复合微生物制剂在日本鳗鲡土池精养中的应用

本研究开展了对日本鳗鲡(Anguilla japonica) 精养殖土池,定期泼洒施用一种复合微生物制剂（Freshplus净水剂）的对比试验,定期监测了处理组和对照组池塘的水温、pH、溶氧、氨氮、亚硝酸盐氮、硝酸盐氮、COD、碱度等水质指标,并分析对比了鳗鱼养殖效果。结果表明：Freshplus净水剂的施用能显著降低鳗鱼土池水体氨氮浓度60.5% (p＜0.05)、显著提高鳗鱼生长速度33.0% (p＜0.05),降低饲料系数9.6% (p＜0.1)。     

两种鲤血液生理生化及部分免疫指标的比较分析

为综合评价不同养殖模式下的鲤鱼品种的免疫能力,该试验比较分析了清远连山禾花鲤稻田养殖品种和肇庆麦溪鲤养殖品种的血液生理生化及免疫指标。结果显示:在两个鲤品种的血液生理指标中,禾花鲤血液中的红细胞计数、血红蛋白、平均红细胞血红蛋白含量、平均红细胞血红蛋白浓度、淋巴细胞百分比、嗜酸性粒细胞百分比显著低于麦溪鲤;在两个鲤品种的血液生化指标中,禾花鲤的血清总蛋白、血清白蛋白、球蛋白显著高于麦溪鲤(P0.05),禾花鲤的血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶、血清天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶、肌酐极显著高于麦溪鲤(P0.01)。在两个鲤品种的免疫指标中,麦溪鲤血液中的丙二醛(MDA)含量、溶菌酶(LZM)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)均显著强于禾花鲤(P0.05)。研究表明:禾花鲤的免疫能力、耐低氧能力和肝脏、肾脏的解毒能力均在一定程度上弱于麦溪鲤。可以认为禾花鲤的养殖难度大于麦溪鲤,应在养殖中更加注重养殖环境的调控。     

3种滤料生物滤器的挂膜与黑鲷幼鱼循环水养殖效果

采用微生态净水剂作为菌种,对3种生物滤料(陶环、弹性毛刷和爆炸棉)构建的生物滤器进行生物膜培养,并以3种生物滤器为基础构建简易循环水养殖系统,进行黑鲷(Sparus macrocephalus)幼鱼养殖实验。结果表明,陶环生物滤器、弹性毛刷生物滤器和爆炸棉生物滤器的生物膜成熟时间分别为25 d、32 d和28 d。黑鲷幼鱼经过40d的饲喂,3个实验组鱼的体质量与对照组相比,均差异显著(P<0.05),成活率均达到95%以上;实验组鱼血清溶菌酶(LSZ)活性和肝组织总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)活性均显著高于对照组(P<0.05);实验组鱼体消化道内菌群数量及其多样性要明显高于对照组。结果表明,不同滤料在相同工况条件下挂膜成熟时间不同;微生态净水剂作为挂膜菌种效果良好;循环水系统养殖模式不仅可以提高鱼体的生长速度,还能增强鱼体免疫性能。     

泥鳅几项正常血液指标及其与性别的关系

以60尾泥鳅为材料,测定了红细胞数、白细胞总数、血红蛋白值、白细胞分类记数、红细胞脆性与红细胞大小等正常血液指标,并统计了性别对其血液指标的影响。结果如下:红细胞数为(227 28±43 96)×104个 mm3;白细胞数为(2 56±0 86)×104个 mm3;血红蛋白含量为(12 26±1 89)g 100ml;白细胞分类计数中淋巴细胞占(28 67±8 27)%,血栓细胞占(26 46±5 33)%,中性粒细胞占(43 83±8 37)%;而单核细胞、嗜碱性白细胞以及嗜酸性白细胞观测到的数目很少;红细胞最大抵抗强度为(0 31±0 04)g 100ml;红细胞大小(长径×短径)为:(11 50±1 55)μm×(8 66±1 29)μm;红细胞核大小(长径×短径)为:(5 59±1 04)μm×(3 90±0 89)μm。性别对红细胞数量及红细胞核大小均有显著影响,对其它的血液常数指标则无显著影响。     

微生态净水剂对凡纳滨对虾生理生化指标的影响

为了证实微生态净水剂(含菌量10×109/g)可以提高虾体免疫力和对污染物(如农药)的抵抗力,在凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannmei)养殖过程中,设置了施用微生态净水剂的实验组和未用微生态净水剂的对照组,采用肌肉注射的方式,对2组凡纳滨对虾进行乙酰甲胺磷毒性实验。注射乙酰甲胺磷后,采样测定血细胞吞噬化学发光情况,组织中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、溶菌酶(LSZ)、酯酶活性以及酯酶(EST)、苹果酸脱氢酶(MDH)同工酶表型变化。结果表明:施用微生态净水剂组明显好于对照组。施用微生态净水剂的虾注射乙酰甲胺磷后死亡率降低,血细胞的吞噬功能也有所增加,虾体组织内SOD、POD、LSZ、酯酶活性变化较未用组的虾变化幅度较小,其中,SOD、POD活性等高于未用组,EST、MDH同工酶酶带数目也有增加。说明微生态净水剂从本质上增强虾体内代谢、提高虾体的免疫力、增强其对外界环境变化适应能力,并具有提高虾体防御功能,增强抵抗疾病能力的作用。     

微生态培养物对仔猪生产性能和血液指标的影响

选择品种相同、胎次、产仔日期相近的仔猪15窝(120头),在出生15-17日龄开始试验(体重大约5 kg左右)。以窝为单位,采用单因子随机分组设计,试验共设5组,每组设3个重复,每个重复8头,各处理组间仔猪初始体重无显著差异(P>0.05)。空白对照组饲喂基础日粮,不加任何药物添加剂,抗生素对照组饲喂基础日粮加抗生素添加剂(喹乙醇+吉他霉素),试验Ⅰ组饲喂基础日粮加250 mg/kg微生态培养物的日粮;试验Ⅱ组为饲喂基础日粮加500 mg/kg微生态培养物的日粮;试验Ⅲ组饲喂基础日粮加1 000 mg/kg微生态培养物的日粮。试验期28 d。试验结果表明,与空白对照组比较,新型微生态培养物可显著提高仔猪的断奶重、末重(试验结束)、日增重等生长性能指标都显著高日增重,并且显著降低料重比及腹泻率,同时显著提高了血清总蛋白、谷丙转氨酶和谷草转氨酶等血清指标。本研究证明,新型微生态培养物饲料添加剂可以有效的调控仔猪的断奶应激。     

3种微生态制剂对鲤鱼生产性能和体成分的影响

为考察饲料中添加枯草芽孢杆菌、复合芽孢杆菌、加酶益生素I 3种微生态制剂对鲤鱼生产性能的影响,选择180尾初始体质量[平均体质量(43.67±0.55) g]相近的健康鲤鱼,随机分为4个处理组,每个处理3个重复,共12个重复,每个重复饲养15尾鲤鱼,分别饲喂:A(对照组)、B(添加枯草芽孢杆菌1000 mg/kg)、C(添加复合芽孢杆菌,2500 mg/kg)、D(添加加酶益生素I,100 mg/kg)4种不同饲料,试验期45 d.试验结果表明,①饲料中添加微生态制剂有提高鲤鱼的生产性能的趋势,但与其他各组间差异不显著(P>0.05),其中以添加枯草芽孢杆菌的效果最好;②饲料中添加不同微生态制剂对鲤鱼躯体肥满度、成活率的影响差异不显著(P>0.05).③不同微生态制剂对鲤鱼的体蛋白含量、脂肪含量和水分含量影响不显著(P>0.05),但加酶益生素I可显著提高鱼体灰分含量(P<0.05).     

人工养殖长江鲟后备亲本血液生化指标研究

为探究人工养殖环境条件下长江鲟(Acipenser dabryanus)的生理状况,采集了8尾(雌、雄各4尾)长江鲟后备亲本的血液,检测了血清激素、血清抗氧化指标、血清免疫力指标、血清离子和血清能量代谢酶等22项血清生化指标,分析其变异水平,并对比评估了雌、雄个体之间血清生化指标的差异。结果显示,皮质醇等6项指标的变异系数<20%,生长激素等9项指标的变异系数在20%～50%,促甲状腺素等4项指标的变异系数在50%～100%;另外,睾酮、泌乳素、甲状腺素等3项指标检测出其浓度范围,其中睾酮浓度最小值小于0.03 ng/mL,最大值大于15.00 ng/mL,泌乳素浓度小于1.00μIU/mL,甲状腺素浓度最小值0.01 nmol/L,最大值10.65 nmol/L;雌、雄个体血清K⁺浓度存在显著差异(P<0.05),其他指标则差异不显著(P>0.05)。结果表明,人工养殖长江鲟不同个体间大部分血液生化指标变异较大,可考虑将K⁺作为养殖长江鲟性别判定的指标。     

新型蛋白源替代鱼粉对星斑川鲽幼鱼生长、体成分和血液学指标的影响

以新型蛋白源（大豆浓缩蛋白、脱酚棉籽蛋白、喷雾干燥血球蛋白粉等）和脱脂鱼粉为原料，通过调节饲料氨基酸水平，配制出5种等氮等能的饲料D0、D17、D35、D52和D69，养殖星斑川鲽，初始体重为（75.6±0.18） g。其中D0（添加58%脱脂鱼粉）为对照组，D17、D35、D52和D69分别为新型蛋白源替代配方中17%、35%、52%和69%的鱼粉用量。每组饲料设3个平行，共养殖60 d。结果表明：对照组(D0)增重率(WGR)、蛋白质效率(PER)、特定生长率(SGR)分别为141.84%、229.88%和1.47%/d。与D0组相比，D69组WGR、PER和SGR显著降低（P<0.05），分别为107.77%、186.37%和1.22%/d ，D17、D35和D52组与D0组均无显著性差异(P>0.05)。对照组(D0)饲料系数(FCR)为0.80，D69组FCR为0.98，差异显著(P<0.05)；D17、D35和D52组与D0组FCR无显著差异(P>0.05)。随新型蛋白源替代鱼粉量的增加，鱼体消化道指数(DTI)逐渐增大，D0组为2.01%，显著小于D69组(P<0.05)。各组间的肥满度(CF)无显著性差异(P>0.05)。全鱼或肌肉中蛋白质和脂肪含量各组间均无显著差异(P>0.05)。全鱼中灰分含量随鱼粉替代量的增加呈增大趋势；红细胞数目、白细胞数目、血红蛋白含量及血清蛋白含量在各组间无显著差异(P>0.05)，但血细胞比容和溶菌酶活力随新型蛋白源替代鱼粉量的增加呈不同程度的降低。本试验条件下，在星斑川鲽幼鱼配合饲料生产中可用新型蛋白源适当替代鱼粉而不影响养殖对象的生长。     

嗜水气单胞菌对鲤鱼血液指标的影响

以嗜水气单胞菌感染健康鲤鱼,与对照组相比较,结果表明:红细胞脆性、白细胞计数极显著增加;红细胞计数、血红蛋白显著降低;血沉速率加快明显;红细胞显著大于正常值但红细胞核大小无明显变化。感染鲤生化指标变化也很显著,总蛋白极显著低于对照组;谷丙转氨酶极显著升高;甘油三酯下降也十分明显。     

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.     

Protein and amino acid composition from the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris exposed to prolonged starvation

Protein and amino acid composition of the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris (Cuvier, 1797) during fasting for 27 days were determined. Average protein content of octopus mantle was of 711.19 ± 46.80 g kg^?1 DW, and it decreased with increasing fasting days. The non‐essential amino acids content was higher (486.18 ± 11.08 g kg^?1 protein) than essential amino acids (425.82 ± 9.15 g kg^?1 protein) at the start of the experiment (unstarved animals). The results suggest that the amino acid profile of the mantle where the most abundant amino acids are Arg, His, Lys, Gly, Leu and Pro could indicate a prolonged fasting condition (>20 days) or poor nutrition of O . vulgaris. This study supports the idea of using mantle for metabolic needs of starved O . vulgaris suggesting that the degradation pathway of amino acids to pyruvate and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates was favoured contrary to the degradation pathway of ketogenic amino acids. Special considerations should be taken concerning Thr, Ile, Ser, Ala, Asx (Asp, Asn), Glx (Glu, Gln) (because of their fast intake) and Lys and His (due to their stable contents) during a prolonged period of fasting.     

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.