Growth, Yield, Dressout, and Net Returns of Bighead Carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis Stocked at Three Densities in Catfish Ictalurus punctatus Ponds

Abstract— Alternative fish species that can be cultured together with catfish Ictalurus punctatus provide an opportunity to diversify caffish farms. A 2-yr study was conducted in 0.10-ha earthen ponds to evaluate the effect of bighead carp (BHC) stocking density on growth, yield, dressout yield, and net returns. Initially, bighead carp (average weight of 22 g) were stocked at rates of 380, 750, or 1,130 fishha in ponds with catfish. Caffish were cultured under commercial conditions by stocking caffish at a density of 12,500/ha, aerating nightly and feeding at an average rate of 82 kgha per d. Stocking rates for 2-yr-old fish were reduced to 77, 260, and 435/ha in the second growing season. There were no significant differences among treatments ( P > 0.05) in summer growth of bighead carp in either year. Bighead carp stocked at 1,130 fishha had significantly higher yields than those stocked at 380/ha, but did not reach minimum market size of 2.2 kg during the first year ( P > 0.05). There were no significant differences ( P > 0.05) in caffish growth, yield, survival, or feed conversion ratios due to the bighead carp stocking densities. Partial budget analysis indicated that net benefits were positive for all three treatments over a range of prevailing prices of bighead carp. Bighead carp production in catfish ponds is economically feasible over a wide range of prices. Given the market risk of producing smaller fish at the higher density, the medium density is the preferred stocking density of fingerling bighead carp in catfish ponds.     

Aquaculture performance of triploid barfin flounder Verasper moseri

ABSTRACT:   To evaluate the aquaculture performance of triploid barfin flounder Verasper moseri , the sex ratio, maturation, growth and the relative proportion of body parts were examined. The sex ratio of triploids was similar to diploids under communal rearing conditions, but the proportion of female diploids was higher than that of triploids under separate rearing conditions. The gonadosomatic index of triploid females was very low even during the spawning season, and the ovaries were rudimentary. These results suggest that triploid barfin flounder females were sterile. In addition, triploid males produced a small quantity of milt containing very few spermatozoa with abnormal shapes. Spermatozoa obtained from triploids were aneuploidies. When normal eggs were fertilized with sperm from triploid males, no fry developed. These results suggest that triploid barfin flounder males were functionally sterile. Triploid males grew more slowly than diploid males, and triploid females showed similar or slower growth than diploid females, whether reared separately (23 months) or communally (35 months). The ratios of visceral weight to the edible parts for triploid males were similar to those for diploid males, but ratios for triploid females were higher than for diploid females during the spawning period. In conclusion, a significant improvement of growth was not found in triploid barfin flounders.     

Growth and gonadal development in diploid and triploid Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)

Induction of triploidy has been suggested as an effective tool to prevent spawning of farmed fish. This experiment examined the growth potential of triploid cod when reared communally with diploid ones after the juvenile stage. Pressure treatment was used to induce triploidy in a batch of cod eggs in April 2009. The resulting offspring were reared separately from their diploid counterparts until they reached the proper size for PIT tagging. At the age of 8 months, an equal number of 115 diploids (135.5 ± 3.95 g) and triploids (93.6 ± 2.63 g) were communally reared in a circular flow-through tank until the age of 22 months. By the end of this rearing period, diploids (1,002.4 ± 39.9 g) were significantly heavier than triploids (654.6 ± 27.7 g), but the specific growth rate did not differ significantly during the growth trial. Gonadal development at the age of 22 months was also lower among triploids than diploids, especially for females (5.3 and 91.9 %) but also for males (32.5 and 72.7 %). Sterility among female triploids was evident by the reduced size and dysfunctional gonads, but gonadal development in male triploids was less suppressed. Prevalence of body deformities was, however, significantly higher among triploids (62.6 %) than diploids (33.9 %). Higher prevalence of deformities in triploid cod underlines the need for further fine-tuning of the triploidization procedure or finding other methods of sterilization. At present, triploid cod are still far from being established as an alternative for commercial production.     

POLYCULTURE OF THE FRESHWATER PRAWN (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) WITH TWO COMBINATIONS OF CARPS IN MANURED PONDS

A study was conducted to 1) evaluate the compatibility of prawns (Macrobrachiurn rosenbergii) with carps, especially the effect of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio); and 2) measure the ability of prawns to utilize the foods available in manured systems. Carps used were the silver (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), bighead (Aristichthys nobilis), grass (Ctenopharyngodon idella) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Four ponds (0.09 to 0.17 ha) were stocked with silver, bighead and grass carps while common carp were stocked in only two ponds. Total fish densities were 8,600/ha where four carps were stocked, but only 6,200/ha when common carp were omitted. Post-larval prawns (wt 0.116 g) were stocked at densities of 17/m². Swine (approximately 60/ha of pond surface area) were housed on pond dikes so that fresh manure continuously entered each pond. Two lots of swine were fattened during the experimental period and loadings of swine manure were calculated based on hog size and feed consumption. Growth periods were 163 days for fish and 107 and 121 days for separate stockings of prawns. Gains in biomass by prawns averaged 714 kg/ha in ponds without common carp and 364 kg/ha in ponds containing common carp. Gains in biomass for both fish and prawns were 3,619 kg/ha (19.8 kg/ha/day) in ponds with common carp and 2,924 kg/ha (18.0 kg/ha/day) in those without common carp. Prawn survival was higher (X = 84.5% vs X = 72.5%), but final average weight of prawns was lower (2.64 vs 5.86 g) in the presence of common carp due to competition for food between common carp and prawns. Competition from carp is believed to have exerted less influence on prawn survival than predation on small prawns by larger, faster-growing prawns.     

Growth, Yield, Dressout, and Net Returns of Bighead Carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis Stocked at Three Densities in Fertilized Earthen Ponds

Abstract.— Bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis have been raised in the United States for two decades and sold through the livehaul market, but their profitability in monoculture has not been evaluated. Three studies were conducted in 0.10-ha earthen ponds to evaluate the effect of bighead carp stocking density on growth, yield, dressout yield. and net returns. Initially, bighead carp (average weight of 0.36 kg) were stocked at rates of 500, 320, or 130 fish/ha with three replicates of each treatment. Stocking rates for 2-yr-old fish (average weight of 2.45 kg) were reduced to 320, 220, or 130 fish/ha in the second year. Net yields of bighead carp stocked at 500 fish/ha (963 kg/ha) were significantly higher ( P < 0.05) than net yields at the 320 fishha density (771 kg/ha), and these were significantly greater ( P < 0.05) than net yields at 130 fish/ha (369 kg/ha) in the first growing season. Net yields in the second growing season were not significantly different ( P > 0.05) among densities. There were no significant differences ( P > 0.05) among treatments in yearly growth which ranged from 11–17 g/d in the first and from 6–13 g/d in the second growing season. Dressout percentages for whole-dressed, steak, shank fillet, and shank fillets with white meat only did not differ with stocking density ( P > 0.05). Enterprise and partial budget analysis indicated that monoculture of bighead carp in fertilized ponds is profitable only in the short run at average livehaul market prices, because revenues exceeded variable but not fixed costs. The negative net returns, when all costs were accounted for, indicated that it is not profitable to construct ponds solely for monoculture of bighead carp.     

Growth and Survival of Intrastrain and Interstrain Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Triploids1

Triploid rainbow trout exhibit improved survival and extended growth during sexual maturation, compared to their diploid counterparts. However, there have been few benefits demonstrated prior to sexual maturation. This study was undertaken to investigate the possibility of improving growth and survival parameters in triploids through interstrain crosses. Triploids were induced by heat shocking fertilized eggs from intra- and interstrain crosses of two rainbow trout strains. The four triploid groups and their diploid counterpart groups were reared to 233 days post-hatching and analyzed for growth and survival characteristics. Compared with diploids, triploids had significantly (P < 0.05) higher mortalities during the first 100 days post-fertilization, primarily just prior to and after hatching. However, during the remainder of the study triploids exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) lower mortalities than diploids. During the first 50 days of rearing all four triploid groups were significantly shorter and lighter than their diploid counterparts. The growth of the triploid groups later in the study varied considerably. At the conclusion of the rearing phase, one interstrain triploid group was significantly (P < 0.05) longer than its diploid counterpart, although not significantly heavier. The other triploid groups were either significantly smaller than, or equal to the diploids. Analysis of variance indicated that the growth of triploid rainbow trout was significantly affected by maternal strain effects. These results suggest that the use of specific strains and crosses may improve the growth of triploid rainbow trout.     

Studies on triploid oysters in Australia: effect of initial size on growth of diploid and triploid Sydney rock oysters, Saccostrea commercialis (Iredale & Roughley)

In a 2-year grow-out trial, triploid Sydney rock oysters, Saccostrea commercialis (Iredale & Roughley), from two initial size grades grew faster (in terms of both mean whole weight and shell height) than the equivalent initial size grades of sibling diploids (P < 0.05). Small size grade triploids caught up with and had significantly heavier (P < 0.05) final whole weights than large size grade diploids after a 2-years grow-out period. The initial size grade had a significant effect on final mean whole weight and shell height for both ploidy types. After the 2-years grow-out trial, the final mean whole weights (but not shell heights) of small and large diploids (35.8 ± 0.6 g and 39.4 ± 0.5 g, respectively) were significantly different (P < 0.05). Small and large triploids grew at a similar rate for the first 18 months despite the significantly (P < 0.05) heavier final mean weight of large grade triploids (48.4 ± 0.8 g and 61.2 ± 0.7 g, respectively). The effect of the initial size grade on subsequent growth of both diploid and triploid oysters which was demonstrated in the present study is of significant commercial value to hatchery and nursery operators as well as growers of single seed oysters. In addition, small-grade triploids appeared to be more valuable in terms of potential growth rate than all diploid grades. There was no significant difference in the final percentage triploidy between small and large grade triploids. A large proportion of diploid/triploid mosaicism was detected in adult oysters.     

Relative growth,survival and harvestability of bighead carp,silver carp,and their reciprocal hybrids

Growth and survival in the primary rearing phase (42 days) for bighead carp, silver carp, bighead × silver carp (BHC × SC), and silver × bighead carp (SC × BHC) in ponds and concrete tanks stocked at 370 500 fry/ha were studied. Mean survival for fishes in ponds was 93%, that in tanks was 73%. Yields among all fishes averaged 338 kg/ha. The growth rates of fishes in ponds were similar; in tanks, silver carp grew faster than the bighead carp.Growth, survival, and harvestability by seine during the secondary rearing phase (60-day duration) for the same groups of fish were studied. Fingerlings (0.9 g mean weight) were stocked in earthen ponds at 49 400 fish/ha and 98 800 fish/ha. Mean survival of fishes at low stocking rate was 77%, similar to that (71%) for the high stocking rate. Fish yields were similar at the low stocking rate. At the high rate, the BHC × SC yield (846 kg/ha) was greater than the SC × BHC yield (582 kg/ha). The BHC × SC and SC × BHC had greater mean weights at low stocking rate than at high stocking rate. The mean weights for bighead carp were similar at both rates. Bighead carp and the reciprocal hybrids were more easily harvested by seine than silver carp.     

Induction of triploidy in mud loach (Misgurnus mizolepis) and its effect on gonad development and growth

Triploidy was induced in mud loach (Misgurnus mizolepis) by cold shocking fertilized eggs 5 min post-fertilization at 2°C for 15 to 60 min. Best results were obtained when eggs were shocked for 60 min; 98% of fish examined in that treatment were triploids. Triploidy was confirmed by erythrocyte measurements and chromosome counts. Diploids had 48 chromosomes, while triploids had 72. Histological analysis of 9-month-old triploid ovaries showed an appreciable number of oocytes at the chromatin nucleolus stage with considerable interstitial tissue. However, diploids had well developed oocytes. Diploid testes from diploid males exhibited normal spermatids and spermatozoa, while a few were seen in triploid males. Growth rate was evaluated over a 9-month growth trial. Although male and female triploids were slightly heavier than their diploid counterparts from the third to the ninth month, their growth rates were not significantly different compared to their diploid controls.     

Hemoglobin level,metabolic rate,opercular abduction rate and swimming efficiency in female triploid brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)

Metabolic (oxygen consumption) rate, opercular abduction rate and tail beat frequency were determined in two strains of diploid and triploid female brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) while these fish swam at 0.37±0.02 body lengths per sec in a Blazka respirometer. Total blood hemoglobin level was also measured and opercular condition examined. Total blood hemoglobin levels in diploids and triploids were equal. The opercular abduction rate was the same in diploids and triploids (regardless of whether triploid opercular condition was good or poor) yet triploids had a lower oxygen consumption rate than diploids, indicating that triploids take up less oxygen than diploids per opercular cycle. Tail beat frequency, an indicator of swimming effort, was the same in diploids and triploids, suggesting that triploids require less oxygen than diploids for a similar swimming effort.     

The breeding potential and biochemical composition of triploid Manila clams, Tapes philippinarum Adams and Reeve

In 1989 and 1990. triploid Manila clam, Tapes philippinarum Adams and Reeve, seed were reared to 15-20 mm at the Fisheries Laboratory, Conwy, and planted out in the Menai Strait, North Wales. In each of the summers of 1992 and 1993, three of these batches, at 2, 3 or 4 years old, were returned to the laboratory to assess ploidy, size, spawning potential and biochemical composition. Percentage triploidy at this time was similar to that in the seed. After 6 and 8 weeks of warmwater conditioning. Only 45 out of l21 triploids (37%) were induced to spawn by thermal shock, with only one spawning as a male. By comparison, 75% of diploid clams spawned with a 1:1 ratio of males to females. Mean fecundity of triploids was significantly lower than that for diploids, at 0.497 compared with 1.54 million eggs per female. Compared with eggs from diploid females, eggs from triploids were larger and significantly fewer of them developed into D-larvae when fertilized by sperm from diploid males. Triploid clams were heavier and had a higher condition index and carbohydrate content than diploids of the same age, but lipid levels were similar. Potential advantages of producing and cultivating 100% triploid batches of Manila clam seed are discussed.     

Added value from an added chromosome: Potential of producing large fillet fish from autumn to spring with triploid rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss

Three‐summers‐old all‐female triploid and diploid rainbow trout were compared after one on‐growing season in sea net cages. Slaughter traits of round weight, gutted weight, fillet weight, carcass% and fillet% were measured at three times in November 2017, January and April 2018. The triploid group had lower daily growth coefficient mean (4.25) and higher feed conversion ratio (1.18) than diploids (4.48 and 1.05, respectively) during on‐growing (June–November). In November, no difference of means was found between mature or immature diploids and triploids for any of the weight traits when the effect of vertebrae defects was statistically removed. However, the triploids had attained higher means than mature or immature diploids in gutted and fillet weight by January, suggesting that the loss of muscle mass during early winter was lower in triploids. Sexually maturing diploids (46%) had lower slaughter yield means compared to triploids or immature diploids at each measurement time, and these differences also increased during overwintering. Instead, the means of yield traits remained similar between the triploid and immature diploid groups through the winter. Likewise, fillet redness remained at equally high level in triploids and immature diploids, whereas in maturing diploids this attribute decreased substantially during overwintering. The triploid group had a higher incidence of vertebral defects (12.0%) than diploids (5.3%). The present results demonstrate the potential of triploid trout in producing large‐sized (>2 kg) fillet fish until spring markets. However, more detailed investigations are needed, particularly regarding the animal health and growth efficiency in triploids, relative to their diploid counterparts.     

Muscle growth of triploid Atlantic cod juveniles (Gadus morhua)

This study has investigated the muscle growth of diploid and triploid Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) juveniles raised in replicate tanks over a period of 29 weeks and analysed at three sampling points (February, June and September). Data for weight, length, condition factor (K), muscle fibre growth and myogenic progenitor cells (MPCs) number were collected and results were analysed in relation to body growth and ploidy status. Diploids were significantly heavier than triploids throughout the trial (~10–20%) and had K in June and September samplings. Over the whole period, the rate of muscle fibres' recruitment was 318 fibres per day and 252 fibres per day for diploid and triploid cod respectively. The larger body weight of diploids resulted in a total number of fast fibre number of 114 979 compared to 91 086 in triploids. The average diameter of the 2.5% of the smallest fibres (2.5th percentile) was higher in diploids than triploids at the start of the trial, with a reversed picture for the average of the upper 2.5% (97.5th percentile) at the end of the trial. The probability density function of the estimated muscle fibre diameters showed similar fibre size distribution between size‐matched diploids and triploids at all sample points. The peak fibre diameter was approximately 25 μm in February and increased to approximately 50 μm in June and September, irrespectively of ploidy. Pax 7 were used as molecular markers for MPCs. A positive correlation between Pax 7⁺ cells and total body length was observed only among triploid fish at the onset of the experiment.     

Effects of Pond Renovation on White River Crayfish,Procambarus acutus acutus Production

Abstract

The effects of renovation on the production of white river crayfish, Procambarus acutus acutus were evaluated in ten 0.1-ha earthen ponds. The bottoms and levees of five ponds were reshaped with heavy equipment prior to planting sorghum-Sudan grass forage during the de-watered phase of the culture cycle. Five non-renovated ponds served as a control. The mean total length (TL) of the crayfish harvested from renovated ponds was significantly larger than those crayfish harvested from non-renovated ponds. The renovated pond harvest contained an estimated 43.2% carryover crayfish (>95 mm TL) in comparison to 7.6% in the harvest from non-renovated ponds. By weight, carryover crayfish constituted an estimated 69.3% of the harvest from renovated ponds, compared to 21.0% from non-renovated ponds. No difference was observed in the harvest between treatments; however, the low proportion of young-of-the-year crayfish in the renovated pond harvest may adversely impact future production.     

Seasonal Differences in Growth Performance of Four Strains of Common Carp,Cyprinus carpio in India

To assess strain related differences in growth performance and growth patterns under the same culture environment, four strains of common carp, two each of the scale carp, Cyprinus carpio var. communis (Chinese big-belly carp and long bodied carp) and mirror carp, C. carpio var. specularis (scattered carp and linear carp) were communally stocked in three fertilized earthen ponds of 0.14 ha each at 5,000 fish ha^?1 in the ratio of 1:1:1:1 during an 11-month (February to December) culture cycle. Chinese big-belly carp grew larger than other groups, among which there were no significant differences. Scale carp strains performed relatively better than mirror carp at higher temperatures and then essentially stopped growing as temperatures declined into winter. The strains of mirror carp, on the other hand continued growing well later into the cold season.     

Comparative performance of growth,vertebral structure and muscle composition in diploid and triploid Paralichthys olivaceus

Growth, skeletal structure and muscle composition of cold‐shock‐induced triploid olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus were investigated. The average values of total length and total weight of triploids were higher than those of diploids from 5 to 11 months posthatch (mph). The growth difference disappeared after 11 mph. The skeletal structure of flounder at 11 mph was observed by X‐ray imaging method. There are four kinds of vertebral deformity including vertebrae fusion, one‐sided compression, two‐sided compression and vertically shifted. The trunk region (V8–18) and tailing end of the vertebral column were the predominant locations of deformity. In general, the frequencies of vertebral deformities in triploids (60.0%) were higher than those in diploids (33.3%, p < 0.05). Both the number of fish with deformed vertebrae and the average frequencies of deformed vertebrae in triploids were significantly higher than those in diploids (p < 0.05). The muscle tissues of diploid and triploid flounder at 11 mph contain the same types of fatty acid and free amino acid profiles. The number of fatty acids with significant higher contents in diploids and triploids was one and ten, respectively (p < 0.05). The contents of free amino acids showed no difference between triploid and diploid fish.     

Hormonal profile of growing male and female diploids and triploids of the blue tilapia,Oreochromis aureus,reared in intensive culture

Triploidy as a result of thermal shock exposure of fertilized eggs decreases the growth rate ofOreochromis aureus as compared to their diploid controls, but this is due to the higher female ratio present in triploids (86%) and the lower growth rate of females. When females and males are considered separately, the growth rate is not significantly different in diploids and triploids. Since triploidy results in a malfunctioning steroidogenesis in females (mainly testosterone (T) and 17β-estradiol (E₂)), but does not affect the growth rate, it is concluded that female gonadal steroids do not influence growth unless in pharmacological concentrations. These low levels of gonadal steroids are generally accompanied by higher levels of gonadotropin (GtH), but the difference is not always significant. Despite their lower growth rate diploid females have higher plasma concentrations of growth hormone (GH) during several months compared to the triploid females and diploid males. 3,5,3′-triiodo-L-thyronine (T₃) levels, however, are comparable between diploid and triploid females (except for 1 month), but higher in diploid males in 4 of the 5 months studied. 11-ketotestosterone (11kT) is always higher in males. These results indicate that the higher growth rate of males may be related to the high circulating levels of T₃ and 11kT.     

The effect of ploidy and temporal changes in the biochemical profile of gibel carp (Carassius gibelio): a cyprinid fish species with dual reproductive strategies

The basic biochemical profile of gibel carp (Carassius gibelio), diploid–triploid cyprinid species complex with dual reproduction modes, was investigated. The aim of the study was to test for the effect of fish group (which combines the effects of ploidy and sex) and temporal changes on indicators of the biochemical profile of blood in gibel carp. We showed that the basic biochemical profile of blood is significantly influenced by season and fish group. Triploid gynogenetic females had a better condition measured by total protein concentration than sexual diploids. The higher concentrations of triacylglycerols and cholesterol in triploid females when compared to diploids indicate a higher metabolic rate and higher energy intake during the whole year, which may represent a disadvantage for triploids. Differences in the concentrations of blood biochemical analytes between triploid females and diploids suggest a potential difference in the regulation of a wide range of physiological and biochemical processes in which these analytes participate. The biochemical profiles of two forms of C. gibelio could at least partially explain the changes of character of its naturally occurring populations.     

Reproductive performance and mature gonad morphology of triploid and diploid Black Tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) siblings

Sibling harvest age Black Tiger shrimp triploids and diploids of both sexes were reared to reproductive maturity, crossed with wild caught females and males, conditioned for spawning and a comprehensive reproductive performance trial was undertaken. Ovarian development, spawning frequency, fecundity, hatch rate, gonad morphology, male reproductive tracts and thelycum impregnation rates of the wild female × triploid male cross were assessed. After ablation, ovarian development and cycling between wild G₀ diploid and G₁ diploids was not significantly different, whereas G₁ triploids failed to show any signs of ovarian development and cycling, thus resulting in no G₁ triploid female spawnings. There were 10 G₀ diploid female × G₀ diploid male first‐spawnings and 9 G₀ diploid female × G₁ diploid male first‐spawnings, all of which produced viable nauplii. In comparison, there were 7 G₀ diploid female × G₁ triploid male first‐spawnings, none of which produced viable nauplii. The 26 wild G₀ diploid female spawnings had more eggs than the 1 G₁ diploid female spawning. Gonad morphology and male reproductive tract assessments showed impaired reproductive development in triploid gonadal tissues of both sexes (compared with sibling diploids and wild shrimp) to a point where complete maturation had not occurred. The thelycum of 16 wild G₀ diploid females crossed with G₁ triploid males had no visible spermatophore present, suggesting that G₁ triploid males are incapable of developing viable spermatophores and mating with females. This study demonstrates that the triploid females and males are incapable of producing viable gametes and are thus reproductively sterile.     

Covariation between diploid and triploid progenies from common breeders in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)

The covariation between diploid and triploid progenies from common breeders was investigated in various progeny-testing experiments where either dams or sires were sampled from rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), stocks. Triploidiza tion was found to frequently reduce the performance in the traits studied: body length and weight, growth, coefficient of condition and pyloric caeca number. Triploidization also generated significant interactions with the parental breeding value. These interactions were caused in part by the familial variance not being the same in triploids as in diploids, but also by actual ranking differences between diploid and triploid familial performances. However, the effect of these interactions was minor as compared with the amount of variation common to both ploidy levels (genetic correlations averaged 0.7–0.9). Therefore, selection of diploid breeders appeared efficient enough for improving triploid progeny, unless family selection methods including triploid progeny testing were preferred for other reasons. Lastly, it was observed that variances from maternal origin tended to be larger in triploids, whereas variances from paternal origin tended to be smaller, as compared with diploids. This point was discussed referring to the genetic make-up of triploids and in the scope of dams and sires for selective breeding.