鲈鲤苗种培育及苗种生长特性的研究

为研究鲈鲤(Percocypris pingi)苗种的生长特性,开发鲈鲤育苗技术,采用水泥池流水单养模式,在自然水温条件下,开展了10日龄至110日龄鲈鲤苗种培育试验。经过100 d的培育,鲈鲤鱼苗体质量从(46.45±4.03)mg增加到(2600.09±105.18)mg,平均体长从(16.22±0.46)mm增长到(50.78±2.97)mm,平均成活率为82.00%;体质量变异系数在4.05%~24.80%,体长变异系数在2.49%~7.32%,体质量变异系数大于体长变异系数;体质量变异系数整体呈现先升高后降低的变化趋势,体长变异系数整体变化较为平缓,在整个培育阶段,鲈鲤种群生长离散呈现从加剧到减弱的变化规律;体质量特定生长率在(0.91±0.49)%/d~(7.75±2.18)%/d,体长特定生长率在(0.47±0.29)%/d~(1.94±1.46)%/d,体质量特定生长率大于体长特定生长率;在水温16.8~23.0℃条件下,鲈鲤生长状况良好,特定生长率相对较高,当水温高于23.0℃之后,特定生长率呈降低趋势,表明16.8~23.0℃是鲈鲤鱼苗适宜的生长水温范围;肥满度变化范围在(1.09±0.10)~(2.85±0.18)g/cm^3,肥满度变化呈现先升高后降低的变化趋势;体长(x)和体质量(y)的拟合方程为y=0.0015x^3.7566(R^2=0.9806),b值为3.7566;全长(y)和体长(x)的拟合方程为y=1.223x-0.5055(R^2=0.9908)。试验结果表明,鲈鲤苗种在水泥池流水单养模式及自然水温条件下生长状况良好,16.8~23.0℃是鲈鲤苗种的适宜生长水温。     

流沙湾海域勒氏枝鳔石首鱼生物学性状的初步研究

在2013年1—12月渔业资源调查数据的基础上,研究了流沙湾海域勒氏枝鳔石首鱼的体长分布、体长-体质量的关系、肥满度月变化、饵料组成、摄食强度和营养级等生物学特性。结果表明:流沙湾海域枝鳔石首鱼体长82~145 mm,优势体长组为116~125 mm和106~115 mm;体长(L)-体质量(W)关系方程为:W=0.0242L~(2.9564)(R~2=0.9471);肥满度最大值出现在2月份,最小值出现在7月;枝鳔石首鱼的饵料组成以甲壳类为主要类群。枝鳔石首鱼的空胃率随季节变化显著(P0.05),在冬季最大,春季达到最小,饱满度指数在秋季最高,冬季最低;营养级变化范围在2.69~3.11,平均营养级为2.94。     

池养条件下1龄异育银鲫“中科3号”的生长特性

为了解池塘养殖条件下1龄异育银鲫“中科3号”的生长特性,在池塘自然水温(18.5~30.6℃)条件下,对体长(4.53±0.18)cm、体质量(2.73±0.17)g的1龄异育银鲫“中科3号”的生长性能进行了研究。试验结果:经过125 d培育,异育银鲫“中科3号”体长增长237.53%,体质量增长3312.45%;体长与体质量呈幂函数关系,关系式为W=0.0356L2.8885(R2=0.985),属等速生长型;体质量日增长量从试验开始到100 d始终呈增高态势,75~100 d的平均体质量日增长量为最高值(1.346 g/d),之后随着水温下降而降低;体质量相对增长率在0~25 d为最高(269.60%),而后逐渐降低,至125 d试验结束时为30.37%;生长指数(0.1054~0.4647)和生长常数(1.318~5.809)随着试验的进行逐渐降低;肥满度为2.6062~2.9480 g/cm^3,呈先降低、后升高、再降低的小幅波动;生长离散逐渐小幅增加。     

美洲鲥1+龄亚成鱼池塘越冬生长特性

为完善美洲鲥池塘养殖技术,对美洲鲥1~+龄亚成鱼在池塘保温大棚条件下越冬的生长特性进行了研究。在上海市水产研究所奉贤科研基地开展了美洲鲥池塘保温大棚越冬养殖试验,放养密度为4 682尾/hm~2。试验结果:在水温11.2~20.6℃条件下,经150 d的越冬养殖,越冬成活率98.0%,美洲鲥体长增长26.6%,体质量增加96.2%,体质量与体长呈幂函数关系:W=0.012 3L~(3.076),R~2=0.922 8,接近于匀速生长,体长、体质量日均增长量随养殖天数的增加呈n形变化,肥满度在1.55~1.71,最大值出现在越冬养殖中期。结果表明:美洲鲥1~+亚成鱼的适宜越冬水温在12℃以上,最佳越冬水温在15℃以上。     

二龄拉氏鱥在池塘养殖条件下的生长特性

为丰富二龄拉氏鱥(Phoxinus lagowskii Dybowskii)的生长生物学资料,研究了二龄拉氏鱥在池塘养殖条件下的生长特性。对平均体长(8.56±0.78)cm,平均体质量(9.62±0.82)g的拉氏鱥,在水温变幅19.4~27.6℃条件下,经过120 d的养殖试验,体长增长36.76%,体质量增长179.63%。体长与体质量呈幂函数关系:W=0.008 1 L3.299 2,R2=0.988 3。体质量日增重在试验60~90 d时最高(0.237 g),体质量相对增长率在试验30~60 d时最高(48.26%)。试验期间,生长常数和生长指标变化趋势一致,在试验30~60 d时最高;试验鱼肥满度从试验初到结束一直小幅升高,变幅为1.528 4~1.671 0;生长离散60~90 d较大,试验末期较小。结果表明,池养二龄拉氏鱥生长为异速生长型,其体质量增长快于体长增长;特定生长率与水温变化关系密切,水温23.5~27.6℃为生长适宜水温。     

室内养殖的1龄和2龄褐菖鱼由生长特性研究

对室内养殖的1龄和2龄褐菖鲉的生长特性进行了初步研究和比较。1龄褐菖鲉的初始体长、体质量分别为(5.91±0.74)cm、(7.15±2.44)g,2龄褐菖鲉的初始体长、体质量分别为(11.18±0.54)cm、(41.56±6.23)g。经63 d培育,1龄褐菖鲉体长增至(8.64±0.54)cm,日均增长量0.043 cm/d,体长相对增长率为46.19%;体质量增至(19.95±3.39)g,日均增长量0.203 g/d,体质量相对增长率为179.02%。体质量(W)与体长(L)呈幂函数关系,关系式为:W=0.052 5L~(2.737 4)(R~2=0.922 1),b值接近于3,属于等速生长型。体长(L)与日龄(t)的相关关系式为:L=0.0389t+0.4734(R~2=0.937 3,P0.01)。体质量(W)与日龄(t)的相关关系式为:W=0.199 9t-22.487(R~2=0.986 3,P0.01)。2龄褐菖鲉经63 d培育,体长增至(12.32±0.61)cm,日均增长量0.018 cm/d,体长相对增长率为10.19%;体质量增至(56.56±7.68)g,日均增长量0.238 g/d,体质量相对增长率为36.09%。体质量(W)与体长(L)呈幂函数关系,关系式为:W=0.075 5L~(2.624 5)(R~2=0.801 7),b值接近于3,属于等速生长型。体长(L)与日龄(t)的相关关系式为:L=0.014 7t+3.607 5(R~2=0.897 4,P0.01),体质量(W)与日龄(t)的相关关系式为:W=0.226 1t-76.214(R~2=0.977 9,P0.01)。     

美洲鲥当年鱼种池塘大棚越冬养殖试验

于2017—2019年采用在池塘上方搭建简易保温大棚的方式开展了美洲鲥当年鱼种越冬养殖试验,研究探讨了越冬养殖相关的技术参数。结果显示:搭建保温大棚后,冬季池塘水温可保持在10℃以上,在美洲鲥当年鱼种(0+龄鱼种,平均体长12.45~16.65 cm,平均体质量27.29~66.41 g)放养密度为1518~2970尾/亩(15亩=1 hm^2,下同)和81.04~100.78 kg/亩的条件下,在越冬前中期(12月至次年3月中旬),日投饲量在0.8~1.6 kg/亩,越冬后期(次年3月中旬至4月上中旬),日投饲量也由2.0 kg/亩左右迅速增加到4.0~5.0 kg/亩。经过125~130 d的越冬养殖,鱼种平均体长达17.48~21.19 cm,增长28.04%~40.40%,平均体质量77.57~137.96 g/尾,增加了106.53%~184.24%,鱼种的体长和体质量特定生长率分别为(0.193~0.261)%/d和(0.585~0.804)%/d,日均增长量和日增重分别为0.036~0.039 cm/d和0.387~0.572 g/d;收获时美洲鲥鱼的肥满度为1.42~1.43 g/cm3,养殖成活率为89.29%~94.81%,饲料系数为1.50~1.65,亩产量为198.50~205.68 kg。试验结果表明,在江浙地区,养殖池塘上方搭建保温大棚后,冬季池塘水温(10~20℃)在美洲鲥当年鱼种的适宜水温范围,能获得较理想的越冬养殖效果。     

鄱阳湖日本沼虾捕捞种群生长与结构分析

日本沼虾为鄱阳湖的优势种群,在全湖均有分布,2013年4月至11月对鄱阳湖日本沼虾进行了调查,调查结果表明:在采集的标本中,最大体长8.1cm,最小体长1.7cm,其捕捞群体以体长为2.0~4.9cm为主,占85%以上,5cm以上青虾个体不足10%,其捕捞群体小型化比较明显;其体长和体重关系式为W=0.00517 L2.3959(r=0.96,p﹤0.05);鄱阳湖湖区青虾的肥满度(K)变异范围在1.04%~5.25%,平均为2.76%,雌虾与雄虾肥满度无显著差异(p﹥0.05);6~8月为青虾的捕捞高峰,日平均单船捕捞量为21.89kg。     

北部湾春季多齿蛇鲻生物学特征及其年际变化

根据北部湾渔港采样及海上调查生物学测定与数据分析，研究了北部湾多齿蛇鲻(Saurida tumbil)春季生物学特征及其年际变化。结果显示，2008~2018年春季，多齿蛇鲻个体呈小型化趋势，各年度平均体长范围为15.8~16.9 cm，平均体质量范围为48.8~77.5 g，2018年的平均体长和平均体质量比2008年分别降低了6.5%和34.5%。体长–体质量关系式中的异速生长参数b的范围为3.03~3.42，表明春季群体主要呈正异速生长状态(b>3)。性成熟体长年际变化分析表明，北部湾多齿蛇鲻存在性成熟提前的现象，雌性群体50%性成熟体长从2008年(19.0 cm)至2018年(16.6 cm)整体呈减小趋势，10年间减小比例为12.6%，其中，2011~2015年海上采样的样品对比显示，50%性成熟体长减小比例为3.8%。2008~2018年北部湾多齿蛇鲻的肥满度整体呈下降趋势，均值变化范围为1.09~1.29，渔港采样样品和海上采样样品的肥满度年际变化皆呈下降趋势。     

中华花鳅的生长和繁殖生物学的研究

对采自四川省广元市旺苍县东河的113尾中华花鳅的生长和繁殖生物学进行研究。结果显示,旺苍县东河的中华花鳅体长34.92~102.85 mm,体质量0.34~9.84 g,净体质量0.31~8.09 g。分为5个年龄组,以2~4龄个体为主。生长以3龄为分界,3龄前生长速度快,3龄后生长速度减慢。体长(m1)与体质量(L)呈幂函数关系:m1=0.00001215L2.896,r2=0.939,接近等速生长。肥满度<1,雌性和雄性的Fulton肥满度差异不显著,雄性略小于雌性;而除1龄的个体外,其他年龄的雄性Clark肥满度均略大于雌性。雌、雄性比为1∶1.69。雌、雄鱼最小性成熟年龄均为2龄。精子在蒸馏水中的平均寿命为14 s;随NaCl溶液质量分数的增大,中华花鳅精子平均寿命先增后减,在NaCl溶液质量分数为0.25%时寿命最长,达184 s。绝对繁殖力为427~4047粒/尾,平均1949.82粒/尾;相对繁殖力为107.56~566.09粒/g,平均356.07粒/g。6月中旬至8月中旬为产卵盛期。分批产卵,且各批次生殖力大致相同。受精卵为微黏性的沉性卵。     

Association between the interannual variation in the oceanic environment and catch rates of bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) in the Atlantic Ocean

The environmental processes associated with variability in the catch rates of bigeye tuna in the Atlantic Ocean are largely unexplored. This study used generalized additive models (GAMs) fitted to Taiwanese longline fishery data from 1990 to 2009 and investigated the association between environmental variables and catch rates to identify the processes influencing bigeye tuna distribution in the Atlantic Ocean. The present findings reveal that the year (temporal factor), latitude and longitude (spatial factors), and major regular longline target species of albacore catches are significant for the standardization of bigeye tuna catch rates in the Atlantic Ocean. The standardized catch rates and distribution of bigeye tuna were found to be related to environmental and climatic variation. The model selection processes showed that the selected GAMs explained 70% of the cumulative deviance in the entire Atlantic Ocean. Regarding environmental factors, the depth of the 20 degree isotherm (D20) substantially contributed to the explained deviance; other important factors were sea surface temperature (SST) and sea surface height deviation (SSHD). The potential fishing grounds were observed with SSTs of 22–28°C, a D20 shallower than 150 m and negative SSHDs in the Atlantic Ocean. The higher predicted catch rates were increased in the positive northern tropical Atlantic and negative North Atlantic Oscillation events with a higher SST and shallow D20, suggesting that climatic oscillations affect the population abundance and distribution of bigeye tuna.     

Growth performance,digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Japanese sea bass,Lateolabrax japonicus fed with fructooligosaccharide

In this experiment, a feeding trial was performed to determine the effects of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) on growth performance, digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Japanese sea bass, Lateolabrax japonicus juveniles (initial weight 38.3 ± 0.5 g), and the fish were examined following feeding with six levels of FOS (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 6 g/kg) for 28 days. Significant enhancement of weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) was found in fish fed 1 g/kg FOS incorporated diets (p < .05), while the feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the 1, 2 g/kg FOS groups reduced significantly compared with the control (p < .05). Besides, the crude lipid in the 4, 6 g/kg FOS groups increased significantly compared with the control (p < .05). On the other hand, the erepsin and lipase activities significantly elevated in intestine of fish fed 2 g/kg FOS (p < .05) and the lysozyme activity in serum of fish fed 2 g/kg FOS were significantly higher than that in the control (p < .05). Moreover, the alkaline phosphatase activities in serum of fish fed 0.5, 1, 2 g/kg FOS were significantly higher than in control (p < .05). Regression analysis showed that the relationships between dietary FOS levels and either SGR, FCR, erepsin or lysozyme activities were best expressed by regression equations, and the optimal inclusion levels are 1.37, 1.80, 3.06, 3.11, 1.93 and 1.80 g/kg for SGR, FCR, erepsin, lipase, lysozyme and total superoxide dismutase activities, respectively. Overall, this study revealed that FOS incorporated diets could beneficial for L. japonicus culture in terms of increasing the growth, digestion and immune activities. Under the present experimental condition, the optimal supplementary level of FOS in the diet of L. japonicus is 1–3 g/kg.     

Involvement of gonadal steroids in final oocyte maturation of white perch (Morone americana) and white bass (M. chrysops): in vivo and in vitro studies

Plasma estradiol-17 (E₂), testosterone (T), 17,20-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) and 17,20,21-tri-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (20-S) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in white perch (Morone americana) and white bass (M. chrysops) that were induced to undergo final oocyte maturation (FOM) with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Plasma DHP levels increased in females of both species in association with oocyte germinal vesicle migration (GVM) and germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and decreased thereafter. Plasma 20-S levels also increased with oocyte GVM in white bass, but were several-fold lower than DHP levels. Circulating E₂ and T levels were greatest during GVM and GVBD in both species and decreased to low levels during oocyte hydration and ovulation. Follicles from white perch and white bass which received a priming injection of hCG in vivo, produced both DHP and 20-S in vitro after exposure to hCG and their oocytes underwent GVBD. Ovarian incubates from unprimed fish of either species produced only E₂ and T and their oocytes did not complete GVBD. Oocytes from unprimed bass, but not perch, matured when follicles were exposed to hCG in vitro. Both trilostane and cycloheximide blocked in vitro production of DHP and 20-S and oocyte GVBD by white perch follices. DHP and 20-S were equipotent inducers of FOM in the GVBD bioassay. None of several other structurally-related steroids tested were effective within a physiological range of concentrations. These results indicate a role for DHP and 20-S in the control of FOM in white perch and white bass.     

Cardiac,ventilatory and metabolic responses of two ecologically dissimilar species of fish to waterborne cyanide

Changes in heart rate, ventilatory activity and oxygen consumption were determined in trout (Salmo gairdneri) and brown bullhead catfish (Ictalurus nebulosus) during exposure to a steadily increasing concentration of waterborne cyanide selected to produce death in 8–9 hours for each species. The lethal cyanide concentration for the bullheads was an order of magnitude higher than for trout. Trout developed an immediate and gradually increasing bradycardia throughout the exposure period. Cyanide produced tachycardia in the bullhead followed by a gradual onset of bradycardia as the concentration of cyanide was raised. Pericardial injection of atropine (a muscarinic cholinergic antagonist) indicated that bradycardia in the trout was due initially to increased vagal tone but later due to the direct effect of cyanide on the heart. Hyperventilation in the trout persisted throughout the exposure period, although the rate and amplitude fluctuated and was variable between individual fish. During the last hour of exposure (highest cyanide concentration), ventilation was characterized by rapid, shallow breaths followed by a sudden respiratory arrest. The bullheads exhibited hyperventilation during the first 3 hours of exposure followed by a gradual, linear drop in ventilation rate and amplitude until death occurred. Cardiac and ventilatory responses in both species were attributed to stimulation of central and peripheral chemoreceptors by cyanide. Evidence is presented which suggests the initial response in the bullheads was due, at least in part, to gustatory stimulation by the cyanide. Oxygen consumption of the trout remained above pre-exposure levels for the majority of the test period. Oxygen consumption in the bullhead paralleled the changes in heart and ventilatory rates. Whole-body lactate levels of fingerlings of both species during cyanide exposure were measured to estimate the extent of anaerobiosis. Whole-body lactate levels were much greater in the bullheads than the trout, indicating a higher capacity for anaerobiosis, possibly due to a greater fuel supply. Overall, the trout responded to cyanide in a manner similar to that produced by environmental hypoxia whereas the bullheads experienced a gustatory stimulus which masked the hypoxia-like response.     

An overview of stress physiology of fish transport: changes in water quality as a function of transport duration

This study brings an integrated analysis about the relationship between water deterioration and its physiological consequences in live fish transport. The analysis was focused on the transport water and its deterioration, and physiological challenges imposed on the fish. Usual commercial handling procedures employed to mitigate fish stress during transport were discussed. Future topics of research for the establishment of safer fish transport protocols were proposed. Transport was classified into short (≤8 h) or long transport (>8 h). The main issue in short transports should be the prevention of water pH reduction, while in long transports it is the increase in ammonia. Plasma cortisol is the most employed marker for stress and is acutely elevated upon short episodes of transport, but remains elevated even in long‐transport events. Plasma glucose is perhaps a better marker for handling stress. Plasma lactate, pH, osmolality CO₂ and ions should be more often evaluated. Plasma Na⁺ and Cl^‐ are very useful markers of acidosis, due to their respective exchange for H⁺ and , for acid–base regulation. The establishment of species‐specific transport protocols should be preceded by such combined analyses of water and physiological parameters.     

Are hatchery‐reared abalone naïve of predators? Comparing the behaviours of wild and hatchery‐reared northern abalone,Haliotis kamtschatkana (Jonas, 1845)

Abalone populations have declined worldwide, generating interest in enhancement using hatchery‐reared individuals. In many cases, such restoration efforts have met with limited success due to high predator‐induced mortality rates. Furthermore, the mortality rates of outplanted hatchery abalone are often considerably higher than for wild individuals. This study uses northern abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana) as a case study to determine whether hatchery‐reared abalone behave differently than their wild counterparts. In the field, outplanted hatchery‐reared abalone were significantly less responsive than wild abalone, in terms of number of abalone responding and intensity of response, to nearby movement and to physical contact with an inert probe. Also, when encountering a cue to which all abalone responded (a seastar predator), hatchery‐reared individuals remained subdued. Anti‐predator behavioural deficits in hatchery‐reared abalone were more pronounced in 4‐year‐old individuals than in 1‐year‐old individuals, suggesting an influence of either age or amount of time spent in the hatchery environment. These behavioural differences are expected to increase the vulnerability of hatchery‐reared abalone to predators, and are likely a major cause of their elevated predator‐induced mortality when outplanted.     

Effects of cadmium on the kinetics of calcium uptake in developing tilapia larvae, Oreochromis mossambicus

The toxic effects of Cd²⁺ on Ca²⁺ influx kinetics in developing tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) larvae were evaluated. Addition of 20 µg l^-1 of Cd²⁺ to the environment of 0 and 3 day-old larvae competitively inhibited the Ca²⁺ uptake within 4h resulting in a great increase in K_m values for Ca²⁺ influx (19.3 and 17.4 fold, respectively) as compared with their respective controls. Consequently, the actual Ca²⁺ influx of larvae in solutions of 0.2 mM Ca²⁺ are suppressed by 32–45%. Also, 3 day-old larvae were more sensitive to internally accumulated Cd²⁺ than 0 day-old larvae. Although the Ca²⁺ influx in 0 and 3 day-old larvae may be restored to the levels of their respective controls with 24h of being transferred to a 20 µg l^-1 Cd²⁺ solution, total body Ca²⁺ content was significantly reduced in 3 day-old larvae. Increased Ca²⁺ uptake efficiency ensures sufficient Ca²⁺ for normal growth. However, rapid increase in Ca²⁺ influx after hatching also leads to higher Cd²⁺ uptake. Exposure to Cd²⁺ will lead to a drop in body Ca²⁺ content resulting in retardation of larval growth. Therefore, we conclude that if Ca²⁺ uptake is interfered with at this critical stage of development, larvae will not be able to maintain normal levels of body Ca²⁺ and will show signs of Cd²⁺ poisoning.     

Migratory dynamics of stream-spawning longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus)

Abstract– Literature evidence suggests that lake-dwelling longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus) enter tributary streams to spawn, Until the present study, the dynamics of this breeding migration had never been investigated quantitatively. During the summers of 1991 and 1992, longnose gar were captured as they entered Weaubleau Creek, Missouri, a tributary of Harry S. Truman Reservoir. The in-stream spawning migration began in early April and ended in late May, and was positively correlated with stream flow and water level, and negatively correlated with water temperature. In-stream residence times ranged from 15 to 94 days, with males exhibiting longer residence times than females. Once in-stream, longnose gar travelled as far as 10 km upstream and occupied certain pools at greater relative frequencies. Although the reason for this preferential utilization is not completely understood, it may relate to pool depth and riffle proximity. Longnose gar disperse from the spawning stream great distances, with gar captured in Weaubleau Creek being recaptured up to 48 km away. This information should provide fisheries biologists the means to consider the reproductive ecology of this species in their conservation and management decisions.     

Nutritional regulation of hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation and polyunsaturated fatty acid composition in zebrafish (Danio rerio) and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The desaturation and elongation of [1-¹⁴C]18:3n-3 was investigated in hepatocytes of the tropical warm freshwater species, zebrafish (Danio rerio) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation/elongation pathway was assayed before and after the fish were fed two experimental diets, a control diet containing fish oil (FO) and a diet containing vegetable oil (VO; a blend of olive, linseed and high oleic acid sunflower oils) for 10 weeks. The VO diet was formulated to provide 1% each of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3, and so satisfy the possible EFA requirements of zebrafish and tilapia. At the end of the dietary trial, the lipid and fatty acid composition was determined in whole zebrafish, and liver, white muscle and brain of tilapia. Both zebrafish and tilapia expressed a hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation/elongation pattern consistent with them being freshwater and planktonivorous fish. The data also showed that hepatic fatty acid desaturation/elongation was nutritionally regulated with the activities being higher in fish fed the VO diet compared to fish fed the FO diet. In zebrafish, the main effect of the VO diet was increased fatty acid Δ6 desaturase activity resulting in the production of significantly more 18:4n-3 compared to fish fed the FO diet. In tilapia, all activities in the pathway were greater in fish fed the VO diet resulting in increased amounts of all fatty acids in the pathway, but primarily eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3). However, the fatty acid compositional data indicated that despite increased activity, desaturation of 18:3n-3 was insufficient to maintain tissue proportions of EPA and DHA in fish fed the VO diet at the same level as in fish fed the FO diet. Practically, these results indicate that manipulation of tilapia diets in commercial culture in response to the declining global fish oil market would have important consequences for fish fatty acid composition and the health of consumers. Scientifically, zebrafish and tilapia, both the subject of active genome mapping projects, could be useful models for studies of lipid and fatty acid metabolism at a molecular biological and genetic level. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Production of diatom–bacteria biofilm isolated from Seriola lalandi cultures for aquaculture application

Controlled incorporation of selected microalgae and bacteria in aquaculture systems can be beneficial because they can act as microbiological control. That is why the characteristics of biofilm generated naturally in Seriola lalandi culture cages were analysed, their potential benefit to the growth of larvae was studied, and their controlled use for improving the larval viability and as a vector to improve incorporation of previously studied probiotic bacteria was tested. According to biodiversity results, these biofilms are composed of a diatom–bacteria mix showing a decrease in biodiversity in laboratory culture conditions being dominated by Navicula phyllepta and bacteria of the family Rhodobacteraceae. This can be produced on mesh substrates incorporated in bioreactors with rapid growth rate and adhesiveness. Preliminary results from the addition of substrates with this specific biofilm in larvae culture systems showed that it is consumed by the larvae without negative effects, while positive effects on the viability of larvae in combination with probiotics were observed. Considering preliminary results, the addition of these specific substrates with diatom–bacteria biofilms could be a good improvement for aquaculture systems and together with the use of probiotics can contribute to maintaining a stable and controlled system improving the viability of the larval fish culture in its early stages.