Susceptibility by amberjack (Seriola dumerili), yellowtail (S. quinqueradiata) and Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) to Neobenedenia girellae (Monogenea) infection and their acquired protection

This study investigated: 1) susceptibility differences to infection by Neobenedenia girellae (Capsalidae) between amberjack Seriola dumerili (Carangidae), yellowtail S. quinqueradiata and Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus (Paralichthyidae); 2) growth and egg production of N. girellae on each fish species; 3) acquired protection of each fish species against this parasite. The number of N. girellae on S. dumerili was significantly higher than on S. quinqueradiata and P. olivaceus when these fishes were exposed to oncomiracidia in the same aquarium. Neobenedenia girellae growth on S. dumerili was fastest and, thus the number of eggs laid by parasites on S. dumerili was greater than on the other two species. Seriola dumerili and P. olivaceus, which were previously infected with N. girellae and treated by freshwater bath, acquired partial protection against re-infection by N. girellae. The relative re-infection of three S. dumerili individuals out of eleven individuals was markedly low compared with the initial infection, and the relative initial infection and re-infection on two P. olivaceus out of eleven individuals was markedly low. The results of this study could be useful to control N. girellae infections when cultivating S. dumerili, S. quinqueradiata and P. olivaceus.     

Candidatus Actinochlamydia pangasiae sp. nov. (Chlamydiales,Actinochlamydiaceae), a bacterium associated with epitheliocystis in Pangasianodon hypophthalmus

Chlamydial infections are recognised as causative agent of epitheliocystis, reported from over 90 fish species. In the present study, the farmed striped catfish Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (14–15 cm, 70–90 g) with a history of cumulative mortality of about 23% during June and July 2015, were brought to the laboratory. The histopathological examination of gills from the affected fish revealed presence of granular basophilic intracellular inclusions, mostly at the base of the interlamellar region and in gill filaments. A concurrent infection with Trichodina spp., Ichthyobodo spp. and Dactylogyrus spp. was observed in the gills. The presence of chlamydial DNA in the gills of affected fish was confirmed by amplification and sequencing of 16S rRNA gene. BLAST‐n analysis of these amplicons revealed maximum similarity (96%) with Candidatus Actinochlamydia clariae. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis, it was inferred that the epitheliocystis agents from striped catfish were novel and belonged to the taxon Ca. Actinochlamydia. It is proposed that epitheliocystis agents from striped catfish will be named as Ca. Actinochlamydia pangasiae. The 16S rRNA gene amplicons from novel chlamydiae were labelled and linked to inclusions by in situ hybridisation. This is the first report of epitheliocystis from India in a new fish host P. hypophthalmus.     

Osmoregulation and differential penetration of two grey mullets, Chelon labrosus (Risso) and Liza ramada (Risso) in estuarine fish ponds

Grey mullet ponds situated in Arcachon Bay on the western Atlantic coast of France, display contrasting mixohaline habitats.The pattern of osmoregulation of Chelon labrosus and Liza ramada exhibiting differential penetration of fish ponds has been investigated. Key variables of salinity and temperature have been considered. The tolerances to low salinities and to fresh water have been determined. The dynamics of variation in plasma osmotic pressure and major plasma electrolytes (Na⁺, Cl^?, K⁺) were studied in terms of: (1) gradual adaptation to a decreasing salinity gradient; (2) effects of a long-term adaptation in fresh water; (3) effects of low temperatures on sea water adapted fish.Both species can adapt to a wide range of salinities; however, while L. ramada show a good hypoosmotic regulation, with no alteration in plasma concentration over a wide range of salinity and after a long stay (5 months) in fresh water, C. labrosus cannot live for long periods of time in a wholly fresh water habitat. Both field samples obtained from thick-lipped grey mullets forced to stay in a freshwater pond and experimentally adapted fish showed, after 3 months, an unequivoqual decrease in plasma sodium and chloride, and plasma osmolality decreased to the same extent; this pattern of no compensation is bound, sooner or later, to end in death. The inability of C. labrosus to develop a long-term hypoosmoregulation in fresh water is referred to salinity preferences which probably limit the upstream penetration of this species.Plasma osmolality and major electrolytes (sodium and chloride) increased in cold (4 °C) sea water. This response might be due to a reduced ability of grey mullets to osmoregulate in cold waters. In the poly-mesohaline ponds, Winter drop in temperature (4–6 °C) causes grey mullets to migrate to the meso-oligohaline ponds where the mean temperature is more elevated (8 °C) and temperature changes less rapid (6–9 °C).     

Parasites and diseases of the grey mullet (Mugilidae) with special reference to the seas of the Near East

Comprehensive information on the parasite fauna of mullets is still restricted to a few regions: 15 species of parasites have been listed from Black Sea mullets, 34 from the eastern Mediterranean, 20 from the northern Red Sea and 19 from the northern Gulf of Mexico. Parasites listed include flagellates, myxosporidians and ciliates, as well as monogeneans, trematode adults and metacercariae, acanthocephalans, copepods and isopods. Mortality records of wild mullet populations are scarce. Mortalities due to environmental stress of temperature, salinity and pollution have been reported from the southern United States, Israel, and the northern Sinai. An epizootic among wild populations has been recorded in the northern Black Sea, due to the parasitic myxosporidian Myxobolus exiguus. Mortalities associated with heavy infection of the monogenean Benedenia sp. (n.sp.) were recently observed in a lagoon connected to the Gulf of Suez. In the eastern Mediterranean, the copepods Ergasilus lizae and Caligus pageti as well as Pseudocaligus apodus caused skin sores, emaciation and mortality in brackish- and sea-water ponds. The monogenean Benedenia sp. caused severe injuries and death to Red Sea mullets stocked in experimental holding tanks. Numerous forms (over 12) of metacercariae of trematodes, predominantly Heterophyiidea, are particularly common in mullets of the Near and Far East. In these regions, these metacercariae (which encyst in the muscles of mullets) are of considerable public health importance. Trematodes which develop from these larvae cause intestinal diseases in humans who consume infected fish.     

Diseases of Sparus aurata in marine culture at Elat

The predominant diseases occurring in Sparus aurata cultured in sea water at Elat were bacteria-contaminated skin lesions, gill rot and septicemia. These developed mainly in fish stressed and injured following handling. Bacteria involved were Gram-negative and myxobacteria which were controlled by application of Nitrofurazone. Ectoparasitic infections were generally sporadic and insignificant, however, on three occasions the ciliate Trichodina sp. and the monogenean Furnestia echeneis caused morbidity and mortality of epizootic proportion. Ectoparasites were successfully controlled by application of formalin. A diet-related disease, visceral granuloma, appeared in fish fed on certain artificial diets containing fish meal but not in fish fed on fresh mussels or fish meat. Pathological symptoms included extreme granuloma following hypertrophy of the kidneys and spleen and focal lesions in other organs. Hatchery-bred fish suffered from episodes of extreme infections of epitheliocystis, the monogenean F. echeneis, gill rot due to myxobacteria and skeletal deformations coupled with tumours of the swim bladder.     

Growth of the golden grey mullet (Liza aurata (Risso)) in saltwater ponds during 1974

The growth rates of Liza aurata in saltwater ponds were measured during 1972, 1973 and 1974. The growth rate of L. aurata young of the year was 0.6–0.95 g per fish per day and that of fish in their second year of life was 0.85–1.0 g per fish per day.Body composition analyses were conducted on L. aurata in both the first and second years of life.A significant difference in length and weight was found between males and females of L. aurata in their second year of life.The results show that L. aurata can be stocked in saltwater ponds but that they will not be the main crop of fish.     

Investigations into the temporal development of epitheliocystis infections in brown trout: a histological study

Epitheliocystis in Swiss brown trout (Salmo trutta) is a chlamydial infection, mainly caused by Candidatus Piscichlamydia salmonis and Candidatus Clavichlamydia salmonicola. To gain a better understanding of the temporal development of infections in wild brown trout, we investigated epitheliocystis infections during the course of the summer and autumn months of a single year (2015), and compared this to sampling points over the span of the years 2012–2014. The survey focused on tributaries (Venoge and Boiron) of the Rhone flowing in to Lake Geneva. When evaluated histologically, epitheliocystis infections were found throughout the period of investigation with the exception of the month of June. Fifty to 86 animals per sampling were investigated. Highest prevalence and infection intensities were seen in September. A correlation between epitheliocystis infection and water temperatures was not evident. Interyear comparison revealed consistent levels of prevalence and infection intensities in late summer. The absence of infections in June, combined with the consistent interyear results, indicates seasonal fluctuation of epitheliocystis infections in brown trout with a reservoir persisting during winter months from which infections can re‐initiate each year. This could either be at levels below detection limits within the brown trout population itself or in an alternative host.     

Experimental raising of golden grey mullet (Liza aurata (Risso)) in saltwater ponds

The growth and feeding habits of the grey mullet Liza aurata, raised together with Sparus auratus and Trachinotus ovatus in experimental saltwater ponds were studied. The results show that L. aurata can be stocked in saltwater ponds, and though their growth rate does not compare favourably with those of the other fishes further studies are recommended.     

Breeding-related growth of captive Sparus aurata (Teleostei,Perciformes)

Growth is arrested in male and female Sparus aurata during gonadal recrudescence and spawning. Growth and feeding rates of fish exposed to a constant long photoperiod ($\text{16L}\text{8D}$) were significantly higher than those of fish under a natural photoperiod. When the experimental photoperiod was shortened, fish underwent gonadal recrudescence and reduced feeding, and their growth was arrested. Fish under the long photoperiod regime reached the commercial weight of 350 g six months earlier than the controls.     

In vivo and in vitro treatments against Sparicotyle chrysophrii (Monogenea: Microcotylidae) parasitizing the gills of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.)

The effect of in vitro and in vivo treatments against Sparicotyle chrysophrii, a microcotylid parasite of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.), was studied. In vitro chemical treatments were targeted to eggs, oncomiracidia and adults, and were tested both as disinfectants and therapeutics for infected animals. The compounds were: distilled water, formalin, limoseptic ®, hydrogen peroxide, chlorine, and praziquantel (PZQ). Larvae were sensitive to all the treatments, but adults were more resistant, as chlorine (60 ppm - 1 h), hydrogen peroxide (100 ppm - 30 min) and PZQ (50 ppm - 30 min) produced only 10% mortality. All adults were killed only with distilled water, limoseptic (0.1% - 5 min), formalin (300 ppm - 30 min), or hydrogen peroxide (200 ppm - 30 min). Eggs were the most resistant stage, as only 30 min in limoseptic (0.1% in distilled water) or in formalin (300 ppm) prevented hatching. PZQ was used in vivo either as a curative or preventive treatment. The highest dose tested (400 mg kg^− 1 BW; effective dose 116.3 mg kg^− 1 BW due to palatability problems leading to 45% reduction in host food intake) did not significantly decrease prevalence of infection when given for 6 consecutive days. A lower dose (200 mg kg^− 1 BW) (effective dose 158.1 mg kg^− 1 BW) was rejected to a lower degree and decreased the prevalence of infection from 90% to 40%. When a lower dose (40 mg kg^− 1 BW) was administered for longer periods (20 days), food intake was reduced slightly, but the infection did not decrease significantly. The oral intubation with PZQ (200 mg kg^− 1 BW) once a week for 4 weeks did not prevent the infection of fish by cohabitation. However, a significant reduction in the abundance of the parasite was registered. In view of the results, recommendations for fish treatment and disinfection of aquaculture facilities are discussed.     

西伯利亚鲟海豚链球菌的分离鉴定及毒力基因检测

2013年8-9月,四川雅安汉源湖养殖的西伯利亚鲟发生一种以体表溃疡、内脏出血和心外膜囊肿为特征的传染病.为明确其病因,本研究从自然发病鱼的肝、脾和肾进行了病原菌的分离、人工感染、分离菌的表型特征和分子生物学特征的检测.结果从患病鱼体内分离到一株G+链状球菌(Ab130920),人工感染实验证实了其病原性,生理生化特性与海豚链球菌(ATCC29178)基本一致;16S rDNA序列(GenBank登录号:KJ162337)与GenBank中S.iniae 16S rDNA序列同源性最高,在以16S rDNA序列及其GenBank中同源性较高的相关序列构建的系统发育树上,分离菌与海豚链球菌聚为一支;同时,在基于S.iniae lctO基因的特异性PCR检测中,从分离株基因组DNA扩增出预期大小的870 bp条带,进而鉴定分离菌Ab130920为S.iniae.在对cpsD、simA、sagA、pdi和scpI等5种S.iniae毒力基因的多重PCR检测中,分离菌均扩增出相应大小的特异性片段,表明其为一毒力较强的菌株,与人工感染实验的高致病性结果相佐证;药物敏感性检测发现其对阿莫西林、强力霉素、氟苯尼考等抗菌药物敏感,但对新生霉素、利福平、氧氟沙星耐药.     

Recruitment and effects of Discocotyle sagittata (Monogenea) infection on farmed trout

Farmed rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and brown trout Salmo trutta were monitored over 3 years for infection with the blood-feeding gill fluke Discocotyle sagittata. Parasite transmission is seasonal: new infections take place during summer/autumn, and transmission is generally negligible during winter/spring. There are 2 sources of infection for naïve fish-of-the-year: limited invasion when fish are in the raceways by riverborne larvae originating external to the farm; and internally, within the farm, when 0+ fish are transferred to ponds previously occupied by older cohorts of infected fish. Thereafter, infection levels continue to increase in rainbow trout primarily through transmission within the farm. Prevalence rose to 100% in 1+ fish by the end of their second summer. In O. mykiss, mean abundance reached 194 worms/host for 1+ fish (up to 489 worms/host) and 160 worms/host for 2+ fish. By contrast, in S. trutta, parasite prevalence never exceeded 85% and, after the first year's invasions, infection levels decreased over time: in 1+ and 2+ brown trout, parasite mean abundance was < 4 (maximum 15) worms/host. We present evidence of the detrimental effects of D. sagittata on the host: high burdens are associated with pale gills, decreased body condition and host mortality. Parasite burdens become overdispersed during the warmer part of the year, as prevalence and mean abundance increase. However, the degree of parasite overdispersion decreases over winter; we cannot distinguish whether decreased aggregation is due to parasite losses from infected fish (including immune-mediated parasite mortality) or parasite-induced host mortality.     

Oxytetracycline (OTC) uptake following bath treatment in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata)

The uptake and elimination profile of oxytetracycline (OTC) following a prolong bath treatment in gilthhead sea bream (Sparus aurata) were investigated in this study. The bath experiment was carried out using a OTC concentration of 50 μg/ml for 24 h at 17-18 °C water temperature. Plasma and muscle fish samples were analysed at 1, 3, 6 and 24 h during and at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 d following the bath. Detectable OTC levels were revealed only at the end of bath treatment (24 h) in examined tissues of gilthead sea bream, where drug concentration was measured to be as low as 0.096 and 0.047 μg/g or ml in muscle plus skin and plasma, respectively. The findings of the present study indicate that OTC bath treatment under this dosage schedule is unlikely to confront systemic bacterial infections.     

Short-term hooking mortality of three marine fish species (Sparidae) caught by recreational angling in the south Portugal

Short-term hooking mortality was evaluated for three sparid species [Diplodus vulgaris (Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire), Sparus aurata L. and Spondyliosoma cantharus (L.)] in the Algarve, south Portugal. Fishes were caught from the shore during October 2009 at a fish farm reservoir (Ria Formosa), using three different hook sizes. The relationships between hooking mortality and seven independent variables were analyzed using logistic regression models. In all, 384 fishes representing the three target species were caught during the angling sessions. The most caught species was S. cantharus (n = 181; 100% undersized), followed by S. aurata (n = 137; 89% undersized) and D. vulgaris (n = 66; 97% undersized). Mortalities ranged between 0% for D. vulgaris and 12% for S. aurata (S. cantharus, 3%). For S. aurata, anatomical hooking location was the main predictor of mortality, with 63% of the fishes that died being deeply hooked. Our results support the current mandatory practices of releasing undersized fish for the studied species, given the low post-release mortality rates observed.     

半滑舌鳎StAR基因克隆及其在不同组织的时空表达分析

利用半滑舌鳎性腺转录组测序获得的StAR基因部分序列,设计RACE引物,克隆了半滑舌鳎StAR基因的cDNA序列,全长为1 294 bp,5'端UTR为132 bp,3'端UTR为310 bp,开放阅读框(ORF)为852 bp,共编码283个氨基酸。将半滑舌鳎StAR基因与其他物种StAR基因进行氨基酸同源性分析,结果显示,半滑舌鳎StAR与塞内加尔鳎、大口黑鲈、花鲈、金头鲷的同源性都达到了85%,与虹鳟、斜带石斑鱼及日本鳗鲡的同源性分别为81%、83%和76%。雌、雄鱼不同组织StAR基因的表达分析表明,StAR基因在雄鱼性腺中高表达,在雄鱼的肝脏、脑及心脏中表达量较低,而在雄鱼的其他组织中不表达;在雌鱼肠中不表达,在其他组织(卵巢、肝脏、脾脏、脑、垂体、肌肉、心脏、肾脏)中微量表达。荧光定量PCR分析不同组织与不同时期性腺表达谱表明,雄鱼性腺中StAR基因的表达量显著高于雌、雄鱼其他各组织(P0.05),提示StAR基因对雄鱼精巢发育起重要作用。雄鱼不同时期表达谱分析结果显示,StAR基因在66天前的精巢中不表达,在150天时表达量急剧增加,至2龄时表达量最高,3龄时表达量下降,说明该基因在精巢发育成熟过程中起重要作用。原位杂交结果显示,StAR基因主要在雄鱼精巢的精子细胞中表达,而在雌鱼的卵巢中不表达。研究表明,StAR基因在半滑舌鳎精巢发育中发挥作用,且可能在精子形成中发挥重要作用。     

Preliminary studies on rearing of the gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata (L.), in brackish water ponds

The first attempt to rear the gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata, in brackish water ponds in Egypt was conducted from April 1976 to February 1977. Experimental ponds were stocked with Sparus aurata fry of about 32 mm and 1.5 g average length and weight respectively at a rate of 3000 fry per one feddan of pond water (i.e. 0.42 ha). The growth rate was recorded monthly. An average length and weight of 190 mm and 78 g respectively was attained after 8 months without supplementary feeding or fertilization of pond water. mathematical equations expressing length-weight relationship and condition factor were derived for both wild and reared fish. The higher values of condition factor obtained for the reared fish in comparison to the wild fish signify their improved condition and hence their suitability for farming in Egypt.     

Parasitic infections of sea bass,Dicentrarchus labrax,and gilt head sea bream,Sparus aurata,in mariculture facilities in France

Parasitic infections occur in sea cultured Sparus aurata and Dicentrarchus labrax in France. Investigations indicate the presence of parasitic protozoans, monogeneans and copepods in these fish.     

Identification and phylogenetic analysis of Vibrio vulnificus isolated from diseased Trachinotus ovatus in cage mariculture

In October 2005, an infectious disease occurred as outbreaks of high mortality within one week, which was responsible for important economic losses in intensive culture of Trachinotus ovatus around the Gulf Coast of Yangjiang city (Guangdong Province, China). The present study documented the causative agent of the diseased fish suffering from external haemorrhages and ulcers, haemorrhagic gills, livers and intestine. The strain was isolated from the diseased fish by ZoBell 2216 E agar and confirmed the pathogenicity by challenge experiments. Biochemically, the strain showed properties and biochemical characteristics similar to Vibrio vulnificus, with the exception of several atypical biochemical characteristics, especially the sucrose-positive. Meanwhile, sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and the hemolysin gene revealed that the isolated strain was highly homogeneous with V. vulnificus. To sum up, the isolated strain was confirmed as V. vulnificus on the basis of phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA sequences and sequence analysis of the hemolysin gene. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the V. vulnificus infection in T. ovatus.     

Development of mullet fisheries (Mugilidae) in Lake Quarun,Egypt

The waters of Lake Quarun have undergone severe chemical changes in the last 50 years. Salinity has increased progressively and is now 38‰ in some regions of the lake. Tilapia zillii is the only species that has not been affected by the salinity increase. Mullet fry have been stocked in the lake since 1928. There has been a progressive increase in the average total production of mullet from 0.45 tons (1929–1932) to 128.25 tons (1966–1969), and to 291.67 tons (1975/76–1978/79). Length and age composition of mullets in Lake Quarun were studied. The growth in length and weight of Mugil cephalus showed that the fish were in better condition in Lake Quarun than in other coastal areas of Egypt.It is recommended that studies should continue to improve survival of transplanted mullet fry into the lake, and on the artificial propagation of mullets on site.