阳澄西湖及其入湖港口的水质评价与分析

为了探明阳澄西湖湖区及其入湖港口的水质现状,为其后续水环境治理提供参考,选取湖区6个位点和4个港口,于2016年5月至2017年3月监测其水质,逢单月月初采样;监测的水质参数包括水深(H)、酸碱度(pH)、溶解氧(DO)、透明度(SD)、悬浮物(TSS)、总氮(TN)、氨氮(NH~+_4-N)、亚硝酸盐氮(NO~-_2-N)、总磷(TP)、活性磷酸盐(PO■-P)、叶绿素a (Chl-a)、高锰酸盐指数(COD_(Mn))、总有机碳(TOC)。运用主成分分析法探讨了水体主要污染因子,采用皮尔逊相关性分析法探究湖区TN、TP对Chl-a浓度的影响。结果显示,阳澄西湖水质综合营养状态指数年均值为57.9,主要水质参数的时空分布表现为枯水期(5-7月)优于丰水期(11-1月),湖区优于入湖港口,北部优于南部。湖区TN和TP年均值为2.63 mg/L和0.217 mg/L,Chl-a年均值为21.74μg/L,且以9月最低。主成分分析显示,NH~+_4-N、NO~-_2-N、PO■-P、TP、TN是湖区水质主要的污染因子,TP、NH~+_4-N、NO~-_2-N、TN是港口水质的主要污染因子。皮尔逊相关性分析显示,阳澄西湖的Chl-a浓度与TN呈正相关(P0.01),与TP的相关性不显著(P0.05),且相关系数为负值。研究表明,阳澄西湖的Chl-a对营养物质的响应不灵敏,后续治理中需加强对外源氮磷的拦截。     

养殖水中土腥异味物质——土臭素和二甲基异冰片去除方法

<正>土臭素(Geosmin,GSM)和2-甲基异冰片(2-methylisoborneol,2-MIB)是土腥异味物质的主要成分。GSM和2-MIB是蓝藻菌(Cyanobacteria)和放线菌(Actinomyces)等微生物的亲脂性次生代谢产物,易在脂质丰富的鱼组织中累积。2-MIB和GSM异味嗅阈值较低,养殖水中2-MIB和GSM分别为9ng/L~42ng/L和4ng/L~10ng/L,鱼体中2-MIB和GSM分别为0.6μg/kg和0.9μg/kg。土腥异味的存在大大降低     

罗非鱼不同养殖系统对产出效果及异味物质含量的影响

对鱼菜共生系统、底排污系统、底排污+鱼菜共生3种养殖系统的水质变化和罗非鱼产出效果进行了分析,并利用微波蒸馏-吹扫捕集-气相色谱质谱联用技术检测了各系统水体中和罗非鱼肌肉中异味物质的含量变化。经过12周的养殖实验,对终重、生物量、特定生长率、饵料系数、增重率等指标进行测量比较,结果发现,罗非鱼的产出效果从优到差依次为:鱼菜共生组、底排污+鱼菜共生组、底排污组、对照组;底排污+鱼菜共生系统水体中溶解氧在各时期均最高,其亚硝氮、氨氮含量在各时期均最低;底排污或鱼菜共生系统均能有效降低养殖水体中异味物质2-MIB和GSM含量;对照组罗非鱼肌肉中异味物质含量最高,2-MIB和GSM分别达到(0.67±0.02)μg/kg和(0.870±0.018)μg/kg,而底排污+鱼菜共生组罗非鱼肌肉中异味物质含量在各时期最低,2-MIB和GSM分别为(0.31±0.02)μg/kg和(0.53±0.042)μg/kg。结果表明,在罗非鱼精养池塘中,可通过底排污和鱼菜共生结合,降低水体中和罗非鱼体内异味物质的累积,提高其经济价值。     

鲢对黄颡鱼养殖池塘生态调控的影响

通过放养鲢(Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)对黄颡鱼(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)养殖池塘生物操纵作用进行研究.结果表明,鲢的放养可有效减少水体中的浮游生物量,通过对大型浮游植物的控制,减少了蓝藻和绿藻的生物量,水体中TN、TP等营养物质得到一定程度的转化和去除,化学耗氧量(COD)、叶绿素(Chl-a)含量明显降低,水体透明度增加;同时,黄颡鱼生长性能得到提高.可见,鲢对养殖池塘水质具有调节和净化作用,能有效缓解水体富营养化进程.     

淡水养殖鱼类土腥异味的来源及消除技术

异味就是水产动物肌肉中存在的难闻气味。在淡水养殖鱼类中以土腥味、下水道味、菜味和哈喇味常见，其中土腥异昧最常见，危害也最大。关于土腥异味有许多表述方法，表达相似含义的还有土霉味、嗅味等。土腥异味问题影响到水产品的食用口感，导致养殖或捕捞效益下降。据美国农业部估计，仅因鲶鱼土腥异味问题，养殖者每年要损失收入1．5千万～2．3千万美元。     

伊乐藻管理对河蟹精养池藻类水华的防控作用

为探究河蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)精养池塘中伊乐藻(Elodea nuttalli)管理对藻类水华的预防和控制作用,2017年6月10日至10月25日在上海泖港地区河蟹精养池塘进行试验。实验设置处理组(控制植株高度30 cm)和对照组(控制植株在水面以下20 cm)。对池塘水质进行监测,利用回归分析判别水质理化因子与Chl-a浓度之间的关系。结果显示,对照组水体Chl-a的平均浓度是处理组的4.66倍(P0.01),且TP、PO_4-P、T、pH、DO和SD都显著高于处理组(P0.05),两组的Chl-a浓度与TP、PO_4-P、T、pH、DO呈显著的正相关,与SD呈显著的负相关(P0.01),处理组Chl-a浓度还与NO_3-N具有显著的正相关性(P0.05),与COD_(Mn)、NH_4-N、NO_2-N、TN、TN/TP不相关,说明营养物质特别是TP和PO_4-P的增多一定程度上会促进藻类的生长,河蟹精养池对伊乐藻的管理比常规处理能够更有效地抑制藻类生长,从而达到生态养殖的目的。     

生态净养对去除大口黑鲈土腥味与提升营养成分的效果

将池塘养殖的体质量450～500 g的商品大口黑鲈（Micropterus salmoides）用清水清洗，置于室内循环微流水中净养，第0 d、7 d、14 d、21 d和28 d时采集背部肌肉，分别测定土腥味物质土臭素（Geosmin,GSM）和二甲基异莰醇（2-Methylisoborneol,2-MIB）以及蛋白质、脂肪酸和氨基酸等营养成分含量，研究大口黑鲈在净养下鱼肉土腥味物质及营养成分的变化，探究该模式对鱼肉品质的提升效果。结果显示，在生态净养下，第7 d GSM和2-MIB的去除率分别为48.7%和81.70%，低于感官阈值；在净养前期，脂肪含量降低、蛋白质含量增加，而水分和灰分含量变化不显著（P>0.05）；净养7 d左右，二十二碳六烯酸（Docosahexaenoic acid,DHA）显著上升（P<0.05），油酸含量下降，提高了鱼肉脂肪酸价值；在整个过程中氨基酸总量、必需氨基酸和鲜味氨基酸呈上升趋势，但鱼肉的氨基酸评分随时间变化差异不显著（P>0.05）。研究表明，生态净养可以有效去除鱼肉土腥味，提升鱼肉品质，最适宜净养时间为7 d。     

CO2体积浓度对酒精废水培养微藻及其净化效果的影响

从4种常见微藻中筛选出能够充分利用木薯酒精废水及CO2废气生长的种类,并探究CO2体积浓度对其生长及净化废水中总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)、化学需氧量(CODCr)能力的影响。通过微藻在废水中生长的干重变化及叶绿素a(Chl-a)含量判断其生长情况,筛选出最适合的微藻。通过单因子试验,研究不同CO2体积浓度对筛选微藻的干重及叶绿素a(Chl-a)含量,以及CO2固定速率的影响,来寻找最适合生长的质量浓度。通过测定废水中TN、TP、CODCr的变化来评估净化作用。筛选试验结果表明,钝顶螺旋藻(Spirulina platensis)能适应酒精废水和CO2废气中的生长环境,在未经稀释的酒精废水中,其干重和Chl-a均显著高于波吉卵囊藻、普通小球藻和四尾栅藻(P<0.05)。单因子试验结果显示,当通入体积浓度2.5%的CO2,在酒精废水中培养的钝顶螺旋藻的干质量为(1.62±0.05)g/L、Chl-a为(12.1±0.7)mg/L,均高于其他试验组(P<0.05)。同时其对酒精废水中TN、TP、CODCr的去除率显著最高,分别为(50.5±2.1)%、(73.2±2.0)%及(24.9±0.6)%。钝顶螺旋藻能够适应酒精废水的生长环境,能吸收利用CO2废气,并有不错的净化效果。最适合其生长的CO2体积浓度是2.5%。     

不同混养鱼类和投喂方式对鱼蚌综合养殖水体化学特征的影响

选用草鱼(Ctenoparyngodon idellus)、银鲫(Carassius gibelio)、鲢(Hypopthalmichthys molitrix)、鳙(Aristichthysnobilis)作为本研究的混养鱼类,通过围隔实验检验了不同混养鱼类组合(草鱼+鲫+鲢+鳙或鲢+鳙)和配合饲料投喂方式(投喂或不投喂)对三角帆蚌(Hyriopsis cumingii)养殖水体化学特征的影响,实验为期155 d。结果表明,实验设计的混养鱼类组合可显著影响鱼蚌综合养殖水体的Ca2+、总碱度(Alk)、总硬度(HT)和总磷(TP)水平;投喂配合饲料可显著影响Ca2+、Alk、HT、氨氮(TAN)、TP和化学耗氧量(CODMn)。采用混养组合(草鱼+鲫+鲢+鳙)且投喂配合饲料的围隔内溶氧(DO)水平和透明度(SD)较低,Ca2+、HT、TN、TP、TAN和CODMn水平较高;采用混养组合(鲢+鳙)且不投喂的围隔内DO和SD水平较高,而Ca2+、HT、TN、TP、TAN和CODMn水平较低。随养殖时间延长,各组围隔内Ca2+水平下降,TN、TP、TAN和CODMn水平升高。实验期间,DO与SD水平呈正相关;DO和SD与TAN、TN、TP、Ca2+和CODMn水平呈负相关。因此,鱼蚌综合养殖中,控制CODMn和TAN浓度,维持Ca2+稳定及较高的DO水平是水质管理的基本目标。     

南太湖近岸水域叶绿素a含量与氮磷浓度的关系

2007年6月-2008年4月对南太湖近岸水域进行了4次生态环境调查,在此基础上,对叶绿素a含量（Chl.a）与总氮（TN）、总磷（TP）浓度及氮磷比（N/P）的关系进行了统计分析。结果表明：南太湖水体中Chl.a含量与TN浓度的关系存在显著的季节差异,在蓝藻水华大范围爆发的2007年6月和2008年4月2者呈极显著的正相关,而2007年10月和2008年1月2者无显著性关系;Chl.a含量与TP浓度在4次调查中皆无显著相关关系;岭回归分析显示,N/P 10～25是南太湖水体中附着藻类的最佳生长范围,此时总氮、总磷浓度及氮磷比与Chl.a含量呈显著的正相关,4者的多元回归关系为Chl.a=-0.0012＋0.0064 TN＋0.0215 TP＋0.0005N/P（R=0.543,P〈0.023）。总体来说,南太湖水体中的总氮、总磷浓度及氮磷比皆在藻类生长的适宜范围内,氮磷浓度处于较高水平,已经不是藻类生长的限制因素,在不同水温、光照等环境因子的作用下,加上本水域复杂的水文和季风共同影响下形成了蓝藻水华爆发的季节性差异。     

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.     

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.     

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.