Embryonic and larval development of serpae tetra Hyphessobrycon eques (Steindachner, 1882)

In this study, the embryonic and larval development stages of one of the most important ornamental fish serpae tetra (Hyphessobrycon eques) are described. The early life stage is documented from fertilization until the beginning of the juvenile period. The fertilized eggs (the average diameter = 938.55 ± 35.20 µm) were incubated at a water temperature of 26 ± 0.5°C. The cleavage finished in 1:10 hr (=h) and the early blastula stage occurred at 1:26 hr post fertilization (hpf). The gastrulation started at 3:05 hpf, and 50% epiboly was observed at 3:25 hpf. Segmentation stage was monitored at 7:26 hpf. Embryonic developmental stage was completed and hatching occurred 20–21 hpf. The total length (TL) of newly hatched larvae was 2.64 ± 0.21 mm. The larval development of serpae tetra was divided into four different periods: Yolk‐sac larva (1–4 DAH, TL = 2.77 ± 0.09 mm ‐ 3.85 ± 0.11 mm), preflexion larva (5–12 DAH), flexion larva (13–15 DAH, TL = 5.78 ± 0.46 mm on the 15th day) and post‐flexion larva (16–30 DAH, TL = 10.7 ± 0.27 mm on the 28th–30th days). The mouth and anus are closed at 1 DAH. The mouth and anus opened at 4 DAH. Exogenous feeding started on the 4th day. The first gulping of the swim bladder was on days 3. The larva begins to swim freely, and the yolk sac was completely consumed at 4 DAH. Histological structures of the eye and brain of new hatched larva were clearly identified at 1 day after hatching (DAH). According to histological findings, the digestive system (stomach, intestine) started to develop and the liver could be seen on the ventral side of the swim bladder at 5 DAH. No histological difference was observed between the anterior intestine and the posterior intestine at 15–16 DAH. The larval metamorphosis was completed, and the larvae transformed into juveniles at 28–30 DAH.     

Effect of incubation temperature on the embryonic development and yolk‐sac larvae of the Pacific red snapper Lutjanus peru (Nichols & Murphy, 1922)

The effect of incubation temperature on embryonic development and yolk‐sac larva of the Pacific red snapper Lutjanus peru were evaluated by testing the effect of 26, 28 and 30°C, as this is the natural thermal interval reported during the spawning season of Pacific red snapper in the Gulf of California, Mexico. Sixteen developmental stages were observed. The incubation temperature affected the rate of development and time to hatching, being shorter at 30 than at 26°C, but no significant effect (P < 0.05) on larval length at hatching was registered. The depletion rate of yolk sac and oil globule was affected by incubation temperature particularly during the first 12 h post hatching (hph). At the end of the experiment (48 hph), significantly (P < 0.05) larger larvae were recorded at 26°C (TL = 3.22 ± 0.01 mm) than at 28° (TL = 3.01 ± 0.02 mm) and 30°C (TL = 2.97 ± 0.05 mm). Incubation of newly fertilized eggs at 26°C produces larger larvae, which may help to improve feeding efficiency and survival during first feeding.     

Applying the ontogeny of digestive enzyme activity to guide early weaning of pigfish,Orthopristis chrysoptera (L.)

Weaning marine fish larvae from live prey to a dry microdiet is an important step towards optimizing the commercial production, but early weaning is constrained by the lack of sufficient digestive enzymes at first feeding. This study quantified the activity of five digestive enzymes throughout the larval period of pigfish (Orthopristis chrysoptera [L.]) to assess ontogenetic changes in digestive abilities, and then trials were conducted that determined the optimal time for weaning. The activity of all digestive enzymes was low or undetectable at first feeding (3 days post hatching, dph; 2.5 mm standard length, SL). A substantial increase in activity occurred at 5.7 mm SL (17 dph), 6.9 mm SL (21 dph), 7.7 mm SL (23 dph), 8.4 mm SL (25 dph) and 11.2 mm SL (30 dph) for bile salt‐dependent lipase, trypsin, chymotrypsin, amylase and acid protease respectively. During the weaning experiment, larvae were co‐fed live prey and microdiet beginning 15 dph (4.8 mm SL). Live prey was withdrawn from the diet at 24, 28, 32 or 36 dph, with the control receiving live prey and microdiet throughout (to 43 dph). There were no significant differences in mean final SL among treatments, but survival was significantly lower when larvae were weaned at 24 dph compared to 32–43 dph. Based on the digestive enzyme activity and survival, weaning larval pigfish at 32 dph (11.7 mm SL) when reared at 24°C is recommended.     

Qualitative analysis of cartilaginous jaw element malformation in cultured yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) larvae

A central problem facing worldwide culture of yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) is the presence of skeletal malformations, including jaw deformities. This study presents a morphological characterization of normal and abnormal cartilage jaw structures during early larval development. Samples of 70–150 larvae were collected from three cohorts from 2 to 9 days post hatching, anaesthetized and fixed for cartilage staining. Cartilaginous components were defined clearly at four days post hatch (dph) (4.65 ± 0.05 mm total length), and abnormal jaw structures were detectable at this time. Jaw deformities observed included extension of Meckel's cartilage with or without ventral bending of the anterior tip, displacement of ceratohyal and hypohyal cartilage ventrally and below Meckel's cartilage, and shortening and dorsal flexion of the lower jaw. At 4 dph, between 44% and 47% of all larvae examined had jaw abnormalities. The contribution of each deformity to the total number of deformities was variable among the three cohorts examined. To compare shape difference accurately we performed an exploratory, landmark‐based geometric morphometric analysis using seven homologous landmarks. Larvae were classified into three jaw morphology groups. The geometric morphometric approach provides a useful tool to standardize classification of cartilage jaw abnormalities at early developmental larval stages. Early recognition of developing abnormalities is of importance for fish farmers in both improving fish selection efficiency and for evaluating effects of rearing parameters.     

Induction of sex reversal in blue drum (Nibea mitsukurii) and gynogenetic yellow drum (Nibea albiflora) by oral administration of letrozole

The objective of this study was to test the efficiency of an aromatase inhibitor, letrozole (LZ), to induce masculinization in blue drum (Nibea mitsukurii) and gynogenetic yellow drum (N. albiflora). Two experiments (Exp‐1 and Exp‐2) were performed to investigate the effect of LZ on the growth, sex ratio and gonad development in these two fishes. In Exp‐1, blue drum were treated with oral administration of letrozole at different doses (0, 1, 10, 100 mg/kg). In Exp‐2, gynogenetic yellow drum were orally administered different doses of LZ (0, 10, 100 mg/kg) and a dose of 10 mg/kg 17α‐methyltestosterone (MT). The treatments in both experiments were performed from 25 to 85 days post hatch (dph). As a result, all the LZ‐treated fish were phenotypic males despite of slower growth than the control during the treatment period. Free spermatozoa were observed from 150 dph onwards and the gonadosomatic index of the LZ‐treated fish did not differ significantly from that in the control at maturity. However, the sex‐reversed fish induced by MT exhibited a high proportion (33.4%) of testicular abnormalities. Our results showed that oral administration of LZ was efficient in inducing sex reversal in drums, and thereby facilitated their mono‐sex culture.     

菊黄东方鲀性腺分化的组织学观察

运用组织切片法,对菊黄东方鲀性腺分化过程进行了观察。在40日龄前,原始性腺未分化。40日龄(21.60～24.71mm),约半数个体开始形成卵巢腔,分化为卵巢;其他约半数个体的性腺仍未分化。雌鱼在60日龄(35.51～43.60mm),形成封闭的卵巢腔;70日龄(46.30～54.75mm),卵原细胞形成卵母细胞;120日龄(94.83～107.29mm),产卵板充分发育,卵巢结构已近完善。雄鱼在60日龄(35.51～43.60mm),形成精小囊及精原细胞,开始分化;90日龄(71.59～80.54mm),形成精小管和精小叶;120日龄(94.83～107.29mm),初级精母细胞形成,性腺分化基本完成。雌鱼性腺分化时期早于雄鱼。     

Allometric growth patterns and development in larvae and juveniles of thick‐lipped grey mullet Chelon labrosus reared in mesocosm conditions

Allometric growth and ontogeny were studied in thick‐lipped grey mullet Chelon labrosus reared in mesocosms from 1 to 71 day post hatching (dph). Multivariate allometric analysis of morphometric growth distinguished three distinct developmental stanzas separated by two morphometric metamorphosis lengths (L_m1 = 4.46 ± 0.06 mm; L_m2 = 28.56 ± 1.04 mm). Body mass growth also showed three distinct episodes separated by two inflections, correlated with morpho‐functional changes. First episode concerned pre‐flexion larvae and ended around 4.5 mm‐L_T (14‐dph), coinciding with estimated L_m1. It was distinguished by reduced growth, but intense morphogenesis and differentiation processes. Organogenesis and allometric changes indicated that development priorities concerned feeding efficiency, by improving detection ability (sensory system development), ingestion capacity (head growth) and assimilation performance (digestive system differentiation), together with respiration efficiency (gill development). Second episode concerned post‐flexion larvae and, ended around 8.6 mm‐L_T (25‐dph). It was distinguished by fast growth of trunk and tail, acquisition of adult axial muscle distribution and completion of gill filament development, improving locomotion and oxygenation performances. It corresponded to transition towards metamorphosing stage as indicated by later isometric growth, musculature maturation and acquisition of juvenile phenotype. Metamorphosis seemed to end at L_m2, suggesting to avoid zootechnic handling before this size.     

Fin damage and growth parameters relative to stocking density and feeding method in intensively cultured European perch (Perca fluviatilis L.)

We evaluated the relationship of stocking density to survival, growth performance and fin condition of European perch Perca fluviatilis with hand feeding and self-feeders. Hand-fed perch (body weight 19.1 ± 5.1 g and total length 107 ± 9 mm) were reared at 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 fish/L. Self-feeding perch (body weight 25.4 ± 3.9 g and total length 128 ± 7 mm) were reared at stocking densities of 0.6, 1.0 and 1.4 fish/L. Pond-reared perch served as a comparison group for fin damage assessment. We found no differences in survival rate among stocking densities with either feeding method. Hand-fed fish displayed the highest weight gain and SGR at stocking density of 0.5 fish/L. The self-feeding fish showed a non-linear association of weight gain with stocking density with the highest growth at 1.0 fish/L. Fin length was noticeably greater in pond-reared fish compared with RAS-reared fish regardless of feeding method. In both experiments, fin length relative to standard length showed a negative relationship with stocking density, with pectoral fins showing the greatest effect. Fin condition deteriorated with increasing stocking density, and growth was highest at 0.5 and 1.0 fish/L in hand-fed and self-feeding fish, respectively.     

Early weaning of southern flounder, Paralichthys lethostigma, larvae and ontogeny of selected digestive enzymes

There is considerable interest in rearing Southern flounder, Paralichthys lethostigma, for commercial production and for stock enhancement. Both goals depend upon excellent larval nutrition for the production of robust juveniles. The current use of live prey for larviculture is an expensive and time consuming process that can be alleviated by weaning larvae onto dry feed. A study was conducted to assess the potential for early weaning of southern flounder larvae onto a microdiet (MD). In addition, the activity of selected digestive enzymes was measured during ontogeny to evaluate the digestive capabilities of the larvae over time. Pancreatic enzyme activities (U larva^− 1) were very low or undetectable at hatching and a marked increase in activity was not observed until the larvae reached 4 mm (~ 11 dph) in standard length for chymotrypsin (24–44,000) and 6 mm (~ 25 dph) for amylase (< 1–24), trypsin (1–18) and bile salt-dependent lipase (0–443). Acid protease activity (~ 1.0) was detected once the larvae were 8.5–9.0 mm (37–39 dph) in length although a sizeable increase in activity (> 10.0) was not observed until after complete metamorphosis (> 11.0 mm; 40–45 dph). Feeding regimes employed for the weaning study consisted of a live feed control (C) and a combination of live feed and MD in which the addition of the MD was initiated on 11 dph and live feed terminated on 17 (T17), 23 (T23) or 29 (T29) dph. At the end of the study (35 dph), mean standard length and the percent of settled fish were significantly greater for fish in the control treatment (8.3 mm; 21.1%) than for fish fed any combination of live prey and MD (6.4 mm; 2.0%). Average survival was 27.7% and no significant differences were noted among treatments. However, the number of fish exhibiting spinal deformities, lordosis, was significantly lower in the control and T29 treatments (1.7%) than the T17 and T23 treatments (25%). The results of this study indicate that southern flounder larvae readily wean onto dry feed prior to the onset of metamorphosis. However, decreased growth and a high incidence of lordosis emphasize the need for the development of a more appropriate MD for this species when digestive enzyme activities are relatively low and gastric digestion is absent.     

Evaluation of culture of the mussels Choromytilus chorus and Aulacomya ater (Molina) in northern coasts of Chile

The culture of Aulacomya ater and Choromytilus chorus in northern Chile was evaluated by collecting spat from both species from their natural environments and culturing them in an area isolated from natural populations. The spat collection at the site selected allowed the establishment of four cohorts of A. ater and six cohorts of Ch. chorus after 131 days. These cohorts were transported 250 km south for further growth, resulting in 290 ropes of Ch. chorus and 30 ropes of A. ater with an average of 900 specimens with a 13.5 mm mean size. After 29 months of cultivation, the yield was 623.7 ± 62.2 specimens of A. ater and 575.3 ± 49.3 specimens of Ch. chorus per rope of 3.5 m long. The growth attained during this period indicated values of L_∞ = 136 mm and k = 0.58 for Ch. chorus and L_∞ = 107 mm and k = 0.66 for A. ater. The Ch. chorus specimens reached greater lengths at month 15 than the A. ater specimens with the same age. For the total length–weight ratio and the soft part length–weight ratio for specimens above 60 mm in length, A. ater presented higher weights at the same lengths than Ch. chorus. We established that Ch. chorus reached its optimum soft part weight after 19 months and at a size of 82 mm, whereas this optimum was reached by A. ater after 18 months and at 68 mm. We concluded that farming both species in northern Chile was viable.     

Otolith size differences during early life of dwarf and cannibal Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus)

In Arctic and alpine lakes, Arctic char [Salvelinus alpinus (L.)] often form two distinct morphs: invertebrate feeders (‘dwarfs’) and piscivores (‘giant or cannibals’). Here, we test for early life history growth variation in dimorphic Arctic char as a proximate explanation for the observed life history variation between the two forms. Char were sampled in 11 alpine and Arctic Norwegian lakes. Dwarfs (defined as sexually mature char less than 15 cm long; N = 304) had a mean total length of 105 mm, whereas the typical cannibal (body length above 20 cm; N = 153) was 388 mm long. A positive correlation between egg size and otolith hatching ring were ascertained in a separate hatching experiment with brown trout (Salmo trutta) and it is assumed that this relationship also is valid for Arctic char, and otolith size was used as a proxy for length. Otolith hatching ring from Arctic char cannibals was larger (mean ± SD; 187 ± 24 μm) than those from dwarfs (mean ± SD; 164 ± 23 μm). There were only minor size differences between dwarfs and cannibals during the next three years, after which dwarfs usually matured. Two mutually nonexclusive, proximate explanations for the differentiation into separate morphs (dwarfs and cannibals) are therefore maternal effects and/or genetic based differentiation. The high catchability of large piscivorous char and low production in alpine and Arctic lake ecosystems may make these stocks particularly vulnerable to overexploitation.     

Early development and allometric growth in hatchery‐reared characin Brycon orbignyanus

The characin piracanjuba, Brycon orbignyanus (Valenciennes, 1850), has been recognized as a candidate species for aquaculture. The early morphological development and allometric growth of hatchery‐reared piracanjuba were studied from hatching to the juvenile stage, at water temperature of 27.9 ± 0.6°C. Growth, in total length (TL), was linear during that period. At hatching (3.4 ± 0.2 mm TL), the non‐pigmented free embryo had most functional systems not fully differentiated. The primordial finfold was almost completely absorbed, except the preanal segment, in individuals measuring 9.1 ± 0.4 mm TL. Retinal pigmentation occurred as early as 24 hours posthatching (hph). The yolk sac was no longer observed after 60 hph. Body proportion and growth rates changed considerably during early morphological development. The head experienced positive allometric growth in length throughout the interval of study, and at the inflexion point of 6.6 mm TL, head growth had reduced significantly, but still remained allometrically positive. Trunk length showed negative allometric growth throughout the period of study. The growth of the postanal length was allometrically positive until the inflexion point at 7.1 mm TL, and thereafter decreased to near isometric. The allometric growth changes in the piracanjuba during initial life likely result from selective organogenesis directed towards survival priorities.     

Influence of swimbladder inflation failure on mortality,growth and lordotic deformity in Pacific bluefin tuna,Thunnus orientalis, (Temminck & Schlegel) postflexion larvae and juveniles

This study examined the influence of swimbladder inflation (SBI) failure on mortality (Experiment 1), lordotic deformity (Experiment 2) and growth (Experiment 1, 2) in Pacific bluefin tuna, Thunnus orientalis, postflexion larvae and juveniles by producing larvae lacking inflated swimbladders. Experiment 1 was conducted for postflexion larvae to juveniles (from 18 to 30 days‐post‐hatch; dph). Mortality was not significantly different between the fish with (WIS) and without (WOIS) inflated swimbladders. Standard length (SL) and body weight (BW) were significantly smaller in WOIS than WIS. Moreover, the SBI was found in WOIS after postflexion stage. In Experiment 2, two examination trials were conducted on SBI, vertebral deformity and growth for juvenile stage. Lordotic deformities were found neither in the WOIS nor in the WIS. Although SL and BW were significantly smaller in WOIS than WIS at 22 dph, after 37 dph no significant differences were found between them. The results of Experiment 1 and 2 indicate that SBI failure causes growth retardation until juveniles of 30 dph; however, it does not cause growth retardation in juveniles after 37 dph and mortality of postflexion larvae and juveniles. Moreover, SBI failure did not cause lordotic deformity in PBT differently from many other fish.     

Embryonic and larval developments of brackish water catfish,Mystus gulio (Hamilton and Buchanan, 1822) induced with human chorionic gonadotropin and consequent larval rearing

Mystus gulio, the long whiskers catfish, is a popular food fish and potential candidate species for aquaculture in Sundarban area of India and Bangladesh. Recently, catch of this species has declined due to overfishing and various ecological changes. In the present study, mature fish was induced to spawn in captivity through intramuscular injection of human chorionic gonadotropin at the doses of 10 IU/g to female and 5 IU/g to male. Photomicrographs of all developmental stages of live embryo and larvae were documented with the aid of a light microscope. Results demonstrated that morula, blastula, gastrula and neurula and organogenesis ended at 1:30‐, 3:00‐, 5:30‐, 7:30‐ and 17:15‐hour post‐spawning (hps) respectively. Heartbeat and muscular contraction of embryo commenced at 8:30 and 11.15 hps respectively. Hatching of embryo started after an incubation period of 17:30 hour at an ambient temperature of 29 ± 1°C. The newly hatched larvae measured 2.17 ± 0.29 mm in total length with a yolk volume of 0.165 ± 0.03 mm³ started feeding 36 hr after hatching. The present study, on induced breeding and chronological development of M. gulio embryo, will have significant implications on conservation and seed production for aquaculture.     

Growth,development and behaviour of Persian sturgeon Acipenser persicus larvae in different light regimes

The effects of five different light regimes on growth performance and behaviour of Persian Sturgeon larvae were examined. Larvae were reared under five different photoperiods (24L, 12L:12D, 16L:8D, 8L:16L and 24D), from hatching (25.8 ± 8.1 mg; 12 ± 0.6 mm) to 28 days post‐hatch (dph). Except the last week, there was no significant difference in growth parameters among the experimental groups. Growth performance significantly improved in larvae reared under a continuous light regime. The highest final length (34.5 ± 1.7 mm) was measured in 24L and the lowest one (29.5 ± 0.4 mm) in the constant darkness. Relative to other experimental groups, the continuous darkness had a retarding impact on the yolk sac absorption and swarming behaviour. Among the whole body compositions, the lowest body moisture content was measured in the continuous light group. Persian Sturgeon pre‐larvae and larvae were not completely dependent on light regimes (in 1–21 days), whereas on the basis of measured parameters (total length, wet and dry weight and digestive fullness index) a continuous light regime played a decisive role on growth performance beyond 21 dph.     

Effect of the photoperiod on the larval development,body growth and muscle cellularity of shi drum (Umbrina cirrosa L.)

Shi drum (Umbrina cirrosa L.) larvae were maintained under three photoperiod regimes: a natural photoperiod regime (16L:8D), continuous light (24L) and equal durations of light and dark (12L:12D) from the end of the vitelline phase to the end of the metamorphosis. Muscle and body parameters were studied at hatching and at 4, 10, 14, 39 and 55 days post hatching (dph). During the vitelline phase, the total body length growth was scarce, whereas the muscle grew significantly, being the hypertrophy of the main mechanism involved. Both the total body length and the hypertrophy were significantly greater at 16L:8D than in the rest of photoperiod regimes. At 10 and 14 dph, the greatest body length was reached at 16L:8D, followed by the 24L group, showing the 12L:12D group the lowest values. At 14 dph, the hypertrophy and hyperplasia were also higher at 16L:8D than in the rest of groups. At 39 dph, the highest values of body length were reached in both 16L:8D and 12L:12D regimes, this latter group reaching the highest values of hypertrophy, thus showing a compensatory growth when comparing with the previous stages. The end of the metamorphosis took place at 50–55 dph in all the groups, with 2.7–3.1 cm of body length (P > 0.05). At this stage, the transverse area of the white muscle was similar among the groups, but the greatest hypertrophy was reached at 16L:8D, whereas the highest hyperplasia was reached at 24L.     

Mass Production of Juveniles of the Fat Snook Centropomus parallelus in Brazil

A pilot‐scale trial to rear fat snook Centropomus parallelus through larval, weaning and nursery phases was conducted in Florianópolis, Brazil. Eggs (96% fertilization) from captive broodstock, induced to spawn using 50 μg/kg LHRHa were stocked in two 4,000‐L cylindrical fiberglass tanks at a mean density of 19.2 eggs/L. Nannochloropsis oculata was stocked with the eggs and maintained at a mean density of 0.5–1.0 ± 10⁶ cells/mL up to 31 dph (31 dph). Hatching averaged 90%. Larvae were fed rotifers Brachionus rotundiformis enriched with an oil emulsion from 3 dph to 36 dph (30–40 rotifers/mL) and Artermia meta‐nauplii enriched with Selco from 22 dph to 60 dph (mean 2.9 meta‐nauplii/mL). Weaning began at 45 dph with an artificial dry diet NRG (50% protein), supplied together with concentrated and enriched Artemia meta‐nauplii. No critical period of mortality was observed during larval rearing. During the 43 days of weaning and nursery, less than 1% mortality was recorded. Food conversion rate during nursery was 1.17, with a change in the coefficient of variation of mean total length of 1.3%. Specific total growth rate in weight was 13.0 %/d and mean growth in total length and total weight were 0.65 mm/d and 24.0 mg/d over the whole rearing trial respectively. Mean total length and total weight of juveniles were 57.6 ± 0.1 mm and 2.11 ± 0.12 g, respectively, and the length‐weight relationship was W = 8.29931 ± 10–⁵ TL^3.049607 (r= 0.9986). on 88 dph when the trial was terminated. The condition factor on 88 dph was 1.104. On 88 dph a total of 35,000 juveniles were harvested, overall survival was 25.5% with mean final density of 4.4 fishn and biomass of 6.9 kg/m³. The present trial demonstrated the feasibility of mass production of fat snook. Possible improvements necessary for commercial cultivation of fat snook C. parallelus are discussed.     

Combined effect of weaning time and co‐feeding duration on growth and survival of peled Coregonus peled (Gmelin) larvae

The study investigated the combined effect of weaning from live feed to a commercial dry pellet at 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 days posthatching (dph) and co‐feeding for 1, 3 or 6 days on survival and growth of Coregonus peled larvae. Additional groups fed only live Artemia sp. nauplii (ART), and only Biomar LARVIVA ProWean 100 (DRY) were included. A final survival rate of 66.4%–85.5% was observed in groups weaned after 20 dph. Final body weight (BW) and total length (TL) were significantly lower in groups weaned at 10 and 15 dph, regardless of the duration of co‐feeding. Larvae reached 29–37 mg BW and TL of 17.7–19.0 mm in groups weaned at 20, 25 and 30 dph. The recommended minimum duration of feeding with live food, based on these results, is 20 days. Based on the significantly higher yield of larvae weaned after 20 dph irrespective of co‐feeding duration, it can be concluded that abrupt weaning to dry food after 20 days of feeding with live prey can provide adequate production while reducing the effort and costs associated with live feed.     

Embryonic and larval development of a hybrid between kelp grouper Epinephelus moara ♀ × giant grouper E. lanceolatus ♂ using cryopreserved sperm

Hybridization was used to take advantage of desirable traits in offspring. In the present study, we applied the cryopreserved Epinephelus lanceolatus sperm into interspecific hybridization with E. moara. Successful hybridization between these two species was achieved and cultured in 23–24°C seawater (34‰). There was no difference in survival rate between hybrid (E. moara ♀ × E. lanceolatus ♂) and non‐hybrid (E. moara ♀ × E. moara ♂) at 24 hrs post hatch (HPH), but less hybrid (14.35 ± 8.02%) hatched than non‐hybrid (93.60 ± 1.65%), which might be due to irregularity cell cleavage and skeletal deformities from the formation of embryonic body to the later embryonic development. Similar phenomenon was found in hybrid embryos from fertilization with fresh sperm, indicating that species variations between parents, rather than cryopreserved sperm, resulted in deformities in embryos. Mean hatch time of the hybrid was 1 hr faster than that of E. moara. The hybrid was 1.95 ± 0.06 mm in total length when newly hatched and reached 38.00 mm at 58 days post hatch (DPH), which showed faster growth than E. moara (recorded in the previous study). Considering its faster growth, E. moara × E. lanceolatus hybrid was a potential breeding production in aquaculture. Over 212,000,000 larvae have been produced and launched in the market since 2015. The results of this study also shed some lights on further comparative studies in grouper hybrid performance.     

Timing to promote initial swimbladder inflation by surface film removal in Pacific bluefin tuna,Thunnus orientalis (Temminck and Schlegel), larvae

This study investigated the optimal timing of day to promote initial swimbladder inflation (ISI) for improved Pacific bluefin tuna (PBT), Thunnus orientalis, larval survival. Larval swimbladder inflation frequency was compared based on three experiments using different time schemes of surface film removal (SFR) from 3 to 9 days post hatch (dph). SFR was conducted from 05:00 to 19:00 hours (light period: S.5–19), 19:00 to 05:00 hours (dark period: S.19–5), 08:00 to 19:00 hours (S.8–19) and the entire day (S.24) in Experiment 1; from 08:00 to 19:00 hours (S.8–19‐E2), 08:00 to 13:00 hours (S.8–13), 13:00 to 19:00 hours (S.13–19) in Experiment 2; and from 13:00 to 16:00 hours (S.13–16), 16:00 to 19:00 hours (S.16–19), 18:00–19:00 hours (S.18–19) in Experiment 3. The swimbladder inflation frequency at the experiment termination (9 dph) was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in S.24 (91.1 ± 5.7%), S.5–19 (92.2 ± 5.1%) and S.8–19 (93.3 ± 3.4%) than in S.19–5 (11.1 ± 5.1%) in Experiment 1, and remarkably higher in S.8–19‐E2 (81.7%) and S.13–19 (88.3%) than in S.8–13 (0.0%) in Experiment 2, and significantly higher (P < 0.001) in S.16–19 (84.4 ± 5.1%) and S.18–19 (70.0 ± 12.0%) than in S.13–16 (7.8 ± 3.9%) in Experiment 3. These results suggest that the optimal timing to promote larval ISI by SFR is a few hours before the end of light period (16:00–19:00 hours) from 3 to 9 dph.