Comparison of food selection and growth performance of koi carp, Cyprinus carpio L., and goldfish, Carassius auratus (L.) in mono- and polyculture rearing in tropical ponds

To compare the effect of polyculture against conventional monoculture on ornamental carp production, investigations on food selection and growth performance of koi carp (K), Cyprinus carpio L. and goldfish (G), Carassius auratus (L.) were conducted in a 11‐week rearing experiment in two monoculture (100% K and 100% G) and five polyculture (90% K–10% G, 70% K–30% G, 50% K–50% G, 30% K–70% G and 10% K–90% G) conditions in tropical ponds. There were three replicates for each treatment. Environmental conditions and food availability were similar in all the treatments. Ivlev's electivity index showed that both fish species avoided phytoplankton and preferred cladocerans to other zooplankton groups (copepods and rotifers) in monotypic conditions. However, in the polyculture treatments, the positive electivity of goldfish towards cladocerans reduced significantly (P<0.05), while the percentage of copepods, rotifers and phytoplankton in the gut content increased. No significant differences in weight gain, specific growth rate and deformities were recorded at harvest for koi carp between the different treatments (P>0.05). Even the survival rate of koi carp recorded above 90% in all the treatments. However, the goldfish recorded significantly better weight gain, specific growth rate and survival in monoculture (100% G), compared with the polyculture treatments (P<0.05). Goldfish deformities were lowest (P<0.05) in the monoculture treatment (2.42%). The number of marketable fish above a set size limit of 4 g total weight was significantly higher in the two monoculture treatments, compared with the five polyculture treatments (P<0.05). Keeping in view of the dietary similarities of koi carp and goldfish, and the aggressive nature of koi carp in polyculture, it is suggested to refrain from polyculture of goldfish and koi carp until further documentations relating to optimum stocking density and management of polyculture of ornamental carps are available.     

Partial replacement of fishmeal by brewer's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) in the diets of Thai Panga (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus × Pangasius bocourti)

Feeding trials were carried out to evaluate the efficacy of the replacement of fishmeal with brewer's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) in the diets of Thai Panga (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus × Pangasius bocourti). Thai Panga juveniles with an average initial weight of 36.4 ± 0.07 g were randomly stocked in cages (1 × 1 × 1.5 m³) at a rate of 40 fish per cage. Experimental diets were formulated to provide isonitrogenous (320 g kg^?1 CP) and isocaloric (15.30 kJ g^?1) diets, by increasing brewer's yeast levels to replace 30%, 45%, 60% or 75% of dietary fishmeal. The control groups were comprised of the commercial feed (CA) and the basal diet without brewer's yeast (CB). Fish were rearing for 9 months. The final weights, weight gains, specific growth rate and daily growth rate showed that brewer's yeast can be used effectively as a substitute for up to 45% of the fishmeal. The replacement of fishmeal by brewer's yeast did not affect the feed efficiency, blood haematology and meat quality (P > 0.05). Alternative complement activity (ACH50), lysozyme activity and total immunoglobulin (Ig) in the fish in groups that had replacement feed diets were significantly higher than those of control group. Replacing 45% of fishmeal with brewer's yeast can improve the growth performance and immune response of the Thai Panga.     

β(1,3)-葡聚糖对锦鲤非特异性免疫功能的影响

在鲤鱼配合饲料中按0.10‰、0.15‰、0.20‰、0.25‰的比例添加β(1,3)-葡聚糖,连续投喂锦鲤(Cyprinus carpiovar.koi)30 d后,通过测定供试鱼的增重量、血细胞的吞噬活性及血清中溶菌酶活性,比较了β(1,3)-葡聚糖对锦鲤促生长及非特异性免疫功能的影响。结果表明,随着β(1,3)-葡聚糖添加量的增加,对锦鲤的促生长作用越明显,在饲料中添加β(1,3)-葡聚糖能够提高锦鲤的非特异性免疫功能。     

Impacts of diet on hindgut microbiota and short‐chain fatty acids in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)

Diet is known to influence intestinal microbiota in fish, but the specifics of these impacts are still poorly understood. Different protein/fibre ratio diets may result in differing structures and activities of gut microbiota. We examined the hindgut microbiome of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) fed three different diets: fish meal (FM, high protein – low fibre), Sudan grass (SG, high fibre – low protein) and compound feed (CF, intermediate). Microbial profiles of fish fed on FM were significantly different from profiles of fish fed CF and SG (F = 18.85, p < .01). Cetobacterium, known to be positively associated with protein digestion, was the dominant microbial group in FM samples (approximately 75.7%), while Lachnospiraceae and Erysipelotrichaceae, thought to be involved in fermentation of plant polysaccharides, were dominant in CF and SG samples (46.8% and 42.9% respectively). Network analyses indicated that the abundance of Lachnospiraceae and Erysipelotrichaceae was in a significantly positive correlation (r = .895, p = .001). Short‐chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels may indicate that the digestibility of diet by microbiota in the grass carp gut decreased from FM to SG (FM>CF>SG). Overall low SCFA levels indicate that hindgut fermentation probably provides a low proportion of energy requirements in grass carp.     

锦鲤墨蝶呤还原酶基因的克隆、表达和定位分析

为探究SPR在锦鲤体色形成中的作用,实验利用RACE技术获得spr cDNA全长序列,并分析其时空表达模式,同时利用Western blot和免疫组织化学方法检测SPR蛋白在皮肤、鳍条和鳞片中的分布和表达情况。结果显示,spr cDNA全长879 bp,包含132 bp和134 bp的5′和3′非编码区,开放阅读框510 bp,编码170个氨基酸残基。氨基酸序列比对和系统进化树分析显示,锦鲤SPR具有保守的adh_short_C2结构域,与金鱼相似性高达97.7%。spr在各组织中均有表达,其中皮肤的表达量最高。spr在锦鲤个体发育的4个阶段表现为先降后升。纯红、纯白及红白3种体色锦鲤皮肤、鳞片和鳍条中spr mRNA和蛋白表达水平基本一致,在纯红锦鲤皮肤中表达量最高,红白锦鲤白色皮肤、鳞片和鳍条的表达量最低。SPR组织定位分析显示,红色锦鲤和白色锦鲤皮肤中均检测到阳性信号,其中红色皮肤阳性信号强度高于白色皮肤。研究表明,spr可能与锦鲤红/黄色素细胞的分化和形成具有一定相关性,参与了锦鲤体色的形成。     

Induction of ovulation in ornamental common carp (Koi, Cyprinus carpio L.) using LHRHa ([d-Ser(tBu)6, Pro9-NEt]-LHRH) combined with haloperidol and carp pituitary extract

The effects of a single injection of mammalian superactive analogue [d ‐Ser(tBu)⁶,Pro⁹‐NEt]‐LHRHa (20 μg/ kg^?1) combined with the dopamine antagonist, haloperidol (HAL, 0.5 mg kg^?1), for induction of ovulation in the koi carp broodstocks were determined under routine hatchery conditions. The results were compared with classic carp pituitary extract (CPE, double injection) application (water temperature 22 °C). Physiological saline (0.7% NaCl)‐injected fish were used as a control group and no ovulation occurred in this group. The spawning ratio was high in the LHRHa+HAL treatment group and in the CPE treatment group (6/7 and 5/7 respectively). The latency period was 14–16 h in the LHRHa+HAL treatment group and 12–14 h in the CPE treatment group (after the second injection). There was no difference between the two ovulating groups with respect to the spawning index (the weight of eggs as a percentage of female body weight) and fertilization rate of eggs (P>0.05). As a result, ovulation can be induced successfully in koi carp broodstocks with 20 μg kg^?1 [d ‐Ser(tBu)⁶,Pro⁹‐NEt]‐LHRHa+0.5 mg kg^?1 HAL treatment in a single injection without decreasing the egg quality. Application of this combination can be useful for hatchery and broodstock management in koi carp culture.     

Influence of 18:2n‐6/20:5n‐3 ratio in diets on growth and fatty acid composition of juvenile abalone,Haliotis discus hannai Ino

A 120‐day feeding trial was conducted to examine the effects of the ratio of dietary linoleic acid (LA, 18:2n‐6) to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n‐3) on the growth and fatty acid composition of juvenile Haliotis discus hannai (initial shell length 10.23 ± 1.48 mm; initial body weight 0.13 ± 0.05 g) in a recirculation water system. Five semipurified diets with 35 g kg^?1 total lipid were formulated to contain graded LA/EPA ratios (1 : 0, 0.75 : 0.25, 0.5 : 0.5, 0.25 : 0.75, and 0 : 1, respectively). Twenty‐five juveniles were stocked in a rearing unit, a plastic basket (20 × 20 × 10 cm), as a replicate, and there were three replicates for each dietary treatment. The results showed that abalone survival rates were generally high (90.1–98.3%) and independent of the dietary treatments. However, abalone growth was significantly affected by LA/EPA ratio (P < 0.05). The LA/EPA ratio of 0.25 : 0.75 (Diet 4) produced the highest weight gain rate (WGR, 416.3%), closely followed by the ratio of 0 : 1 (Diet 5, 412.9%), the ratio of 0.5 : 0.5 (Diet 3, 399.7%) and the ratio of 0.75 : 0.25 (Diet 2, 372.1%), but no significant differences were observed among these treatments. The abalone fed the diet without 20:5n‐3 (Diet 1) had the lowest WGR (Diet 1, 363.8%), which was significantly lower than that of Diet 4. Fatty acid profiles in abalone body reflected those of dietary lipids, especially for the polyunsaturated fatty acids. The contents of arachidonic acid (AA; 20:4n‐6) in abalone tissues were positively correlated with dietary level of 18:2n‐6 (P < 0.05). Similar correlation was also observed between the level of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n‐3) in abalone tissues and the level of dietary EPA. It is suggested that abalone, H. discus hannai, have the capacity to synthesize 20:4n‐6 from 18:2n‐6, and maybe 22:6n‐3 from 20:5n‐3.     

Dietary supplementation of autolysed yeast enhances growth,liver functionality and intestinal morphology in African catfish

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the potential of dietary supplementation of autolysed brewer's yeast (AY) on African catfish. The catfish (22.5 ± 1.15 g/fish, 20 fish 33 L/tank) were fed with either of diets (390 g/kg crude protein, 140 g/kg lipid) supplemented with 0, 3, 6 or 10 g/kg AY (n = 3). After 49 days of feeding, the final body weight and metabolic growth rate of the catfish fed 3 g/kg AY (3‐AY) diet were higher than those fed the control diet (p < .05). The lowest level (p < .05) of alanine transaminase was detected in the blood of the catfish fed 3‐AY diet. The mid‐intestinal histology of the catfish revealed no significant difference (p > .05) in intestinal perimeter ratio. However, an elevated (p < .05) abundance of goblet cells and intraepithelial leucocytes were found in the intestine of catfish fed 3, 6 and 10 g/kg AY diets, with the highest level of abundance recorded in the mid‐intestine of the catfish fed 3‐AY diet. The results suggest that dietary 3 g/kg autolysed brewer's yeast supplementation improves growth performance of African catfish without deleterious effect on liver functionality and gut morphology.     

Use of high‐protein brewer’s yeast products in practical diets for the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

Two 6‐week growth trials and a digestibility trial were conducted to evaluate the effects of brewer's yeast in practical shrimp feeds. In the first growth trial, graded levels (0, 60, 120, 180 and 240 g/kg) of a brewer's yeast (BY50) were used to replace fishmeal and soybean meal, referred to as Diet DBY0, DBY6, DBY12, DBY18, DBY24 and Diet LFM0, LFM6, LFM12, DBY18 and LFM24, respectively. The results showed that there were no significant differences in final biomass, survival, protein retention efficiency and feed conversion ratio; however, limited differences in final weight and weight gain were shown in the FM replacement series. There was no significant difference on the growth performance in the SBM replacement series. The second growth trial was conducted with Diet DBY0, DBY12, DBY18, DBY24, LFM0 and a low‐FM diet containing 20 g/kg of BY with 700g/kg (?) protein (Diet DBY70). Shrimp fed with Diet DBY0 exhibited significantly higher final mean weight and weight gain than those offered the Diet DBY24. Nutrient availability of BY50 and BY70 was similar to SBM and significantly higher than FM. Results indicated that 180–240 g/kg BY50 can be effectively used in shrimp diets as a replacement for FM, or up to 240 g/kg when replacing SBM.     

Evaluation of rendered animal protein ingredients for replacement of fish meal in practical diets for gibel carp,Carassius auratus gibelio (Bloch)

A 12‐week feeding trial was carried out in fibreglass tanks to examine partial replacement of fish meal (FM) with poultry by‐product meal (PBM), meat and bone meal (MBM) and blood meal (BM) in practical diets for gibel carp Carassius auratus gibelio (Bloch). Triplicate groups of fish (initial body weight 15.3 g fish^?1) were fed eight isonitrogenous (crude protein: 37.5%) and isolipidic diets (crude lipid: 7%). The control diet is the commercial diet of gibel carp, which used 18% of FM as the sole animal protein source. In the other seven diets (Diet 2–Diet 8), 17–83% of FM protein was substituted by a blend of PBM and BM or a blend of PBM, MBM and BM. The final body weight and thermal‐unit growth coefficient of fish fed the feeds in Diet 8 in which 83% of FM protein was replaced by the blend of 3% BM, 10% PBM and 5% MBM is significantly lower than Diet 1 (the control). The feed efficiency ratio in Diet 8 group is significantly lower than Diet 1, 2, 4 and 7 groups. The results of the present study indicated that a combination of PBM, BM and MBM can replace most of the FM protein and the FM level can be reduced to about 6% with satisfactory growth and feed utilization in practical diets for gibel carp.     

A comparison of growth, survival rate and number of marketable koi carp produced under different management regimes in earthen ponds and concrete tanks

To compare the growth performance of koi carp, Cyprinus carpio var. koi, produced in concrete tanks (2.13 × 0.91 × 1.22 m; capacity: 2,000 l each) and earthen ponds (9.1 × 6.10 × 1.07 m; capacity: 59650 l each), fish larvae (stocking size: 0.12 ± 0.008 g) were cultured for 11 weeks and individual weight gain, survival rate and number of marketable fish produced were compared among four management regimes for each culture system: (1) live zooplankton fed to fish larvae in ponds (PLF) and tanks (TLF); (2) application of poultry manure in ponds (PPM) and tanks (TPM); (3) application of cow manure in ponds (PCD) and tanks (TCD); and (4) a control treatment for ponds (PC) and tanks (TC), where a commercial feed was applied. There were three replicates for each treatment. Weight gain of koi carp was highest in the PLF treatment, followed in decreasing order by TLF, PPM, PCD, TPM, TCD, PC and TC treatments (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference in the survival of koi carp among the treatments, ranging from 67.83% in TC to 95.50% in PLF. The number of marketable fish produced was highest in the PLF treatment, followed in decreasing order by TLF, PPM and PCD treatments. However, none of the fish produced in the TPM, TCD, PC and TC treatments attained marketable size. Significantly higher (P < 0.05) values of pH and dissolved oxygen (for water samples collected weekly at 9 A.M.) were obtained in the live food and control treatments (for both tanks and ponds), compared to the manured treatments. The concentration of total alkalinity, BOD, PO₄-P, NO₃-N and specific conductivity were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in PPM and PCD, compared to other treatments. NO₂-N and NH₄-N values were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in TPM and TCD, than other treatments. The results suggest that introduction of live zooplankton into culture units result in higher growth of koi carp larvae compared to manure based systems. Earthen ponds appeared to be better alternative to concrete tanks for manure application through maintenance of better water quality due to their higher assimilatory capacity and greater abundance of plankton which resulted in better growth of cultured fish.     

Spent brewer's yeast as a replacement for fishmeal in diets for giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii), reared in either clear water or a biofloc environment

A 90‐day feeding experiment was conducted in order to test spent brewer's yeast as a replacement for fishmeal in diets for giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) reared in either a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) or a biofloc system. Triplicate groups, each of 20 prawn (6.7 ± 0.03 g), were randomly assigned to 24 identical tanks. Twelve tanks were connected to the RAS, and the other 12 tanks were connected to the biofloc system which were initially supplemented with Bacillus subtilis, molasses and blood meal to achieve a C:N ratio of 20:1. Four iso‐nitrogenous (350 g/kg) and iso‐energetic (19 MJ/kg) diets where 0%, 20%, 40% and 60% of fishmeal protein was replaced by spent brewer's yeast. Neither growth nor survival was affected (p > 0.05) by increasing levels of brewer's yeast. The exception, being fish given 60% replacement with brewer's yeast, reared in biofloc, which displayed a higher (p < 0.05) growth than fish given 40% replacement, reared in clear water. The feed conversion ratio of prawn reared in the biofloc environment was lower than in the clear water. We concluded that spent brewer's yeast represents a possible 60% substitute for fishmeal in giant freshwater prawn diets, especially for prawn reared in a biofloc environment.     

Carp edema virus in Polish aquaculture – evidence of significant sequence divergence and a new lineage in common carp Cyprinus carpio (L.)

Fish samples initially collected by local veterinarians on the common and koi carp farms in Poland between 2013 and 2015 as part of a KHV surveillance programme, when the water temperature was between 16 and 26 °C, and were also tested for CEV by qPCR. A partial 478 nucleotide fragment of the 4a gene was subsequently generated from 17 qPCR‐positive common carp Cyprinus carpio samples from 36 farm sites tested during the period. Sequence alignments and analysis revealed the presence of CEV in Poland both in common carp as well as in koi carp farms, and phylogenetic analysis assigned the Polish CEV sequences into three distinct genogroups. A lineage which includes the original sequences obtained from koi carp in Japan (genogroup II) included sequences from both koi carp and common carp, and the second lineage (genogroup I) contained sequences from common carp only. A third lineage (genogroup III) which was more closely related to the genogroup II also consisted of sequences from common carp only. The latter represents a lineage of CEV not previously described in the literature.     

饲料中添加壳寡糖和霉菌毒素吸附剂对凡纳滨对虾肠道黏膜形态及菌群结构的影响

实验旨在研究在饲料中分别或联合添加壳寡糖(chitosan oligosaccharide,COS)和霉菌毒素吸附剂(mycotoxins adsorbent)对凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)肠道黏膜形态及菌群结构的影响。在基础饲料(对照组)中分别添加250 mg/kg COS、2500 mg/kg霉菌毒素吸附剂、250 mg COS+2500 mg/kg霉菌毒素吸附剂(组号为C0、C0.25、M2.5、C0.25+M2.5),制成4组等氮等能饲料,投喂初重(0.23±0.02)g的凡纳滨对虾8周。结果显示:COS与霉菌毒素吸附剂联合使用有助于改善肠道形态学指标,C0.25+M2.5组绒毛高显著大于C0、C0.25组(P0.05),绒毛宽显著大于M2.5组(P0.05),肌层厚度显著大于其他各组(P0.05)。高通量测序结果表明各组有效操作分类单元(Operational Taxonomic Unit,OTUs)数目无显著性差异(P0.05);C0.25+M2.5组Observed species指数、Shannon指数、PD值显著低于M2.5组(P0.05),但显著高于C0.25组(P0.05),与C0组无显著性差异(P0.05);肠道菌群主要为变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)和拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes),C0.25+M2.5组变形菌门细菌含量最低且厚壁菌门细菌含量最高,各组拟杆菌门细菌均升高,C0组含量最低。在属水平上,弧菌属(Vibrio)、假交替单胞菌属(Pseudoalteromonas)、Spongiimonas、发光杆菌属(Photobacterium)以及Candidatus Bacilloplasma占主要优势,C0.25+M2.5组弧菌属、发光杆菌属细菌含量均有效减少;C0.25+M2.5组发光杆菌属细菌含量最低,假交替单胞菌属细菌含量最高。250 mg/kg COS和2500 mg/kg霉菌毒素吸附剂联合添加对菌群丰富度无显著影响,但优化了肠道形态学指标及肠道菌群结构,提升了肠道健康,效果优于单一添加组。     

Susceptibility of koi × crucian carp and koi × goldfish hybrids to koi herpesvirus (KHV) and the development of KHV disease (KHVD)

Hybrids of koi, Cyprinus carpio × crucian carp, Carassius carassius and koi × goldfish, Carassius auratus, proved to be susceptible to koi herpesvirus (KHV, syn. CyHV‐3) and developed KHV disease (KHVD). While hybrids of koi × goldfish were partly resistant to mortality following infection by immersion, most koi × crucian carp hybrids died after bath infection. KHV DNA was detected in dead fish but also in all surviving animals by different polymerase chain reactions (PCRs). According to these results, hybrid crossbreeding does not seem to prevent severe losses associated with KHV in terms of inducing KHVD. The present study showed severe losses after a waterborne KHV infection of between 35% and 100% in koi × goldfish and koi × crucian carp hybrids as well as in SPF carp.     

Effects of dietary 60 g kg−1 dried distiller's grains in least‐cost practical diets on production and gut allochthonous bacterial composition of cage‐cultured fish: comparison among fish species with different natural food habits

Dried distiller's grain (DDG) is considered as an alternative ingredient of dietary feed due to its high contents of protein, fibre and fat. In this study, 60 g kg^‐1 of DDG was used to feed grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), bluntnose black bream (Megalobrama amblycephala), gibel carp (Carassius gibelio) and black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) for 8 weeks, and its effect on fish production and gut allochthonous microbiota was investigated for the development of a suitable fish feed high in nutrients and low in cost for polyculture freshwater fish. DDG supplementation resulted in the less weight gain and higher feed conversion ratio of black carp (P < 0.05), but had no significant effects on other fish or parameters. PCR–denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis indicated that all four fish species had some common and unique bacteria in their digestive tracts, and the gut microbiota of bluntnose black and gibel carp fed the control diet and DDG diets were very similar (Cs > 91%); of them, the total counts of intestinal bacteria studied by qPCR increased in grass carp (P < 0.05) and depressed in black carp (P < 0.05) when fed dietary DDG. Thus, we assumed that dietary DDG modulated production and gut microbiota of fish in a host‐specific way.     

Effect on Growth, Survival, and Fatty Acid Composition of Australian Red Claw Crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus Fed Practical Diets With and Without Supplemental Lecithin and/or Cholesterol

Red claw crayfish Cherux quadricarinatus is one of more than a hundred species of Australian freshwater crayfish. However, because of its rapid growth rate, communal and non‐burrowing behavior, ease of spawning, wide temperature and dissolved oxygen tolerance, and no free‐swimming larval stages, red claw may be the best candidate among the Australian crayfishes for semi‐intensive or intensive aquaculture in the United States. The objective of the study was to examine the effects of growth, survival, and fatty acid composition of newly‐hatched red claw when fed four practical diets with or without lecithin and cholesterol. However, little is known of its nutritional requirements or practical diet formulations. An 8‐wk feeding trial was conducted in a recirculating system with newly‐hatched juvenile (mean individual weight, 0.2 g) red claw, each stocked in separate plastic mesh culture units containing their own individual water line. Water was recirculated through biological and mechanical filters. Practical diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous (40% protein) and isocaloric (4 kcal available enerpy/g of diet) and contained menhaden fish meal (25%), soybean meal (35%, except in Diet 4), and shrimp meal (10%, except in Diet 4) as protein sources. Diet 1 had 0.5% lecithin added and 1.0% cholesterol added: Diet 2 contained 0% lecithin and 1.0% cholesterol; Diet 3 contained 0.5% lecithin and 0% cholesterol: and Diet 4 contained 0% lecithin and 0% cholesterol. After 8 wk, juvenile red claw fed diets with 0% supplemental lecithin (Diets 2 and 4) had no significant difference (P >0.05) in final weight and percentage weight gain (5.6 g and 2626%. respectively) compared to red claw fed the control diet (Diet 1) containing 0.5% lecithin. Red claw fed a diet without added cholesterol (Diet 3) had significantly (P 0.05) lower final weight (3.6 g) and percentage weight gain (1,717%) compared to red claw fed the control diet (Diet 1). However, red claw fed Diet 4 (containing 0% added cholesterol and 0% added lecithin) showed no significant (P >0.05) difference in final weight (5.1 g) and percentage weight gain (2254%) compared to red claw fed all other diets. There was no significant difference (P >0.05) among all diets for specific growth rate (SGR) which averaged 5.38%/d. Percentage survival was not significantly different among all treatments and was 76% for red claw fed Diet 1, 64% (Diet 2), 56% (Diet 3), and 80% (Diet 4). These results indicate that red claw fed Diet 4 containing 25% menhaden fish meal, 44.5% soybean meal, 0.5% choline chloride, 2% cod liver oil and 1% corn oil may satisfy the lecithin and cholesterol requirements and that the addition of dietary lecithin and cholesterol may not be necessary for good growth and survival of small (0.2 g) juvenile red claw. This may allow for less expensive diet formulations for use by producers of red claw crayfish.     

Assessing the feasibility of using pomegranate (Punica granatum) seed oil,rich in conjugated linolenic acid,as a lipid source in the diet of common carp,Cyprinus carpio,juveniles

In this study, the feasibility of using pomegranate seed oil, rich in conjugated linolenic acid and its partial replacement for fish oil in fish diet were investigated. Common carp, Cyprinus carpio, juveniles (1.8 ± 0.1 g) were fed four isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets with similar basal composition but different oil mixture containing 100% fish oil (A), 50% fish oil +50% sunflower oil (B), 50% fish oil +25% sunflower oil +25% pomegranate seed oil (C) and 50% fish oil +50% pomegranate seed oil (D) for 8 weeks. The highest weight gain was observed in fish fed diet D (p < 0.05). Test diets had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on saturated and monounsaturated fatty acid contents of fish muscle. Docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n‐3; DHA) was significantly lower in the muscle of fish fed diet B (p < 0.05) compared to those fed diet A. However, there was no significant difference in the muscle DHA content of fish fed diets A, C, or D. No specific hepatocyte damage associated to dietary pomegranate seed oil was found in this study. This study showed a 50‐50 combination of fish oil and pomegranate seed oil could be used as dietary lipid source for common carp without any adverse effect on growth performance or muscle n‐3 content while accumulated punicic acid in the muscle could be considered as added value for the final human consumer.     

Effect of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) seed extract as a dietary supplementation on growth performance immunological haematological biochemical parameters of common carp

This study aimed to assess the effect of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) seed (DPS) extract at 0.5%, 1%, 2% and 4% as a dietary supplement over 60 days, on the growth and immune‐physiology of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fingerlings. The weight gain in fish fed with 0.5% DPS was significantly greater than other treatments and fish fed a control diet with no DPS (p < 0.05). With increasing DPS dosage above 0.5%, weight gain and growth rate gradually declined. Feed conversion ratio in fish fed 0.5% DPS was lower than other treatments, but not significantly so, except for the highest DPS concentration (4%). With respect to immunophysiological variables, fish treated with 0.5% DPS leucocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte counts that were generally equivalent to fish on a control diet, but significantly lower than fish treated with greater concentrations of DPS (p < 0.05). Chemilumincene response and lysozyme activity, as well as levels of total protein and albumin, were higher in all treated groups than the control. The highest levels of iron and high density lipoprotein (HDL) were observed in fish fed with 0.5% DPS, while the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein (LDH), thyrotropin, thyroxine and triiodothyronine were lower level in fish fed with 0.5% DPS than in all other treatments. In aquaculture practice, use of 0.5% DPS in commercial carp feed can improve the growth rate and condition of fish.