仿刺参的微卫星标记

根据1997-2000年东海23°30′~33°00′N、118°30′~128°00′E海域4个季节海洋调查资料,探讨了东海糠虾类的数量波动、相应的动力学过程及与渔场的关系。结果表明:东海糠虾类秋季丰度最高,均值为10ind.10-2m-3,春季次之(5ind.10-2m-3),夏季最低(1ind.10-2m-3);春季的漂浮囊糠虾(Gastrosaccus pelagicus)、夏季的极小假近糠虾(Pseudanchialina pusilla)、秋季的四刺端糠虾(Doxomysis quadrispinosa)和冬季的中华节糠虾(Siriellasinensis)对糠虾类总丰度变化的贡献较大。冬夏季不同优势种间对总丰度的贡献值较为接近,春秋季则有明显的差异。糠虾类春季和4季总丰度与底层水温线性相关;冬夏季与底层盐度相关;秋季与表层水温和10m层水温相关。东海糠虾类的数量波动,与东海沿岸河流的径流量,特别是长江径流势力消长有密切的联系,也与东海暖流势力从夏季到秋季维持一段时间有密切的关系。秋季糠虾类高分布区出现,对东海北部外海鲐鱼渔场和闽南-台湾浅滩渔场的形成有重要的意义。     

东海浮游十足类优势种环境适应的研究

根据1997-2000年东海23°30′~33°N、118°30′~128°E海域4个季节海洋调查资料,对东海浮游十足类优势种的生态特征进行了研究,探讨这些优势种对环境的适应及与渔场的关系。结果表明:主要优势种有中型莹虾Lucifer intermedius、刷状莹虾Lucifer penicillifer、细螯虾Leptochela gracilis和汉森莹虾Lucifer hanseni。前2个优势种是近海暖水种,细螯虾是广温高盐种,汉森莹虾是外海暖水种。近海暖水种不但平均丰度高,而且优势度和占浮游十足类总丰度的百分比均大于其它优势种。广温高盐优势种具有较高的出现率,细鳌虾丰度不高,但在每个季节、各个海区均有出现。在夏季,低温环境适应力差的暖水种往往有很高的聚集强度。与东海其它类群的浮游动物不同,浮游十足类以夏季丰度最大。就个体数量而言,以近海暖水种个体居多,主要分布在位于东海沿岸河口附近的鱼类产卵场。     

东海浮游桡足类的数量分布

根据1997-2000年在东海23°30′～33°N、118°30′～128°E水域进行的4个季节海洋调查资料,对东海浮游桡足类生态特征,分数量、群落特征、种类组成及优势种三部分从不同侧面作了探讨,本文为该研究的第一部分。结果表明,东海浮游桡足类丰度占浮游动物总丰度的55.5%,占饵料浮游动物总丰度的64.8%;秋季丰度最高、夏季次之、春季最低;平面分布不均匀,呈斑块状分布,一般东海近海高于外海和台湾海峡海域;高值区一般出现在不同水系的交汇区,其中,大陆沿岸水和东海外海水交汇区丰度值较其它混合区高。本次调查东海北部(29°～32°N、125°E以西)水域桡足类丰度约为20年前同期的1/3;东海浮游桡足类丰度的平面分布往往取决于中华哲水蚤(Calanussinicus)、精致真刺水蚤(Euchateconcina)和亚强真哲水蚤(Eucalanussubcrassus)的分布。     

东南太平洋智利竹筴鱼渔场浮游生物数量分布及与渔场关系

2006年6~8月,对智利外海渔场的5个站点(31°00′~40°45′S、82°05′~91°52′W)进行了浮游生物调查。结果显示,浮游植物共有7属10种,其中硅藻门有5属5种,甲藻门1属3种,蓝藻门1属2种;浮游植物平均生物量为0.416 mg/m3,最高生物量为0.822 mg/m3,最低为0.13 mg/m3。浮游动物为33属40种,其中桡足类有14种,占总种类数的35%,其次为浮游幼虫、水螅水母类、糠虾类和磷虾类等;浮游动物平均生物量为0.656 mg/m3,最高丰度为211 ind/m3,最低为33.5 ind/m3。通过对智利竹筴鱼产量及CPUE(单位渔获量努力量)叠加分析,发现中心渔场区域主要集中于38~43°S、80~83°W范围内,与各采样站点浮游植物生物量分布趋势一致,中心渔场与表层浮游动物生物量的分布尚不存在相对应的关联。     

东海赤潮高发区春季浮游桡足类与环境关系的研究

根据2002年4-5月东海122°00′～123°30′E、29°00′～32°00′N海洋综合调查资料,对东海赤潮高发区春季浮游桡足类种类组成、优势种、群落特征及其与环境和赤潮生物的关系作了探讨.结果表明共鉴定桡足类40种,优势种有中华哲水蚤(Calanus sinicus)、真刺水蚤幼体(Eucheta larvae)、精致真刺水蚤(Euchaeta concinna)等,并以中华哲水蚤占绝对优势.桡足类总丰度均值为154.97 ind·m-3(5.00～649.85 ind·m-3),最高丰度区(＞500 ind·m-3)主要分布于长江口30°30′～31°15′N、123°15′E以东水域.多样性指数值在长江口以北是近海高于外海,长江口以南是外海高于近海.桡足类种类数与表层水温(℃)有非常显著的正相关性(R=O.713,P＜0.01).桡足类总丰度与表层水样中硅藻丰度,桡足类总丰度与夜光藻丰度呈非线形相关关系,前者可用肥力与产力模型描述,后者可用有效积温模型表达.     

东海浮游十足类数量分布与环境的关系

根据1997~2000年东海23°30′~33°N、118°30′~128°E海域4个季节海洋调查资料,运用定量、定性方法,探讨东海浮游十足类(Decapods)总丰度的平面分布、季节变化以及变化的动力学机制。结果表明,浮游十足类总丰度有明显的季节变化,夏季最高为451 ind/(100 m3),秋季次之为71 ind/(100 m3),春季最低为24 ind/(100 m3)。北部近海(29°30′~33°N、123°30′~125°E)水域春季几乎没有分布,除冬季外,总丰度基本呈近海高于外海的分布趋势。中型莹虾(Luciferintermedius)是影响总丰度变化最主要的种类;夏季与秋季及四季总丰度的变化同水温有非常显著的线性相关关系,与盐度的相关关系不显著;冬季则仅仅与盐度有关,春季则与温度和盐度相关。从春季到夏季,高丰度区随台湾暖流向北扩展,并在闽浙沿岸水团与台湾暖流交汇处形成高丰度分布区[>2 500 ind/(100 m3)];从夏季到秋季,浮游十足类随着台湾暖流继续向北,在与长江冲淡水交汇处形成较高丰度区。水温和海流是影响东海浮游十足类总丰度分布的主要环境因子。     

东海浮游异足类环境适应分析

根据1997~2000年东海23°30′~33°00′N、118°30′~128°00′E海域4个季节海洋调查资料,采用浮游异足类物种丰度和同步的温、盐度数据拟合曲线,构建数学模型,计算物种分布的最适温度和盐度值。同时根据以往对异足类生态特征分析的结论,划分东海浮游异足类各物种的生态类型。结果表明,塔明螺(Atlanta turriculata)和拟翼管螺(Firoloi-da desmaresti)分布在外海,具有高温、高盐的适应特征,是热带大洋种。其他为亚热带外海种,其中玫瑰明螺(Atlantarosea)具广温种特征,明螺(Atlanta peroni)适温偏低,有广盐种的特征,大口明螺(Atlanta lesueuri)分布在盐度较高的水域,扁明螺(Atlanta depressa)具有近海种特征。东海浮游异足类总体上属于典型的暖水性生态类型,温、盐适应范围较窄,对水温和盐度敏感,是较好的指示种。东海浮游异足类主要分布在28°00′~30°00′N,124°00′~126°00′E的海域,绝大多数物种难以逾越冷水水团的阻隔,这是浮游异足类很少在黄渤海出现的主要原因之一。浮游异足类生态类型划分在古气象海洋学、海洋地质、海洋物理和海洋生物学的研究中具有重要的意义。     

东海南部海域虾类种类组成及数量分布特点

根据2008年5月(春)、8月(夏)、11月(秋)和2009年2月(冬)在东海南部海域(26°00′~28°00′N、120°00′~125°30′E)的虾类资源调查资料,结合1998~1999年调查资料,研究分析了该海域虾类的种类组成、地理和区系分布及其数量分布变化的特点。结果表明,该渔场类虾有44种,隶属14科、25属,以热带和亚热带暖水性种为主,属印度-西太平洋区系中的中-日亚区,与南海关系最为密切,而与黄、渤海关系较为疏远。虾类分布遍及整个调查海区,但时空分布差异明显,以调查海区东南部和沿27°45′N一带海域数量较多,渔获量平均密度指数以春、夏季较高,冬季最低;同时虾类数量分布与水深有较大的关系,以水深80~100 m海域数量最多,这与主要种类长角赤虾、假长缝拟对虾的分布海域明显相关;具有开发利用价值的经济种类有10来种,在渔业产量中占主导地位的为长角赤虾、假长缝拟对虾等。     

东海北部近海夏季虾类组成及其数量分布

依据2007年7月和2008年6月东海北部近海(123°~124°30′E、30°~32°N)桁杆拖虾定点调查资料,对夏季东海北部近海虾类资源的种类组成、数量分布特征进行了研究分析。夏季该水域共出现虾类18种,隶属于7科11属。其中6月份的优势种有鹰爪虾(IRI=7 485)、葛氏长臂虾(IRI=2 121)、脊腹褐虾(IRI=819.1)和戴氏赤虾(IRI=765.5),7月份的优势种有鹰爪虾(IRI=5 637)、葛氏长臂虾(IRI=451.1)、须赤虾(IRI=3 184)和戴氏赤虾(IRI=868.7)。夏季东海北部近海虾类资源群体重量密度分布主要呈现中部较少而东西两端分布较多的态势,不同优势种类的分布特征不同,鹰爪虾分布于整个调查海域,底温为12.1~21℃,底盐为31.1~34.6;脊腹褐虾主要分布于调查海域的东北部,底温为12.1~18℃,底盐为31~32。     

杭州湾洋山岛周围海域浮游动物分布特征

2001年2、5、8和11月对杭州湾附近水域(30°32′30°50′N、121°53′～122°17′E)进行了4个航次的海洋综合调查,结果表明本区共鉴定浮游动物44种(不含16种浮游幼体),优势种15种(优势度Y≥0.02),其中4季皆为优势种的仅真刺唇角水蚤(Labidocera euchaeta)1种,优势种季节更替现象明显.生物量季节变化明显,其中夏季＞春季＞冬季＞秋季.与20年前相比,调查水域浮游动物生物量的时空分布特征基本相同;浮游动物生态类群、种类数和主要优势种组成变化不显著,但优势种优势度(Y)和平均丰度均有所增加,多样性指数(H′)值一般在2左右.表明20年来调查区浮游动物群落结构仍比较稳定.     

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.