Reproductive performance of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L., 1758) fed two combined levels of carotenoids from paprika oleoresin and essential fatty acids

Despite carotenoids and essential fatty acids seem to play important roles in fish reproduction, no studies have yet been conducted to determine the effect of dietary carotenoids on gilthead seabream broodstock performance and their relation as antioxidants with dietary n‐3 highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) levels. In addition, the high cost of synthetic sources of carotenoids is leading to the search for new natural carotenoid sources such as paprika oleoresin. Four experimental diets containing two combined levels of carotenoids from paprika oleoresin (40 and 60 mg kg^?1) and n‐3 HUFA (25 and 40 g kg^?1) were respectively fed to triplicate groups of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) broodfish. Elevation of n‐3 HUFA dietary levels from 25 to 40 g kg^?1 significantly improved gilthead seabream broodstock performance in terms of egg viability, hatching rates and fecundity. Besides, it markedly increased egg contents in HUFAs which play important energetic and structural roles and improve embryo development. Both arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n‐3) egg contents were more readily affected by dietary n‐3 HUFA than docosahexaenoic acid. HUFA levels did not caused any negative effect suggesting an optimized content of antioxidants in broodstock diets. Increase in dietary carotenoids from 40 to 60 mg kg^?1 increased carotenoid contents in eggs and significantly improved egg fertilization rates suggesting an important sperm cell’s protective role by reducing the risk of lipid peroxidation which is detrimental for sperm motility. The increased inclusion of dietary paprika oleoresin enhanced egg carotenoid deposition and improved fish reproductive performance, denoting the high nutritional value of this product as a source of carotenoids for broodstock of this species.     

Habitat utilisation,growth and predation of Cucumaria frondosa: implications for an emerging sea cucumber fishery

Abstract Biological traits of the sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa (Gunnerus) relevant to both ecological and management perspectives were investigated in the Newfoundland region. Abundance, size and fitness of adults were maximal on hard substrates. Larvae settled ～5 weeks post‐spawning and juveniles reached a maximum length of 6 mm after 24 months. Additional size classes of sea cucumbers kept under natural environmental conditions exhibited slow seasonal growth attuned to phytoplankton blooms, indicating that ～25 years may be required to reach market size. Juveniles of the predator sea star Solaster endeca (L.) readily fed upon 1.5‐2 mm long sea cucumbers. Predation rates on adult C. frondosa by adult S. endeca were modulated by temperature and biased towards injured specimens, suggesting that trawling may exacerbate predation pressure. The combination of slow growth and high predatory pressure enhanced by fishing activities emphasises the need for precautionary management of this emerging fishery in Atlantic Canada.     

Effect of lipid levels on reproductive performance of Oreochromis karongae

A study was conducted at Bunda Fish Farm to evaluate the effects of dietary lipid levels on reproductive performance of Oreochromis karongae. Fish were reared in 12 hapas for 86 days, with four experimental diets containing 8.28%, 10.17%, 12.09% and 14.05% levels of lipid, replicated three times. At the end of the experiment, O. karongae fed 10.17% and 12.09% lipid had the highest absolute fecundity (237.5 ± 6.50 and 271.3 ± 26.19, respectively) as compared with fish fed on 8.28% and 14.05% lipid levels (90.3 ± 46.3 and 143.7 ± 30.8 respectively). Higher number of spawns (5) were observed in fish fed on diets containing crude lipid of 10.17%. We can assume also that diets of 10.17% lipid are not costly as those of 12.09% or 14.05% lipid. It was found that the size of eggs depended on the number of eggs spawned by the female fish, as the number of eggs increased, the weight of eggs and mean egg diameter decreased. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) among treatments in terms of relative fecundity. Based on these findings, it is recommended that diets containing crude lipid of 10% should be fed to broodstock for optimum reproductive performance of O. karongae.     

Effects of continuous and alternate administration of β‐glucan and mannan‐oligosaccharide on the growth,immunity and resistance against Vibrio splendidus of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)

A 4‐week growth trial was conducted to compare the effects of different feeding strategies of dietary immunostimulants on the growth, immunity and resistance against Vibrio splendidus of sea cucumbers Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka). Six feeding strategies were set, including feeding immunostimulants‐free diet continuously (control), feeding dietary β‐glucan (1.25 g kg^?1 diet) continuously, feeding dietary mannan‐oligosaccharides (MOS; 2.00 g kg^?1 diet) continuously, feeding β‐glucan 2 days followed by MOS 5 days alternately, feeding β‐glucan 5 days followed by MOS 2 days alternately and feeding β‐glucan 7 days followed by MOS 7 days alternately. The sea cucumbers fed immunostimulants showed higher specific growth rate (SGR) and lower cumulative mortality than control (P < 0.05). When sea cucumbers were fed with β‐glucan continuously, total coelomocytes counts and superoxide anion were significantly higher than control on the 4th day (P < 0.05). However, these two immune parameters were not significantly higher than those in control after the 18th day (P > 0.05). While sea cucumbers continuously fed MOS, these two immune parameters were not significantly higher than control until the 15th day. All immune parameters of the sea cucumbers fed with β‐glucan and MOS alternately were significantly higher than those in control during the experiment (P < 0.05). The sea cucumbers fed with β‐glucan 7 days followed MOS 7 days alternately showed the highest SGR and second lowest cumulative mortality. It was suggested that this feeding strategy is most suitable for sea cucumbers.     

Optimum dietary protein and lipid levels for growth of juvenile sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus

A feeding trial of three protein (200, 300 and 400 g kg⁻¹) and two lipid levels (20 and 100 g kg⁻¹) was conducted to determine the proper dietary protein and lipid levels for growth of juvenile sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus. Dietary protein and lipid levels were adjusted by adding with different levels of soybean meal, squid liver oil and soybean oil, respectively. Three replicate groups of sea cucumbers (average weight of 1.3 g) were fed the experimental diets for 12 weeks. At the end of the feeding trial, survival was not affected by dietary protein and lipid levels (P > 0.05). Weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) of sea cucumbers were significantly affected by dietary protein (P < 0.006) and lipid levels (P < 0.001). The highest WG and SGR were observed in sea cucumbers fed the 200 and 400 g kg⁻¹ protein diet with 20 g kg⁻¹ lipid (P < 0.05). WG and SGR of sea cucumbers fed the diet containing 20 g kg⁻¹ lipid were higher than those of sea cucumbers fed the 100 g kg⁻¹ lipid diets (P < 0.05) at each dietary protein level. Apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, crude protein, carbohydrate and gross energy of sea cucumbers fed the 20 g kg⁻¹ lipid diets were significantly higher than those of the 100 g kg⁻¹ lipid diets at 200 and 400 g kg⁻¹ protein (P < 0.05). Moisture, crude protein, crude lipid and ash contents were not significantly different among the groups. The results of this study indicate that the diet containing 200 g kg⁻¹ protein (170 g kg⁻¹ digestible protein) with 20 g kg⁻¹ lipid (13 g kg⁻¹ digestible lipid) may be sufficient for optimum growth of juvenile sea cucumber.     

Preliminary Study of the Dietary α‐Tocopherol Requirement in Sea Cucumber,Apostichopus japonicus

This study was conducted to evaluate the dietary α‐tocopherol (vitamin E) requirement in juvenile sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus. Sea cucumbers averaging 1.48 ± 0.07 g (mean ± SD) were randomly distributed into 18 rectangular plastic tanks of 20 L capacity in a recirculating system (20 animals per tank). Six semi‐purified experimental diets with average protein and crude lipid levels (dry matter) of 29.7 ± 0.36% and 4.39 ± 0.23% (mean ± SD), respectively were formulated to contain 0 (E4), 15 (E12), 30 (E23), 60 (E44), 120 (E77) and 600 (E378) mg α‐tocopherol/kg diet, supplied as dl‐α‐tocopheryl acetate. Diets were analyzed for α‐tocopherol content by HPLC and the α‐tocopherol levels were 4.01, 12.4, 23.1, 44.3, 77.4 and 378 mg α‐tocopherol/kg diet for E4, E12, E23, E44, E77 and E378 diets, respectively. Casein and defatted fish meal were used as the protein sources in the diets while wheat flour was the carbohydrate source. Sea cucumbers were fed each of the six experimental diets in triplicate groups. At the end of the 14‐week feeding trial, weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR) and feed efficiency (FE) of sea cucumbers fed on E23, E44, E77 and E378 diets were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of animals fed on E4 and E12 diets. However, there were no significant differences in WG, SGR and FE among sea cucumbers fed on E23, E44, E77 and E378 diets or among those fed on E4 and E12 diets. Survival of sea cucumbers fed on E44, E77 and E378 diets were significantly higher than those of animals fed on E4, E12 and E23 diets. However, there were no significant differences among sea cucumbers fed on E4, E12 and E23 diets or among those fed on E44 and E77 diets. Whole‐body vitamin E concentration increased with α‐tocopherol content of the diets. Broken line analysis of WG showed an optimum dietary α‐tocopherol requirement of 41 mg α‐tocopherol/kg diet in sea cucumber. These results indicated that the optimum dietary α‐tocopherol requirement in sea cucumber in the form of dl‐α‐tocopheryl acetate could be higher than 23.1 mg α‐tocopherol/kg diet but lower than 44 mg α‐tocopherol/kg diet.     

Growth, reproductive performance, muscle and egg composition in grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella (Valenciennes), fed hydrilla or formulated diets with varying protein levels

Growth, reproductive performance, muscle and egg composition were investigated in grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella (Valenciennnes), fed hydrilla or formulated diets with varying protein levels. Five experimental diets, with varying levels (20%, 25%, 30%, 35% and 40%) of crude protein (CP), were used. One of the fish groups was fed hydrilla. Fish (44.1±0.3 cm; 913±9 g) were stocked (20 tank^?1) in outdoor concrete tanks (20 × 10 × 1.5 m) in duplicate, and fed to satiation, twice daily, at 09:00 and 17:00 hours for the experimental duration of 360 days. High (P<0.05) weight gain was recorded in fish fed 30% and 35% CP diets. However, values for gonadosomatic index (GSI), egg diameter, relative fecundity (eggs kg^?1 body weight), fertilizability and hatchability (%) were comparable (P>0.05) in fish at ≥25% of dietary protein intake. Hydrilla‐fed fish exhibited lower (P<0.05) values for the measured parameters. Crude protein content in muscle increased with dietary protein level. Highest (P<0.05) muscle protein was obtained in fish fed 35% CP diet. Muscle fat was comparable (P>0.05) among fish receiving formulated diets. Ash content was not significantly (P>0.05) different among fish of different dietary groups. Moisture content in fish fed formulated diets, with the exception of 20% CP diet, did not vary significantly (P>0.05). Eggs of fish fed formulated diets contained higher CP and fat contents than those of hydrilla‐fed fish. High (P<0.05) moisture content was noted in the eggs of hydrilla‐fed fish. Ctenopharyngodon idella fed formulated diet, with a minimum of 25% CP, showed better reproductive performance than those fed hydrilla.     

Comparative fatty acid composition of eggs from wild and captive black sea bass, Centropristis striata L.

Lipid content, lipid class and fatty acid compositions were determined in eggs from wild and captive black sea bass, Centropristis striata L., from northern (New England) and southern (South Carolina) regions to determine the effects of diet on egg composition and fertilization success. The formulated diets fed to the northern captive (NC) fish were higher in total lipids (22%) compared with the cut fish and squid diet fed to the southern fish (SC; 3.3% lipid) and had a higher relative amount of linoleic acid (LA) and lower relative amounts of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA). These dietary differences were broadly reflected in the egg lipid composition. The LA levels were higher in all lipid classes in eggs of NC fish while AA levels were lower. The DHA was higher in the major polar lipids (PL) (phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine) of SC eggs compared with NC. Compared with wild fish, both captive groups produced eggs with PLs richer in LA and lower in DHA and AA. Over all fish groups, fertilization success was directly correlated with levels of DHA and AA in the PLs and was inversely correlated with LA levels.     

Fecundity of the sea louse Caligus rogercresseyi on its native host Eleginops maclovinus captured near salmon farms in southern Chile

The sea louse (Caligus rogercresseyi) is the most significant parasitic pathogen in Chilean salmon farms, and it infects farmed salmon and native host fish. Fecundity is one of the most important parameters for understanding the population dynamics of a species; however, this information is scarce for this parasite. The fecundity of C. rogercresseyi females collected from native hosts (Eleginops maclovinus) captured near salmon farms in southern Chile was measured to evaluate the reproductive output of this parasite on this host fish. From June 2008 to May 2009, 212 specimens of E. maclovinus were examined. Each fish was measured, and all its parasites were collected, sorted and counted. Seventy‐nine ovigerous C. rogercresseyi females (OFs) were measured. Total body length, egg string length and total number of eggs per string were recorded for each parasite. Ovigerous females body length varied between 3.9 and 5.0 mm. Fecundity varied between 12 and 56 eggs string^?1, and it was correlated with OF body length. Temporal variations in OF fecundity were explained by co‐variation in OF body length, but not by month. Ovigerous females on E. maclovinus were smaller and showed lower fecundity than OFs on farmed salmon. Our results suggest that native hosts play a secondary role in C. rogercresseyi egg production in Codigue bay.     

Preliminary Study of the Optimum Dietary Ascorbic Acid Level in Sea Cucumber,Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)

A 14‐wk feeding trial was carried out to evaluate the optimum dietary ascorbic acid (AA) level in juvenile sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus. Sea cucumbers averaging 1.49 ± 0.07 g (mean ± SD) were randomly distributed into 18 rectangular plastic tanks of 20 L capacity in a recirculating system (20 animals per tank). Six semipurified experimental diets were formulated to contain 0 (l ‐ascorbyl‐2‐monophosphate [AMP]; AMP0), 30 (AMP24), 60 (AMP48), 120 (AMP100), 240 (AMP206), and 1200 (AMP1045) mg AA/kg diet in the form of AMP using casein as the main protein source. Sea cucumbers were fed each of the six experimental diets in triplicate groups. At the end of 14 wk of feeding trial, weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), and feed efficiency (FE) of sea cucumbers fed AMP100, AMP206, and AMP1045 were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of animals fed AMP0, AMP24, and AMP48. However, there were no significant differences in WG, SGR, and FE among sea cucumbers fed AMP100, AMP206, and AMP1045 and among animals fed AMP0, AMP24, and AMP48. Whole‐body vitamin C concentration increased with AA content of the diets. Broken‐line analysis of WG showed an optimum dietary AA level of 105.3 mg AA/kg diet in sea cucumber. These results indicated that the optimum dietary vitamin C level in sea cucumber in the form of AMP could be greater than 100 mg AA/kg diet but less than 105.3 mg AA/kg diet.     

中华花鳅的繁殖生物学特性研究

探究中华花鳅(Cobitis sinensis)的繁殖生物学特性,可为其人工增养殖和资源保护利用提供科学依据。2017年11月至2018年5月,在贵州境内舞阳河施秉段采集中华花鳅样本381尾,以鳞片作为年龄鉴定材料,将样本解剖后进行性别鉴定和性腺分期。结果表明,舞阳河中华花鳅体长(L)为58.9~100.2 mm,体重(W)为2.0~13.7 g,年龄在1~4龄。381尾样本中,性别不可辨样本有23尾,雄248尾,雌110尾,性腺发育至IV期最多。经肉眼观察发现,中华花鳅的精巢和卵巢均可分为6期,有70尾雌鱼性腺发育达到IV期,其绝对繁殖力(F)为542~2 865粒,体长相对繁殖力(FL)为6.6~28.6粒/mm,体重相对繁殖力(FW)为99.8~490.7粒/g;绝对繁殖力(F)、体长相对繁殖力(FL)均与体长(L)、体重(W)、净体重(W0)、性腺重(W1)、成熟系数(GSI)之间具有极显著相关性(P<0.01),体重相对繁殖力(FW)与性腺重(W1)、成熟系数(GSI)之间具有极显著相关性(P<0.01)。实地调查发现,中华花鳅的产卵场主要在砂质底质、水质清新、水流较缓、水草丰富的浅水区,繁殖期为5-8月,繁殖高峰期为5月中旬至6月上旬。研究显示,中华花鳅的繁殖力较低,繁殖高峰期时间较短,低龄化严重,亟需对其进行资源保护和系统研究。     

Life‐history variation in a species complex of nonmigratory galaxiids

Life‐history theory predicts that the optimal strategy in the trade‐off between egg size and number varies in relation to resource availability and environmental disturbance. We assessed interspecific differences in egg size, fecundity and other life‐history traits in a species complex of stream‐resident galaxiid fish, which are distributed across a range of contrasting habitat types on the South Island, New Zealand. Oocyte size, fecundity and reproductive effort were measured from gravid females collected immediately before spawning. Proxy measures of stream productivity, flow variability and predation pressure were extracted from modelled data sets. A suite of different egg sizes were identified across species within the Galaxias vulgaris complex, with mean oocyte volume differing by up to 133% between species. The species with the smallest eggs showed mean size‐relative fecundities 246% higher than the species with the largest eggs. A significant negative relationship was found between species’ mean egg size and size‐relative fecundity, suggesting a trade‐off between these traits. Species with larger eggs had larger maternal body size, lower reproductive effort and delayed maturity compared to ‘small‐egg’ species. Consistent with the predictions of life‐history theory, species with larger eggs, lower size‐relative fecundity, lower reproductive effort and delayed maturity were associated with low productivity, stable streams, whereas species exhibiting the opposite set of traits occurred in relatively productive but disturbed systems.     

The effects of dietary HUFA level on flame angelfish (Centropyge loriculus) spawning,egg quality and early larval characteristics

This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) on flame angelfish (Centropyge loriculus) reproduction, and egg and larval quality. In the experiment, formulated diets containing 1.8, 2.9 or 3.6% n‐3 HUFA were fed to flame angelfish broodstock (n = 4) for 5 months. Mean fecundity (daily egg production), egg fertilization rates and embryo viability were used as indicators of egg quality. In addition, mean egg diameter, oil globule diameter, per cent hatch, larval size at hatch, per cent survival to yolk exhaustion and larval size at yolk exhaustion were recorded for each treatment. Flame angelfish fed the diet containing 3.6% n‐3 HUFA exhibited significantly increased fecundity, fertilization rates and embryo viability than fish that were fed the other two formulated diets. Egg diameter, egg oil globule diameter, larval size at hatch, larval survival to yolk exhaustion and larval size at yolk exhaustion from the 3.6% n‐3 HUFA broodstock treatment group were not significantly different from those derived from the Control broodstock treatment. These data revealed that flame angelfish egg quality could respond rapidly (within weeks) to maternal dietary changes. Results from this study further support that dietary HUFA composition can significantly affect broodstock reproductive performance as well as subsequent performance of eggs and larvae.     

Comparison of the lipid profiles from wild caught eggs and unfed larvae of two scombroid fish: northern bluefin tuna (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Thunnus thynnus</Emphasis> L., 1758) and Atlantic bonito (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sarda sarda</Emphasis> Bloch, 1793)

Lipids and essential fatty acids are determinants of the reproductive process in marine fish, affecting fecundity, egg quality, hatching performance, pigmentation and larval malformation. We have analyzed and characterized the lipids of eggs and unfed larvae of two wild caught scombroid fish, the Atlantic northern bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) and Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda). Dry matter and total lipid contents, polar and neutral lipid classes and total lipid fatty acid contents were determined in the eggs of bluefin tuna and eggs and unfed larvae during the development of Atlantic bonito. Bluefin tuna eggs had slightly but significantly more dry mass than bonito eggs but very similar lipid content. However, bluefin tuna eggs presented a higher polar lipid content due to increased proportions of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylinositol (PI). Bonito eggs and larvae showed increasing dry mass and decreasing lipid content with development. The proportion of polar lipids increased due to increased PE, PS and PI, whereas choline-containing polar lipids (phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin) remained relatively constant. Free cholesterol also increased, whereas the levels of other neutral lipids, especially triacylglycerol and steryl ester fractions, decreased, presumably due to utilization for energy to drive development. Bluefin tuna eggs had higher levels of n − 3 and n − 6 highly unsaturated fatty acids due to higher docosahexaenoic and arachidonic acid contents, respectively, than bonito eggs. The results are discussed in relation to the lipid and fatty acid requirements of larval scombroid fish in comparison to those of other larval marine finfish species under culture conditions.     

Examination of broodstock diet effects on egg production and egg quality in flame angelfish (Centropyge loriculus)

This study was conducted to determine the effects of broodstock diet on flame angelfish (Centropyge loriculus) reproduction and generate baseline spawning performance (mean fecundity, egg fertilization, egg viability) and egg biochemistry data for this species. Sixteen flame angelfish broodstock pairs were maintained on one of three formulated diets or a raw diet (consisting of squid, shrimp, fish eggs and algae) to determine the effect of diet composition on the fecundity, egg fertilization rates and egg viability over a 7‐month period. Although all the diets supported similar mean spawn frequency and fecundity over the duration of the experiment, the mean fertilization rates and egg viability were significantly greater among pairs receiving the raw diet. Egg fatty acid composition was generally reflective of the maternal diet and similar to the values reported for other tropical species. In particular, dietary factors such as n‐3 highly unsaturated fatty acid and ARA level (which were elevated in the raw diet and eggs from fish receiving that treatment) are correlated with egg quality and are therefore worthy of future investigation. Because of the ease of conditioning, adaptability to varied formulated diets and continuous, sustained reproductive output, flame angelfish are an excellent model for examining the factors affecting marine fish egg and larval quality.     

Egg and larval quality,and egg fatty acid composition of Eurasian perch breeders (Perca fluviatilis) fed different dietary DHA/EPA/AA ratios

In Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis), the variability in spawning quality is a major limiting factor for successful production, especially when breeders are fed with an artificial diet. The influence of the dietary DHA/EPA/AA ratio on the egg and larval quality and on the fatty acid and lipid class composition of eggs has been investigated in perch broodstock. Two experimental diets (16% lipids) with two different DHA/EPA/AA ratios, D1 (3/2/2) and D2 (23/9/1), were compared with a natural diet consisting of cultured carp juveniles, CC (10/10/1) and with a commercial diet for salmonids, CDS (14/16/1). Percentages of fertilization and hatching were comparable between fish fed D1, D2 and CC, with the highest hatching rate observed for D1 (63.5 ± 3.8%). These diets supported better values than the CDS. Larval survival and TL50 observed after osmotic stress were higher for the D1 group, followed by larvae produced by fish fed D2 and CC. Larvae from fish fed D1, D2 and CC were significantly more robust than larvae from the CDS group. Differences were observed regarding the fatty acid (FA) profile in the eggs, which was related to the dietary FA composition. The results indicate that a ratio of 3/2/2 seemed to be effective for obtaining eggs and larvae of good quality.     

The Effect of Dietary Carotenoids on Gonad Production and Carotenoid Profiles in the Sea Urchin Lytechinus variegatus

Although dietary carotenoids are generally considered important in sea urchin aquaculture only for their effect on gonad color, they also have important biological roles. The effects of dietary carotenoids on gonad production and organ carotenoid profiles of Lytechinus variegatus were examined. Individuals were collected in January 1999 and fed a replete diet with a level of 0.60 mg carotenoids/kg for 4 wk, followed by one of four prepared diets for 8 wk: one without supplemental carotenoids, one with β‐carotene (16.92 mg carotenoids/kg feed), and two carotenoid mixtures, one high in zeaxanthin (5.28 mg carotenoids/kg feed) and another high in capsanthin (9.63 mg carotenoids/kg feed). The carotenoid profiles of the body compartments differed. The primary carotenoid in gonads of males and females was echi‐nenone. The carotenoid profile of the test was similar to that of the gonad. The carotenoid profile of the gut varied with diet, but was not identical to composition of the diet. The gut profiles included echinenone but at lower concentrations than in the gonad and test. The carotenoid profile in the gut probably results from the presence of the carotenoids absorbed and those metabolized. The results suggest that several pathways exist to metabolize dietary carotenoids and that some of them are in the gut. The concentration of carotenoids in the gut (g wet weight) was higher than that of the gonad, which was higher than that of the test. The gonads increased significantly in size regardless of diet, indicating carotenoids are not required for gonad production under the conditions of this experiment. Although the concentration of carotenoids in the gonad decreased over time, the absolute amount of carotenoids increased with the increase in gonad size. Either gonad growth was more rapid than carotenoid deposition or differential deposition in nutritive cells and gametogenic cells occurred, or the amount of carotenoids used in the diets was too low to have an effect.     

Physiological and reproductive response to varying quantitative lipid inclusion in diets for Gulf killifish Fundulus grandis Baird and Girard

Successful culture of Gulf killifish Fundulus grandis as a live marine baitfish in the south‐eastern United States has experienced low fecundity as a primary restriction. Hence, the ability to optimize reproduction in captive populations may increase the potential for viable large‐scale production. Broodfish nutrition is an expanding field of aquaculture, and improved nutritional status has been shown to increase reproductive output in some cultured fish. This study examined changes in quantitative inclusion of lipid as fish oil in complete diets fed to actively spawning Gulf killifish and its effects on physiological and reproductive parameters and subsequent larval morphometrics. An increase in dietary lipid levels across a gradient from 4.0 to 13.8% did not affect periodic fecundity, egg size, embryo viability rate, sperm motility, hepatosomatic index or liver total lipid content. Intraperitoneal fat increased significantly in fish fed higher lipid levels, while gonadosomatic index was significantly higher in the lowest lipid content group. Larvae produced by fish fed higher lipid levels had significantly increased endogenous nutritional resources at hatch while standard length was unaffected. No strong reproductive benefits of increased lipid inclusion were found in Gulf killifish.     

Indicators of reproductive performance in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) selected for high and low responsiveness to stress

A number of indicators of reproductive performance were assessed in rainbow trout divergently selected on the basis of their plasma cortisol response to a standardized stressor. For both male and female rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), body weight was significantly related to stress responsiveness. High‐responding (HR) females were significantly heavier than low‐responding (LR) females overall, and HR males were significantly heavier than LR males overall. There was no significant difference in the specific growth rate (SGR) of HR and LR female fish during the experimental period, whereas in contrast the mean SGR of HR males was significantly greater than that of LR males. The divergent confinement‐induced levels of blood cortisol in HR and LR groups were stable for more than 1 year after selection. There was no significant difference in the extent to which confinement stress reduced blood oestradiol‐17β levels in HR and LR females, despite a large difference in relative blood cortisol levels. The onset and rate of ovulation was similar within the HR and LR groups. Differences in fecundity, relative fecundity and egg volume and weight were wholly attributable to the different mean body weights of the HR and LR fish. There was no difference between the sperm counts of HR and LR males. There was significantly higher mortality among eggs derived from HR parents overall between fertilization and hatch, but maximum mean mortality did not exceed 12%. Mean time to eyeing in the HR groups was 224 degree days, and in the LR groups was 244 degree days. Hatching commenced at 344 and 347 degree days in the HR and LR groups, respectively, and was complete within 412 and 416 degree days respectively. Overall, selection for stress responsiveness was associated with no significant benefits or costs in reproductive performance.     

Dietary fatty acid enrichment during the spawning season increases egg viability and quality in Hippocampus hippocampus

Control of the reproductive cycle is essential to achieve a successful aquaculture industry. Seahorse reared in captivity often shows eggs of poor quality and low offspring survival due to unsuitable rearing and nutritional protocols. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary enrichment, added exclusively during the spawning season, on the egg quality of Hippocampus hippocampus. The effect of enriching mysis throughout the spawning season was analysed in terms of female fecundity, egg viability, egg size and fatty acid profile. The results showed that fecundity was not affected by the enrichment of the diet, but egg viability was increased when females were fed the enriched mysis (84.9 ± 4.1% compared to 62.2 ± 9.4%). Moreover, the content of several PUFA (20:4n‐6, 18:2n‐6, 22:5n‐3, 22:5n‐6, sum of n‐6) decreased throughout the spawning season, especially in the last clutch, in eggs originated from females fed non‐enriched mysis. Eggs from females fed the enriched diet maintained the fatty acid profile throughout the spawning season. In conclusion, enrichment of the diet of H. hippocampus improved egg viability and avoided a decrease in the quality of eggs by maintaining PUFA content in the last clutches of the spawning season.