菌、沙蚕弧菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、大肠杆菌、鳗弧菌、溶藻弧菌和四联微球菌等受试菌株均有抑菌活性。其中,分级组分I(Mr5.0×103)的抑菌效果优于其他组分,对副溶血弧菌、哈维氏弧菌和沙蚕弧菌的最低抑菌浓度(MIC)值为900μg/ml,对金黄色葡萄球菌、大肠杆菌、鳗弧菌和溶藻弧菌的MIC值为1 800μg/ml,对四联微球菌的MIC值为3 600μg/ml。另外,组分I(Mr5.0×103)显示出较好的热稳定性,在pH 3~4时对受试菌的抑菌活性最强。     

海洋蛭弧菌LBd02-1的分离及其生物学特性的研究

利用海水双层平板法分离获得蛭弧菌LBd02-1,从基因水平上进行鉴定,并对其生物学特性进行了初步研究。研究结果表明,蛭弧菌LBd02-1对嗜水气单胞菌、鳗弧菌、大肠杆菌和霍乱弧菌等革兰氏阴性菌有较好的裂解作用;对金黄色葡萄球菌、枯草芽孢杆菌等革兰氏阳性菌的裂解能力较弱。以鳗弧菌为宿主菌,探索了不同条件(温度、盐度、Ca2+、Mg2+)下蛭弧菌LBd02-1对鳗弧菌的裂解效果。试验结果表明,蛭弧菌LBd02-1在温度为25~30℃.盐度为10~30时,对鳗弧菌的裂解效果较佳;在Ca2+浓度为5~10 mmol/L、Mg2+浓度为0.5~2 mmol/L时,蛭弧菌LBd02-1的裂解能力也较好。     

细菌QJ2对对虾病原性哈维氏弧菌的拮抗作用

对气味黄杆菌(Flavobacteria ordoratum)QJ2及其去细胞上清液(CFS)对对虾病原性哈维氏弧菌(Virio harveyi)Z3G2、E022的拮抗作用进行了研究.QJ2的CFS对病原菌表现显著的拮抗性能,在6h内使数量为105 ～106cfu@mL-1的病原菌Z3G2、E022均降为0.经热、酸碱、蛋白酶处理的CFS,抑菌活性均有不同程度下降,结果为经60℃处理60min的CFS,经6h使Z3G2细菌数降为0,经15min使E022数量降为最低,为初始菌数的 63.0%经100℃处理10min,CFS使Z3G2和E022数量分别在1h和15min降为最低,各为初始菌数的23.7%和 72.1%;经pH4作用30min,CFS使Z3G2和E022数量分别在15min和1h降为最低,各为初始菌数的88.3%和 15.9%,而经pH12处理30min后,CFS没有使病原菌数下降,但使病原菌以比对照组细菌低的速率缓慢上升; 经蛋白酶K于37℃作用60min后,CFS在15min时使Z3G2和E022数量降为最低,各为初始菌数的15.0%和 66.1%.在人工水体中,QJ2活菌对病原菌也具有显著的拮抗性能,在24h内使Z3G2、E022数量下降到最低值,各下降了1.6、2.4 Log1o数量级.结果表明QJ2产生的抗性物质为细菌素,对病原性哈维氏弧菌具有良好的拮抗作用.     

对虾育苗中常用海洋微藻抑菌作用的研究

研究了等鞭金藻、三角褐指藻、扁藻对对虾育苗中致病菌鳗弧菌、假单胞菌的抑菌效果。结果表明,等鞭金藻、三角褐指藻、扁藻的水溶性物质及脂溶性物质对鳗弧菌有抑制作用;等鞭金藻、三角褐指藻的水溶性物质及等鞭金藻、三角褐指藻、扁藻的脂溶性物质对假单胞菌有抑制作用。在抑菌试验中,等鞭金藻、三角褐指藻、扁藻密度达10×104/ml时,对对虾育苗池水的抑菌作用较好,特别是对弧菌的抑制效果明显。     

杀鱼假交替单胞菌2515的抗弧菌效果及在对虾养殖中的应用

为探讨一株杀鱼假交替单胞菌 2515 Pseudoalteromonas piscicida (简称菌株 2515)在对虾养殖中的抗弧菌效果, 以鳗弧菌(Vibrio anguillarum)为指示菌, 以鳗弧菌的敏感抗生素新霉素为参比, 采用牛津杯打孔法, 比较了菌株 2515 与抗生素抗菌等效关系。设置浓度分别为 10⁴ CFU/mL、10⁵ CFU/mL、10⁶ CFU/mL、10⁷ CFU/mL 的菌株 2515 与鳗弧菌共培养, 评价了该菌对鳗弧菌的拮抗效果。将含量 10³ CFU/g、10⁵ CFU/g、10⁷ CFU/g, 及 10³ CFU/mL、 10⁵ CFU/mL、10⁷ CFU/mL 的菌株 2515 分别添加到对虾饲料和养殖水体中, 养殖凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei), 分析了菌株 2515 对水体和对虾肠道细菌总数、弧菌数及对抗副溶血弧菌效果的影响。结果显示, 相同抗鳗弧菌效果条件下菌株 2515 数量与新霉素质量存在对应关系, 与鳗弧菌混合培养时, 浓度 10⁶ CFU/mL 及 10⁷ CFU/mL 的菌株 2515 对鳗弧菌表现出强的抑菌作用。饲料中添加菌株 2515 浓度 10⁵ CFU/g 及 10⁷ CFU/g 时能够显著降低对虾肠道中的弧菌数量(P < 0.05), 提高对虾养殖的存活率。采用副溶血弧菌(V. parahaemolyticus)攻毒, 显示在饲料中添加菌株 2515 浓度为 10⁵ CFU/g 一组对虾死亡率最低, 为(43.3±5.8)%, 对副溶血弧菌的相对保护率达(53.7±6.2)%。结果表明, 在饲料和养殖水体中添加适宜浓度的菌株 2515 均能够提高凡纳滨对虾抗副溶血弧菌的能力, 降低对虾肠道内的弧菌数量。本研究结果为对虾养殖弧菌病生物防控提供了一种技术支撑。     

中华绒螯蟹的致病菌及抗菌药物的筛选

对河蟹育苗场各期蚤状幼体(Z1～Z5)、大眼幼体至Ⅴ期幼蟹进行了病原菌的分离采样。采用"细菌生化鉴定编码"对育苗期的中华绒螯蟹的致病菌进行鉴定,主要为溶藻弧菌(V.alginolyticus)、霍乱弧菌(V.cholerae)、荧光假单胞菌(P.fluorescens)、豚鼠气单胞菌(A.caviae)和梅氏弧菌(V.metschnikovii)。采用扩散法(K-B法)对上述菌株进行了药物敏感性试验,结果表明:上述各菌株对庆大霉素、氟哌酸、头孢哌酮、丙氟哌酸、氟嗪酸、复方新诺明、环丙沙星具有较高的敏感性,抑菌直径>16mm。同时选择氟哌酸和环丙沙星对荧光假单胞菌、溶藻弧菌进行了最小抑菌浓度(MIC)与最小杀菌浓度(MBC)的测定。氟哌酸对荧光假单胞菌和溶藻弧菌的MIC分别为25μg/mL和0.78μg/mL;环丙沙星对荧光假单胞菌和溶藻弧菌的MIC分别为6.25μg/mL和0.025μg/mL。氟哌酸对荧光假单胞菌和溶藻弧菌的MBC均为6.25μg/mL;环丙沙星对荧光假单胞菌和溶藻弧菌的MBC分别为50μg/mL和0.1μg/mL。     

刺参养殖池塘中一株植物乳杆菌的分离及其生物学特性

2017年5月，从山东东营刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)养殖池塘底泥中分离获得49株乳酸菌。以刺参“腐皮综合征”的2株致病菌[灿烂弧菌(Vibrio splendidus)和假交替单胞菌(Pseudoalteromonas nigrifaciens)]为指示菌进行拮抗作用实验，获得1株具有显著抑菌活性的乳酸菌CLY-5，对该菌株进行了生理生化实验、16S rDNA序列分析、生长特性及其对刺参的安全性研究。结果显示，菌株CLY-5对灿烂弧菌和假交替单胞菌具有较好的抑制作用，且菌株的胞内产物与胞外产物均具有抑菌效果，抑菌圈分别为20 、23 mm和27 、38 mm，胞外产物的拮抗作用优于胞内产物。利用该菌对刺参进行高浓度浸浴测试其安全性，浓度为1×109、1×108和1×107 CFU/ml，实验期间刺参状态良好，无死亡现象。16S rDNA序列分析表明，CLY-5与植物乳杆菌(Lactobacillus plantarum NR117813.1)的相似性为100%，初步鉴定该菌株为植物乳杆菌。菌株CLY-5在30℃~44℃、pH 6~8范围内生长较快，20 h进入对数生长期，28~32 h达到生长高峰。筛选的植物乳杆菌具有良好的抑菌能力，且其生长特性适应刺参池塘的养殖环境，为刺参疾病的生态防控及乳酸菌资源的开发提供应用数据参考。     

Protein and amino acid composition from the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris exposed to prolonged starvation

Protein and amino acid composition of the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris (Cuvier, 1797) during fasting for 27 days were determined. Average protein content of octopus mantle was of 711.19 ± 46.80 g kg^?1 DW, and it decreased with increasing fasting days. The non‐essential amino acids content was higher (486.18 ± 11.08 g kg^?1 protein) than essential amino acids (425.82 ± 9.15 g kg^?1 protein) at the start of the experiment (unstarved animals). The results suggest that the amino acid profile of the mantle where the most abundant amino acids are Arg, His, Lys, Gly, Leu and Pro could indicate a prolonged fasting condition (>20 days) or poor nutrition of O . vulgaris. This study supports the idea of using mantle for metabolic needs of starved O . vulgaris suggesting that the degradation pathway of amino acids to pyruvate and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates was favoured contrary to the degradation pathway of ketogenic amino acids. Special considerations should be taken concerning Thr, Ile, Ser, Ala, Asx (Asp, Asn), Glx (Glu, Gln) (because of their fast intake) and Lys and His (due to their stable contents) during a prolonged period of fasting.     

美人鱼发光杆菌对凡纳滨对虾非特异性 免疫功能及抗病力的影响

在基础饲料中分别添加0.1%和1%美人鱼发光杆菌灭活菌、0.1%美人鱼发光杆菌活菌配制成3种免疫实验饲料,以基础饲料为空白对照组饲料,每组设3个平行样。对个体质量为(4.83±0.36)g的凡纳滨对虾进行为期20 d的饲养实验,分别在0、5、10、15和20d进行取样,以血清中的酚氧化酶(PO)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和溶菌酶(UL)活性为免疫指标,探讨了美人鱼发光杆菌作为免疫制剂对凡纳滨对虾非特异性免疫效应的影响;在投喂免疫饲料后的第22天,按0.004 2 kg/kg体重的剂量,直接投喂对虾白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)病料,并记录累积死亡率。结果表明,美人鱼发光杆菌免疫实验组对凡纳滨对虾血清中PO、ACP、AKP、UL和SOD活性影响明显高于对照组,并且在饲料中添加美人鱼发光杆菌后,明显提高了对虾抵御WSSV感染的能力。其中0.1%美人鱼发光杆菌活菌实验组的抗病毒感染能力最强,WSSV感染14d内累计死亡率为63.3%±5.8%;而对照组为96.7%±3.3%。研究表明,美人鱼发光杆菌添加在对虾饲料中能提高凡纳滨对虾非特异性免疫水平,增强抵抗疾病的能力,将其作为对虾免疫增强剂具有良好的应用前景。     

Effects of Spirulina platensis as a feed additive on growth and coloration of blue dolphin cichlids (Cyrtocara moorii Boulunger, 1902)

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of replacing fish meal with dietary Spirulina as a feed supplement on the growth performance and coloration of blue dolphin cichlids (Cyrtocara moorii). Five isonitrogenous (47% crude protein) and isocaloric (17.36 kJ/g digestible energy) diets were for formulated to replace FM with 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% Spirulina (designated as Control, SP5, SP10, SP15 and SP20 respectively) and fed to the fish (initial body weight, 3.15 ± 0.01 g). Fish were randomly distributed into fifteen 120 L aquariums (26.5 ± 1.00°C), 15 fish per aquarium. The diets were tested in triplicate for 12 weeks. Experimental groups were fed twice daily (09:00 and 17:00) by hand to satiation. At the end of the feeding trial, significantly (p < 0.05) higher weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) were observed in fish fed the SP10 diet when compared to the SP20 diet. There was no significant difference in these parameters between the other groups. The skin coloration of blue dolphin cichlid fed a diet containing Spirulina meal was enhanced. The best coloration was observed in the SP15 group. These impressions were objectively validated by chemical determinations of carotenoids extracted from fish skins and passed statistical tests of significance. The study findings show that Spirulina meal does not diminish growth rates except at very high levels.     

Dietary thiamin and pyridoxine requirements of fingerling Indian major carp,Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton)

Two experiments were conducted to quantify the dietary thiamin (experiment I) and pyridoxine (experiment II) requirements of fingerling Cirrhinus mrigala for 16 weeks. In experiment I, dietary thiamin requirement was determined by feeding seven casein–gelatin‐based diets (400 g kg^?1 CP; 18.69 kJ g^?1 GE) with graded levels of thiamin (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 mg kg^?1 diet) to triplicate groups of fish (6.15 ± 0.37 cm; 1.89 ± 0.12 g). Fish fed diet with 2 mg kg^?1 thiamin had highest specific growth rate (SGR), protein retention (PR), RNA/DNA ratio, haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), RBCs and best feed conversion ratio (FCR). However, highest liver thiamin concentration was recorded in fish fed 4 mg thiamin kg^?1 diet. Broken‐line analysis of SGR, PR and liver thiamin concentrations exhibited the thiamin requirement in the range of 1.79–3.34 mg kg^?1 diet (0.096–0.179 μg thiamin kJ^?1 gross energy). In experiment II, six casein–gelatin‐based diets (400 g kg^?1 CP; 18.69 kJ g^?1 GE) containing graded levels of pyridoxine (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 mg kg^?1 diet) were fed to triplicate groups of fish (6.35 ± 0.37 cm; 1.97 ± 0.12 g). Fish fed diet containing 6 mg kg^?1 pyridoxine showed best SGR, FCR, PR, RNA/DNA ratio, Hb, Hct and RBCs, whereas maximum liver pyridoxine concentration was recorded in fish fed 8 mg kg^?1 dietary pyridoxine. Broken‐line analysis of SGR, PR and liver pyridoxine concentrations reflected the pyridoxine requirement from 5.63 to 8.61 mg kg^?1 diet. Data generated during this study would be useful in formulating thiamin‐ and pyridoxine‐balanced feeds for the intensive culture of this fish.     

Sea bream culture in Egypt; status, constraints and potential

Marine fish farming in Egypt began in 1976 with the culture of gilthead sea bream, (Sparus aurata) as this fish was notably adaptable to brackish and marine pond conditions. Today, marine fish and shrimp farms amount to about 19,000 ha, out of which 42% is already in production while the rest, i.e., 58% is still under construction. In 1997, cultured gilthead sea bream production of 2,250 tons made up 3% of the 75,000 tons total aquaculture catch. In polyculture, usually with the grey mullet and sea bass, gilthead sea bream contributed 440 kg ha^–1 to the total yield of 1,700 kg ha^–1 (26%) over a period of 16 months. For the same period, the yield of monoculture ponds averaged 100 kg ha^–1, while in marine cages, yields ranged from 4–10 kg m³. In 1996–1997, fry of 0.25–1 g and fingerlings 1–10 g with a total of 3 million, were collected from the wild and 1 million fry were produced in the three marine hatcheries out of the four existing ones. The development of sea bream culture in Egypt is now severely inhibited by the shortage of seeds and adequate feeds. Exports of both sea bream and sea bass, during 1994–1996 averaged 1,300 tons per year.     

A Minchinia mercenariae‐like parasite infects cockles Cerastoderma edule in Galicia (NW Spain)

The cockle Cerastoderma edule fishery has traditionally been the most important shellfish species in terms of biomass in Galicia (NW Spain). In the course of a survey of the histopathological conditions affecting this species in the Ria of Arousa, a haplosporidan parasite that had not been observed in Galicia was detected in one of the most productive cockle beds of Galicia. Uni‐ and binucleate cells and multinucleate plasmodia were observed in the connective tissue mainly in the digestive area, gills and gonad. The parasite showed low prevalence, and it was not associated with abnormal cockle mortality. Molecular identification showed that this parasite was closely related to the haplosporidan Minchinia mercenariae that had been reported infecting hard clams Mercenaria mercenaria from the Atlantic coast of the United States. The molecular characterization of its SSU rDNA region allowed obtaining a fragment of 1,796 bp showing 98% homology with M. mercenariae parasite. Phylogenetic analysis supported this identification as this parasite was clustered in the same clade as M. mercenariae from the United States and other M. mercenariae‐like sequences from the UK, with bootstrap value of 99%. The occurrence of M. mercenariae‐like parasites infecting molluscs outside the United States is confirmed.     

A novel approach to denitrification processes in a zero-discharge recirculating system for small-scale urban aquaculture

This paper presents an innovative process to solve the nitrate build-up problem in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). The novel aspects of the process lie in a denitrification bioreactor system that uses solid cotton wool as the primary carbon source and a unique degassing chamber. In the latter, the water is physically stripped of dissolved gaseous O₂ (by means of a Venturi vacuum tube), and the subsequent denitrification becomes more efficient due to elimination of the problems of oxygen inhibition of denitrification and aerobic consumption of cotton wool. The cotton wool medium also serves as a physical barrier that traps organic particles, which, in turn, act as an additional carbon source for denitrification. Operation in the proposed system gives an extremely low C/N ratio of 0.82 g of cotton wool/g of nitrate N, which contributes to a significant reduction of biofilter volume. The additional advantage of using solid cotton wool as the carbon source is that it does not release organic residuals into the liquid to be recycled. Operation of the system over a long period consistently produced effluents with low nitrate levels (below 10 mg N/l), and there was only a very small need to replace system water. The overall treatment scheme, also incorporating an aerobic nitrification biofilter and a granular filtration device, produced water of excellent quality, i.e., with near-zero levels of nitrite and ammonia, a sufficiently high pH for aquaculture, and low turbidity. The proposed system thus provides a solution for sustainable small-scale, urban aquaculture operation with a very high recovery of water (over 99%) and minimal waste disposal.     

Fertilization by refrigerator stored sperm of the Indian major carp, Labeo calbasu (Hamilton, 1822)

This study reports on the spermatological properties, and on the development of a protocol for refrigerator storage (4°C) of Labeo calbasu (Hamilton, 1822) sperm for artificial breeding. Volume, motility, concentration and pH of the freshly collected sperm were 2.21 ± 0.53 (μL g^?1 of fish weight) (mean ± SD), 95 ± 1 (%), 1.93 ± 0.44 × 10⁹ (cells mL^?1) and 7.56 ± 0.17 respectively. Sperm activation was evaluated at different osmolalities of NaCl solution, and motility ceased completely when osmolality of the extender was ≥287 mOsmol kg^?1. Sperm retained motility for 24, 72 and 108 h, after refrigerator storage when sperm were undiluted, suspended in Alsever's solution and suspended in Alsever's solution containing 5% methanol respectively. Fertilization rate of fresh eggs with sperm stored at 4°C in Alsever's solution and Alsever's solution containing 5% methanol was 77% and 60% with a hatching rate of 60% and 43% respectively. The fertilization and hatching success of the stored sperm suggests potential to use refrigeration for transporting genetic material to hatcheries for artificial breeding of L. calbasu in Bangladesh.     

Effects of metomidate anaesthesia or transfer to pur sea water on plasma parameters in ammonia-exposed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L) in sea water

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L) postsmolts weighing 150 ± 53 g were exposed to 14–15 mg l^–1 TA-N (total ammonia-N) in sea water in 1 m³ tanks for 24h. Blood samples were then taken A) immediately after the fish were netted from the exposure tanks and stunned by a blow to the head; B) 2–20 min after the fish were transferred to 15 l of an anaesthetic solution of metomidate in ammonia-free sea water; or C) 2–20 min after the fish were transferred to 15 l of ammonia-free sea water. Plasma TA-N level was 18% lower in the anaesthetised fish compared to in the fish sampled directly from the exposure tanks (p 0.05), and accordingly 16% lower in the fish transferred to pure sea water although this difference was not significant (p = 0.07). Plasma glucose level was higher in the fish transferred to pure sea water than in the fish receiving the two other treatments (p 0.05), but plasma urea, osmolality, Na^{+, Cl–, Ca2+ or Mg2+} levels did not vary significantly between the different treatments. Plasma TA-N level increased with time in the fish in the metomidate solution (p 0.02).