Physiological metabolism of Haliotis discus hannai Ino under different light qualities and cycles

The goal of this experiment was to examine the effects of different light qualities (red, white, blue) and cycles (12L:12D, 8L:16D, 4L:20D, 0L:24D, 16L:8D) on the survival, growth, metabolism and antioxidant defence system of Haliotis discus hannai Ino. Under red and white light at 4L:20D, the body weight‐specific growth rate of abalones was significantly higher than that of the 0L:24D group (P < 0.05). At 16L:8D, succinate dehydrogenase activity decreased and lactate dehydrogenase and alanine aminotransferase activity and the lactic acid content significantly rose (P < 0.05) in the red and white light groups. Under blue light, reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde content for each light cycle were significantly higher than those of the red and white groups (P < 0.05). Under blue, white and red light, total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, glutathione peroxidase (GP_X) activity and reduced glutathione (GSH) content gradually rose with increased duration of light exposure. Under red light, significant differences in these parameters were detected between the 4L:20D and 16L:8D groups (P < 0.05). Under blue and white light at 16L:8D, values of T‐AOC, SOD, GP_X activity and GSH content were significantly lower than those of the 12L:12D group (P < 0.05). Overall, these results indicate that red light at light cycles of 4L:20D and 8L:16D is optimal for the culture and production of H. discus hannai, as these conditions promoted food intake, growth and health maintenance as well as normal physiological metabolism of the organism.