多鳞四指马幼鱼消化道形态学和组织学的初步观察

对多鳞四指马(Eleutheronema rhadinum)幼鱼消化道的形态解剖和组织显微结构进行了初步研究。结果表明:多鳞四指马幼鱼的消化道从前到后依次是口咽腔、食道、胃、幽门盲囊和肠。口裂宽大,上下颌、犁骨和腭骨上均有绒毛状臼齿。食道的粘膜上皮为复层扁平上皮,上皮内含有粘液细胞。胃Y型,分为贲门部、盲囊部及幽门部,胃的粘膜上皮是单层柱状细胞,其间无杯状细胞,贲门部和盲囊部均有胃腺,而幽门部未发现。肠由前肠、中肠和后肠构成,Z字形,肠道系数为0.508,肠道的粘膜上皮是单层柱状细胞,上皮细胞游离面的微绒毛密集排列形成纹状缘,粘膜上皮中含有大量杯状细胞,粘膜层中并未发现肠腺的存在。由前肠到后肠粘膜皱褶的厚度和宽度呈现低-高-低的变化趋势,而肌层厚度则是高-低-高的变化趋势。幽门盲囊菜花状,其组织学结构类似于肠道结构,但粘膜上皮中无杯状细胞。     

多鳞(鱼喜)消化系统的形态学和组织学研究

采用解剖和光镜技术研究多鳞(鱼喜)消化系统的形态学和组织学.试验结果表明,多鳞(鱼喜)消化道由口咽腔、食道、胃、幽门盲囊、小肠和直肠构成.口咽腔较小,具绒毛状颌齿,舌三角形,黏膜上皮为复层鳞状上皮,上皮含少量味蕾和较多杯状细胞.食道黏膜也为复层上皮,从食道到胃,杯状细胞逐渐减少,上皮由复层上皮逐渐变为单层柱状上皮,肌肉层发达.胃为"Y"型胃,其盲囊部发达,黏膜上皮为单层柱状上皮,贲门部和盲囊部上皮下有一厚层胃腺组织.小肠短,肠道系数为0.56,上皮为具微绒毛的单层柱状上皮,杯状细胞前肠较多,中肠较少,后肠无,幽门盲囊4个,结构与小肠相似.直肠上皮为单层柱状上皮,上皮含少量杯状细胞,肌肉层较小肠发达.肝小叶不明显,肝细胞索明显.胰腺为弥散型,散布在肝脏组织中.     

大口黑鲈开口摄食与转食人工配合饲料期消化系统发育特征

本研究利用组织切片和扫描电镜技术，观察和研究了2~30日龄大口黑鲈(Micropterus salmoides)仔鱼消化系统的发育过程及组织学变化。结果显示，在水温为(23±1)℃条件下，0~4日龄仔鱼消化道初步分化，为内源性营养期；4~6日龄仔鱼消化道逐渐分化形成食道、胃和肠，胃和肠黏膜褶形成，肝胰脏细胞团出现，仔鱼具备基本摄食能力，进入混合性营养期；10~16日仔鱼消化道和消化腺结构分明，胃、幽门盲囊、肠道紧密排列，肝脏和胰脏独立，进入外源性营养期，此阶段后可逐步转食人工配合饲料。20~30日仔鱼胃腺发达，胃和肠道出现次级黏膜褶，幽门盲囊黏膜褶显著增多、增长，肝脏逐渐出现脂肪积累区，胰脏可见酶原分泌颗粒，肝胰脏组织结构近似成鱼。扫描电镜显示，30日仔鱼胃部内表皮具有丰富的网状黏膜褶，胃小凹间分布着密集的分泌孔；幽门盲囊和肠道内表面结构相似，无固定形态的黏膜褶上布满黏液细胞和分泌孔。20日龄后仔鱼具备转食人工配合饲料的能力。此外，在仔鱼开口和转食人工配合饲料过程中，部分死亡个体的胃肠组织表现出腔体扩大或皱缩，内表皮无成型的黏膜褶或黏膜层脱落，胃和肠道组织损伤。本研究可为大口黑鲈仔鱼开口和转食人工配合饲料条件的优化提供组织学基础资料。     

卵形鲳鲹消化酶活性的研究Ⅰ.成鱼和幼鱼消化酶活性

比较研究了卵形鲳鲹(Trachinotus ovatus)成鱼和幼鱼阶段消化酶(蛋白酶、淀粉酶、脂肪酶)在不同消化器官中的活性.结果表明:1)成鱼蛋白酶在不同消化器官中的活性大小依次为胃＞前肠＞中肠＞幽门盲囊＞后肠＞肝;淀粉酶活性为前肠＞后肠＞幽门盲囊＞中肠＞肝＞胃;脂肪酶活性为前肠＞中肠＞后肠＞幽门盲囊＞肝＞胃.2)幼鱼蛋白酶在不同消化器官中的活性大小依次为胃＞肠＞幽门盲囊＞肝;淀粉酶活性为肠＞幽门盲囊＞肝＞胃;脂肪酶活性为肠＞幽门盲囊＞肝＞胃.3)成鱼不同消化器官中蛋白酶和淀粉酶的活性均小于幼鱼,成鱼胃和幽门盲囊的淀粉酶活性与幼鱼的差异显著;幼鱼胃脂肪酶活性大于成鱼,但其他器官的活性均小于成鱼.卵形鲳鲹幼鱼不同消化器官中的3种消化酶活性大小顺序与成鱼基本相似.     

美洲黑石斑鱼(Centropristis striata)消化系统胚后发育的组织学观察

通过形态学与连续组织切片的方法,对美洲黑石斑鱼(Centropristis striata)1–34 d仔鱼消化系统的胚后发育进行系统观察,分析描述鱼体消化道(食道、胃与肠道)以及消化腺(肝脏与胰腺)的发育过程。对1–15 d仔鱼连续取样,每次取样30尾,15 d后隔天取样,每次取样15尾。结果显示,在水温为(24±1)℃、盐度为30–32的条件下,初孵仔鱼卵黄囊体积很大,消化管为封闭的管状结构。美洲黑石斑鱼孵出3 d后,口裂形成、开始摄食,肛门与外界连通,消化道逐渐分化形成食道、胃及肠道,肝脏、胆囊和胰腺也逐渐形成。7 d后,卵黄囊与油球基本消失,食道、胃部以及肠道黏膜褶皱开始形成,消化道黏膜上皮细胞逐渐分化,肝脏出现脂肪颗粒,仔鱼具备了基本的摄食能力。11 d时,仔鱼食道可见黏液细胞,随日龄的增加上皮组织中黏液细胞数量迅速增多,褶皱日益丰富;胃部分化形成贲门部、胃本体与幽门部,胃壁褶皱不断增多、伸长;肝脏血窦与中央静脉明显。20 d时,鱼体胃腺形成,说明胃部消化、吸收蛋白质的能力增强;肠道次级黏膜褶皱出现,肠圈与褶皱更加复杂化;胰脏分布有大量酶原颗粒。32 d时,仔鱼消化道组织结构分明,自腔面向内依次为黏膜层、黏膜下层、肌层与浆膜层,消化道与消化腺结构和功能逐步完善。仔鱼3–7 d为内源性营养向外源性营养过渡期,应及时提供充足适口的生物饵料,仔鱼20 d后可以逐渐驯化投喂微型配合饲料。     

黄唇鱼消化系统组织结构及黏液细胞分布特征

利用石蜡切片、HE和阿利新兰-高碘酸雪夫-试剂[AB-PAS (Alician blue and periodic acid Schiff reagent AB, pH 2.5)]染色技术,研究黄唇鱼(Bahaba flavolabiata)消化系统的组织结构和黏液细胞的分布特征。黄唇鱼食道粗而短,胃呈"卜"形,分为贲门部、盲囊部和幽门部,胃与肠的连接处有8条幽门盲囊,肠道在体腔内迂回2个曲折。光镜下观察到消化管管壁由外至内依次为外膜、肌肉层、黏膜下层和黏膜层。食道肌肉层很厚,黏膜层很薄,未见黏液细胞分布。胃部肌肉层和黏膜层均很厚,黏膜固有层分布胃腺,黏膜上皮为单层柱状上皮。幽门盲囊管腔很大,但肌肉层很薄。肠道肌肉层较厚,黏膜皱褶较细长,黏膜上皮细胞间可见圆形的黏液细胞。肝脏内弥散分布胰腺组织,肝小叶内可见大量糖原空泡。AB-PAS染色检测到胃部分布为红色的Ⅰ型黏液细胞;幽门盲囊黏膜上皮分布大量蓝色的黏液细胞,为Ⅱ型黏液细胞;前肠、中肠和后肠检测到大量Ⅱ型黏液细胞,并有少量Ⅰ型黏液细胞。黄唇鱼消化系统的组织结构以及黏液细胞分布特征体现了食性与结构功能相协调的特点。     

美洲黑石斑鱼(Centropristis striata)消化系统胚后发育的组织学观察

通过形态学与连续组织切片的方法,对美洲黑石斑鱼(Centropristis striata) 1-34 d仔鱼消化系统的胚后发育进行系统观察,分析描述鱼体消化道(食道、胃与肠道)以及消化腺(肝脏与胰腺)的发育过程.对1-15 d仔鱼连续取样,每次取样30尾,15 d后隔天取样,每次取样15尾.结果显示,在水温为(24±1)℃、盐度为30-32的条件下,初孵仔鱼卵黄囊体积很大,消化管为封闭的管状结构.美洲黑石斑鱼孵出3d后,口裂形成、开始摄食,肛门与外界连通,消化道逐渐分化形成食道、胃及肠道,肝脏、胆囊和胰腺也逐渐形成.7d后,卵黄囊与油球基本消失,食道、胃部以及肠道黏膜褶皱开始形成,消化道黏膜上皮细胞逐渐分化,肝脏出现脂肪颗粒,仔鱼具备了基本的摄食能力.11d时,仔鱼食道可见黏液细胞,随日龄的增加上皮组织中黏液细胞数量迅速增多,褶皱日益丰富;胃部分化形成贲门部、胃本体与幽门部,胃壁褶皱不断增多、伸长;肝脏血窦与中央静脉明显.20d时,鱼体胃腺形成,说明胃部消化、吸收蛋白质的能力增强;肠道次级黏膜褶皱出现,肠圈与褶皱更加复杂化;胰脏分布有大量酶原颗粒.32 d时,仔鱼消化道组织结构分明,自腔面向内依次为黏膜层、黏膜下层、肌层与浆膜层,消化道与消化腺结构和功能逐步完善.仔鱼3-7 d为内源性营养向外源性营养过渡期,应及时提供充足适口的生物饵料,仔鱼20 d后可以逐渐驯化投喂微型配合饲料.     

人工养殖银鲳子代胚胎发育及仔稚幼鱼形态观察

采用人工培育的子代银鲳(Pampus argentus)为亲本,对银鲳的胚胎及胚后各发育阶段的形态特征进行观察测量,以期为今后苗种培育和繁殖生物学研究提供参考资料.银鲳成熟卵子为端黄卵,单个油球,卵径(1.417±0.063)mm,油球径(0.575±0.031)mm.在水温(20.0±0.5)℃、盐度24±1,pH8.0～8.5条件下,受精卵经36 h孵化出膜.初孵仔鱼在水温19.0～24.0℃、盐度 23±1,pH8.0～8.5、光照2 000～3 000 lx条件下,经60 d培育成幼鱼.银鲳早期发育分前期仔鱼、后期仔鱼、稚鱼和幼鱼,前期仔鱼以卵黄囊吸收消化为主要形态特征;后期仔鱼分化出侧囊、食道、胃、幽门育囊和肝脏等消化器官,外形特征是鱼体腹两侧星状黑色素及金黄色斑点明显,背鳍和臀鳍鳍条原基出现,13日龄仔鱼全长(5.586±0.479)mm,体高((1.068±0.087)mm;稚鱼期消化器官进一步完善,脊索末端向上曲屈,随后尾下骨出现并且尾下骨末端与体轴倾斜,至35日龄尾下骨与体轴垂直,45日龄体高明显增高,全长(25.560±3.870)mm,体高(11.157±1.266)mm.幼鱼期胸鳍前端呈尖形,尾鳍上下两侧生长加快形成深叉状,鳞片完全长成,60 d时全长为(引.000±3.300)mm,体高达(19.750±1.620)mm,此时体形与成鱼已无差别.此外,本研究还对仔稚幼鱼的划分、鲳属鱼类中主要品种胚胎与仔稚鱼发育的异同点以及育苗中容易出现死亡的关键时期进行了分析探讨.     

黄条鰤早期生长发育特征

观察和记录了黄条鰤(Seriolaaureovittata)早期生活史阶段生长发育的形态与数量特征,描述了胚胎和仔稚幼鱼各发育阶段的表观特征与生长特性。黄条鰤成熟卵子为透明的圆球形浮性卵,卵径(1.48±0.04)mm,单油球,油球径(0.37±0.02) mm。在水温(21.5±0.5)℃,盐度32, pH 8.0～8.2条件下,受精卵历经73 h 40 min破膜孵化。初孵仔鱼全长(4.23±0.39) mm,卵黄囊长椭圆形,长度约为全长的1/3。3日龄仔鱼全长(4.61±0.43) mm,开口,卵黄囊消耗95%,眼睛变为黑色,鳔原基形成。4日龄仔鱼全长(4.57±0.88) mm,肛门与外界联通,开始摄食轮虫。5日龄仔鱼全长(4.68±0.25) mm,卵黄囊耗尽,鳔开始充气。油球在8日龄消耗完毕,仔鱼全长(5.14±0.36) mm,完全进入外源性营养阶段。7日龄仔鱼全长(4.79±0.36) mm,鳔充气变为亮泡状。初孵仔鱼消化道细而直,随着仔鱼发育,消化道变得粗大,肠道内褶回增多,在10日龄仔鱼全长(5.19±0.37)mm,形成第一个肠道生理弯曲,15日龄仔鱼全长(5.71±0.50)mm,形成第二个肠道生理弯曲,消化能力不断增强。脊椎末端弯曲在15日龄开始,至25日龄全长(8.66±1.06)mm,弯曲过程完成。35日龄稚鱼全长(20.04±1.56)mm,各鳍条数与成鱼一致。60日龄幼鱼全长(65.06±1.94) mm,鳞片形成。80日龄幼鱼全长(134.05±3.25) mm,体表出现一条纵向横贯眼睛和尾椎末端的浅黄色色素带,在体态上与成体无明显区别。     

斑点鳟(Oncorhynchus mykiss)稚鱼消化道组织学观察

利用石蜡切片技术观察斑点鳟稚鱼(Oncorhynchus mykis)消化道组织。结果表明,斑点鳟稚鱼的消化道分为口咽腔、食管、胃肠管3个部分,食管、胃、幽门盲囊、肠管均由黏膜层、黏膜下层、肌层和浆膜层4层组成。食管、胃部结缔组织中有大量腺体,胃体幽门部长有44~46条不等幽门盲囊,幽门盲囊中皱褶相互挤压,几乎充满整个腔体;肠管自胃贲门起至肛门段,肠壁逐渐变薄,褶皱数量逐渐减少,后肠处观察有大量黏液分泌细胞。因此,斑点鳟消化道组织结构具有肉食性鱼类消化道的典型特征,可进行以动物蛋白为主的配合饲料日常多次投喂饲养。本研究结果可为斑点鳟稚鱼配合饲料的开发提供参考。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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).