Effects of density,PVC‐tubes and feeding time on growth,stress and aggression in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

Successive exposure to aquaculture‐related stressors may compromise the allostatic capacity of African catfish and lead to allostatic overload and poor welfare. Therefore, we tested the effect of (i) feeding during the light or dark phase, (ii) density (51 fish per 140 L versus 51 fish per 43 L) and (iii) altered available resting space/shelter on stress handling were studied in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Available resting space/shelter was manipulated by providing PVC‐tubes in the tanks. Growth, baseline stress load (cortisol and osmolality), metabolism (glucose, lactate and non‐esterified fatty acids) and aggression (measured by skin scar incidence) were assessed. Upon completion of the experimental period, we determined the adaptive capacity of the fish by the response to air exposure. We show that night‐feeding enhances growth and lowers feed conversion ratio compared to day‐feeding. No effects of density were found for baseline stress hormones, basal metabolism or aggression. Low density seems to stimulate aggressive behaviour after air exposure. Unexpectedly, providing PVC‐tubes under high‐density conditions increased aggression, raised baseline cortisol levels and decreased basal metabolism as well as growth; also the endocrine response to air exposure was stronger. We argue that these effects relate to a reduction in available space, i.e. a further increase in density, or to an increased competition for shelter. Overall, our data suggest that night‐feeding optimizes growth and that care should be taken in using objects as shelter/enrichment for African catfish.     

Effect of feeding time and frequency on the growth and feed utilization of African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822) fingerlings

The effects of feeding time and frequency on the growth, feed utilization and survival of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822; family Clariidae) fingerlings were evaluated in a 25-day study. Groups of African catfish with an initial individual weight of 0.98 ± 0.02 g were offered feeds continuously for 24 h, or during the day or night at different time intervals, with varying meal size. The growth rate was significantly affected by meal times. Widely practised day time feeding with three equal size meals a day gave the lowest growth and highest food wastage. The growth rates of fish fed continuously or during night time following their feed demand were significantly higher with lowest food conversion ratios and food wastage.     

Effects of red clover extract on growth performance and body composition of African catfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clarias gariepinus</Emphasis>

ABSTRACT:   The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of the red clover extract on growth, body composition and survival of African catfish Clarias gariepinus . Three concentrations (25, 50 and 75 mg/kg) of red clover at dietary were used for 120 days. The final weights of red clover-treated groups were significantly different from each other and the control group. The best growth was observed in the group receiving the 75 mg/red clover kg diet. Fish fed with all levels of red clover had higher weight gains than the control. The highest values of the specific growth rate and the food conversion rate were 1.14 ± 0.01 and 2.26 ± 0.04, respectively, for the 75 mg/red clover kg diet group. During the red clover administration period, the survival ranged from 97.78% for the 50 p.p.m. group to 95.56% for the 25 and 75 p.p.m. groups. Protein contents of the dosage groups were significantly different from control ( P  < 0.05). The highest value of protein content (19.97%) was observed for the 75 mg/ red clover kg diet. Lipid and ash contents were significantly affected by the red clover levels in the diets. The highest lipid contents were in the 75 mg/red clover kg diet (4.67%), and the highest ash content was 1.39% for the 25 mg/red clover kg diet.     

Balance trials with African catfish Clarias gariepinus fed phytase-treated soybean meal-based diets

Balance trials were conducted with African catfish Clarias gariepinus to assess the effect of phytase treatment of soybean meal-based diets on growth, feed utilization and nutrient budgets. Isocaloric (20–22 kJ g⁻¹) and isonitrogenous (47–50% protein) diets were tested. In a first experiment the control diet (58% fish meal and 18% soybean meal) was compared with two diets containing 6% fish meal and 69% soybean meal, and two diets containing 29% fish meal and 41% soybean meal. One of each of these two diets had been pretreated with phytase (1000 units per kg dry diet). In the second experiment, the control diet (6% fish meal and 69% soybean meal, pretreated with 1000 units phytase kg⁻¹ dry diet) was compared with four diets that were similar in composition but supplemented with increasing amounts of phytase (15, 380, 750, 1000 units kg⁻¹ dry diet). Replacement of fish meal by soybean meal in the first experiment led to a depression in growth rate and feed utilization parameters. Results of both experiments clearly indicated a positive effect of phytase treatment, particularly on phosphorus digestibility and retention, and consequently the phosphorus conversion efficiency and the phosphorus budget. No differences in these parameters were found between addition of equal amounts of phytase by pretreatment or supplementation.     

The influence of food particle size on gastric emptying and growth rates of fingerling African catfish, Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822

This study investigates the effect of feed particle size on gastric evacuation and growth of fingerling African catfish, Clarias gariepinus . Fish (0.97 ± 0.07 g) held in 40-cm diameter tanks at a stocking density of 5 fish L^–1 (25 fish per tank) were presented with one of four sizes of food particles (1, 1.5, 2 and 3 mm diameter). Gastric evacuation rate could be described by an exponential function with small feed particles being evacuated more rapidly: values of 0.076, 0.054, 0.047 and 0.029 were observed for fish fed 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm and 3 mm food particles, respectively. Growth rates were highest for fish fed the 1.5 and 2 mm pellets. Based on these findings, recommendations are made on the optimum food particle size for C. gariepinus fingerlings.     

Artificial Spawning of African Catfish,Clarias gariepinus

Abstract

The effects of controlled reproduction of African catfish, Clarias gariepinuswere investigated in an experiment with carp pituitary (at the dose 4 mg/kg body weight) or Ovopel (1 pellet/kg body weight) used as ovulation stimulators. The application of the synthetic stimulator led to the significantly (P≤0.01) greater weight of eggs (expressed in grams and as percentage of female body weight) and to the significantly (P≤0.05) higher quality of eggs after 24-hour incubation as compared with the hypophysation effects. Two categories of females were used in the experiment, i.e., light (mean body weight of 3.75 kg) and heavy (mean body weight of 8.86 kg) fish. The results show that a significantly (P≤0.01) greater weight of eggs (expressed in grams) was obtained from heavier females. The quality of eggs expressed as the percentage of live embryos after 12- and 24-hour incubation was significantly (P≤0.01 and P≤0.05, respectively) higher for lighter females. The higher weight of obtained eggs and their better quality after Ovopel stimulation compared to the weight and quality of eggs obtained after hypophysation allow for the recommendation of this ovulation stimulator for the fish species investigated.     

Stunning of farmed African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) using a captive needle pistol; assessment of welfare aspects

The objective of this study was to assess whether high‐pressure injection of air into the brain of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) could render the animal unconscious and insensible immediately and permanently. In the study, 48 African catfish with a live weight of 900–1900 g were restrained and equipped with EEG and ECG electrodes and then stunned. The catfish were stunned mechanically using a captive needle pistol. The pressure to shoot the needle was 8 bar and that to inject the air was 3 bar for 1.5 s. The catfish behaviour was observed during and after stunning. τ and δ waves and spikes, which precede a stoppage in brain activity as measured on the EEG, were used as indices for the measurement of immediate induction of unconsciousness and insensibility In 23 of 42 fish, an iso‐electric line was observed after an average of 13.4 s, while in the remaining fish the τ and δ waves and spikes remained on the EEG during the recording period. In all cases, the ECG showed an irregular heart rate with fibrillation and extra systolae. Moreover, the configuration showed ischaemia. Before the captive needle stunning, free‐swimming fish (n=7) explored the tank for an average of 21±12 s before lying down at the bottom. After stunning, they showed clonic uncoordinated swimming movements. The movements stopped after an average of 38±50 s. In another group (n=7) that was stunned and subsequently placed in ice water, clonic cramps were observed in two out of seven animals. When taking into account the number of animals with a reliable EEG (n=42) and using 95% confidence intervals, it was concluded that at least 93% of the catfish were effectively stunned using a correctly positioned captive needle pistol. Furthermore, it is recommended to immobilize the stunned fish by chilling, as the post‐stun clonic cramps may hinder gutting and filleting.     

Characterization of the testicular semen of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822), and its short-term storage

Semen of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822), was investigated with respect to its cellular composition, sperm cell density, maturation grade, motility and fertility. Storage conditions were tested, whereby sperm viability was assessed by measurement of the motility after activation and by fertility tests. Testicular semen differed in its composition, i.e. the sperm density and numbers of spermatids, according to the maturity grade of the testis. Two semen types could be distinguished: semen type I was characterized by high sperm densities and low numbers of spermatids and semen type II had lower sperm densities and higher numbers of spermatids. Two semen types did not differ in motility and fertility (when adjusted for differences in sperm density). During storage, the sperm viability was influenced by the sodium concentration of the storage medium, temperature, membrane stabilizers as bovine serum albumen (BSA) or hen egg yolk, antibiotics and oxygen. Semen viability was maintained best when it was diluted at a ratio of 1:5 in storage solution (150 mmol L^?1 NaCl, 2.5 mmol L^?1 KCl, 1 mmol L^?1 CaCl₂, 1 mmol L^?1 MgSO₄, 20 mmol L^?1 Tris (pH 8.5) and 0.5% BSA or 0.5% hen egg yolk) and stored at 4 °C. Oxygen gassing and addition of antibiotics (1 mg mL^?1 gentamycine sulphate) to the storage solution affected the two semen types in different ways. Antibiotics had no effect on type I semen, but had a positive effect on type II semen. Oxygen gassing had a positive effect on type I semen but a negative effect on type II semen.     

Modulation of tissue α-tocopherol in African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell), fed oxidized oils, and the compensatory effect of supplemental dietary vitamin E

Juvenile African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell), of mean initial weight 15 g, were fed practical diets containing fresh or rancid oil (1:1 cod liver:corn oil) supplemented with either 20 or 100 mg all-rac-α-tocopheryl acetate per kg dry diet, at 0.03 × body weight per day for 8 weeks. After this time, catfish had grown by at least four times in body weight. Significant ( P < 0.05) inter-treatment differences in final body weight were noted. Clarias fed low-tocopherol: oxidized-oil diets performed least well with regard to growth, though elevated dietary vitamin E partially abrogated this effect. Growth of fish fed fresh-oil diets did not benefit from increased dietary α-tocopherol content. Muscle, liver, plasma, heart and spleen all responded significantly ( P < 0.05) to dietary vitamin E dose. Inclusion of oxidized oil in catfish diets decreased tissue α-tocopherol concentration. Hepatic α-tocopherol concentration (μg α-tocopherol per g liver) was observed to be lowered by 90% by the rancid oil diets. When fish previously fed fresh-oil diets were switched to oxidized: low-tocopherol diets, hepatic α-tocopherol concentration was significantly ( P < 0.05) lowered within 2 weeks. The results highlight the importance of dietary oil quality in modulating tissue α-tocopherol concentrations in African catfish.     

Approaches to optimizing dietary protein to energy ratio for African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted in a recycling water system at 28 ± 1 °C to investigate protein to energy ratio (P/E ratio) in African catfish Clarias gariepinus (10.9 ± 0.04 g). Six fishmeal‐based diets of two protein levels (330 and 430 g kg^?1), each with three lipid levels (40, 80 and 120 g kg^?1) resulted in P/E ratios ranging from 15.5 to 21.3 mg protein kJ^?1 gross energy (GE) were fed to 20 fish (per 30‐L tank) in triplicate. Fish were fed 50 g kg^?1 of their body weight per day adjusted fortnightly. Significantly higher (P < 0.05) growth rates and feed conversion efficiency were evident in fish fed with higher protein diet. The highest growth rate was found by fish fed 430 g kg^?1 protein, 21.2 kJ^?1 GE with a P/E ratio of 20.5 mg protein kJ^?1 GE. Significantly indifferent (P > 0.05) values of protein utilization were found in‐between the both (higher and lower) protein diets. Higher lipid deposition (P < 0.05) in whole body and liver was observed with increasing dietary lipid level at each protein diet and as higher (P < 0.05) for the lower protein diets. Liver glycogen tended to decrease with increasing gross energy at each protein diet and higher protein diet showed comparatively lower values (P > 0.05). Digestive enzyme activities (protease and lipase) and histological examination of intestine and liver of fish fed varying P/E diets found no significant differences in response to experimental diets. The study reveals that African catfish C. gariepinus performed best the diet containing 430 g kg^?1, 21.2 kJ g^?1 and 20.5 mg protein kJ g^?1 GE protein, gross energy and P/E ratio, respectively.     

Quantitative estimation of maximum daily feed intake of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus Burchell, fingerlings using radiography

Gastric evacuation rate, return of appetite and satiation time of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus Burchell 1822, fingerlings, fed with a commercial pelleted feed, were determined under experimental conditions. The gastric evacuation rate was described by an exponential function, which was found to be inversely related to the rate of ingestion (return of appetite). Satiation time remained constant over the experimental period. Based on these data the authors estimated maximum daily ration in relation to feeding schedule and feeding frequency for C. gariepinus fingerlings.     

Amino acid profiles and amino acid utilization in larval African catfish (Clarias gariepinus): effects of ontogeny and temperature

The present study investigated the qualitative amino acid (AA) requirements of larval African catfish Clarias gariepinus. Yolk-sac larval AA profiles were measured at different temperatures and also in animals reared at 28 °C fed Artemia nauplii or an experimental dry diet. The AA profile of C. gariepinus larvae changed during ontogeny, especially before the start of exogenous feeding. The AA profiles of the food items (yolk, Artemia and the dry diet) differed considerably from that of the larvae. No selective absorption of yolk AA was detected. Higher temperatures led to increased absorption and depletion rates of AA, and also to a higher retention efficiency of yolk nutrients. However, changes in temperature did not induce preferential absorption or depletion of individual AA, and caused only small variations in the AA profile. Depletion rates of individual AAs varied, possibly due to differences between larval and yolk AA profiles, and also to changes in the larval AA profile during ontogeny. There was little regulation of catabolism of individual AA in yolk-sac and starved larvae, and no sparing of essential AA.     

Effect of diet and light regime on growth and survival of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) larvae and early juveniles

Growth of larval sharptooth catfish Clarias gariepinus fed live Artemia nauplii , a specially prepared dry feed (MN-3), a commercial dry salmon starter feed (Silver Cup 3600), or a combination of 50% live Artemia and 50% MN-3, under conditions of either light or dark for 21 days was studied. For all diets, fish reared in darkened tanks were significantly larger than those in illuminated tanks from day 8 onwards. Fish fed a combination of live Artemia plus MN-3 grew significantly more quickly than those fed either live Artemia or MN-3 only. On day 21 of the experiment, average weight of fish fed the combined diet was 649 ± 30 mg (mean ± SEM ) in darkened tanks and 445 ± 16 mg in illuminated tanks, while those fed Artemia alone were 242 ± 9 and 198 ± 13 mg (dark and light, respectively) and fish fed MN-3 only were intermediate at 377 ± 20 and 267 ± 16 mg (dark and light, respectively). Catfish fed the salmon starter initially grew slowly, but after day 11 grew more quickly than the other groups. Mortalities were highest for fish fed salmon feed.
Permanent darkness enhances the growth of C. gariepinus larvae during and after metamorphosis. While dry diets promoted higher growth rate than live Artemia nauplii alone, a combination of the two resulted in the fastest growth.     

Inherent variation in growth efficiency of African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) juveniles

Understanding the major causes of growth variation is crucial for the success of fish farming since its reduction contributes to maximize production efficiency, reduce food waste and improve water quality. The growth variation observed in aquaculture has been associated with the establishment of social hierarchies. However, some studies suggest that this variation may not be mainly a consequence of social hierarchies but mainly a result of inherent (genetic) differences. This study investigates the magnitude of individual responses, independently of group effects (fish housed individually), in growth efficiency and feeding behaviour of African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822). Despite the low variation in initial body weight (6.5%) and cumulative feed consumption (7.5%) over the experimental period, catfish exhibited high variation in final body weight (18.1%), specific growth rate (17.2%) and feed conversion ratio (27.9%), suggesting that individual variation in growth efficiency is important in determining growth rate. This individual variation may be related with individual differences in protein/fat deposition since faster growing fish deposited more protein and less fat than slower growing fish. Pronounced individual differences in feeding behaviour (reaction towards feed and time spent eating) were also observed and correlated with individual differences in growth efficiency. Fast eaters were the fast growers. We suggest that the growth variation observed in African catfish may be inherent and that the use of grading to increase uniformity should be further investigated.     

Salinity influence on the early stages of the African catfish

Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of various incubation salinities on the hatching and survival of eggs and hatched fry respectively of the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). The optimal salinity for the hatching of the eggs ranged from 0–5. Above 5, hatching was significantly low and no hatching occurred at 8 incubation salinity. Median lethal times (LT50) for fry hatched in 0, 2 and 4 incubation salinities, when abruptly transferred to 10 were 59, 49.5 and 50 h respectively. Similarly, LT50 for fry hatched in 0, 2 and 4 incubation salinities, and abruptly transferred to 12 salinity were 17, 22 and 12.50 h respectively. Increase in incubation salinity of the eggs did not seem to enhance the salinity tolerance of the hatched fry.The gradual (stepwise) increase in salinity of 1 per day of the catfish fry hatched in various incubation salinities (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6) had median lethal salinity values of 8, 8, 8, 10, 10, 11 and 11 respectively. © Rapid Science Ltd. 1998     

Effect of Salinity on Embryonic Development,Hatchability, and Growth of African Catfish,Clarias gariepinus,Eggs and Larvae

Abstract

Effects of salinity on embryonic development and growth of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, eggs and larvae were studied. Eggs were incubated at 27-29°C in 2,4,6,8, and 10 ppt sodium chloride. Rate of embryonic development was delayed in all salt solutions by 15, 15,28 and 30 minutes, in 2,4,6, and 8 ppt sodium chloride, respectively, when compared with the control group (0% salt); total mortality occurred at 12 hours after gastrula stage in the 10 ppt concentration. Percentage hatching was 45.1,47.7, 59.5,49.2, and 26.6% while percentage deformity was 10.4, 16.1, 52.0, 28.6, and 71.6% in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 ppt salt treatments, respectively. There were significant differences (P <0.05) in the hatching percentage and in deformity percentage between 4, 6, and 8 ppt. Rate of yolk absorption was significantly faster in the control and 2 ppt salt treatments, but slower in 4, 6, and 8 ppt. Rate of increase in length was slower with increasing salinity. The optimum salinity for African catfish eggs and was between 0-2 ppt and acceptable up to 6 ppt. The results suggest that increasing salinity delayed hatching and development of African catfish eggs and larvae, respectively, as well as increased the deformity of the larvae.     

Potential of local agricultural by-products for the rearing of African catfish Clarias gariepinus in Rwanda: effects on growth, feed utilization and body composition

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of replacing fish meal with local by‐products on Clarias gariepinus growth performance, feed utilization and body composition. A control diet contained 50% of fish meal. In four other diets, fish meal was partially replaced by vegetable and animal protein blend composed of sunflower oil cake, soybean oil cake, groundnut oil cake, bean meal, chicken viscera and blood meal. The study was conducted in a recirculating water system at a mean temperature of 23.6°C. The five test diets were compared with a commercial diet developed for African catfish. All diets were balanced to be equal in gross energy (19 kJ g⁻¹) and crude protein (40%). The experimental groups were fed in triplicate for 8 weeks, increasing fish weight from about 6.2 g at start to 52.3 g in the end. Best specific growth rate (SGR=3.4), feed efficiency (FE=1.3) and protein efficiency ratio (PER=3) were obtained with the control diet (diet 50% fish meal), although there were no significant differences between the group of fish fed the control diet and those fed diets based on groundnut oil cake or bean meal, whereas SGR (2.17), FE (0.85) and PER (1.95) were significantly (P<0.01) lower in fish fed diet containing sunflower oil cake. No significant differences (P<0.05) were found in fish fed commercial diet and diets containing bean meal or groundnut oil cake. Groundnut oil cake or bean meal can thus replace at least 50% of fish meal in the diet of Clarias fingerlings without amino acid supplementation. Because of its economic importance and its potential in animal nutrition sunflower oil cake is still an interesting feed ingredient, but its efficiency should be improved by various processing techniques. African catfish can utilize efficiently a diet with low percentage of animal protein without growth reduction.     

An evaluation of radiography in studies of gastric evacuation in African catfish fingerlings

Groups of 3–4 g African catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822; Family: Clariidae) were offered feeds of two types in three combinations: feed with a radio-opaque marker (Ballotini, 0.16–0.25 mm), feed without marker and a 50:50 mixture of marked and unmarked feeds. Stomach contents were estimated by X-radiography and gastrectomy just after meal termination and at different time intervals (4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 32, 40 and 48 h). There were no significant differences among treatment groups confirming that there was no effect of the marker on feed preference and evacuation rate. Estimations of gastric evacuation rate calculated from gastrectomy and by X-ray sampling were not significantly different. Therefore, gastric evacuation rate of African catfish can be accurately estimated by feeding marked feed and then using X-radiography to monitor feed passage through the gut. © Rapid Science Ltd. 1998     

Enrichment of African catfish with functional selenium originating from garlic

We wanted to create functional seafood with high concentrations of organic selenium (seleno-methyl-selenocysteine and γ-glutamyl-seleno-methyl-selenocysteine) with anti-carcinogenic properties for human consumers. Garlic containing high concentrations of these organic selenium compounds was used as a selenium source in five experimental feeds for African catfish (1.9, 2.8, 3.9, 5.1 and 8.5 mg kg⁻¹ Se); a sixth experimental feed was formulated without garlic (1.9 mg kg⁻¹ Se). The experimental feeds were fed to African catfish [initial mean (SD) weight 100.7 (2.7) g] for 43 days with three replicates per treatment. Whole fish fillets were sampled for total selenium analysis (start and end) and selenium speciation (end). We found a positive linear relationship between dietary and fillet concentrations for total selenium and selenomethionine. The dietary total selenium concentration of 8.5 mg kg⁻¹ resulted in a total selenium concentration of 0.9 mg kg⁻¹ in the fillet (wet tissue). The majority of the selenium compounds recovered in an extract made from the fillet consisted of selenomethionine, considered to be important from a nutritional point of view. Seleno-methyl-selenocysteine, one of the organic selenium species to which superior anti-carcinogenic properties are attributed, was detected in the fillet but could not be quantified.     

Apomorphine-induced growth hormone-release in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) is related to the animal's nutritional status

In African catfish the dopamine agonist apomorphine (APO) stimulates in vivo growth hormone (GH) release. The present study demonstrates that the potency of APO to stimulate plasma GH levels is affected by the nutritional status of the fish. The effect of starvation on APO induced GH release was investigated in sexually mature and immature catfish. Administration of APO clearly stimulated plasma GH levels in mature catfish that had been starved for 3 and 5 weeks, while no effect could be observed prior to starvation. This increased responsiveness to the GH stimulating action of APO was also demonstrated in fasted immature fish, though it was only evident in fish starved for a prolonged period (19 days or more). The importance of the duration of the starvation period suggests that the enhanced responsiveness is the result of physiological adaptations to starvation rather than an acute effect of food deprivation.