峡江水利枢纽鱼道过鱼效果的初步研究

为了解峡江水利枢纽鱼道过鱼效果,采用张网法和截堵法,于2019年10月、2020年1月、2020年4月、2020年8月对峡江水利枢纽鱼道的过鱼效果开展季度调查.鱼道内共采集鱼类4605尾,计42种,隶属于4目、9科、34属,以中小型鱼类为主,体长范围为2.3～48.5 cm,优势种为宽鳍鱲(Zacco platypus...     

连江西牛鱼道运行效果的初步研究

鱼道建设被认为是有效缓解水坝阻隔鱼类洄游的重要方法之一,而鱼道效果监测是评价其功能的重要环节。连江西牛鱼道是广东省第一座建立在水坝主体上的过鱼通道,为了解其运行效果,采用张网法和截堵法,２０１２年３－８月共６次对西牛鱼道的过鱼效果进行监测。研究表明,西牛鱼道共监测到鱼类３目、８科、３０属、３８种,以银鮈（Squalidus argentatus）、乐山小鳔鮈（Microphysogobio kiatingensis）、子陵吻鰕虎（Rhinogobit giurinus）等小型鱼类为优势类群。进入鱼道的鱼类呈现昼夜差异,上午集鱼效果要显著优于其他时间段;不同季节集鱼的种类和数量呈现较大差别,３－８月集鱼数量逐渐减少,集鱼种类数以５月最多。与国内外其他鱼道的过鱼效果比较,西牛鱼道能较好地发挥其功能。     

峡江鱼道过鱼效果初步评价

鱼道是解决拦河筑坝阻隔鱼类洄游的重要手段之一。为了满足兴建峡江水利枢纽工程后洄游鱼类上溯的要求,保护赣江水生生态环境的完整性,减缓工程对鱼类种群遗传交流的影响,针对峡江水利枢纽实际情况制定了鱼道过鱼方式。鱼道采用垂直竖缝式结构设计,由上游鱼道(出口段)、坝体过鱼孔口、下游主、副鱼道(进口段)、集鱼系统及连接段组成,设计主要过鱼季节为4—7月,流速0.7～1.2 m/s。采用仪器监测与人工观察相结合的方式对峡江鱼道过鱼效果进行了初步监测。监测结果显示:2017年监测到过鱼总数67.8万尾,其中上行占41.67%;期间共监测到22种鱼类,共计4目、7科、18属,以小型鱼类为主,如贝氏■(Hemiculter bleekeri)、三角鲂(Megalobrama terminalis)、银鲴(Xenocypris argentea)、银鮈(Squalidus argentatus);不同季节过鱼数量不同,其中以二季度最多,占总数49.17%,过鱼数量以7月最多;过鱼数量昼夜差别大,以上午10:00至下午16:00是过鱼数量最多;与国内其他鱼道相比,峡江鱼道过鱼数量较多,过鱼效果显著。     

流溪河水厂坝丹尼尔式鱼道运行效果初探

为检验流溪河水厂坝建立的丹尼尔式鱼道试点工程效果,在2015-2016年鱼道主要过鱼时段4-10月,利用张网法逐日监测。结果显示,鱼道取样共采集鱼类906尾,隶属于3目、8科、32属、34种,体长范围5～74cm,优势种为尼罗罗非鱼(Tilapia niloticus)(数量比51.10%)、歺又鱼(Hemiculter leucisculus)(16.23%)、唇鱼骨(Hemibarbus labeo)(8.17%)、银鮈(Squalidus argentatus)(6.73%)、东方墨头鱼(Garra orientalis)(1.55%),以定居型鱼类为主,未见河口洄游性鱼类。水温与上游水位是影响鱼类种类时间分布的主要环境因素。聚类分析表明,6月过鱼群体的种类和数量独成一类,与其他月份鱼类群体最不相似。虽然Shannon多样性指数在5月和6月分别为2.068和1.719,但总体偏低(1.451±0.535),而Margalef丰富度指数差别较小,表明不同鱼类对鱼道入口的感应存在种间差异,推测是由工程全段翻滚闸门下泄水流导致鱼道入口不易发现所致。研究表明,丹尼尔式鱼道试点工程效果较好,为该河段的绝大部分鱼类提供了上溯通道,对流溪河构建整体过鱼设施体系起到了良好的示范作用,有助于流溪河生态系统的健康与恢复。     

鲢幼鱼游泳能力及游泳行为的试验研究

为了探究四大家鱼的游泳能力,指导鱼道水力学设计,提高鱼道过鱼成功率,增殖鱼类资源总量,以四大家鱼之一的鲢(Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)为试验对象,研究其游泳能力及游泳行为。在(30±1)℃水温下,采用流速递增法,鲢的体长7.3~16.8 cm,体重6.10~66.50 g,按体长将鲢分为(8.17±0.59)cm、(10.09±0.53)cm、(11.84±0.67)cm、(13.94±0.68)cm、(15.90±0.64)cm共计5个试验组。结果表明,鲢的临界游泳速度为52~100 cm/s,相对临界游泳速度为5.90~7.14 BL/s,摆尾频率为98.7~432.2次/min。鲢的临界游泳速度随体长增加而增大,其线性拟合方程为Ucrit=4.908L+17.63(R2=0.998);其相对临界游泳速度随体长增加而减小,线性拟合方程为U'crit=-0.130L+8.025(R2=0.979);在整个试验过程中,根据鱼类对水流速度的游泳行为响应,鲢摆尾频率随水流速度的增大而增加,两者呈线性关系;在相同流速下,较长个体鲢的摆尾频率显著小于较小的个体。     

西江肇庆段鱼苗群落结构组成及其周年变化研究

2006年1-12月对西江肇庆江段的鱼苗进行了周年采集，目前已鉴别的鱼苗达40种（属），隶属于7个目14个科，其优势种类为主要优势种为鲴类（33.9%）、广东鲂（29.1%）、赤眼鳟（11.6%）、鲮（9.1%）、 条（6.1%）、鳊（2.9%）等，四大家鱼（青鱼、草鱼、鲢、鳙）的比例总共仅4.01%，鱼苗的季节分布上主要集中在4~9月，其它月份鱼苗种类及数量都很少。与历史资料相比，西江鱼苗群落结构已有显著性改变，其中四大家鱼资源已严重衰退，应该加强西江四大家鱼产卵场的监测与保护，并同时在增殖放流中增加其鱼苗比例。另外，本文也分析了西江中23种常见鱼苗的丰富度与水温、断面流量的相关关系，以期为以生态保护为目的的水文节律人为调节提供基础性数据。     

浅议我国鱼道运行管理存在的问题及对策-以洣水洋塘鱼道为例

鱼道作为能够有效联通闸、坝上下游水流,为鱼类提供上溯、下行通道的有效途径,一直以来被作为水利水电工程建设鱼类保护的重要措施采用,但由于认识、经费、运行管理等多方面因素,其过鱼效果及发挥的作用难以被肯定。本文在综述国内外鱼道运行管理体制现状基础上,以洣水洋塘鱼道为例,分析总结了该鱼道兴衰历程,提出我国鱼道运行管理应提升对过鱼设施建设必要性的认知度、捋顺管理机制体制、建立生态补偿机制的对策与建议,力求能够为鱼道这项鱼类保护措施的建设与发展提供支持。     

西江肇庆江段渔业资源现状及其变化

2006～2007年的4～6月对西江肇庆江段渔业资源进行调查.西江渔民主要以三层流刺网、抛网为主要作业网具.调查共采集鱼类75种,隶属23科、65属.与历史资料对照,目前西江肇庆江段鱼类的种类组成与结构已发生较大变化.捕捞种类主要为广东鲂、赤眼鳟、鲮、鯿、海南红鲌、花(鱼祭)、黄尾鲴、鲤、鲢、草鱼等.中华鲟、鲥鱼、三线舌鳎等已经在渔获物中消失、鳗鲡、花鳗鲡、卷口鱼、大眼红鲌等重要经济鱼类甚为少见.四大家鱼的资源量日趋衰竭,其中鳙的数量相对出现较多,而青鱼和草鱼产量极少.不同种类的渔获物在不同江段的分布具有明显差异性,广东鲂在产卵场江段有明显的集群现象.广东鲂、鲮、鳊和花(鱼祭)等捕获规格有所下降,可能是捕捞压力过大导致,而赤眼鳟、黄尾鲴的捕获规格有所增加,资源种群状况比历史上的好.     

亚马逊流域玛代拉河Santo Antonio 鱼道设计与建设的启示

Santo Antonio过鱼设施位于亚马逊河最大支流玛代拉河下游,其设计规模宏大,在世界范围内鲜有,并且工程建设地所在区域水文环境和鱼类生物学特征等与我国长江较为类似,通过分析该过鱼设施,得出启示主要包括：（1）过鱼设施是为生物对象设计的水利工程,其设计和建设过程中必须由工程师和生物学家紧密合作;（2）吸引水流对过鱼设施的成败起关键性作用,虽然吸引水流系统需要加大投资并且运行过程中会损失大量的水能,但从确保过鱼设施效果而言是非常必要的;（3）物理模型对于鱼道进口位置,鱼道内部水力学特征的确定等具有重要参考价值,尤其在1:1局部模型内开展的生物学实验是细化和优化鱼道内部结构细节的有效方法;（4）卵石框(石笼）隔板的水池分隔方法兼具水池式鱼道与仿自然通道的双重特征,并且完工后还可以根据鱼道的运行情况灵活调整,非常方便;（5）进口处采用较高的人字闸门,即可适应尾水变化,又可与吸引水流系统相配合,创造出有效的吸引水流,一举多得;（6）全部采用大功率灯泡式水轮机是保护下行鱼类的有效措施;（7）监测系统和公众教育等配套设施的建设非常必要,有利于改进鱼道运行方式和提高过鱼效率。     

鱼类克服流速能力的试验

为了解鱼类克服流速的能力，确定鱼道过鱼孔口流速，对鲤、鲫、鲢、草鱼、梭鱼、团头鲂、鲌、乌鳢、鲶等鱼进行试验。各种鱼类的感应流速多在0．2米／秒左右，适应流速是0.3米/秒，到0．8米，秒之间，极限流速的差别较大。以适应流速的上限值作为确定鱼道过鱼孔口的选定值是适宜的。试验结果还表明，鱼类克服流速能力，受其体型、体长、水温和所处环境条件等影响。从本试验结果及已建鱼道的观察资料分析，不同鱼类各体长组所能克服流速值的增长率是有差异的．选用时可按经验公式：V=(1．19—1．66)L1/2，进行推算。     

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.