盐度胁迫对许氏平鲉血液免疫酶活力的影响

研究了急性、慢性盐度胁迫对许氏平鲉体重及血液免疫相关酶活力的影响。慢性盐度胁迫实验表明,在盐度5的水体中,许氏平鲉体重增长率为负值,其余各盐度组(10、20、40)的生长指标与自然海水组(盐度33)差异不显著(P>0·05);随海水盐度的降低,许氏平鲉的溶菌酶活力逐渐上升,但当盐度降至5时,其活力与自然海水组无显著性差异;血液中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)的活力随海水盐度降低呈逐渐上升趋势。急性盐度胁迫实验证实,在盐度5、10的急性胁迫初期,许氏平鲉血液的各项免疫酶活力波动较大。溶菌酶活力在胁迫24h时达到峰值,之后逐渐下降;血液SOD活力在96h检测过程中呈高低起伏变化趋势;血液CAT活力在胁迫初期持续降低,12h后逐步稳定在较低水平,显著低于胁迫前血液CAT活力(P<0·05)。     

不同尺寸网目与缩结系数对许氏平鲉的选择性

为探究不同尺寸网目及缩结系数对许氏平鲉(Sebastesschlegelii)的选择性,本研究基于实验水槽中的套网法试验,测得许氏平鲉的生物学特征参数,采用Logistic模型曲线拟合得到不同尺寸网目及缩结系数对许氏平鲉的选择性曲线,并用极大似然法估算选择性参数。结果表明:网目尺寸为63 mm、82 mm、93 mm时,许氏平鲉的50%选择性体长(L50)分别为18.49 cm、23.90 cm、25.12 cm,选择范围(SR)分别为3.18、3.6、3.85,选择因素(SF)分别为2.93、2.91、2.70,随着网目尺寸的增大,许氏平鲉的L50、SR逐渐增大, SF逐渐减小;当82 mm网目的缩结系数(Et)分别为0.5、0.6、0.707时,许氏平鲉的50%选择性体长(L50)分别为21.47 cm、23.90 cm、22.02 cm,选择范围(SR)分别为3.23、3.6、3.38,选择因素(SF)分别为2.65、2.91、2.68,随着网目缩结系数的增大,许氏平鲉的L50、SR、SF先增大后减小,在Et为0.6时均达到最大。为保护许氏平鲉幼鱼资源,建议在鱼礁区使用网目规格为70 mm, Et为0.6的笼壶渔具进行采捕。     

许氏平鲉低氧耐受能力及血液学和鳃组织学变化

为探明许氏平鲉低氧耐受能力及低氧胁迫过程中其血液生理生化指标和鳃组织形态结构变化,本研究分析了许氏平鲉临界氧分压(Pcrit)和失去平衡点(LOE)时溶解氧含量,观察了低氧胁迫和恢复溶解氧过程中呼吸行为和呼吸频率的变化,分析了血液生理[红细胞数目(RBC),白细胞数目(WBC),血红蛋白(Hb),红细胞积压(HCT)]、生化[葡萄糖、皮质醇]指标以及鳃组织形态学和鳃组织气体交换率(PAGE)变化。结果显示,在温度18 ℃、盐度30,pH值7.85的条件下,许氏平鲉[(88.01±5.34) g] Pcrit和LOE溶解氧含量分别为(3.96±0.11)和(2.60±0.21) mg/L。随着水体中溶解氧含量下降,血浆皮质醇和葡萄糖分别在LOE和Pcrit达到最高。许氏平鲉血液RBC、Hb和HCT在LOE达到最高。低氧过程中,许氏平鲉呼吸频率和PAGE分别于Pcrit和LOE达到最高,且低氧导致许氏平鲉鳃小片长度(SLL)、间距(ID)、周长显著增加;鳃小片宽度(SLW)则随水中溶解氧含量下降而变窄,在LOE处达到最小值。许氏平鲉鳃小片末端膨大、基质肥大、增生比例在低氧过程中显著增加。恢复正常溶解氧24 h后,上述各项检测指标恢复正常,与对照组无显著差异。实验中对照组各项指标无显著变化。研究表明,许氏平鲉对水体低溶解氧变化反应敏感,低氧应激导致其血液生理生化相关指标和鳃小片形态发生显著改变,恢复正常溶解氧24 h后可以显著缓解低氧胁迫应激。相关结果为研究许氏平鲉低氧耐受生理调控机制和高效健康养殖提供了理论依据和技术支撑。     

山东近岸3处人工鱼礁区许氏平鲉生长异质性及资源评价

为探究人工鱼礁区许氏平鲉(Sebastes schlegelii)生长异质性及资源开发状况,本研究基于2017─2021年山东近海3处典型鱼礁区(长岛鱼礁区、西霞口鱼礁区和前三岛鱼礁区)的海洋环境和许氏平鲉资源调查数据,利用Bootstrap的ELEFAN方法探究了许氏平鲉的生长特征、基于变换体长渔获曲线法探究了许氏平鲉死亡特性,运用线性混合效应模型研究了许氏平鲉体长–体重关系时空异质性,基于Beverton-Holt模型和开发率探究了许氏平鲉资源利用状况。结果显示,前三岛鱼礁区许氏平鲉条件因子(a)明显高于西霞口鱼礁区和长岛鱼礁区;前三岛鱼礁区许氏平鲉渐进体长和渐进体重最大,西霞口鱼礁区次之,长岛鱼礁区最小;长岛鱼礁区总死亡系数和自然死亡系数分别为0.87和0.44,均高于西霞口鱼礁区和前三岛鱼礁区;线性混合效应模型得到参数a、b范围分别是1.48×10^–5～5.92×10^–5、2.85～3.13,相同体长条件下, 2020年春秋季前三岛鱼礁区许氏平鲉个体重最高, 2021年、2018年和2017年冬季西霞口鱼礁区个体重次之, 2019年夏...     

人工隐蔽物及投喂频率对许氏平鲉幼鱼生长和行为的影响

室内水槽实验条件下研究了许氏平鲉(Sebastes schlegelii)幼鱼(15.24 g±2.9 g)在不同光照条件下对3种人工遮蔽物的行为反应。在此基础上,通过7周的养殖实验研究了不同放养密度下(800 ind/m3,1 200 ind/m3,1 600 ind/m3),隐蔽物、投喂频率(1次/d、2次/d、3次/d、4次/d)对许氏平鲉幼鱼(0.50 g±0.02 g)生长、摄食和行为的影响。结果表明:1)实验采用的3种隐蔽物对许氏平鲉幼鱼均有明显的诱集作用,其中扇贝笼改造的隐蔽物S1诱集效果最好。2)遮光条件可以提高隐蔽物区域幼鱼的分布率,但与自然光处理组差异不显著(P0.05)。3)在实验设定的密度范围内,许氏平鲉幼鱼的终末体重、日增重率、特定生长率随密度的增大而升高。无隐蔽物条件下,低密度组的日增重率和特定生长率与中高密度组差异显著(P0.05),终末体重则显著低于高密度组(P0.05);隐蔽物的设置显著提高了中、低密度组许氏平鲉幼鱼的终末体重(P0.05),高密度组幼鱼的特定生长率和饲料转换率也有显著提高(P0.05)。4)放养密度和隐蔽物对于许氏平鲉幼鱼的生长离散影响显著(P0.05),随着放养密度的增大,幼鱼的体重变异系数呈逐渐增大趋势;相同放养密度下,放置隐蔽物的各组幼鱼生长离散均小于未放置组,其中低密度组间差异极显著(P0.01),中密度组间差异显著(P0.05)。5)3种放养密度下饱食投喂频率为1次/d处理组幼鱼的体重变异系数显著大于其他各组(P0.05),饱食投喂频率大于2次/d时,各处理组幼鱼生长离散无显著差异(P0.05)。研究结果表明,对于体重0.5~5.8 g的许氏平鲉幼鱼,当放养密度为1 200 ind/m3条件时,通过投放人工隐蔽物,选取2次/d的饱食投喂频率,可显著降低生长离散水平,并使幼鱼获得较好的生长。本研究旨在为许氏平鲉健康苗种培育及规模化生产提供科学指导和技术支撑。     

盐度驯化下许氏平鲉血清生化指标及渗透压的变化

将体质量为(94.32±6.41) g的野生许氏平鲉由盐度为32的海水中直接放入盐度为30、25、20、15、10、5、4、3、2和0的水槽中,为急性盐度驯化组,计算半致死盐度及安全盐度;慢性盐度驯化中,许氏平鲉缓慢进入盐度32、30、27、24、21、18、15、12和9水槽中,每隔7 d每试验组每槽降低1盐度后,在第1天的14:00取样,测定半致死盐度、渗透压和血清相关生化指标。试验结果表明,急性盐度驯化条件下,许氏平鲉的48 h半致死盐度为0.29,安全盐度为0.04。慢性盐度驯化条件下,盐度3时得到最小渗透压为(0.17±0.01) mOsm/kg,且与其他组差异显著(P0.05);生化指标检测,在盐度降至24时谷草转氨酶、谷丙转氨酶和乳酸脱氢酶活性呈现高值,分别为(68.67±3.51)、(18.67±3.06) U/L和(726±27) U/L。尿素浓度随着盐度的不断降低而呈现下降趋势,各盐度组和海水对照组均差异显著(P0.05)。血清总蛋白和血清白蛋白质量浓度随着盐度的降低上下波动的幅度不大。盐度为21时,总蛋白质量浓度达到最低值,与海水对照组差异显著(P0.05)。盐度为21时,血糖浓度出现最低值,各组和海水对照组差异不显著(P0.05)。各盐度组的白球比随着盐度的降低上下波动不大,各组和海水对照组比较均差异不显著(P0.05)。     

复方中草药对许氏平鲉幼鱼生长和非特异性免疫酶活性的影响

为探究复方中草药对许氏平鲉(Sebastes schlegelii)幼鱼生长与免疫酶活性的影响，选取144尾重量相近的许氏平鲉幼鱼分为4组，每组设3个平行，每个平行12尾鱼。将黄芪、当归、红枣、干姜、甘草、白术六种中草药等比例混合后超微粉碎，分别按质量百分数0(对照组)、1%、2%、3%加入到许氏平鲉基础饲料中进行投喂，试验为期42 d。结果表明：与对照组相比，各试验组许氏平鲉的过氧化氢酶(CAT)、总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)活性显著提高(P<0.05),1%组的增重率、特定生长率和摄食率显著高于其他组(P<0.05),总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)无明显差异(P>0.05),而饲料系数低于对照组及3%组(P<0.05)。综上所述，在饲料中添加复方中草药对许氏平鲉生长和免疫功能有显著提升作用，建议的最适添加量为1%。     

环境与摄食对山东省近海鱼礁区不同体长许氏平鲉分布的影响

为研究环境与摄食因素对人工鱼礁区不同体长许氏平鲉分布的影响,采用2017—2018年山东省近岸3处鱼礁区环境和渔业资源的调查数据,利用变异系数CV均值将样本的体长分为10组,每组体长间隔为33 mm,并使用Bray-Curtis相似性指数比较不同海域许氏平鲉体长组成的相似性;运用去趋势对应分析(DCA)、典范对应分析(CCA)分析各环境要素对不同体长组许氏平鲉分布的影响;运用胃含物分析法分析许氏平鲉的食物组成。结果显示,西霞口与长岛鱼礁区样本体长组成相似性指数为70.66%,前三岛鱼礁区与西霞口鱼礁区、长岛鱼礁区的相似性指数较低,分别为54.94%和59.46%;大体长(299～365mm)许氏平鲉的分布与水深、水质指数(WQI)和化学需氧量(COD)相关性较大,喜好水深较深、营养丰富的水域;小体长(35～200 mm)许氏平鲉喜好水深较浅,水质好的水域。大体长(200～365 mm),高龄(2～3龄)的个体主要摄食鱼类、虾类和蟹类,优势饵料为鱼类(IRI为65.94%);小体长(35～200 mm),低龄(0～1龄)的个体主要摄食虾类和蟹类,优势饵料为虾类(IRI为45.69%)。研究表明,在浅水区域投放幼鱼保护型鱼礁,为幼鱼提供庇护所;将捕捞作业集中在深水区,减少对许氏平鲉小体长个体的兼捕,可以达到针对性增殖、保护许氏平鲉资源的目的。     

三种大型钵水母幼体对牙鲆和许氏平鲉仔稚鱼的捕食选择性

为探讨中国近海常见大型钵水母对鱼类资源补充的影响,本实验利用清除率法比较研究了伞径4 cm的3种大型水母幼体—海月水母(Aurelia aurita)、海蜇(Rhopilema esculentum)和沙海蜇(Nemopilema nomurai),对不同发育阶段的牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)和许氏平鲉(Sebastes schlegeli)仔稚鱼的捕食量。结果表明,3种水母均可捕食牙鲆和许氏平鲉仔稚鱼,其捕食率随仔稚鱼生长而降低,其中海月水母可捕食规格15 mm牙鲆和20 mm许氏平鲉,海蜇能够捕食规格20 mm牙鲆和30 mm许氏平鲉,沙海蜇可捕食30 mm许氏平鲉;仔稚鱼密度对水母捕食率影响不显著,牙鲆的变态和底栖生活是其逃避被水母捕食的有效手段;不同水母物种对仔稚鱼的捕食效率主要与其活力相关,水母结构和毒性也是重要因素,相同规格3种水母对仔稚鱼捕食率由高到低为海蜇沙海蜇海月水母。本研究结果可为阐明水母与鱼类的动态关系,研究海洋鱼类的自然资源补充机制提供参考。     

饲料脂肪水平对许氏平鲉脂肪沉积、血液生化指标及脂肪代谢酶活性的影响

以鱼油为脂肪源,分别配制脂肪水平为3.7%、6.8%、9.6%、13.1%、15.6%的5种实验饲料,对平均初始体质量为(7.13±0.03)g的许氏平鲉进行为期60 d的饲养实验,探讨饲料脂肪水平对许氏平鲉形体指数、脂肪沉积、血液生化指标与脂肪代谢酶活性的影响。结果表明:肝体指数、脏体指数随着饲料脂肪水平的升高显著提高(P0.05),脂肪水平对肥满度没有显著影响(P0.05);许氏平鲉鱼体脂肪沉积随饲料脂肪水平的增加显著提高(P0.05),15.6%全鱼、肌肉、肝脏脂肪含量最高,显著高于3.7%、6.8%组(P0.05)。随着脂肪添加量的增加,许氏平鲉肝脏葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶(G6PDH)和苹果酸脱氢酶(MHD)活性显著降低(P0.05),15.6%与13.1%组G6PDH、MHD活性显著低于3.7%和6.8%组(P0.05);肝酯酶(HL)和脂蛋白酯酶(LPL)活性显著升高(P0.05),15.6%与13.1%组HL和LPL活性显著高于3.7%和6.8%组(P0.05)。血液甘油三酯(TG)和总胆固醇(CHO)含量随着饲料脂肪水平增加有下降的趋势,15.6%组的TG和CHO含量显著低于3.7%和6.8%组(P0.05);血液中高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDLC)、谷草转氨酶(AST)、谷丙转氨酶(ALT)与碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性呈上升趋势(P0.05),15.6%组最高;低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDLC)呈先上升后下降的趋势(P0.05)。研究表明,饲料脂肪水平对许氏平鲉形体指数、脂肪沉积、血液生化指标及脂肪代谢酶活性影响显著,但过高的脂肪水平将使许氏平鲉肝脏脂肪沉积增多,当饲料脂肪水平高于9.6%时不利于鱼类健康生长。     

温度和盐度对龙虎斑耗氧率和排氨率的影响

利用实验生态学方法研究了温度和盐度(S)对体质量为(98.8±4.3)g龙虎斑(棕点石斑鱼♀×鞍带石斑鱼♂)的呼吸和排泄影响。结果表明,不同温度和S对龙虎斑的耗氧率(RO)和排氨率(RN)有显著影响(P0.05)。在水温15-35℃范围内,龙虎斑的RO随着温度的升高而升高,在35℃时达到最大值,为(0.228±0.011)mg/(g·h),但RN随着温度的升高先升高后降低,在30℃时达到最大值,为(3.985±0.094)μg/(g·h)。S为5-35时,龙虎斑的RN随着S的升高而降低,其关系式为RN=3.689e-0.067S(R2=0.963);在S处于5-15和25-35范围内,RO随S升高而下降,但S在15-25范围时,RO则随S升高而升高。在S为28,水温15-35℃范围内,龙虎斑代谢的O∶N范围为44.416-73.667;在水温28℃,S为5-35时,O∶N值为59.577-275.034。     

盐度对大菱鲆幼鱼耗氧率和排氨率的影响

研究了大菱鲆(Scophamusmaximus)幼鱼由盐度34向低盐(盐度28、23、18、12、6)以及向高盐(盐度40)适应过程中代谢率的变化。结果表明:盐度改变后,各突变组大菱鲆幼鱼的耗氧率和排氨率都呈现出不同程度的逐渐升高趋势,随着盐度突变范围的增大,变化趋势更为明显。在突变后24h左右,各突变组大菱鲆幼鱼耗氧率出现高峰值,48h后恢复到突变前的水平,此时各实验组大菱鲆的耗氧率没有显著的差异性(P>0.05)。在突变后9～15h排氨率出现高峰值,48h后各组大菱鲆幼鱼的排氨率恢复到突变前的水平,此时各实验组大菱鲆的排氨率没有显著的差异性(P>0.05)。     

盐度对中华绒螯蟹雌性亲蟹代谢的影响

测定了不同盐度(0,6,12,18,24)条件下,中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)雌性亲蟹的耗氧率、CO2排出率及NH3 N排泄率,并研究了其呼吸熵、氧氮比、代谢率及能源物质供能比随盐度的变化情况。结果表明,体质量为(55.59±6.24)g的中华绒螯蟹雌性亲蟹,在水温(16±1)℃条件下,盐度对其耗氧率及NH3 N排泄率影响显著(P<0.05)。在实验盐度范围内(0~24),其耗氧率及NH3 N排泄率均随盐度的升高而下降,CO2排出率及代谢率的变化趋势与耗氧率一致,且盐度为6的实验组亲蟹CO2排出率及代谢率均与对照组差异不显著(P>0.05),在盐度12~24范围内,亲蟹CO2排出率及代谢率均显著低于对照组(P<0.05);呼吸熵及氧氮比均变化不显著(P>0.05);能源物质以脂肪的供能比例最大,其次是碳水化合物,蛋白质的供能比例最小。分析认为,中华绒螯蟹雌性亲蟹在生殖洄游过程中主要以脂肪作为供能物质,代谢率与能量消耗逐渐降低。     

盐度和光照对泥蚶耗氧率和排氨率的影响

为了解盐度对泥蚶(Tegillarca granosa)生理活动的影响,探究其昼夜活动节律,在室内实验条件下,控制水温25℃,采用静水养殖法,以耗氧率和排氨率分别作为呼吸和排泄的生理指标,研究了20、24、28、30、32共计5个盐度梯度下泥蚶的呼吸和排泄强度,同时对泥蚶在光照条件和暗处理下的呼吸与排泄强度进行了测定。结果发现,泥蚶耗氧率和排氨率随着盐度的升高均先上升、后下降,耗氧率为0.33～0.48 mg/（g?h）,排氨率为0.044～0.067 mg/(g?h);泥蚶在盐度28的环境下呼吸和排泄强度最高,且不同盐度下耗氧率之间、排氨率之间差异显著（P<0.05）。暗处理下泥蚶的耗氧率在0.42～0.53 mg/(g?h),排氨率在0.049～0.057 mg/(g?h);光照条件下泥蚶的耗氧率在0.40～0.44 mg/(g?h),排氨率为0.042～0.051 mg/(g?h);暗处理条件下呼吸与排泄强度比光照条件下的更高,但2种状态下耗氧率、排氨率差异均不显著（P>0.05）;表明实验条件下泥蚶对光照和暗处理反应不明显,即泥蚶不存在明显的昼夜节律现象。     

温度对不同规格珍珠龙胆石斑鱼(棕点石斑鱼♀×鞍带石斑鱼♂)呼吸和排泄的影响

应用实验生态学方法,研究了不同水温(15.8℃、21.0℃、26.6℃、30.9℃、36.5℃)对小[(28.1?1.1)g]、中[(278.9?20.1)g]、大[(575.8?37.4)g]3种规格的珍珠龙胆石斑鱼(棕点石斑鱼♀×鞍带石斑鱼♂)(Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀×Epinephelus lanceolatus♂)呼吸和排泄的影响。实验结果表明,温度和规格对珍珠龙胆耗氧率和排氨率的影响均达到显著水平(P0.05);小、中、大3种规格珍珠龙胆耗氧率和排氨率随水温的增加呈现先升高后降低、再升高的变化规律,当水温为26.6℃时达到最大值,分别为(1.510±0.124)mg/(g·h)、(0.306±0.007)mg/(g·h)、(0.161±0.010)mg/(g·h)和(47.739±21.048)μg/(g·h)、(13.956±1.783)μg/(g·h)、(6.811±1.882)μg/(g·h),耗氧率和排氨率与温度之间的回归关系均符合一元四次方程,相关系数R2均为1.000。在水温15.8~36.5℃范围,相同水温下,珍珠龙胆的耗氧率和排氨率随其个体的增大而降低,耗氧率和排氨率与规格之间的回归关系均符合一元二次方程,相关系数R2均为1.000。不同温度条件下,小、中、大3种规格珍珠龙胆的耗氧率Q10和排氨率Q10在21.0~26.6℃时均达到最大,且其均在26.6~30.9℃时最小。小、中、大3种规格O/N比值平均值变化范围分别为21.535~113.541、15.713~32.193、12.097~27.094,表明实验水温条件下小规格珍珠龙胆的供能物质为蛋白质、脂肪和碳水化合物,而中、大规格珍珠龙胆的主要能量物质为蛋白质和脂肪。     

盐度对克氏原螯虾幼虾耗氧率和排氨率的影响

研究了不同盐度对克氏原螯虾幼虾耗氧率和排氨率的影响.试验用虾体长(3.13±0.30) cm,体质量(1.82±0.21) g.25 ℃条件下,试验设置盐度0、2、4、6、8、10、12七个梯度.结果表明,试验范围内,盐度为2时,克氏原螯虾幼虾的耗氧率与排氨率最低,表明幼虾对盐度调节的等渗点约为2.随着盐度升高,幼虾的耗氧率和排氨率上升,Tukey HSD test发现,对照组、2、4、6盐度组的耗氧率、排氨率差异不明显.盐度超过0～6时,幼虾的耗氧率、排氨率影响与对照组相比差异显著.     

Nitrogen budget for a low-salinity, zero-water exchange culture system: II. Evaluation of isonitrogenous feeding of various dietary protein levels to Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone)

This study evaluated the effects of isonitrogenous feeding (60 g dietary protein per kilogram of body weight per day) using experimental feeds with 25%, 30%, 35% and 40% protein on the nitrogen budget, ammonia efflux rate, growth and survival of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei raised in a low-salinity (4 g L⁻¹) zero-water exchange culture system for 4 weeks. No significant differences in weight gain or instantaneous growth rate were observed between the dietary treatments with 35% and 40% protein after 3 weeks of study, or between treatments with 25% and 30% protein after 4 weeks of study. High mortality rates were observed for the 35% and 40% protein treatments, probably associated with high nitrite levels (4.80 and 7.36 mg NO₂-NL⁻¹ respectively) in water. Among the various dietary treatments, 39–46.3% of feed nitrogen was converted to shrimp biomass, 32.8–38.0% and 14.4–39.9% remained within the system as organic and inorganic nitrogen, respectively, and 32.5–39.3% was unaccounted for. The results of the present study showed high nitrogen utilization efficiencies. However, as the nitrogen loading of the zero-water exchange system increased, so did the nitrogen excretion of shrimp, causing a deteriorated general condition of the shrimp, demonstrated by the low ammonia efflux rates recorded at the end of the trial. This study confirms that low-salinity closed systems are particularly susceptible to nitrogen loading. Thus, in these culture systems, low-protein feeds may perform better as they provide more carbon for heterotrophic bacteria and less nitrogen to be degraded and transformed into nitrogenous wastes.     

Effects of ammonia accumulation on metabolic rates and growth of European eel, Anguilla anguilla L., in relation to warmwater aquaculture

Abstract. Laboratory experiments on fingerling eels, Anguilla anguilla L., were carried out at high density (50gl¹) in fresh and sea water (30% salinity) at 25°C. The effects of reduced water exchange rates, leading to excretory ammonia accumulation, on feeding, assimilation, oxygen consumption, ambient pH and nitrogen excretion were studied. Estimates of growth rates were made. High ambient ammonia concentrations caused large and prolonged increases in post-feeding oxygen consumption, energy wastage and growth suppression. The main causes are suggested to be hyperventilation and neural hyperexcitability due to increases in blood unionized ammonia. The data obtained are used to predict minimum water exchange rates needed to prevent ammonia-induced growth suppression and to meet peak post-feeding oxygen demands.     

The impacts of aquacultured oysters, Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin, 1791) on water column nitrogen and sedimentation: results of a mesocosm study

To determine effects of aquacultured oysters Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin, 1791) on the overlying water column, a mesocosm study was performed at the Marine Ecosystem Research Laboratory (MERL) from June to October, 2000. The MERL facility is located adjacent to Narragansett Bay and consists of fourteen 13,000-l mesocosm tanks designed to simulate the Bay environmental conditions. Two hundred oysters (≈35 mm valve height; nominally filtering about 55 l/day/individual) were placed into three mesocosms, and three mesocosms were maintained without oysters as controls. Experiments were run with varying rates of water exchange in the tanks ranging from 0% to 100% per day (13,000 l/day). Parameters that were measured and compared between the two treatments included chlorophyll-a, particulate organic and inorganic matter, sedimentation, nitrate, ammonia, selected phytoplankton species and oyster growth rates. Oysters affected phytoplankton species composition and increased rates of sedimentation. Large diatoms were net sampled, and Nitzchia striata was predominant in mesocosms with oysters, while Skeletonema costatum dominated the control tanks. Ammonia excretion rates were determined for C. virginica using the salicylate–hypochlorite method. Ammonia excretion can be described by the allometric equation E=50.65w^0.699 when E is the ammonia excretion rate in μg/h, and w is the soft tissue dry weight in grams. Based on rates of ammonia excretion by oysters and observed steady states of ammonia and other forms of inorganic nitrogen in mesocosm tanks, it can be hypothesized that ammonia generated by oysters is taken up by rapidly regenerating phytoplankton in the water column.     

Nitrogen budget for a low salinity, zero-water exchange culture system: I. Effect of dietary protein level on the performance of Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone)

A 4‐week study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different dietary protein levels (25%, 30%, 35% and 40%) on the growth and survival of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei raised in a low salinity (4.6 g L⁻¹), zero‐water exchange culture system, as well as on the nitrogen budget and ammonia efflux rate. No significant differences were observed among the dietary treatments for final weight, weight gain or survival of shrimp, although the best performance was observed in the 25% protein treatment group. Both weight and survival decreased as the dietary protein increased. Significant differences (P<0.05) were observed in the ammonia concentration among dietary treatments during the first 2 weeks of the experiment. The highest concentration was measured in the 40% dietary protein treatment (5.88 mg NH4‐N L⁻¹). The nitrogen budget showed that the nitrogen loss increased as the dietary protein increased under the experimental conditions; the largest amount of nitrogen recovered as shrimp biomass (42.9%) was in the 25% protein treatment group, and the largest amount of unaccounted nitrogen (39.5%) was in the 40% protein treatment. Under these conditions, utilization of low‐protein diets resulted in better performance, presumably because they provided more carbon for heterotrophic bacteria and reduced the nitrogen loading of the system.