The effects of the tank colour on growth performance and physiological responses in fingerling grouper,Epinephelus coioides

In this study, the effects of different background colours on growth performance and physiological parameters of Epinephelus coioides were investigated. One hundred eighty E. coioides (average weight 18.16 ± 0.07 g) were distributed in black, white and blue 300‐L tanks and fed to satiation for 60 days. The tank colour had no significant effect on the weight gain, condition factor, hepatosomatic index and specific growth rate (p > .05). The lowest amount of viscerosomatic index and the highest carcass protein were recorded in the white tank (p < .05). Daily food intake, feed conversion ratio and plasma glucose were significantly higher in the blue tank (p < .05). The highest levels of haematocrit and plasma triglyceride were observed in the white tank, while the total protein and albumin were higher in the black tank compared to the other tanks. The tank colour had no significant effects on the plasma cortisol level (p > .05). Our findings showed that colours used in this study did not evoke stress and thus had no effect on growth, but some metabolic adaptation occurred in each colour to achieve optimum growth.     

Technical efficiency of different farm sizes for tilapia farming in China

China is the world's largest tilapia producer. This study uses the stochastic frontier function in the Cobb–Douglas model to evaluate a production frontier for tilapia aquaculture and analyses the relationship between farm size and production efficiency in China. A random sample of 300 tilapia farmers was surveyed in the main tilapia‐producing areas to study their economic efficiencies. The percentage distribution of tilapia farm technical efficiency was determined, with an average efficiency of 79%, which showed that the sample tilapia farmers operate at 21% below the production frontier and hence that they still have a chance to achieve targeted yields. The technical efficiencies of two categories (≤1 ha and >1 ha) were 78.82% and 79.27% respectively. A second‐stage analysis investigated the relationship between farm size and technical efficiency and showed a positive relationship between farm size and production efficiency based on the ordinary least‐squares model. The optimal farm size was found to be 7.50 ha. This study proposes strategies such as enlarging the farming scale moderately, thereby achieving the advantage of economies of scale, and enhancing the competitiveness of the tilapia industry in China.     

Effects of glycinin on growth performance,immunity and antioxidant capacity in juvenile golden crucian carp,Cyprinus carpio × Carassius auratus

This study was designed to examine the effects of glycinin on growth, digestive ability, immune responses, antioxidant capacity and gene expression levels of golden crucian carp. Golden crucian carp were fed diets containing glycinin at 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 g/kg, respectively, for 8 weeks. Body weight, weight gain percentage, specific growth rate and feed efficiency ratio were negatively related to the content of glycinin in diet. Activities of protease, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, lysozyme in hepatopancreas, and activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and total antioxidant capacity in the proximal intestine, mid intestine, distal intestine and hepatopancreas were negatively related to the content of glycinin in diet, whereas malondialdehyde in proximal intestine, mid intestine, distal intestine and hepatopancreas increased directly with the content of glycinin in diet. Furthermore, the relative expressions of TNF‐α and IL‐1β in proximal intestine, mid intestine and distal intestine increased directly with the content of glycinin in diet, whereas the relative expressions of TNF‐α and IL‐1β in hepatopancreas were negatively related to the content of glycinin in diets. The relative expressions of IL‐10 in proximal intestine, mid intestine, distal intestine and hepatopancreas all were negatively related to the content of glycinin in diets. In conclusion, reductions in growth, immunity and antioxidant capacity, intestine inflammation with dysfunction of digestive system occurred in golden crucian carp that fed a diet containing glycinin at 30 g/kg or higher after 8 weeks.     

Long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism in carnivorous marine teleosts: Insight into the profile of endogenous biosynthesis in golden pompano Trachinotus ovatus

Golden pompano Trachinotus ovatus is an important farmed carnivorous marine teleost. Although some enzymes for long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC‐PUFA) biosynthesis have been identified, the ability of T. ovatus for endogenous biosynthesis is unknown. Here, we evaluated in vivo LC‐PUFA synthesis in a 56‐day culture experiment using six diets (D1–D6) formulated with linseed and soybean oils to produce dietary linolenic/linoleic acid (ALA/LA) ratios ranging from 0.14 to 2.20. The control diet (D0) used fish oil as lipid source. The results showed that, compared with the corresponding indices of fish fed D0, the weight gain rate and specific growth rate as well as the contents of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acids in tissues (liver, muscle, brain and eye) of D1–D6 groups were significantly lower (p < .05). These data suggested that T. ovatus could not synthesize LC‐PUFA from C₁₈ PUFA or such ability was very low. However, tissue levels of 20:4n‐3 in fish fed diets D1–D6 were higher than that of D0 fish (p < .05), and positively correlated with dietary ALA/LA ratio, while levels of EPA showed no difference among the D1–D6 groups. These results indicated that Δ5 desaturation, required for the conversion of 20:4n‐3 to EPA, may be lacking or very low, suggesting incomplete LC‐PUFA biosynthesis ability in T. ovatus.     

Effects of dietary starch levels on the growth,plasma metabolites and expression of genes involved in glucose transport and metabolism in Pelodiscus sinensis juveniles

A 10‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the growth performance, glucose transport and metabolism of Chinese soft‐shelled turtles (Pelodiscus sinensis) exposure to graded levels of dietary starch (0.52%, 7.43%, 14.74%, 22.99% and 31.38%). The 360 turtles (initial body weight, 12.94 ± 0.50 g) with 12 replicates were randomly assigned to five experimental diets. The highest weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR) were observed in 7.43% group and the lowest in 31.38% group. The protein efficiency ratio, whole‐body lipid contents, hepatic glycogen contents and the 4‐hr postprandial plasma glucose levels were significantly increased with the increment of starch levels (p < .05). In contrast, the daily feed intake and feed conversion ration were significantly declined (p < .05). The mRNA levels of glucose transporter 2, glucokinase, pyruvate kinase, malic enzyme and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase alpha genes in the liver significantly increased as the increase in starch levels at 4‐hr and 24‐hr post feeding (p < .05). No significant differences were observed in the expression of gluconeogenesis genes at each time point (p > .05). These results suggested that dietary addition of starch up‐regulated hepatic glycolysis, glycogenesis and lipogenesis genes expression, but the deficient response of gluconeogenesis to dietary starch might be part of the causes limited the starch utilization. Based on the secondary polynomial regression of SGR, y = ?0.0011x² + 0.028x + 1.63 (R² = 0.9292), the 12.73% inclusion level of dietary starch was recommended in juvenile turtles.     

Effects of bioflocs with different C/N ratios on growth,immunological parameters,antioxidants and culture water quality in Opsariichthys kaopingensis Dybowski

Biofloc technology (BFT) is a new ecological aquaculture technology that is intended not only to eradicate pollutants and elevate feed utilization but also to enhance immunity and antioxidant activity in aquatic animals. A 28‐day feeding trial was implemented to evaluate the effects of promoted bioflocs on the water quality, growth performance, immunological parameters and antioxidant status of Opsariichthys kaopingensis Dybowski juveniles in low exchange culture tanks. Three hundred sixty healthy O. kaopingensis juveniles (7.1 ± 0.02 g) were irregularly distributed among 12 tanks. Four C:N ratios in triplicate tanks were tried: C/N = 10.8:1 with a commercial diet (control), C/N = 15:1, C/N = 20:1 and C/N = 25:1. Anhydrous glucose (99.97%) was added to the commercial diet to maintain elevated carbon ratio in the three treatments. Uninterrupted 24‐hr aeration was supplied during the test by using an air‐stone connected to an air pump to develop the bioflocs in the water column. The results indicated that BFT significantly reduced total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), nitrite (NO2^?‐N), total phosphorus (TP) concentrations and water transparency (Secchi depth) in C/N 15, C/N 20 and C/N 25 (p < .05), whereas the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and nitrate nitrogen (NO3^?‐N) concentrations gradually increased over time. In addition, weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), survival and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were significantly elevated in C/N 20, while food conversion rate (FCR) was considerably decreased (p < .05) in C/N 20, compared with the control. Significant increases in lysozyme (LSZ), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activities of O. kaopingensis were found in the C/N 20 group after a 28‐day feeding trial (p < .05). Comparing the antioxidant capacity of O. kaopingensis in gills, brains, kidneys, hepatopancreas, intestines and serum of juveniles from the four experimental groups, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC), catalase (CAT) activity and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐PX) activity of juveniles in the C/N 20 group were significant higher (p < .05), and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) was considerably lower, than in the control. Overall, these findings suggest that BFT not only can enhance O. kaopingensis growth performance and strengthen antioxidant status but also can upgrade immune response, ensuring the sustainable development of aquaculture.     

Partial replacement of fishmeal with Clostridium autoethanogenum single‐cell protein in the diet for juvenile black sea bream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii)

Clostridium autoethanogenum protein (CAP) is a single‐cell protein derived from ethanol production and may have potential to become a substitute for fishmeal in aquafeeds. A 70‐day feeding trial was conducted with black sea bream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii) (mean initial weight 6.03 ± 0.09 g) to evaluate partial replacement of fishmeal with CAP in diets. Seven isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated with graded levels of CAP (0, 4.85, 9.70, 14.55, 19.40, 38.80 and 58.20%) to replace fishmeal. The inclusion of CAP at all dietary levels tested did not significantly affect the growth performance (p > .05). Fish fed the CAP58.20% diet showed a significantly lower feeding rate, with significantly higher protein efficiency ratio and feed efficiency ratio compared with fish fed the other diets (p < .05). No statistical differences were found in dorsal muscle and whole‐body compositions. Total superoxide dismutase in serum of fish fed CAP58.20% diet was significantly lower compared with that of the control. Malondialdehyde, catalase, total antioxidant capacity and digestive enzyme activities revealed no significant differences among dietary treatments. Phosphorus retention efficiency significantly increased, and phosphorus discharge showed a downward trend with increasing CAP inclusion levels. In conclusion, the results indicated that CAP is a safe and effective alternative protein source, which can replace fishmeal in the diet of black sea bream up to 58.20%, without adverse effects on growth performance, antioxidation and digestive enzyme activity. This study has shown the potential of converting industrial waste into a high protein feed ingredient for aquafeeds.     

Effects of salinity level on the survival,growth, feed utilization,carcass composition,haematological and serum biochemical changes of juvenile Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) (Asso, 1801) grown in ground saltwater

A study was performed to examine the effects of salinity on water quality, fish performance, carcass composition and haemato‐biochemical parameters in juvenile meagre, Argyrosomus regius. Fish (5.0 g) were stocked in fibreglass tanks at four salinity levels: 8‰, 16‰, 24‰ and 32‰, and fed a pelleted diet (47/17 protein/lipid) for 56 days. Results indicated that the growth, feed utilization, carcass composition and haemato‐biochemical parameters of meagre gradually improved with the increase in salinity up to 24‰ and then significantly (p ≤ .05) decreased at 32‰. The survival per cent showed a significant decrease when A. regius exposed to 8‰ salinity. An improvement with 32%, 47% and 34.1% of FCR, protein productive value and energy utilization was detected at 24‰ compared with 8‰ salinity respectively. The highest content of protein and the lowest of lipids were recorded in fish carcass at 24‰ compared with the opposite trend at 8‰ salinity. The 24‰ salinity treatment exhibited the highest value of haemoglobin (4.9 g/dl) and the lowest ratio (0.73) of albumin/globulin. The serum total protein, albumin and globulin were significantly higher at 24‰ and 32‰ salinity than those at 8‰ and 16‰ salinity groups. These findings indicate that 24‰ salinity level might be the best for meagre.     

Evaluation of dietary chitosan effects on growth performance,immunity, body composition and histopathology of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) as well as the resistance to Streptococcus agalactiae infection

The present investigation aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary chitosan supplementation on growth performance, body composition, immune response and histopathology of Nile tilapia, and also the in vitro antibacterial activity of chitosan against Streptococcus agalactiae (S. agalactiae). About 180 fish (average body weight 39.3 ± 0.3 g) were randomly divided into three groups according to chitosan supplementation: control group (basal diet without chitosan), Ch3 group (3 g chitosan/kg diet) and Ch5 group (5 g chitosan/kg diet). Growth performance parameters and body proximate composition were measured before infection but biochemical parameters and lysozyme and antibacterial activities before and after experimental infection. Results of the present investigation showed dietary chitosan (5 g chitosan/kg diet) significantly (p < .05) improved growth performance parameters, body composition (dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, ash, and carbohydrate) and serum biochemistry (total protein, albumin, globulin, with no effect on AST, ALT, urea and creatinine) before infection in Ch5 group than the control. After infection, liver enzymes (serum AST and ALT) were maintained lower in fish fed Ch3 or Ch5 than the control. Serum lysozyme and bactericidal activities significantly increased (p < .05) in chitosan groups before and after the challenge. The mortality rate was markedly reduced in the Ch3 group and prohibited in the Ch5 group after the experimental infection. In conclusion, feeding 3 or 5 g chitosan/kg diet increased the growth rate and improved FCR of Nile tilapia. In addition, it reduced mortality by its antibacterial and immunostimulant effects.     

Effects of antimicrobial peptides on growth,feed utilization,serum biochemical indices and disease resistance of juvenile shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei

This experiment was conducted to assess the effects of antimicrobial peptides at different levels (Diet 1 (0%), Diet 2 (0.1%), Diet 3 (0.2%), Diet 4 (0.4%), Diet 5 (0.6%) and Diet 6 (1%)), on growth, serum biochemical indices and antioxidant effect, feed utilization and disease resistance in Litopeneaus vannamei. There were four replicates in each group in the experiment (mean weight = 0.21 ± 0.00 g) and also fed with their respective diets for 8 weeks. Growth performance compared with the control group (0%) significantly increased at first and then decreased among treatment groups (p < .05) whereas the survival rate ranged from 78% to 96%. No significant differences were observed in terms of moisture, crude protein and ash content, but there was a significant increase in crude lipid (p < .05). In serum, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, polyphenol oxidase, triglyceride, glucose and total cholesterol changed as compared with 0%. Total antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde were also different from 0%. Disease resistance was increased in shrimp among treatment groups with 0.4% recording the lowest mortality percentage of 37% after the challenge test. The results from the present study suggested that supplementation of AMP at 0.4% in shrimp diet can improve growth performance, antioxidants activities and innate immune response of Pacific whiteleg shrimp.