日本黄姑鱼幼鱼的胃排空率

为考察日本黄姑鱼(Nibea japonica)幼鱼摄食配合饲料后胃内含物的变化特征并确定最优数学模型,在26.4℃下测定了其摄食后每小时胃含物的干重和湿重,并用线性、指数和平方根三种模型对其进行了拟合。结果发现,三种模型均能较好地拟合排空率数据,但对干重的拟合优于湿重,原因可能是用湿重表示胃内食物存在偏差。对于干重,线性模型最优,其方程为:Y=0.408-0.025t,其50%和99%理论排空时间分别为7.88 h和16.15 h;对于湿重,平方根模型最优,其方程为:Y0.5=1.15-0.047t,其50%和99%理论排空时间分别为7.95 h和22.31 h。日本黄姑鱼幼鱼摄食约8 h后胃排空50%以上,食欲基本得到恢复。据此,按8 h的时间间隔进行投喂效果较好。     

俄罗斯鲟幼鱼的胃排空特征及其数学模型

研究了俄罗斯鲟(Acipenser gueldenstaedtii)幼鱼饱食后胃内容物重量的变化特征,并确定其最优数学模型。在实验室内23℃条件下,分别测定了体质量(10.47±2.03)g的俄罗斯鲟幼鱼饱食后0、2、4、6、8、10、12、14、16、20、24、28 h胃内容物的湿重,并用线性模型、指数模型和平方根模型3种数学模型拟合了俄罗斯鲟幼鱼的胃排空率。结果表明,3种模型都能很好地拟合实验数据,但三者之间的相关系数(R2)、残差平方和(RSS)残差的标准差(SDR)仍存在明显差异。胃排空率用平方根模型拟合得最好,方程为Y0.5=1.912-0.066t(R2=0.988,P0.001);根据平方根模型,胃内饲料在饱食投喂后18 h左右完全排空,达到投喂前水平,80%胃排空时间为15 h,即投喂后大约15 h俄罗斯鲟幼鱼可恢复食欲。     

饥饿对南方鲇幼鱼胃排空及其数学模型选择的影响

为研究饥饿对南方鲇幼鱼胃排空及其数学模型选择产生的影响,实验在(25±0.5)℃条件下,在对照组(饥饿0 d,S0)和饥饿组(饥饿16 d,S16;饥饿32 d,S32)实验鱼摄入6%BW(百分比体质量)泥鳅饵料后的不同时间分别测定胃内容物重量及其百分比,用常见3个数学模型对实验数据进行拟合并比较。结果发现,随摄食后时间的增加,3个实验组的胃内容物重量及其百分比均呈现阶段性减少变化特征,但饥饿组(S16,S32)胃内容物重量百分比的下降速率明显慢于S0对照组(P<0.05);S0对照组和饥饿组(S16,S32)胃排空的最优数学模型均为平方根模型;S32饥饿组的胃排空率(0.188%/h)明显小于S0对照组(0.239%/h)(P<0.05),两个饥饿组的胃排空时间(均为64 h)显著长于S0对照组(36 h),二者都延长了近78%。研究表明,饥饿对南方鲇幼鱼的胃排空特征及其最优数学模型未产生显著影响,但明显降低该种鱼的胃排空率并延长胃排空时间。     

厚颌鲂幼鱼的胃排空特征及其数学模型研究

为研究厚颌鲂幼鱼摄食配合饲料后胃内容物变化特征并确定其最优数学模型,以体质量(38.17±2.45) g的厚颌鲂幼鱼为研究对象,在水温(15.0±0.3)℃条件下,分别在饱食后0、2、4、6、8、12、16、20、24 h测定胃内容物的湿质量,并利用线性模型、指数模型以及平方根模型对试验数据进行拟合分析。试验结果表明,通过比较残差平方和和残差的标准差确定平方根模型对厚颌鲂幼鱼胃内容物湿质量的拟合效果最优,拟合方程为:y~(0.5)=0.951-0.036t(r~2=0.899,P0.001)。根据平方根模型,在本试验条件下,厚颌鲂幼鱼的胃排空率为0.036 g/h, 80%理论胃排空时间为14.83 h。据此测算,养殖过程饵料投喂间隔以15 h为宜,投喂频率以2次/d为宜。     

美国红鱼的胃排空率

在实验室内,25℃条件下测定了体长为22.8±2.6cm、体重为237.8±74.2g的美国红鱼的胃排空率,并比较了线性、指数、平方根3种常用数学模型对其排空曲线的拟合程度。统计检验结果表明,3种数学模型都能很好地拟合实验数据,但通过统计学进一步分析发现,不论是用湿重还是用干重表示胃含物时都以线性模型拟合得最好,用湿重表示胃含物时,其模型为Y=92.93-3.33t(R2=0.94,P<0.001);用干重表示胃含物时,其模型为Y=97.00-3.36t(R2=0.91,P<0.001)。实验还得出在该条件下美国红鱼的胃排空率为每小时排出摄入食物量的3%~4%或每小时排出胃内残余食物量的6%~7%。     

人工养殖条件下岩原鲤幼鱼排空率与摄食量

在室内微流水养殖条件下,以水蚯蚓(Limnodrilus sp.)为饵料,应用现场胃含物法,研究岩原鲤[Procypris rabaudi(Tchang)]幼鱼的排空率和日摄食量。结果表明:岩原鲤幼鱼摄食强度具有明显的昼夜节律,呈现较典型的单峰分布特征,其摄食强度高峰时间在0:30到6:30;在实验水温18.6℃时,用湿重表示胃含物质量,线性、指数和平方根3种常用模型均可较好拟合岩原鲤幼鱼[体质量(3.30±0.94)g]的排空率实验数据(df=18,P<0.001),综合评价结果进一步表明,其中指数模型拟合度最好,所得模型为St=0.139e-0.169t(r2=0.952,P<0.001);同时得到岩原鲤幼鱼的排空率(以湿重计)为0.169 g/(100g.h)。实验得到养殖岩原鲤幼鱼的日摄食量(湿重)为24.91 g/(100g.d);应用Elliott-Persson模型评估得到自然环境中岩原鲤幼鱼日摄食量(以湿重计)Cd=14.309 g/(100g.d)。研究建立的岩原鲤幼鱼空消化道重(EDW)-体长(BL)-体质量(BW)经验关系式为EDW=0.24(BW/BL)1.547-0.139(n=83,r2=0.89)。研究表明,指数模型最适于描述岩原鲤幼鱼胃排空特征,Flliott-Persson模型在野外环境中岩原鲤幼鱼摄食评估上具有较大适用性。这些结果可为岩原鲤幼鱼摄食生态的定量研究及环境容纳量评估提供基础资料。     

黄条鰤幼鱼胃排空特征、消化酶活性及摄食调控基因表达

为阐明黄条鰤幼鱼摄食消化特性，构建最佳胃排空数学模型，确立最适摄食投喂间隔，实验检测了黄条鰤幼鱼[(63.96±5.63) g]胃排空过程中内容物质量、肝脏和肠道中消化酶活性变化，分析了垂体中摄食调控相关基因的表达，比较了线性模型、平方根模型、立方模型3种数学模型对胃排空曲线的拟合程度。结果显示，黄条鰤在摄食后瞬时胃内容物湿重呈阶段性降低，18 h后降为0，属于直线下降型胃排空类型。胃排空过程中，肝脏淀粉酶、脂肪酶和糜蛋白酶活性呈先上升后下降、随后又上升接着下降的“M”型变化趋势，淀粉酶活性在摄食后0～6 h显著上升，脂肪酶和糜蛋白酶活性在0～9 h显著上升。三种酶活性在9～12 h均呈显著下降趋势，在15～18 h显著上升，且在18 h活性达到最高；肠道中的淀粉酶在0～6 h显著上升，随后下降，9～12 h呈上升趋势，12 h活性达到最高，随后逐渐下降，其脂肪酶和糜蛋白酶活性则是在摄食后0～12 h显著上升，12 h活性达到最高，随后逐渐下降。神经肽Y (npy)和食欲素(ore) mRNA表达水平呈先上升后下降趋势，npy在摄食后12～15 h内表达水平显著上升，ore在9～15 ...     

斑点叉尾对全植物蛋白饲料的胃排空及消化道内容物特性研究

为研究斑点叉尾(鱼回)[体质量(115.55±7.54)g]对全植物蛋白饲料的胃排空,实验比较了3种常用数学模型对其排空曲线的拟合程度,同时探究了摄食过程中消化道内容物的水分、pH和消化酶的变化规律.结果发现,3种数学模型均可较好地描述斑点叉尾(鱼回)胃排空曲线,平方根模型最适于定量描述,指数模型次之,线性模型较差.根据平方根模型分别计算得到斑点叉尾(鱼回)胃50％排空时间为12.8 h(以干重计),完全排空约36 h.在摄食后0～36 h内,内容物水分含量在后肠保持不变,在胃部呈缓慢上升趋势,而在前肠和中肠则呈先上升后下降趋势.消化道各段内容物pH在摄食后3h内均显著下降,3～30 h间总体保持平稳状态,在30 h后又呈显著上升趋势.消化道各段蛋白酶、脂肪酶和淀粉酶比活力在摄食3h内显著上升,并在3～30 h内保持相对稳定水平,摄食30 h后呈显著下降趋势.整个摄食过程中,消化道各段消化酶比活力大小依次为前肠＞中肠＞后肠＞胃.研究表明,斑点叉尾(鱼回)在摄食过程中,消化道各段内容物的水分、pH和消化酶比活力均随时间呈现相应的规律性变化.而这些内环境参数的相互作用,综合影响了特定胃排空时间的形成.     

两种规格大西洋鲑胃排空特征及其模型分析

为探究大西洋鲑(Salmo salar)的胃排空特征及其模型, 本研究采用胃含物分析法对两种规格[(176.15±27.52) g 和(323.33±43.91) g]大西洋鲑进行胃排空实验。经暂养 27 d 适应后, 两种规格大西洋鲑停食 48 h, 分别在饱食投喂后第 0、3、6、9、12、18 和 24 小时测定其胃含物湿重和干重, 并用 4 种数学模型拟合; 在筛选出其最佳胃排空模型后, 计算最佳干重模型下 80%干重胃排空时间作为其最适投喂频率。结果表明, 与湿重模型相比, 干重胃排空模型能更准确反映大西洋鲑胃排空时间的状况。小规格和大规格大西洋鲑的最佳干重胃排空模型分别为指数模型和平方根模型, 其 80%干重胃排空时间分别为 12.23 h 和 18.06 h。小规格大西洋鲑胃排空比大规格更快, 这可能是因为小规格大西洋鲑消化前期干燥饲料被水分软化的时间更短。本研究结果可为大西洋鲑智能投喂系统提供生物学参数, 为实际生产中智能投喂策略提供理论参考。     

怀头鲇幼鱼摄食前后消化酶活性的变化

试验研究了摄食时间对怀头鲇幼鱼胃、肠道中蛋白酶、淀粉酶和脂肪酶活性的影响。结果表明:摄食后怀头鲇幼鱼胃蛋白酶活性下降,之后开始快速上升至摄食后3 h酶活性达到最高峰,与摄食前相比差异显著(P<0.05);而肠蛋白酶活性一直保持上升趋势,摄食后3 h酶活性达到峰值。摄食前后淀粉酶活性变化趋势明显不同,即胃中淀粉酶活性在摄食后1 h出现明显的降低(P<0.05),但该酶活性很快又迅速上升,到摄食后3 h达到最高峰;肠淀粉酶在摄食后表现为先降低后增加的趋势,摄食后5 h达到最高峰;同时发现,摄食前后胃中脂肪酶活性变化较为剧烈,摄食后3 h达到最高峰,而肠道中脂肪酶活性的变化较为缓慢,说明摄食对胃中脂肪酶活性影响较大。     

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.     

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.     

Production of diatom–bacteria biofilm isolated from Seriola lalandi cultures for aquaculture application

Controlled incorporation of selected microalgae and bacteria in aquaculture systems can be beneficial because they can act as microbiological control. That is why the characteristics of biofilm generated naturally in Seriola lalandi culture cages were analysed, their potential benefit to the growth of larvae was studied, and their controlled use for improving the larval viability and as a vector to improve incorporation of previously studied probiotic bacteria was tested. According to biodiversity results, these biofilms are composed of a diatom–bacteria mix showing a decrease in biodiversity in laboratory culture conditions being dominated by Navicula phyllepta and bacteria of the family Rhodobacteraceae. This can be produced on mesh substrates incorporated in bioreactors with rapid growth rate and adhesiveness. Preliminary results from the addition of substrates with this specific biofilm in larvae culture systems showed that it is consumed by the larvae without negative effects, while positive effects on the viability of larvae in combination with probiotics were observed. Considering preliminary results, the addition of these specific substrates with diatom–bacteria biofilms could be a good improvement for aquaculture systems and together with the use of probiotics can contribute to maintaining a stable and controlled system improving the viability of the larval fish culture in its early stages.