南海及临近海域黄鳍金枪鱼渔场时空分布与海表温度的关系

为得到南海及临近海域黄鳍金枪鱼(Thunnus albacores)渔场最适宜栖息海表温度(SST)范围,基于美国国家海洋大气局(NOAA)气候预测中心月平均海表温度(SST)资料,结合中西太平洋渔业委员会(WCPFC)发布的南海及临近海域金枪鱼延绳钓渔业数据,绘制了月平均SST和月平均单位捕捞努力量渔获量(CPUE)的空间叠加图,用于分析南海及临近海域黄鳍金枪鱼渔场CPUE时空分布和SST的关系。结果表明,南海及临近海域黄鳍金枪鱼CPUE在16℃~31℃均有分布。在春季和夏季(3~8月),位于10°~20°N的大部分渔区CPUE较高,其南北侧CPUE较低;而到了秋季和冬季(9月到次年2月),高产渔场区域会向南拓宽。CPUE在各SST区间的散点图呈现出明显的负偏态分布,高CPUE主要集中在26℃~30℃,最高值出现在29℃附近;在22℃~26℃范围内CPUE散点分布较为零散,但在这个范围也会出现相当数量的高CPUE;在22℃以下的CPUE几乎属于低CPUE和零CPUE;零CPUE的平均SST为26.7℃(±3.2℃),低CPUE的平均SST为27.8℃(±2.1℃),高CPUE的平均SST为28.4℃(±1.5℃),高CPUE在各SST区间的分布要比零CPUE和低CPUE更为集中。采用频次分析和经验累积分布函数计算其最适SST范围,得到南海及临近海域黄鳍金枪鱼最适SST为26.9℃~29.4℃。本研究初步得到南海及临近海域黄鳍金枪鱼中心渔场时空分布特征及SST适宜分布区间,可为开展南海及临近海域金枪鱼渔情预报工作提供理论依据和参考。     

中西太平洋长鳍金枪鱼(Thunnus alalunga)延绳钓渔场分布的时空变化

为提高中西太平洋金枪鱼延绳钓渔业作业效率和应对多变的渔业政策等提供参考,本研究根据2011年2月-2012年1月间中水集团远洋渔业股份有限公司的10艘延绳钓渔船的作业数据,结合海洋表层水温(SST)等环境因子,统计分析了单位努力量渔获量(CPUE)、渔获量和SST之间的关系并利用频度累加法分析了该海域长鳍金枪鱼渔场分布的时空变化。结果显示,中西太平洋海域,深度为200 m和150 m的水温全年基本维持不变,但SST变动较大并对渔场分布和CPUE有较大影响。渔场的周年变动是由14°S左右向26°S转移再回归14°S的一个往复过程;20°S以北的渔场全年连续存在,高渔获量和高产CPUE主要分布于SST为28-29℃的水域;23°S以南的渔场,因为受到复杂天气状况的限制,只有5-8月适合生产作业,高渔获量和高产CPUE主要分布于SST为22-24℃的水域,被调查船只在南部渔场,在此期间,被调查作业船只以全年14.4%的作业天数,捕获了占全年总渔获量27.6%的长鳍金枪鱼渔获物。若加强作业船只和渔具的抗风浪性,则可以在25°S以南的海域探索新的全年稳定存在的长鳍金枪鱼渔场。     

中西太平洋长鳍金枪鱼(Thunnus alalunga)延绳钓渔场分布的时空变化

为提高中西太平洋金枪鱼延绳钓渔业作业效率和应对多变的渔业政策等提供参考,本研究根据2011年2月-2012年1月间中水集团远洋渔业股份有限公司的10艘延绳钓渔船的作业数据,结合海洋表层水温(SST)等环境因子,统计分析了单位努力量渔获量(CPUE)、渔获量和SST之间的关系并利用频度累加法分析了该海域长鳍金枪鱼渔场分布的时空变化。结果显示,中西太平洋海域,深度为200 m和150 m的水温全年基本维持不变,但SST变动较大并对渔场分布和CPUE有较大影响。渔场的周年变动是由14°S左右向26°S转移再回归14°S的一个往复过程;20°S以北的渔场全年连续存在,高渔获量和高产CPUE主要分布于SST为28-29℃的水域;23°S以南的渔场,因为受到复杂天气状况的限制,只有5-8月适合生产作业,高渔获量和高产CPUE主要分布于SST为22-24℃的水域,被调查船只在南部渔场,在此期间,被调查作业船只以全年14.4%的作业天数,捕获了占全年总渔获量27.6%的长鳍金枪鱼渔获物。若加强作业船只和渔具的抗风浪性,则可以在25°S以南的海域探索新的全年稳定存在的长鳍金枪鱼渔场。     

北太平洋长鳍金枪鱼延绳钓渔场分布及其与海水表层温度的关系

根据北太平洋长鳍金枪鱼渔获量、海水表层温度等数据,研究了长鳍金枪鱼渔获量的分布区及其海水表层温度(SST)的统计特征.结果表明,北太平洋长鳍金枪鱼渔场主要分布于25～40°N之间的海域.长鳍金枪鱼渔场区平均SST为23.6℃,中位数为24.5℃,多数渔场区位于暖温带海域,其平均SST多数为16～28℃,产量数据分布为正偏.海水表层温度为16～23℃的海域,长鳍金枪鱼的平均产量和平均CPUE变化趋势类似,且表层温度为18～20℃的海域,长鳍金枪鱼的平均产量最高.渔获量分布于表层温度为16～23℃和24～27℃海域,但主要集中于16～23℃的范围.交叉相关分析表明长鳍金枪鱼CPUE同太平洋年际振荡指数具有相关性.     

南太平洋长鳍金枪鱼垂直活动水层空间分析

为了解南太平洋长鳍金枪鱼(Thunnus alalunga)的垂直活动水层分布特征及其适宜的垂直活动水层深度,采用Argo数据重构了研究海域次表层20℃和25℃等温线深度场,并结合2010年~2012年中水集团南太平洋长鳍金枪鱼延绳钓渔船实际生产统计数据,绘制了20℃和25℃等温线深度与长鳍金枪鱼单位捕捞努力量渔获量(CPUE)叠加图,分析南太平洋长鳍金枪鱼的垂直活动水层分布特征。结果表明,研究海域20℃和25℃等温线深度存在明显的季节性变化,且长鳍金枪鱼渔场时空分布随着20℃等温线深度的220 m等深线和25℃等温线深度的140 m等深线时空变动而季节性南北移动。长鳍金枪鱼中心渔场主要分布于10°S以南、160°E~175°E之间,中心渔场所处海域,其20℃等温线深度多在220 m以深,超过250 m的海域CPUE均偏低;25℃等温线深度多在140 m以浅,浅于80 m的海域则难以形成中心渔场。采用频次分析与经验累积分布函数(ECDF)相结合的方法,计算出南太平洋长鳍金枪鱼适宜的垂直活动水层深度为88~238 m。文章初步得出了南太平洋长鳍金枪鱼的垂直分布特征及其适宜的垂直活动水层深度,可用于指导延绳钓投钩深度,为中国南太平洋长鳍金枪鱼延绳钓生产作业提供理论参考。     

基于卫星AIS的中西太平洋金枪鱼延绳钓渔场分布研究

根据2017年7-12月中西太平洋金枪鱼延绳钓渔船卫星AIS数据及海表温度数据,利用全局空间自相关中的莫兰指数及局部空间自相关中的热点分析方法,得到了中西太平洋金枪鱼延绳钓中心渔场位置及变动情况,并提取了中心渔场处海表温度范围。结果表明:1)中西太平洋金枪鱼延绳钓渔船捕捞努力量存在空间自相关并呈显著聚集分布模式,所得热点区域可以作为中西太平洋金枪鱼延绳钓作业中心渔场。2)各月均存在多个中心渔场,其中8月中心渔场范围与7月大致相同,部分中心渔场存在向北扩张或向外扩大的趋势; 9月最大中心渔场东移,出现在180°附近,其它渔场较之前有不同程度的扩散或缩小; 10-12月中心渔场较为集中,主要分布在170°～180°E及155°W附近海域,且单位渔区捕捞努力量大于7-9月。3)中心渔场处不同海表温度范围主要与金枪鱼鱼种有关:155°W、20°N夏威夷群岛附近冷舌区,主要分布着大眼金枪鱼(Thunnus obesus)和黄鳍金枪鱼(Thunnus albacares),海表温度为25. 5～27. 5℃; 10°S～10°N暖池区域,主要为大眼金枪鱼和鲣(Katsuwonus pelamis),海表温度为28. 0～30. 3℃;赤道南部冷暖锋面交汇处,主要为长鳍金枪鱼(Thunnus alalunga),海表温度为25. 0～29. 0℃。     

南海圆舵鲣栖息地影响因素分析

圆舵鲣(Auxis rochei)是南海外海最具开发潜力的小型金枪鱼之一。根据 2013—2019 年南海区灯光罩网调查数据, 结合遥感获得的海表温度(sea surface temperature, SST)、海面高度(sea surface height, SSH)、叶绿素 a 浓度 (chlorophyll a, CHLA)数据, 采用栖息地适应性指数模型原理, 以标准化后的单位捕捞努力量渔获量(catch per unite effect, CPUE)作为栖息地质量高低的指标, 建立 CPUE 与海洋环境因子关系模型, 分析不同环境因子对圆舵鲣栖息地的影响及栖息地对海洋环境变化的适应性。结果表明, 南海圆舵鲣渔场 SST、SSH、CHLA 因子的最适值分别为 28.6 ℃、81.0 cm、0.11 mg/m³ 。对不同海洋环境因子赋予不同的权重系数, 分别与 CPUE 建立适应性指数模型, 各模型 R² 均大于 0.8, 模型解释度较好。采用最小二乘法原则对模型权重系数进行分析, SST 的系数为 0.26, SSH 系数为 0.52, CHLA 的系数为 0.22, 表明 SSH 对栖息地的影响最大。采用 2019 年调查数据对模型进行验证, 模型准确度均超过 75%, 模型预测准确。     

中西太平洋长鳍金枪鱼渔场重心时空分布研究

长鳍金枪鱼作为高度洄游的大洋性鱼类，有较高的经济价值。为掌握中西太平洋长鳍金枪鱼的资源时空分布以可持续开发利用，笔者根据2009—2018年世界各国在中西太平洋的长鳍金枪鱼延绳钓作业数据，利用统计和K-means聚类方法探究长鳍金枪鱼资源的时间变化趋势与空间分布特征。研究结果显示：2009—2018年间长鳍金枪鱼渔场重心主要分布在E 155°～W 160°,S 15°～S 30°海域；北半球冬季(12月—翌年2月)主要集中在北半球低纬度海域(N 0°～N 10°),渔场重心向西北偏移；南半球冬季(6—8月)主要集中在南半球低纬度海域(S 12°～N 22.5°),渔场重心向东南偏移。渔场重心的空间分布受海面温度异常的影响较显著：当海面温度距平值整体偏高时，渔场重心零散分布于中部海域；海面温度距平值相对偏低时，渔场重心向东南与西北两侧偏移。本研究结果有助于中西太平洋长鳍金枪鱼的可持续开发利用与科学管理。     

瓦努阿图及周边海域金枪鱼延绳钓上钩率和渔场分布的初步研究

根据2013年中水集团远洋股份有限公司的两艘金枪鱼延绳钓船的渔场数据、放钓数据以及渔获物数据,研究了全年各月份渔场分布情况及主要渔获物单位捕捞努力量渔获量变化。结果表明,渔获物包括长鳍金枪鱼、黄鳍金枪鱼、大眼金枪鱼、旗鱼类等,根据相对重要性指数,确定优势种为黄鳍金枪鱼和长鳍金枪鱼,其相对多度分别为75%和10%。长鳍金枪鱼的日均高产单位捕捞努力量渔获量渔区集中在S 15°~17°纬度区间以及南部S 26°~27°纬度区间,黄鳍金枪鱼高单位捕捞努力量渔获量渔区集中分布在S 8°~13°的纬度区间,长鳍金枪鱼高产渔区海表温度集中在20~22℃和27~30℃,黄鳍金枪鱼高产渔区则集中在海表温度28~29℃海域。     

秋冬季智利竹(竹夹)鱼栖息地指数模型比较

秋冬季是智利竹筴鱼的主要渔汛,准确建立其渔场预报模型具有现实的意义。为了找出适宜的秋冬季智利竹筴鱼栖息地指数模型,论文根据2003-2009年5-9月智利竹筴鱼的商业捕捞数据, 结合海表面温度(SST)和海表面高度(SSH)的海洋环境因子,以作业次数为基础,采用外包络法分别建立SST、SSH 的适应性指数(SI),采用算术平均法(AMM)、几何平均法(GMM)建立栖息地指数(HSI)模型计算其栖息地指数,并以2010-2011年度的捕捞数据进行验证。研究结果表明：以作业次数为基础,采用外包络法建立SST、SSH 的适应性指数为最适,5-9月SST权值分别为0.4、0.7、0.5、0.7、0.1的算术平均法适合秋冬季智利竹筴鱼栖息地指数模型。研究也以为,不同月份的SST和SSH对秋冬季智利竹筴鱼渔场分布有着不同的影响。     

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.     

美人鱼发光杆菌对凡纳滨对虾非特异性 免疫功能及抗病力的影响

在基础饲料中分别添加0.1%和1%美人鱼发光杆菌灭活菌、0.1%美人鱼发光杆菌活菌配制成3种免疫实验饲料,以基础饲料为空白对照组饲料,每组设3个平行样。对个体质量为(4.83±0.36)g的凡纳滨对虾进行为期20 d的饲养实验,分别在0、5、10、15和20d进行取样,以血清中的酚氧化酶(PO)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和溶菌酶(UL)活性为免疫指标,探讨了美人鱼发光杆菌作为免疫制剂对凡纳滨对虾非特异性免疫效应的影响;在投喂免疫饲料后的第22天,按0.004 2 kg/kg体重的剂量,直接投喂对虾白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)病料,并记录累积死亡率。结果表明,美人鱼发光杆菌免疫实验组对凡纳滨对虾血清中PO、ACP、AKP、UL和SOD活性影响明显高于对照组,并且在饲料中添加美人鱼发光杆菌后,明显提高了对虾抵御WSSV感染的能力。其中0.1%美人鱼发光杆菌活菌实验组的抗病毒感染能力最强,WSSV感染14d内累计死亡率为63.3%±5.8%;而对照组为96.7%±3.3%。研究表明,美人鱼发光杆菌添加在对虾饲料中能提高凡纳滨对虾非特异性免疫水平,增强抵抗疾病的能力,将其作为对虾免疫增强剂具有良好的应用前景。     

Effects of Spirulina platensis as a feed additive on growth and coloration of blue dolphin cichlids (Cyrtocara moorii Boulunger, 1902)

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of replacing fish meal with dietary Spirulina as a feed supplement on the growth performance and coloration of blue dolphin cichlids (Cyrtocara moorii). Five isonitrogenous (47% crude protein) and isocaloric (17.36 kJ/g digestible energy) diets were for formulated to replace FM with 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% Spirulina (designated as Control, SP5, SP10, SP15 and SP20 respectively) and fed to the fish (initial body weight, 3.15 ± 0.01 g). Fish were randomly distributed into fifteen 120 L aquariums (26.5 ± 1.00°C), 15 fish per aquarium. The diets were tested in triplicate for 12 weeks. Experimental groups were fed twice daily (09:00 and 17:00) by hand to satiation. At the end of the feeding trial, significantly (p < 0.05) higher weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) were observed in fish fed the SP10 diet when compared to the SP20 diet. There was no significant difference in these parameters between the other groups. The skin coloration of blue dolphin cichlid fed a diet containing Spirulina meal was enhanced. The best coloration was observed in the SP15 group. These impressions were objectively validated by chemical determinations of carotenoids extracted from fish skins and passed statistical tests of significance. The study findings show that Spirulina meal does not diminish growth rates except at very high levels.     

A Minchinia mercenariae‐like parasite infects cockles Cerastoderma edule in Galicia (NW Spain)

The cockle Cerastoderma edule fishery has traditionally been the most important shellfish species in terms of biomass in Galicia (NW Spain). In the course of a survey of the histopathological conditions affecting this species in the Ria of Arousa, a haplosporidan parasite that had not been observed in Galicia was detected in one of the most productive cockle beds of Galicia. Uni‐ and binucleate cells and multinucleate plasmodia were observed in the connective tissue mainly in the digestive area, gills and gonad. The parasite showed low prevalence, and it was not associated with abnormal cockle mortality. Molecular identification showed that this parasite was closely related to the haplosporidan Minchinia mercenariae that had been reported infecting hard clams Mercenaria mercenaria from the Atlantic coast of the United States. The molecular characterization of its SSU rDNA region allowed obtaining a fragment of 1,796 bp showing 98% homology with M. mercenariae parasite. Phylogenetic analysis supported this identification as this parasite was clustered in the same clade as M. mercenariae from the United States and other M. mercenariae‐like sequences from the UK, with bootstrap value of 99%. The occurrence of M. mercenariae‐like parasites infecting molluscs outside the United States is confirmed.     

Sea bream culture in Egypt; status, constraints and potential

Marine fish farming in Egypt began in 1976 with the culture of gilthead sea bream, (Sparus aurata) as this fish was notably adaptable to brackish and marine pond conditions. Today, marine fish and shrimp farms amount to about 19,000 ha, out of which 42% is already in production while the rest, i.e., 58% is still under construction. In 1997, cultured gilthead sea bream production of 2,250 tons made up 3% of the 75,000 tons total aquaculture catch. In polyculture, usually with the grey mullet and sea bass, gilthead sea bream contributed 440 kg ha^–1 to the total yield of 1,700 kg ha^–1 (26%) over a period of 16 months. For the same period, the yield of monoculture ponds averaged 100 kg ha^–1, while in marine cages, yields ranged from 4–10 kg m³. In 1996–1997, fry of 0.25–1 g and fingerlings 1–10 g with a total of 3 million, were collected from the wild and 1 million fry were produced in the three marine hatcheries out of the four existing ones. The development of sea bream culture in Egypt is now severely inhibited by the shortage of seeds and adequate feeds. Exports of both sea bream and sea bass, during 1994–1996 averaged 1,300 tons per year.     

Dietary thiamin and pyridoxine requirements of fingerling Indian major carp,Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton)

Two experiments were conducted to quantify the dietary thiamin (experiment I) and pyridoxine (experiment II) requirements of fingerling Cirrhinus mrigala for 16 weeks. In experiment I, dietary thiamin requirement was determined by feeding seven casein–gelatin‐based diets (400 g kg^?1 CP; 18.69 kJ g^?1 GE) with graded levels of thiamin (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 mg kg^?1 diet) to triplicate groups of fish (6.15 ± 0.37 cm; 1.89 ± 0.12 g). Fish fed diet with 2 mg kg^?1 thiamin had highest specific growth rate (SGR), protein retention (PR), RNA/DNA ratio, haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), RBCs and best feed conversion ratio (FCR). However, highest liver thiamin concentration was recorded in fish fed 4 mg thiamin kg^?1 diet. Broken‐line analysis of SGR, PR and liver thiamin concentrations exhibited the thiamin requirement in the range of 1.79–3.34 mg kg^?1 diet (0.096–0.179 μg thiamin kJ^?1 gross energy). In experiment II, six casein–gelatin‐based diets (400 g kg^?1 CP; 18.69 kJ g^?1 GE) containing graded levels of pyridoxine (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 mg kg^?1 diet) were fed to triplicate groups of fish (6.35 ± 0.37 cm; 1.97 ± 0.12 g). Fish fed diet containing 6 mg kg^?1 pyridoxine showed best SGR, FCR, PR, RNA/DNA ratio, Hb, Hct and RBCs, whereas maximum liver pyridoxine concentration was recorded in fish fed 8 mg kg^?1 dietary pyridoxine. Broken‐line analysis of SGR, PR and liver pyridoxine concentrations reflected the pyridoxine requirement from 5.63 to 8.61 mg kg^?1 diet. Data generated during this study would be useful in formulating thiamin‐ and pyridoxine‐balanced feeds for the intensive culture of this fish.     

Fertilization by refrigerator stored sperm of the Indian major carp, Labeo calbasu (Hamilton, 1822)

This study reports on the spermatological properties, and on the development of a protocol for refrigerator storage (4°C) of Labeo calbasu (Hamilton, 1822) sperm for artificial breeding. Volume, motility, concentration and pH of the freshly collected sperm were 2.21 ± 0.53 (μL g^?1 of fish weight) (mean ± SD), 95 ± 1 (%), 1.93 ± 0.44 × 10⁹ (cells mL^?1) and 7.56 ± 0.17 respectively. Sperm activation was evaluated at different osmolalities of NaCl solution, and motility ceased completely when osmolality of the extender was ≥287 mOsmol kg^?1. Sperm retained motility for 24, 72 and 108 h, after refrigerator storage when sperm were undiluted, suspended in Alsever's solution and suspended in Alsever's solution containing 5% methanol respectively. Fertilization rate of fresh eggs with sperm stored at 4°C in Alsever's solution and Alsever's solution containing 5% methanol was 77% and 60% with a hatching rate of 60% and 43% respectively. The fertilization and hatching success of the stored sperm suggests potential to use refrigeration for transporting genetic material to hatcheries for artificial breeding of L. calbasu in Bangladesh.     

A novel approach to denitrification processes in a zero-discharge recirculating system for small-scale urban aquaculture

This paper presents an innovative process to solve the nitrate build-up problem in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). The novel aspects of the process lie in a denitrification bioreactor system that uses solid cotton wool as the primary carbon source and a unique degassing chamber. In the latter, the water is physically stripped of dissolved gaseous O₂ (by means of a Venturi vacuum tube), and the subsequent denitrification becomes more efficient due to elimination of the problems of oxygen inhibition of denitrification and aerobic consumption of cotton wool. The cotton wool medium also serves as a physical barrier that traps organic particles, which, in turn, act as an additional carbon source for denitrification. Operation in the proposed system gives an extremely low C/N ratio of 0.82 g of cotton wool/g of nitrate N, which contributes to a significant reduction of biofilter volume. The additional advantage of using solid cotton wool as the carbon source is that it does not release organic residuals into the liquid to be recycled. Operation of the system over a long period consistently produced effluents with low nitrate levels (below 10 mg N/l), and there was only a very small need to replace system water. The overall treatment scheme, also incorporating an aerobic nitrification biofilter and a granular filtration device, produced water of excellent quality, i.e., with near-zero levels of nitrite and ammonia, a sufficiently high pH for aquaculture, and low turbidity. The proposed system thus provides a solution for sustainable small-scale, urban aquaculture operation with a very high recovery of water (over 99%) and minimal waste disposal.     

Effects of metomidate anaesthesia or transfer to pur sea water on plasma parameters in ammonia-exposed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L) in sea water

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L) postsmolts weighing 150 ± 53 g were exposed to 14–15 mg l^–1 TA-N (total ammonia-N) in sea water in 1 m³ tanks for 24h. Blood samples were then taken A) immediately after the fish were netted from the exposure tanks and stunned by a blow to the head; B) 2–20 min after the fish were transferred to 15 l of an anaesthetic solution of metomidate in ammonia-free sea water; or C) 2–20 min after the fish were transferred to 15 l of ammonia-free sea water. Plasma TA-N level was 18% lower in the anaesthetised fish compared to in the fish sampled directly from the exposure tanks (p 0.05), and accordingly 16% lower in the fish transferred to pure sea water although this difference was not significant (p = 0.07). Plasma glucose level was higher in the fish transferred to pure sea water than in the fish receiving the two other treatments (p 0.05), but plasma urea, osmolality, Na^{+, Cl–, Ca2+ or Mg2+} levels did not vary significantly between the different treatments. Plasma TA-N level increased with time in the fish in the metomidate solution (p 0.02).