2种大洋性柔鱼类角质颚形态识别法的比较

依据中国鱿钓船2013年8~10月在北太平洋海域采集的柔鱼(Ommastrephes bartramii)和2014年4~7月在中东太平洋海域采集的茎柔鱼(Dosidicus gigas)样本,分别运用传统测量学法和傅里叶分析法对2种柔鱼类的角质颚进行识别,并对结果进行比较分析。运用传统测量学法共选取了12项角质颚参数值比较形态差异;角质颚外部轮廓形态通过软件转化为20组傅里叶代码(EFDs)后选取77个傅里叶值进行判别分析。结果表明,2种柔鱼类上、下角质颚形态在上头盖长(UHL)、上脊突长(UCL)、上喙长(URL)、上喙宽(URW)、上侧壁长(ULWL)、下脊突长(LCL)、下喙长(LRL)、下喙宽(LRW)、下侧壁长(LLWL)、下翼长(LWL)中存在显著性差异(P0.01),上翼长(UWL)、下头盖长(LHL)不存在显著性差异(P0.05)。主成分分析结果显示,传统测量法中下喙长(LRL)和下喙宽(LRW)与胴长(ML)之比主成分得分最高;傅里叶分析法显示上角质颚前16主成分可以解释总变异的83.58%;下角质颚前16主成分可以解释变异的73.76%。逐步判别分析将上头盖长(UHL)、上喙长(URL)、上侧壁长(ULWL)、下头盖长(LHL)、上喙长(URL)、上喙宽(URW)与胴长(ML)之比纳入判别分析函数,总别正确率为95%;傅里叶分析法将18个傅里叶值纳入判别函数,上颚总判别率为97.6%;下颚总判别率为85.7%。总体而言,2种方法对柔鱼类角质颚判别均有效,且上颚区分效果更明显。本文为头足类的种类判别提供了更多的且有效的识别方法。     

个体差异对西南大西洋阿根廷滑柔鱼角质颚外部形态变化的影响

角质颚是头足类重要的硬组织,广泛用于头足类分类及资源量估算等研究中。根据2010年中国鱿钓船在西南大西洋海域采集的2 916对阿根廷滑柔鱼角质颚样本,对角质颚12项外部形态参数进行测量,根据主成分分析结果,以角质颚的上头盖长(UHL)、上脊突长(UCL)、上翼长(UWL)、下头盖长(LHL)、下脊突长(LCL)和下翼长(LWL)作为角质颚各区外部形态变化的特征指标,以头盖长和脊突长之比(HL/CL)、喙长和脊突长之比(RL/CL)、喙宽与脊突长之比(RW/CL)、侧壁长和脊突长之比(LWL/CL)、翼长和脊突长之比(WL/CL)分别作为角质颚各区外形变化的指标,利用方差分析(ANOVA)和最小显著差多重比较法(LSD)研究不同性别、性腺成熟度和胴长范围对角质颚各区生长和外形变化的影响。结果表明,不同性别间UHL、UCL、UWL、LHL、LCL和LWL的变化存在显著性差异,相同性别不同性腺成熟度、不同胴长范围内的UHL、UCL、UWL、LHL、LCL和LWL的变化均存在显著性差异,而不同性别、不同性腺成熟度和不同胴长范围间上、下颚的HL/CL、RL/CL、RW/CL、LWL/CL、WL/CL的变化不存在显著性差异,并且其值基本恒定,上、下颚分别为78.04%、22.46%、17.28%、81.41%、23.07%和50.69%、43.31%、41.13%、144.98%、93.68%。研究表明,不同个体对阿根廷滑柔鱼角质颚外部形态变化有显著的影响。     

南海北部海域中国枪乌贼角质颚的形态学分析

角质颚是头足类的重要硬组织,已成为头足类渔业生物学及海洋生态学等重要研究材料之一。此研究利用2015年在南海北部海域采集的102尾中国枪乌贼(Uroteuthis chinensis)样本,测定其个体以及角质颚形态学参数,使用主成分分析法获得其角质颚主要形态特征参数,分析角质颚特征参数与胴长(ML)、性成熟等的关系,建立主要形态参数与胴长和体质量(BW)的关系模型。主成分分析表明,上头盖长(UHL)、上脊突长(UCL)、上侧壁长(ULWL)、下侧壁长(LLWL)、上喙宽(URW)、下喙长(LRL)可代表中国枪乌贼角质颚的形态特征。UHL、UCL、ULWL、LLWL与胴长之间以指数模型为最佳,URW、LRL与胴长之间以线性模型为最佳。UHL、UCL、ULWL、LLWL与体质量之间以线性模型为最适,URW与体质量之间以幂函数模型为最适,LRL与体质量之间以对数模型为最适。性成熟及生长对角质颚形态参数特征UHL/UCL影响无统计学意义(P0.05)。     

西南大西洋公海阿根廷滑柔鱼角质颚色素变化分析

根据2010年1-3月中国鱿钓船采集的阿根廷滑柔鱼样本(胴背长范围为166 ～266 mm),提取出264对角质颚(雌性143对,雄性121对),测定下头盖长(LHL)、下脊突长(LCL)、下喙长(LRL)、下喙宽(LRW)、下侧壁长(LLWL)、下翼长(LWL)等6个形态参数,按角质颚色素沉积等级0～7级进行了划分,分析阿根廷滑柔鱼角质颚色素变化,及其与个体生长、性腺成熟度以及角质颚生长等因素的关系.分析认为,1-3月阿根廷滑柔鱼角质颚色素沉积以3级为优势,占总样本的35.98％.色素沉积的平均等级总体上随着月份推移而增加.胴背长与体质量随着色素沉积的增加而呈线性增加,相关关系显著(P＜0.01).雌雄个体的性腺成熟度与角质颚色素沉积等级的关系有差异,其中雌性个体的色素沉积等级与性成熟度之间呈显著的正相关(P＜0.01),雄性个体则不显著(P＞0.05).角质颚各外部形态参数与色素沉积等级之间的关系有一定的差异,其中与LHL、LLWL、LWL关系显著(P＜0.01).     

东海剑尖枪乌贼角质颚的外部形态及生长特性

角质颚作为头足类的一种形态属性稳定的硬组织,蕴含着大量的生物学信息。根据2011~2014年期间东海渔业资源底拖网调查所获取的214 ind剑尖枪乌贼(Uroteuthis edulis)样本,分析角质颚各项形态参数特征。相似性检验认为,雌雄角质颚之间无显著性差异(R=-0.037;P0.05)。主成分分析认为,可挑选出上头盖长(UHL)和上脊突长(UCL)为上颚形态参数的代表、下脊突长(LCL)和下侧壁长(LLWL)为下颚形态参数的代表,并拟合外部形态参数与胴长、体质量的关系。探究角质颚各部分形态参数比值与胴长和体质量之间的变化规律,并从中挑选出随个体发育呈现稳定的指标。结果表明,角质颚外部形态参数随着胴长的增长呈极显著的线性增长趋势,随着体质量的增长呈极显著的幂函数增长趋势。上颚的上喙长(URL)/UHL、URL/UCL、URL/上侧壁长(ULWL)、UHL/UCL和UHL/ULWL,以及下颚的下喙长(LRL)/LCL、下头盖长(LHL)/LCL的比值相对较稳定,随胴长和体质量的改变呈现稳定趋势,可以用来作为剑尖枪乌贼区别于其它种类的差异性指标。     

秘鲁外海茎柔鱼角质颚的形态特征及其与个体大小和日龄的关系

角质颚是头足类重要的硬组织,被用于估算其个体大小及其生物量等。根据2009~2014年中国鱿钓船在秘鲁外海(79°22'W~84°30'W、10°00'S~18°16'S)采集的茎柔鱼(Dosidicus gigas)样本,提取出1 346ind茎柔鱼的角质颚,并对角质颚的形态进行了分析,建立了角质颚的形态特征参数与胴长、体重和日龄之间的关系。结果显示,雌性个体角质颚各形态参数的平均值均大于雄性个体,在角质颚12个形态参数中,上喙长(UHL)、上脊突长(UCL)、上侧壁长(ULWL)、下脊突长(LCL)、下侧壁长(LLWL)、下翼长(LWL)与胴长、体重、日龄之间的相关系数较高。胴长与角质颚各形态参数的关系在雌、雄个体间的差异性均显著(P0.05),体重、年龄与角质颚各形态参数的关系在雌、雄个体间的差异性均不显著(P0.05)。角质颚各形态参数与胴长、日龄之间呈线性关系;除上侧壁长外,角质颚的其它形态参数与体重之间呈幂指数关系。主成分分析认为,第一主成分解释上、下角质颚形态的贡献率分别为95.69%和95.11%,在上角质颚和下角质颚的形态参数中,载荷系数最大的形态参数分别为上脊突长和下侧壁长。研究认为,上述关系式的建立可以用于茎柔鱼的个体大小、生物量和日龄的估算。     

个体差异对西沙群岛海域鸢乌贼角质颚外部形态变化的影响

角质颚结构稳定、信息量大,是研究头足类渔业生物学的重要材料。根据2017年5—8月我国灯光罩网渔船在中国南海西沙群岛海域采集的860尾鸢乌贼样本,研究了个体差异对鸢乌贼角质颚外部形态变化的影响。结果显示,上头盖长(UHL)、上脊突长(UCL)、上喙宽(URW)、上侧壁长(ULWL)、下头盖长(LHL)、下脊突长(LCL)、下喙长(LRL)和下侧壁长(LLWL)可作为外形特征因子描述鸢乌贼角质颚的外形变化。方差分析(ANOVA)和最小显著性差异法(LSD)结果显示,主要外形特征因子在不同性别、不同胴长组和不同性成熟度间均存在显著性差异,但主要外形特征因子与脊突长(CL)的比值基本稳定。研究表明,在个体生长过程中,角质颚各区的比例基本稳定,胴长121～150 mm和性腺成熟度Ⅲ期可能是鸢乌贼角质颚外形生长的拐点。     

北太平洋东部柔鱼群体角质颚生长特性分析

角质颚是头足类重要的硬组织,蕴含着丰富的生态信息。本文根据2010年5~6月和2012年5~7月我国鱿钓船在北太平洋海域(170°E~172°W、38°N~41°N)采集的柔鱼(Ommastrephes bartramii)样本,对柔鱼东部群体的角质颚形态特征进行分析,并结合利用耳石推测的柔鱼日龄建立其生长方程。主成分分析认为,上头盖长(UHL)、上脊突长(UCL)和上侧壁长(ULWL)为柔鱼上颚的主要形态参数,下喙长(LRL)、下喙宽(LRW)和下侧壁长(LLWL)为柔鱼下颚的主要形态参数。AIC(Akaike’s information criterion)准则认为,6项角质颚主要参数与日龄的关系均以自然对数建立的生长方程为最适。分析发现,上颚生长方程的系数均大于下颚,说明上颚的生长速度大于下颚,而喙部生长方程的系数相近且最小,说明喙部生长速度较慢;上下颚比较发现,上颚头盖脊突较下颚的生长快,而喙部和翼部的生长相似。     

赤道海域茎柔鱼角质颚形态及生长特征分析

茎柔鱼(Dosidicus gigas)资源丰富,约占我国远洋鱿钓总产量的50%以上,角质颚形态稳定,在头足类的种类、种群划分中有着重要意义。根据2017年2-4月调查期间赤道海域采集到的茎柔鱼角质颚样本,观测分析其角质颚形态特征、茎柔鱼个体生长对角质颚形态的影响。结果表明:雌、雄个体间角质颚的各形态参数具有显著性差异(P0.05),且雌性个体的角质颚大于雄性个体;主成分分析结果表明可以选用上脊突长(upper crest length,UCL)代表赤道茎柔鱼角质颚的形态特征,并且可以做为茎柔鱼个体大小的估算;对不同胴长和性腺成熟度与角质颚上脊突长(UCL)的生长关系进行分析,显示随着胴长的增大和性腺的发育,茎柔鱼雌、雄个体角质颚上脊突长(UCL)也逐渐增加,角质颚逐渐增大。因此,根据角质颚上脊突长(UCL)的长度对茎柔鱼的胴长及生长情况进行判定是可行的。     

西非沿岸乌贼角质颚形态及生长特征

乌贼(Sepia officinalis)是生活在大西洋西岸的重要头足类之一,研究乌贼角质颚形态及生长特征有利于对其的开发利用。本研究根据2015年在毛里塔尼亚附近海域生产期间所获得的乌贼渔获样本,对乌贼角质颚的各项形态参数进行描述,探究不同胴长和不同性腺成熟阶段角质颚生长情况的差异,并估算乌贼个体的大小。通过对乌贼上、下颚各长度指标的比值比较发现,乌贼角质颚下颚的长度比值波动较大,较不稳定。t检验表明,将各项形态参数除以胴长消除样本规格影响差异后,乌贼雌性个体在角质颚的各项形态参数上均极显著大于雄性(P0.01);方差分析及多重比较(LSD法)表明,随着胴长的增加,乌贼的各个角质颚的形态参数也极显著增加(P0.01)。在性腺成熟期Ⅱ~Ⅳ中,乌贼角质颚的形态参数随着性腺成熟度的增加而显著增加(P0.05),但性腺成熟度为Ⅴ期的个体的角质颚形态参数却显著小于前面几期(P0.05)。主成分分析显示,第一主成分的负载绝对值最高的指标为上头盖长(Upper hood length,UHL)和下脊突长(Lower crest length,LCL);第二主成分下喙长(Lower rostrum length,LRL)和下喙宽(Lower rostrum width,LRW),利用主成分分析得到的前2个主成分可以对乌贼的胴长进行估算。研究表明,同一种类不同性别的乌贼个体角质颚形态参数及其比值存在特异性,研究结果为西非沿岸乌贼类分类及生态研究提供基础资料。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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).