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.     

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.     

The effect of temperature on the growth, survival and food consumption of the east coast rock lobster Panulirus homarus rubellus

The successful culture of the east coast rock lobster Panulirus homarus rubellus is reliant, among other factors, on the provision of optimal water quality for growth and survival. This study investigated the effect of temperature over a range of 9.7 °C (18.9 ± 0.7 °C to 28.6 ± 1.5 °C) on the growth and survival of juvenile (40.4 ± 9 mm CL; 63.64 ± 12.05 g) P. h. rubellus fed a diet of fresh mussel flesh. Specific growth rate (SGR) was significantly different between temperatures (p = 0.01), with the highest values recorded for the 24 and 28 °C treatments. There was no significant difference in moult increment (MI) between temperatures in terms of both an increase in weight (p = 0.83) and carapace length (p = 0.54). Intermoult period (IMP) differed significantly between temperatures (p = 0.0015) with mean IMP lowest at 24 °C, although not significantly different from the means of the 26 and 28 °C treatments. IMP was highest at 19 and 21 °C. Apparent feed intake was significantly different between treatments (p < 0.0001) and exhibited a strong positive correlation with increasing temperature (y = − 1.67 + 0.16x ; r² = 0.81). Food conversion ratio (FCR) differed significantly between temperatures (p = 0.02) with 24 °C exhibiting the most efficient FCR. Results indicate that efficient growout of juvenile P. h. rubellus, in terms of both growth and food conversion efficiency, is obtainable at 24 °C.     

Broad snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) growth under different rearing densities

The effect of density on growth in body mass (BM) and total length (TL) of Caiman latirostris hatchlings raised in small pens (area 0.36 m²), for 3 months, was investigated. Twelve animals from each of three clutches were randomly distributed (1, 2 or 3 individuals) to two replicates at low rearing density (LRD: 0.12 m²/individual), medium rearing density (MRD: 0.06 m²/individual) and high rearing density (HRD: 0.04 m²/individual. Growth at LRD [BM: 150.75 ± 43.83 g (SE); TL: 11.58 ± 0.93 cm] and MRD (BM: 141.96 ± 22.55 g; TL: 8.38 ± 1.26 cm) was significantly more than at HRD (BM: 57.19 ± 14.38 g; TL: 4.61 ± 0.89 cm; p < 0.001). Density is important to achieving optimal growth and maintaining the well-being of C. latirostris in commercial ranching programs.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Pharmacokinetic disposition of enrofloxacin in brown trout (Salmo trutta fario) after oral and intravenous administrations

In this study, the pharmacokinetic profile of enrofloxacin (EF) and its major metabolite, ciprofloxacin (CF), were investigated in brown trout (Salmo trutta fario) (n = 150) after intravenous (i.v.) and oral (p.o.) administrations of a single dose of 10 mg kg^− 1 body weight (b.w.) at 10 °C. The plasma concentrations of the drugs were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-UV) from 0.08 to 120 h. Pharmacokinetic parameters were described by the two-compartment open model for intravenous and oral administrations, respectively. After intravenous administration, the elimination half-life (t_1/2β), apparent volume of distribution at steady-state (V_ss) and total body clearance (Cl_tot) of enrofloxacin were 19.14 ± 1.51 h, 3.40 ± 0.18 L kg^− 1 and 0.14 ± 0.01 L kg h^− 1, respectively. After oral administration, the maximum plasma concentration (C_max), time of maximum concentration (t_max) and bioavailability (F%) were 2.30 ± 0.08 µg mL^− 1, 8 h and 78 ± 4%, respectively. Ciprofloxacin was not detected in the present study. The elimination half-life for enrofloxacin following oral administration was longer than values calculated for other animals. After oral administration, the mean plasma concentration was well above the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs)—that is, > 0.5 µg mL^− 1 at 36 h—for most gram-negative fish pathogens. It is possible and practical to obtain therapeutic blood concentrations of enrofloxacin in brown trout (S. trutta fario) using oral administration of 10 mg kg^− 1 body weight; therefore, it may be effective in the therapy for brown trout diseases.     

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.     

Rapid and non-invasive measurements of fat and pigment concentrations in live and slaughtered Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)

The aim of this study was to non-invasively determine fat and pigment concentrations in salmon muscle based on visible and near infrared (VIS/NIR) spectroscopy measurements of live/whole fish and fillets, and by means of digital photography (DP) of fillets. The fish used were two populations of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) consisting of 46 salmon averaging 0.7 kg (range 0.17–1.7 kg, Group S) and 30 salmon averaging 2.3 kg (range 1.4–4.1 kg, Group L). Chemical analyses (fat and pigment content) and computerized tomography, CT (fat content) were used as reference methods. Group L was analysed in the live state (VIS/NIR), after gutting (VIS/NIR and CT), and as fillets (VIS/NIR and DP). Group S was analysed in the gutted state (VIS/NIR) and as fillets (VIS/NIR and DP). VIS spectroscopy predictions of pigment in whole salmon from Group S were obtained with a root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) of 0.9 mg kg^− 1 astaxanthin, and a correlation between VIS spectroscopy predicted and chemically measured pigment of r = 0.85 (p < 0.0001). The fat concentration was determined by the NIR spectroscopy in live fish with RMSEP = 1.0 fat% unit, and a correlation with chemical reference values of r = 0.94 (p < 0.0001). Fat predictions from NIR spectroscopy correlated also well with predictions from CT analyses, r = 0.95 (p < 0.0001). VIS spectroscopy and DP were equally well suited to determine pigment concentrations in salmon fillets, with prediction errors of only 0.4 mg kg^− 1 astaxanthin, and a correlation with chemically determined pigment of r = 0.92 (p < 0.0001). The results obtained in the present study are the first to demonstrate successful non-invasive pigment predictions in whole salmon using VIS/NIR spectroscopy, and the possibility for simultaneous, rapid and non-destructive quantification of fat and pigment concentrations.     

Effects of manganese on juvenile mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus) cultured in water with varying salinity—Implications for inland mariculture

The effects of 5 mg/L of dissolved manganese on juvenile mulloway at salinities of 5, 15 and 45 ppt were determined by comparing their survival, growth and blood plasma and organ chemistry with those of fish grown at the same salinities without manganese addition. Survival of mulloway at 45 ppt in the presence of 5 mg/L of manganese (73 ± 13%) was significantly lower than all other treatments, which achieved 100% survival. Those fish grown in water without manganese exhibited rapid growth, which was not affected by salinity (SGR = 4.05 ± 0.29%/day). Those fish grown at 5 ppt and 45 ppt in the presence of manganese lost weight over the 2-week trial (SGR − 0.17 ± 0.42 and − 0.44 ± 0.83%/day, respectively), whilst those at 15 ppt gained some weight (SGR 1.70 ± 0.20%/day). Manganese accumulated in the gills, liver and muscle of the fish and significant differences in blood plasma chemistry were observed. Blood plasma sodium and chloride of fish exposed to manganese were significantly elevated in hyperosmotic salinity (45 ppt) and depressed at hyposmotic salinity (5 ppt) compared with unexposed fish at the same salinity; consistent with manganese causing apoptosis or necrosis to chloride cells. We did not, however, observe any gill epithelial damage under light microscopy. Blood plasma potassium was significantly elevated at all salinities in the presence of manganese and liver potassium and glycogen reduced. These findings are consistent with manganese interfering with carbohydrate metabolism.     

Apparent digestibility coefficients of animal and plant feed ingredients for juvenile Pseudobagrus ussuriensis

A study was conducted to determine apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), lipid, gross energy, phosphorus and amino acids (AAs) from Peruvian fish meal (PFM), native fish meal (NFM), meat bone meal (MBM), dried daphnia meal (DDM), soybean meal (SBM), full‐fat soybean (FSBM), cottonseed meals (CSM), rapeseed meal (RSM) and corn gluten meal (CGM) for Pseudobagrus ussuriensis (7.8 ± 0.06 g). Test diets were formulated to contain a 70:30 mixture of reference diet to test ingredient with chromic oxide (5 g kg^–1) serving as the inert marker. ADCs of DM ranged from 49.94% (CGM) to 87.11% (PFM), the highest ADCs of DM were observed in PFM and the lowest was found in CGM. ADCs of CP in the test ingredients ranged from 74.92% (CGM) to 93.41% (SBM). ADCs of crude lipid ranged from 51.80% (CGM) to 94.07% (PFM) for fish. ADCs of energy ranged from 56.42% (CGM) to 90.09% (PFM). ADCs of phosphorus ranged from 21.81% (CSM) to 65.70% (PFM). AA availability for the test ingredients followed a similar pattern to ADCs of CP, in which values for PFM, NFM and MBM were generally higher (p < .05) than those of other protein ingredients. Among all plant meals, the AA availability values in SBM were higher (p < .05) than those in CGM, CSM and RSM. The availability of most AAs in CGM was the lowest (p < .05) among all tested ingredients. In conclusion, PFM and NFM are good sources of available protein and AAs. When fishmeal supply is limited, MBM and DDM are substitutes for fishmeal reduction in P. ussuriensis diets; at the same time, SBM and FSBM are also very acceptable protein feedstuffs. However, CSM, RSM and CGM could not be used at high levels in P. ussuriensis diets because of their inferior digestibilities.     

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.     

Biological parameters of the bathyal fish black scabbardfish (Aphanopus carbo Lowe, 1839) off the Canary Islands, Central-east Atlantic

The main biological characteristics for black scabbardfish in the Canary Islands waters were established, focusing on its reproductive behaviour and strategy and its growth pattern. The sex proportion differs significantly from the 1:1 ratio, being clearly unbalanced towards the females. The sex ratio according to depth clearly shows the presence of male and female individuals in all the studied layers, thus sex segregation does not happen according to depth. The Canaries can be considered to be a reproduction site for A. carbo, since samples showing all stages of maturity have been observed. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) showed that the mean values were higher in the third and fourth quarters of the year. The index values clearly allow the differentiation of the individuals in resting or in spent (II and V) stages from individuals in ripe or in ripe and running stages, indicating that index levels higher than 2 are typical of maturation followed by spawning process. Up to twelve marks, assumed to be annuli, were visible in the sampled otoliths. Three to five years old were the dominant age classes and only 7.7% of fish were 7 years old or older. Age estimates ranged between 2 and 8 years for males and between 2 and 12 years for females. Estimated growth parameters were: L_∞ = 1477 ± 18.73 mm; k = 0.200 ± 0.016 year⁻¹; and t₀ = −4.58 ± 0.413 year. Biological aspects of the black scabbardfish suggest that this species has a generalist life-history strategy.     

Effect of feeding apidaecin on common carp (Cyprinus carpio) growth performances and immune function

Effect of apidaecin on common carp (Cyprinus carpio) based on growth performance, feed utilization (Feed Conversion Ratio, FCR) and immune parameters were investigated. Twelve aquaria with three replicates for G1-3 and control were used. The synthesized apidaecin peptide was added to common carp basal diets (Control) as additives in three concentrations: 10.0 mg kg^− 1 (G1), 15.0 mg kg^− 1 (G2) and 30.0 mg kg^− 1 (G3) by wet weight of basal diet. After an 80-day feeding experiment, G2 and G3 showed significantly better (P < 0.05) results of growth performances and FCR than the control. However, there was no remarkable difference (P > 0.05) between G2 and G3. As for G1, the final weight, SGR (Specific Growth Rate) and DG (Daily Gain) were increased and the FCR was decreased, but not significantly (P > 0.05) compared with the control. The serum lysozyme activity of G2 and G3 was significantly increased (P < 0.05) than the control. As for the alternative complement pathway activity, G2 and G3 were also higher (P < 0.05) than the control. However, no significant difference (P > 0.05) was found whichever between G2 and G3 or between G1 and G2 in both lysozyme and the alternative complement pathway activities. Furthermore, there was no remarkable difference between G1 and the control in immune parameters.     

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.     

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).     

Effects of emulsified versus saline administration of GnRHa on induction of ovulation in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

The effects of saline-dissolved or Freund's incomplete adjuvant (FIA)-emulsified GnRHa treatment on the induction of ovulation in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, were examined. The FIA-emulsified GnRHa was first diluted in 0.25 ml physiological saline and then mixed with an equal volume of FIA. Fish were selected in the beginning of the spawning season and were allocated into four groups and were treated intraperitoneally with (a) 0.5 ml of emulsified GnRHa (GnRHa–FIA), (b) 0.5 ml saline-dissolved GnRHa in a single injection (GnRHa-1), (c) 0.5 ml saline-dissolved GnRHa in two injections spaced 1 d apart (GnRHa-2) and (d) 0.5 ml of saline (Control). The GnRHa dose in all hormone treatments was 25 µg kg^− 1. All fish in the FIA–GnRHa and GnRHa-2 groups ovulated within 10 and 11 d after treatment, respectively. In contrast, only 75% in the Control fish and 60% of the fish in the GnRHa-1 group ovulated within 36 d after treatment. None of the treatments caused any pre- or post-spawning mortality in the broodstock. Fertilization, eyeing and hatching percentages of the produced progeny were normal in all the treatment groups and did not differ significantly among them. In conclusion, FIA-emulsified GnRHa can be effective in advancing the onset of and synchronizing the ovulation of rainbow trout within a two-week period, thus shortening the egg collection period, without affecting broodstock survival and egg quality.     

Identification of progesterone and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone in polychaetes (Perinereis sp.) and the effects of hormone extracts on penaeid oocyte development in vitro

A possible factor behind the successful use of polychaetes for prawn broodstock diet was investigated. Some steroid hormones in polychaetes have been suspected as being a potential component for prawn reproductive system development. Progesterone (P4) and 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone (17α-OHP4) were extracted from polychaetes (Perinereis sp.) and female Penaeus monodon broodstock at various maturation stages. Concentration of both hormones was determined using RIA or HPLC. Immature natural polychaetes (2 months old) displayed the highest level of P4 and 17α-OHP4 compared to more mature ones (4, 6 and 8 months old polychaetes) (47.48 ± 6.70 ng P4/mg Protein and 143.74 ± 28.70 ng 17α-OHP4/mg Protein) whereas opposite results were received with cultured polychaetes in which a reverse relationship between P4 and its derivative with polychaete maturation was obtained. Diverse concentrations of both hormones may be linked with other factors such as types of polychaetes, habitats, seasons, and feed intakes. Twenty-four hours in vitro incubation of prawn previtellogenic oocytes with P4 or 17α-OHP4 extracted from polychaetes or with synthetic hormones, significantly increased percentages of vitellogenic oocytes and oocytes with cortical rod compared to the control with no hormones. P4 was more effective in enhancing the final maturation of oocytes while 17α-OHP4 had more effects on vitellogenic oocytes. Synthetic steroid hormones at equal hormone concentrations produced similar results to steroid hormones extracted from natural polychaetes.