复方中草药对许氏平鲉幼鱼生长和非特异性免疫酶活性的影响

为探究复方中草药对许氏平鲉(Sebastes schlegelii)幼鱼生长与免疫酶活性的影响，选取144尾重量相近的许氏平鲉幼鱼分为4组，每组设3个平行，每个平行12尾鱼。将黄芪、当归、红枣、干姜、甘草、白术六种中草药等比例混合后超微粉碎，分别按质量百分数0(对照组)、1%、2%、3%加入到许氏平鲉基础饲料中进行投喂，试验为期42 d。结果表明：与对照组相比，各试验组许氏平鲉的过氧化氢酶(CAT)、总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)活性显著提高(P<0.05),1%组的增重率、特定生长率和摄食率显著高于其他组(P<0.05),总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)无明显差异(P>0.05),而饲料系数低于对照组及3%组(P<0.05)。综上所述，在饲料中添加复方中草药对许氏平鲉生长和免疫功能有显著提升作用，建议的最适添加量为1%。     

深水抗风浪网箱养殖许氏平鲉技术研究

为探讨在连云港地区采用深水抗风浪网箱养殖许氏平鲉的可行性,在海州湾中部人工鱼礁区进行了网箱养殖许氏平鲉试验.结果表明,在10.1、19.7 kg/m2两种密度条件下,许氏平鲉的成活率分别为84.67％和79.70％,平均体质量分别增长了43.0％和50.3％.在自然条件下采用深水抗风浪网箱养殖许氏平鲉能够顺利越冬,越冬期间体质量平均增加了35 g/尾,增长率为16.1％.     

人工鱼礁和大型海藻对许氏平鲉和大泷六线鱼幼鱼的诱集作用

为了探究大型海藻和人工鱼礁对鱼类的诱集作用,依据崂山湾人工鱼礁区游泳动物和大型海藻调查结果,以海黍子、孔石莼、带形蜈蚣藻、石花菜和小珊瑚藻5种优势藻类,许氏平鲉和大泷六线鱼2种优势鱼类以及人工鱼礁模型为研究对象,于室内实验水槽观察了许氏平鲉和大泷六线鱼幼鱼在海藻和模型礁中的行为反应和分布。结果显示,水槽中未投放模型礁和海藻时,实验鱼密集出现在水槽边缘区(A9),分布率分别为75.71%±7.79%和73.63%±4.41%。放入模型礁和海藻丛后,许氏平鲉和大泷六线鱼出现短暂的排斥反应,然后迅速聚集其中;2种鱼对带形蜈蚣藻的响应时间最短[(12.75~21.00)s],对模型礁的响应时间最长[(66.50~151.25)s];带形蜈蚣藻聚集许氏平鲉用时最短[(151.50±8.14)s],海黍子聚集大泷六线鱼用时最短[(56.00±2.53)s];大泷六线鱼对模型礁的聚集时间为(216.25±5.59)s,远低于许氏平鲉(1343.50±5.38)s;2种鱼在模型礁中的停留时间远长于海藻丛,且大泷六线鱼的停留时间(211.85±7.96)s长于许氏平鲉(199.75±16.82)s。海藻丛和模型礁对2种岩礁性幼鱼的诱集效果明显,实验区幼鱼的分布率由未投放模型礁和海藻前的0.91%~8.78%上升到4.21%~31.42%;高密度带形蜈蚣藻和海黍子的诱集效果最好,对许氏平鲉和大泷六线鱼的聚集率分别达到30.42%±1.14%和31.42%±1.74%,而低密度小珊瑚藻的诱集作用不明显。     

不同密度气泡幕对花骨和白甲鱼的阻拦效应

以贵州北盘江的花鱼骨（Hemibarbus maculates）和白甲鱼（Onychostoma sima）为研究对象，在矩形水槽中设置由气压为14.７ｋＰａ，孔距为1.0ｃｍ、2.５ｃｍ、4.０ｃｍ，孔径为1.0ｍｍ、1.５ｍｍ、2.０ｍｍ所组成的９组气泡幕密度，采用单因子试验法研究不同密度的气泡幕分别对花鱼骨和白甲鱼的阻拦效果。结果表明，９种密度的气泡幕对花鱼骨和白甲鱼均有一定的阻拦效果，其中花鱼骨在密度Ⅲ（孔距１.0ｃｍ、孔径２.0ｍｍ）时阻拦效果最好，阻拦率为 （９6.0０±2.65）％。白甲鱼在密度Ⅱ（孔距1.0ｃｍ、孔径1.5ｍｍ）时阻拦效果最好，阻拦率为（95.33±3.06）％。本研究可以为物理屏障拦鱼技术提供一定的理论和技术参考。     

气泡幕在鱼类行为研究中的应用

气泡幕对鱼群有引诱、驱赶和阻拦作用，而气泡幕的这种作用是在鱼类的视觉、听觉、地震感觉和触觉的协同下完成的。本文介绍了气泡幕在鱼类行为中的应用，分析了气泡幕在鱼类行为控制方面的原理和作用，阐述了其在渔业捕捞、建设海洋牧场和减少港口噪音中的潜能和优势，以及使用与气泡幕相关的设备提高渔业高效节能和保护环境友好，并提出了气泡幕在鱼类行为控制方面的发展前景。     

许氏平鲉人工育苗技术要点

许氏平鲉(Sebastes schlegelii),属鲉形目,鲉科,平鲉属,俗称黑头、黑石鲈、黑石寨、小石斑、黑鲪等。主要分布在西北太平洋近岸,属暖温性底层鱼类,卵胎生,栖息在岩礁附近水域,也是我国雷州半岛以东一带常见鱼类。日本于20世纪70年代开始探索人工繁育许氏平鲉苗种,我国对许氏平鲉的育苗及养殖研究开展较晚。辽宁省海洋水产研究所于1985年在长海县利用海带育苗室开展人工育苗试验,并培养出鱼苗数百尾。     

威海西霞口海洋牧场鱼礁区中许氏平鲉的生长、死亡及合理利用

人工鱼礁是我国海洋牧场的重要组成部分。许氏平鲉是我国沿海广布的经济鱼种。为比较研究许氏平鲉的资源状况,本实验根据2016—2018年西霞口海洋牧场鱼礁区的资源调查,运用ELEFANⅠ基于许氏平鲉体长频率数据、变换体长渔获曲线法、单位补充量等渔获量曲线法和生物参考点对许氏平鲉的生长、死亡和合理利用进行初步研究,运用蒙特卡罗模拟法将不确定性引入资源评估。实验表明,浅水域许氏平鲉的平均体长、平均体质量、渐近体长和渐近体质量均大于中水域,深水域最小,表明西霞口礁区浅水域许氏平鲉的生长状况最好。中水域的捕捞死亡系数和自然死亡系数均大于深水域,浅水域最小,表明西霞口礁区中水域的许氏平鲉资源死亡率最高。本实验首次将生物学参考点及不确定性分析用于不同水深礁区的资源评价,结果发现,3种不确定水平下FBRP的判断结果与无不确定性结果一致,且F_(0.1)更适合礁区许氏平鲉的资源评估。结合Gulland理论、生物学参考点和单位补充量渔获量分析可知,礁区资源处于轻度开发状态,可以通过适当提高捕捞强度来增加渔获量。浅水域可提高到Y_W/R=25.60对应的开捕年龄为1.83 a;中水域可提高到Y_W/R=23.89对应的开捕年龄为0.93 a;深水域可提高到Y_W/R=16.74对应的开捕年龄为1.12 a。     

基于微卫星标记的许氏平鲉卵巢不同分区子代多重父权分析

许氏平鲉(Sebastes schlegelii)具有特殊的卵胎生繁殖模式和长期储存精子的特性。虽然先前有关于许氏平鲉多重父权的研究报道, 但关于交配后雌鱼卵巢内子代的父权分布尚未有报道。本研究选取已纳精的雌性许氏平鲉为实验对象, 采用 6 个高度多态的微卫星位点对 9 尾雌鱼卵巢前部(靠近泄殖孔端)、中部、后部(远离泄殖孔端) 3 个分区的子代(共 291 个)进行父权分析。结果显示: (1) 9 尾雌鱼中有 8 尾(88.89%)检测到了多重父权现象, 平均父权数 3.56。其中 4 个母本子代群(50%, B>0)的各父本贡献率存在不同程度的偏倚; (2) 单因素方差分析结果显示, 父本在雌鱼卵巢 3 个分区的子代比例差异不显著; (3) 卡方均匀分布检验结果显示, 每个母本卵巢各分区的父权分布均无显著偏倚, 表明许氏平鲉卵巢内子代多重父权随机分布。分析认为, 交配时雌鱼卵巢尚未发育成熟, 来自不同雄性的精子在细小的卵巢内得以充分混合并储存于卵巢中, 雄性精子数量与精子活性的差异可能是导致父权贡献率发生偏倚的重要原因。研究结果进一步丰富了许氏平鲉繁殖生物学研究内容。     

人工隐蔽物及投喂频率对许氏平鲉幼鱼生长和行为的影响

室内水槽实验条件下研究了许氏平鲉(Sebastes schlegelii)幼鱼(15.24 g±2.9 g)在不同光照条件下对3种人工遮蔽物的行为反应。在此基础上,通过7周的养殖实验研究了不同放养密度下(800 ind/m3,1 200 ind/m3,1 600 ind/m3),隐蔽物、投喂频率(1次/d、2次/d、3次/d、4次/d)对许氏平鲉幼鱼(0.50 g±0.02 g)生长、摄食和行为的影响。结果表明:1)实验采用的3种隐蔽物对许氏平鲉幼鱼均有明显的诱集作用,其中扇贝笼改造的隐蔽物S1诱集效果最好。2)遮光条件可以提高隐蔽物区域幼鱼的分布率,但与自然光处理组差异不显著(P0.05)。3)在实验设定的密度范围内,许氏平鲉幼鱼的终末体重、日增重率、特定生长率随密度的增大而升高。无隐蔽物条件下,低密度组的日增重率和特定生长率与中高密度组差异显著(P0.05),终末体重则显著低于高密度组(P0.05);隐蔽物的设置显著提高了中、低密度组许氏平鲉幼鱼的终末体重(P0.05),高密度组幼鱼的特定生长率和饲料转换率也有显著提高(P0.05)。4)放养密度和隐蔽物对于许氏平鲉幼鱼的生长离散影响显著(P0.05),随着放养密度的增大,幼鱼的体重变异系数呈逐渐增大趋势;相同放养密度下,放置隐蔽物的各组幼鱼生长离散均小于未放置组,其中低密度组间差异极显著(P0.01),中密度组间差异显著(P0.05)。5)3种放养密度下饱食投喂频率为1次/d处理组幼鱼的体重变异系数显著大于其他各组(P0.05),饱食投喂频率大于2次/d时,各处理组幼鱼生长离散无显著差异(P0.05)。研究结果表明,对于体重0.5~5.8 g的许氏平鲉幼鱼,当放养密度为1 200 ind/m3条件时,通过投放人工隐蔽物,选取2次/d的饱食投喂频率,可显著降低生长离散水平,并使幼鱼获得较好的生长。本研究旨在为许氏平鲉健康苗种培育及规模化生产提供科学指导和技术支撑。     

音响驯化对许氏平鲉有效作用范围的研究

音响驯化型海洋牧场的建设对于渔业资源的增殖、海洋环境保护、渔业可持续发展意义重大。研究音响驯化有效作用范围，可以为海洋牧场人工鱼礁的投放选址提供科学合理的参考依据。本研究参照T/SCSF 0009—2021《海洋牧场鱼类音响驯化技术规程》设置许氏平鲉(Sebastes schlegelii)音响驯化放声参数，在海洋牧场示范区通过水下播放300 Hz正弦波模拟野外音响驯化，通过测算建立水下噪声衰减模型。结果显示：水下1 m、5 m、10 m的水平衰减公式分别为T_TL=1.73×10 log(r)、T_TL=1.58×10 log(r)、T_TL=1.70×10 log(r),水下噪声衰减为球面衰减。在海洋牧场示范区内对许氏平鲉选用参数为300 Hz、 155 dB的正弦波进行音响驯化的有效半径为500 m,音响驯化的最佳半径为250 m。     

Acoustical monitoring of fish density,behavior, and growth rate in a tank

A challenge for the aquaculture community has long been the development of harmless techniques for monitoring fish in a tank. Acoustic telemetry has been used to monitor fish swimming behavior, and passive acoustics have been used to monitor fish feeding, but new techniques are needed to monitor non-invasively their numbers and growth rates. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the acoustical total scattering cross section of fish swimming in a tank can be measured from multiple reverberation time series. These measurements have been used successfully to estimate the number of fish in a tank in laboratory conditions, and to characterize their acoustical signatures. Here, we introduce a novel method for acoustically monitoring fish numerical density and behavior, and measuring their growth rates over long periods of time. These measurements can be performed remotely, without human interaction with the fish, and are harmless. To demonstrate the efficiency of these techniques, the number of sea bass, as well as the behaviors of sardines, rockfish and sea bass, in different tanks were monitored. Also, the growth rates of a group of starved sardines and a group of fed sardines were measured acoustically, over 1 month. For comparison, their average weight was measured once per week.     

褐菖鲉幼鱼对贻贝养殖生境的利用规律初探

嵊泗海域规模庞大的贻贝养殖生境发挥着养护幼鱼的海洋牧场功能,而探查当地趋礁鱼类在幼体阶段对该生境的利用规律可为当地海洋牧场的设计提供重要参考,为此2018年5—7月对舟山北部枸杞岛贻贝场的褐菖鲉幼鱼、附着生物进行了逐月调查,使用自制网具采集目标生物样品,应用相对密度指数和相关分析法分析了褐菖鲉幼鱼在该生境中的栖息密度、栖息方式和空间分布特征,采用胃含物分析法确定其食性特征,并结合耳石轮纹探究其利用该生境的生长周期。结果显示,褐菖鲉幼鱼的栖息密度时空特征上,5—7月在养殖区贻贝串上的栖息密度分别为(10±6)、(7±5)和(5±5)个/串,时间上呈现逐月递减趋势,随时间的推移养殖区外侧幼体逐渐迁移至内侧近岸区直至消失。栖息方式选择上,褐菖鲉幼鱼栖息数量与贻贝串孔隙大小和附着海藻生物量之间皆呈正相关,但并不显著。饵料利用上,养殖区褐菖鲉幼鱼总体维持较高的摄食强度,各月份平均摄食强度皆高于对照区,主要摄食对象为麦秆虫和钩虾,重量百分比为70.9%和28.3%。栖息周期上,养殖区内褐菖鲉幼鱼耳石平均轮纹数为(57±12)个,其利用养殖贻贝串的周期一般约为2～3月,且该生境中幼鱼耳石纹路间距均匀性和条纹清晰度均明显优于岩礁生境。研究表明,枸杞岛的贻贝养殖生境成为褐菖鲉幼鱼额外的栖息环境,在增殖养护褐菖鲉资源方面发挥了积极作用,因此嵊泗海域在建设海洋牧场时可依据贻贝养殖生境的资源养护原理,通过设置浮体结构强化海洋牧场的饵料场和庇护功能,以提高褐菖鲉种群的补充量,为当地休闲海钓的持续发展提供部分保障。     

Development of Nursery Systems for Black Sea Bass Centropristis striata

Black sea bass (Centropristis striata) are territorial fish and cannibalism is a concern when rearing juveniles in intensive systems. Three studies were conducted to provide information for development of suitable tank nursery systems for juvenile black sea bass (3.6–4.5 cm; 0.8–1.7 g). Studies were performed at the Marine Resources Research Institute, Charleston, SC, using 1.5‐m diameter × 0.8 m deep tanks connected to recirculating seawater systems. The studies examined growth and survival at different stocking densities, selection and utilization of habitats, and, effects of water velocity on positioning and movement of fish. In study 1, fish were stocked at biomass densities of 126.7, 253.3, and 506.7 Wm³ and reared for 56 days with no habitats. No difference in growth was detected although fish reared at the lower densities had significantly lower mortality (mean 7.9%) as compared to those at the highest density (28.0%). At the highest density, cannibalism appeared to be a substantial cause of mortality. In study 2, three habitat types were used, (1) two‐tier structure constructed from plastic grating with 15 mm square openings (volume = 0.015 m³); (2) PVC pipe bundle (volume = 0.004 m³); (3) rock aggregate (volume = 0.008 m³). Of the habitats, the most utilized habitat (62.9%) was the two‐tier layered structure that allowed movement in all directions. The next utilized type was the pipe bundle (25.6%) with the openings inhabited by the largest juveniles in each tank. Overall, a mean of 18.2% of the fish were observed using habitats. Study 3 examined water velocities ranging from 0.01 to 0.12 m/sec. Most fish became concentrated in the tank bottom area having a water velocity in the range of 0.040.09 m/sec. At these velocities there were few aggressive interactions. Smaller fish inhabited the areas outside this velocity range. At the higher velocities, the small fish swam vigorously to maintain their position in the water column. At the low velocities, sporadic incursions of larger fish occurred presumably to attempt to cannibalize or to defend territory. Results from these studies help to define characteristics of nursery systems for rearing juvenile black sea bass.     

Attractiveness of various protein sources to juvenile rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli,Hilgendorf 1880)

ABSTRACT

The attractiveness of various protein sources of 16 feed ingredients was determined in juvenile rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli) by using reinforced acrylic tank composed of three equally divided rectangular attracting chambers and an acclimatization chamber. Thirty fish were held in the acclimatization chamber at a time and tournament comparison of feed ingredients was applied to evaluate attractiveness. Jack mackerel (JM) (40.0%), sardine (SM) (33.3%), Pollack (PM) (40.0%), shrimp (SHM) (36.7%), mussel meal (40.0%) and oyster (43.3%) meals achieved the highest feeding attractiveness to rockfish in the 1^st through 6^th preliminary test, respectively. JM (40.0%), SHM (36.7%), squid meal (SQM) (33.3%), SM (40.3%), PM (40.0%) and PM (36.7%) achieved the highest feeding attractiveness to fish in the 7^th through 12^th preliminary test, respectively. Among the top five feed ingredients showing high attractiveness to rockfish, JM achieved higher attractiveness than PM and SHM in the 1^st trial. In the 2^nd trial, attractiveness of JM to rockfish was higher than SM and SQM. SM achieved higher attractiveness to rockfish than SQM, but not different from PM throughout the 30-min observation in the 3^rd trial. The strongest feeding attractant response of rockfish was observed in JM, followed by SM, SQM, PM, and SHM, in order among various feed ingredients.     

Comparison of oxygen consumption patterns between wild and cultured black rockfish Sebastes schlegeli

ABSTRACT:   To compare metabolic activity rhythms between wild and cultured black rockfish Sebastes schlegeli , we measured long-term oxygen consumption rates (OCR) using an automatic intermittent-flow respirometer under constant temperature and darkness. Oxygen consumption rates peaked among wild black rockfish at 12.4 h intervals, which corresponded to a circatidal rhythm. The wild fish were probably exhibiting responses that corresponded to tidal events in their natural environment. However, when captured wild black rockfish were kept under laboratory conditions (12 h light [L] : 12 h dark [D]) for 30 days, the OCR shifted to a circadian rhythm (24.1–24.9 h). The OCR of cultured black rockfish that had been reared in a tank for 9 months peaked at approximately 24 h intervals, corresponding to a circadian rhythm. The results of this study suggest that the differences in OCR patterns between wild and cultured fish were mainly due to differences in the environmental conditions between tidal and non-tidal habitats.     

Evaluation of Larval Growth and Survival in Mexican Mojarra,Cichlasoma urophthalmus,and Bay Snook,Petenia splendida,Under Different Initial Stocking Densities

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the initial stocking density in larvae of Bay snook, Petenia splendida, and Mexican mojarra, Cichlasoma urophthalmus, using a recirculation system. Five initial stocking densities (0.5, 1, 5, 10, and 20 larvae/L) were evaluated by triplicate for 45 d. Weight and total length (TL) were measured every 15 d, and fish production was calculated for each density. The larvae stocked at the lowest densities (0.5 and 1 larvae/L) presented the highest growth for both species: C. urophthalmus (0.78 g and 45‐mm TL, and 0.76 g and 45‐mm TL, respectively) and P. splendida (0.80 g and 52‐mm TL, and 0.79 g and 49‐mm TL, respectively). However, lowest fish production was recorded (35 and 69 fish per tank, respectively, for C. urophthalmus and 34 and 70 fish per tank, respectively, for P. splendida) compared with those at densities of 5, 10, and 20 larvae/L (336, 584, and 604 fish per tank, respectively, for C. urophthalmus and 341, 679, and 912 fish per tank, respectively, for P. splendida). The polynomial model for biomass production related to the stocking density shows that the optimum stocking densities for C. urophthalmus and P. splendida are 12 and 14 larvae/L, respectively.     

人工鱼礁区不同网目尺寸单片刺网对许氏平鲉和大泷六线鱼的选择性

为探究人工鱼礁区单片刺网对许氏平鲉(Sebastes schlegeli)和大泷六线鱼(Hexagrammos otakii)的选择性, 于 2021 年 10 月在荣成北部人工鱼礁区使用 4 种网目尺寸(40 mm、50 mm、60 mm、70 mm)的单片刺网进行选择性实验。在 SELECT 模型的架构下, 使用 Normal、Lognormal、Gamma、Bi-normal 模型进行选择性拟合, 根据赤池信息指数(AIC)和模型残差(MD)选择最佳拟合模型。结果表明: Lognormal 模型拟合效果最佳, 其 AIC 值和 MD 值均为最低值。根据 Lognormal 模型, 不同网目尺寸许氏平鲉的模型拟合长度分别为 114.23 mm、142.79 mm、 171.35 mm、199.90 mm; 大泷六线鱼的模型拟合长度分别为 129.67 mm、162.09 mm、194.51 mm、226.92 mm。许氏平鲉和大泷六线鱼的体长与最大剖面周长的线性关系分别为: G=0.2877L+0.7463(R² =0.6722), G=0.2468L– 3.8531(R² =0.6851)。选取 150 mm 作为许氏平鲉和大泷六线鱼的理论成熟体长(MBL)进行分析, 结合幼鱼留存比例, 发现网目尺寸为 60 mm 和 70 mm 的刺网能够保护人工鱼礁区许氏平鲉和大泷六线鱼的幼鱼资源。研究结果可为人工鱼礁区渔业资源的管理和养护提供参考。     

Growth and Feed Utilization of Captive Wild Black Sea Bass Centropristis striata at Four Different Densities in a Recirculating Tank System

A study to determine the effects of four stocking densities on growth and feed utilization of wild‐caught black sea bass Centropristis striata was conducted in a pilot‐scale recirculating tank system. The outdoor system consisted of 12 insulated fiberglass tanks (dia. = 1.85 m; vol. = 2.17 m³) supported by biological filters, UV sterilizers, and heat pumps. Subadults (N= 525; ×± SD = 249 ± 16.8 g) were stocked at densities of 4.6 fish/m³ (1.18 kg/m³), 16 fish/ m³ (3.91 kg/m³), 25.3 fish/m³ (6.83 kg/m³), and 36 fish/m³ (7.95 kg1m³), with three replicate tanks per treatment. Fish were grown under 35 ppt salinity, 21‐25 C, and under ambient photoperiod conditions. A commercial flounder diet containing 50% protein and 12% lipid was hand‐fed twice daily to satiation for 201 d. Mean (range) total ammonia‐nitrogen, 0.61 (0‐2.1) mg/L, nitrite‐nitrogen, 0.77 (0.04‐3.6) mg/L, and nitrate‐nitrogen 40.1 (0‐306) mg/L were significantly higher (P < 0.0001) in the 25.3 and 36 fish/m³ treatments than in the 4.6 and 16 fish/m³ treatments [0.19 (0.05‐0.5), 0.1 (0.24‐0.63), and 11.9 (1.3‐82.2) mg/L, respectively]. However, there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in growth (RGR = 196.8‐243.1%; DWG = 2.55‐2.83 g/d; and SGR = 0.55‐0.61%/d), coefficient of variation of body weight (C_wtV., = 0.24‐0.25), condition factor (K = 2.2‐2.4), feed consumption (FC = 1.45‐1.65%/d), and feed conversion ratio (FCR = 1.45‐1.52) among stocking densities. Final biomass densities on day 201 reached 3.48, 12.0, 21.1, and 27.2 kg/m³ at stocking densities of 4.6, 16, 25.3, and 36 fish/m³, respectively. Survival (83.8‐99.1%) did not differ among treatments. Apparent net protein retention (ANPR) was significantly higher (P < 0.005) for fish stocked at the lower densities of 4.6 and 16 fish/m3 (22.5‐23.7%) than for those stocked at 25.3 and 36 fish/m³ (21‐20.1%). There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in apparent net energy retention (ANER = 55.9‐59.1 %) among stocking densities. Final whole body protein (15.3‐16.3%) and lipid (23.1‐26.4%) levels did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) among treatments. The results demonstrated that growth, survival, and feed utilization were not impaired under stocking densities ranging from 4.6‐36 fish/m³ (3.48‐27.2 kg/m3), despite a slight reduction in water quality at the higher densities. In addition, growth variation and final whole body protein and lipid levels were not influenced by these densities. The results suggest that black sea bass are tolerant of crowding and moderate variations in water quality during intensive culture in recirculating tank systems and that higher stocking densities are possible.     

Effects of rearing density on growth, brain neurotransmitters and liver fatty acid composition of juvenile white sea bream Diplodus sargus L.

White sea bream Diplodus sargus L. is a fish species that develops dominance hierarchies and aggressive behaviour against its conspecifics. On the other hand, stocking density is known to affect social interactions, while an appropriate density for D. sargus efficient farming remains to be elucidated. For this purpose, juvenile D. sargus (14.3 g) were reared in 88.4 L tanks, for 10 weeks, under six rearing densities (10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 fish tank^?1). Water quality was not affected by rearing density. Best growth, in terms of final weight, specific growth rate, weight variation and food utilization, was achieved at 10 fish tank^?1. At this treatment the lowest body water content, hepatosomatic and splenosomatic indices, higher body and liver lipid content were also observed. Brain neurotransmitter results indicated increased dopaminergic activity in populations held at higher rearing densities, while serotonergic activity was not affected. Moreover, no significant differences were detected for liver fatty acids. Results of the present study, compared with previously reported data, suggest that, within the range tested, the lowest realistic rearing density for juvenile white sea bream would be 10 fish tank^?1. Higher rearing densities led to decreased growth, which seemed to be related to changes in intraspecific competition and social behaviour.