鱼菜共生系统中植物密度对水质及鱼菜生长的影响

为评估不同植物密度对鱼菜共生系统水质及鱼菜生长的影响,于2017年开展鱼菜共生试验。鲫鱼养殖水体有效体积350 L,养殖密度10 kg/m3;水雍菜栽培面积为1. 0 m~2,植物密度为60、45、30株/m~2。结果显示:系统水温29. 37℃～31. 40℃,溶氧2. 33～5. 00 mg/L,p H 6. 22～7. 42,电导率(EC) 0. 19～0. 66 m S/cm,水质基本符合鱼菜生长需求;系统氨氮、亚硝酸盐氮、硝酸盐氮质量浓度随时间变化显著(P=0. 000),不同处理组的硝酸盐氮质量浓度存在显著差异(P=0. 028),且植物密度为45株/m~2的系统其平均硝酸盐氮质量浓度最高;试验共持续33d,鱼总鲜重增量为(1. 70±4. 36) kg、(1. 50±1. 57) kg、(1. 67±6. 01) kg,菜总鲜重增量为(7. 71±2. 27) kg、(6. 15±5. 49) kg、(4. 04±3. 01) kg;植物密度对地上部分含氮量相对增长率的影响显著(P=0. 037),且植物密度为45株/m~2的系统其地上部分含氮量相对增长率为正值。研究表明,3种植物密度系统的鱼菜生长良好,植物密度为45株/m~2组的系统具有较高的氮素转化效率,可通过扩大植物栽培面积来促进系统的氮素转化并获取更多的经济产出。     

循环水高密度养殖珍珠龙胆石斑鱼效果研究

为研究循环水高密度养殖珍珠龙胆石斑鱼[Epinephelus lanceolatu(♂)×Epinephelus fuscoguttatus(♀)]的养殖效果,在自行研制的循环水养殖系统中进行了试验。试验中对珍珠龙胆石斑鱼生长指标及养殖系统主要水质指标进行分析测定。结果显示,养殖期间的水质指标:水温26~29℃,盐度25~30,溶氧(DO)≥8 mg/L,氨氮浓度0.20~1.16 mg/L,亚硝酸盐氮0.05~0.40 mg/L。试验共持续250 d,分3个生长阶段:第1阶段87 d,密度由13.82 kg/m3增加到28.89 kg/m3,存活率95.28%,平均体重由(150±18)g增加到(329±42)g,特定生长率(SGR)为(0.90±0.06)%;第2阶段106 d,密度由28.89 kg/m3增加到53.36 kg/m3,存活率90.44%,平均体重由(329±42)g增加到(672±66)g,SGR为(0.67±0.02)%;第3阶段57 d,密度由46.98 kg/m3增加到69.50 kg/m3,存活率98.6%,平均体重由(676±52)g增加到(1 014±75)g,SGR为(0.71±0.02)%。养殖期间的平均SGR为(0.76±0.02)%,总存活率84.9%,饲料系数1.04,投入产出比为1∶2.02。本研究成果可为高密度养殖珍珠龙胆石斑鱼提供参考。     

冬季罗非鱼循环水暂养系统研究

为探索解决罗非鱼越冬问题,开展了利用循环水养殖系统进行暂养的试验研究。以具有代表性的吉富罗非鱼(Orcochromis niloticus)为研究对象,设计并构建了一套室内罗非鱼循环水养殖系统,并对罗非鱼进行了为期30 d的养殖试验。整个养殖周期内,罗非鱼养殖系统环境稳定、水质稳定良好。结果显示,系统养殖负荷总量从1 024.2 kg增长到2 309.1kg,鱼体平均体重由(170.7±10.8)g增重至(385.5±7.5)g,养殖密度由(22.9±3.5)kg/m3增加到(51.5±4.2)kg/m3,存活率达99.8%,饵料系数1.35。水质检测结果显示,水体进水口总氨氮0.21~0.33 mg/L,去除率20.64%;亚硝酸盐氮0.067~0.13 mg/L,去除率13.82%;溶氧6.5~7.4 mg/L,pH 8.15~8.65,水温23.9~24.7℃。研究表明,罗非鱼生长状况良好,系统中各水质参数符合养殖要求。循环水养殖系统用于罗非鱼冬季暂养具有一定的可行性。     

冷水鱼循环水养殖中的低温氨氮处理技术研究

为解决冷水鱼养殖过程中养殖水体中的氨氮累积问题，根据低温生物滤器及臭氧催化氧化处理氨氮的特点，设计了冷水鱼工厂化养殖氨氮处理系统并进行了试验。试验基于以臭氧氧化为主、低温生物处理为辅的处理工艺，试验鱼为虹鳟鱼，养殖密度为23 kg/m3，试验水体约为10 m3，试验周期为7 d。结果表明，该系统能够满足冷水鱼工厂化养殖过程中有关氨氮处理的水质指标要求，处理后的养殖池进水口的水质指标总氨氮≤0．18 mg/L，硝酸盐氮氮≤29．43 mg/L，亚硝酸盐氮氮≤0．1 mg/L；养殖水体氨氮浓度监测表明，臭氧在水中残留低于0．008 mg/L，符合养殖鱼类对水体臭氧浓度的安全要求。     

循环水养殖系统微细悬浮颗粒的分布规律研究

高密度循环水养殖系统微细悬浮颗粒物(30μm)的去除,是其水环境调控的关键。采用库尔特粒度分析仪分析大西洋鲑(Salmo salar)循环水养殖系统微细悬浮颗粒的时空分布,结果显示:系统中粒径为1～3μm的颗粒占总颗粒数的98.36%,3～15μm的占1.63%,15～30μm的仅占0.01%,系统内微细悬浮颗粒数量、总体积、总表面积的范围分别为(0.36～2.10)×10~6个/mL、(0.97～6.30)×10~(6 )mm~(3 )/mL、(0.24～1.30)×10~(7 )mm~2/mL;颗粒数量分布方面,随着粒径的减小,各样品颗粒数量迅速增加;体积分布方面,颗粒粒径越大,颗粒总体积越大;表面积分布方面,随着粒径的增大,总表面积呈现先减小后增大的趋势;泡沫分离器和浸没式生物滤池都呈现了很强的微细悬浮颗粒截留能力。本研究可为揭示稳定运行的循环水养殖系统的微细悬浮颗粒的分布状况,为选用不同的固液分离技术、提高固体颗粒物的去除效率提供参考。     

贝藻处理工厂化养殖废水的研究

研究了常见大型藻类对氮、磷营养盐的去除效果和贝类对悬浮颗粒物的去除效果。结果表明,石莼和海带在同样的实验条件下吸附氮、磷营养盐的效果明显高于鼠尾藻和马尾藻,密度2g/L的石莼和7.52g/L的海带是较好的养殖密度。与扇贝和文蛤比较,牡蛎具有较高的去除悬浮颗粒物的效率,可以在24h内除去养殖废水中93%的悬浮颗粒物。在20L养殖废水中投放1000g牡蛎和40g石莼组成的净化养殖废水的生物滤器对营养盐和悬浮颗粒物具有最好的去除效果,其去除效率分别为PO4P67.8%、NO2N60.2%、NH4N55.8%、NO3N59.0%和SPM82.5%。在20L养殖废水中投放1000g牡蛎和150g海带组成的生物滤器对营养盐和悬浮颗粒物的去除效果较好,其去除效率分别为PO4P62.6%,NO2N55.7%,NH4N46.0%,NO3N56.6%和SPM84.5%。     

工厂化养鱼实用技术试验水质监测分析报告

工厂化养鱼实用技术模式研究中,水质监测为试验提供了基础数据,并且成为试验顺利进行的有利保证;分析报告可供其它研究、生产人员参考。本次工厂化养鱼试验自2002年5月24日开始,至7月25日结束,养殖品种为奥尼罗非鱼和短盖巨脂鲤(亦名淡水白鲳),单位水体鱼获量奥尼罗非鱼78.2kg/m3,淡水白鲳82.2kg/m3。试验期间每两天检测水质一次,共检测32次。监测的水质理化指标有水温、pH、溶解氧、氨氮、亚硝酸氮、硝酸氮、磷酸盐、碱度。一、材料和方法1.仪器设备723型分光光度计、F-20A酸度计、YSI自动溶氧分析仪、表层水温计等。2.试剂及化验用水试…     

换水率和密度对刺参生长和水质的影响

为探究日换水率(0、10%、20%、30%和100%)和养殖密度[0.980±0.008、1.760±0.005、2.810±0.007和(3.640±0.006)kg/m3]对刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)生长率和养殖水质的影响,养殖试验首先在非循环水养殖条件下,测定各组刺参综合特定生长率(ISGR)及养殖水体中氨氮及亚硝酸盐氮质量浓度。结果显示,日换水率为10%和20%处理组的ISGR分别达到每天(1.330±0.161)%和(1.410±0.182)%,显著高于其他处理组;密度养殖试验证明,随着养殖密度的增加,ISGR逐渐降低,分别达到每天(0.610±0.500)%,(0.570±0.030)%,(0.560±0.045)%和(0.320±0.040)%,各组换水率及养殖密度组水体中氨氮及亚硝酸盐氮均在安全浓度范围内波动;养殖结果显示,循环水养殖试验组刺参的ISGR高于非循环水养殖组,可达(0.130±0.007)%,且氨氮及亚硝酸盐氮质量浓度在0.020 mg/L以下,而非循环水养殖的分别积累到(0.600±0.015)mg/L和(0.076±0.002)mg/L。研究表明,在换水率15%,养殖密度(2.810±0.007)kg/m3的循环水养殖条件下,可以保证水体水质稳定,刺参生长良好。     

养殖密度对工厂化对虾养殖池氮磷收支的影响

本实验设置300尾/m3、600尾/m3、1 200尾/m3和1 800尾/m3 4个养殖密度,探讨了工厂化对虾养殖池中养殖密度对氮磷收支的影响.结果表明,饵料对系统氮、磷的贡献率分别为84.3%～98.3%和93.2%～97.3%,且随养殖密度的增加而提高;通过水层输出的氮、磷分别为总输出量的27.5%～36.3%和8.4%～23.9%,通过底泥沉积的氮、磷分别为总输出量的30.9%～43.9%和51.5%～62.3%.结果说明,在系统氮磷的总输出中,水层输出和沉积均占到了相当的比重,相比较而言,沉积作用更为重要.养殖密度增加会在一定程度上降低水层和提高底泥沉积的氮磷量;总氮磷的投入中有14.5%～28.7%的氮和7.4%～16.5%的磷最终转化为对虾生物量,表现为随养殖密度的增加而降低;池壁附着物中积累的氮磷量在总氮磷输出中所占比重较小,分别为0.3%～3.2%和0.2%～3.0%,且其比重随养殖密度的增加而降低.结果说明,养殖密度显著影响对虾工厂化养殖池氮磷的收支.     

人工悬浮生物絮团在凡纳滨对虾养殖系统中的初步应用

为了探讨人工悬浮生物絮团在凡纳滨对虾养殖中的应用效果,优化生物絮团技术的使用方法,分别以甘蔗渣和稻壳粉为载体,配合芽孢杆菌BZ5制成甘蔗渣人工悬浮生物絮团和稻壳粉人工悬浮生物絮团,然后将其应用于凡纳滨对虾养殖系统,通过定期检测养殖环境中的水质指标、絮团含量、细菌数量以及对虾生长指标,评估添加人工悬浮生物絮团对凡纳滨对虾生长和养殖环境的影响。试验结果,甘蔗渣组和稻壳粉组养殖水体中的总氨氮(TAN)和总溶解态氮(TDN)水平低于对照组(P 0. 05);试验组单位水体的弧菌数量均维持在0～1×10~3CFU/m L;稻壳粉组对虾的成活率(50. 8%)显著高于对照组和甘蔗渣组(P0. 05),比对照组高27. 0%;稻壳粉组和甘蔗渣组的饲料系数(分别为1. 62和1. 87)显著低于对照组(P0. 05),分别比对照组低16. 5%和27. 7%;稻壳粉组和甘蔗渣组的单位面积对虾产量分别为2. 53 kg/m~2和2. 2 kg/m~2,分别比对照组(1. 82 kg/m~2)高39. 0%和20. 9%,且稻壳粉组显著高于对照组(P 0. 05);甘蔗渣组对虾的体长、体质量显著高于稻壳粉组(P 0. 05),与对照组无显著差异。结果表明,在凡纳滨对虾养殖系统中添加甘蔗渣人工悬浮生物絮团和稻壳粉人工悬浮生物絮团,能够为细菌提供缓释碳源和附着表面,促进益生菌的生长和繁殖,维持良好的水质,还能在一定程度上促进对虾生长,提高对虾的成活率,降低饲料系数。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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).