All-male Tilapia Hybrids of Two Strains of Oreochromis niloticus

Hybridization between Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Local and Stirling University strains) and blue tilapia O. aureus was found to be a tool to produce monosex populations. In order to select a purebred that produces all- or nearly all-male hybrids with high productivity, O. niloticus females and their diploid gynogenetics (meiogynes and mitogynes) were hybridized with O. aureus males. The sex ratio of progenies was evaluated from inter- and intraspecific crosses of two strains of Nile tilapia. Single-pair matings and group spawns under hatchery conditions showed no deviation ( P > 0.01) from the expected sex ratio of intraspecific crosses among two strains of Nile tilapia. However, a higher proportion of male progenies in blue tilapia was observed in group spawns in pond ( P < 0.004) and hatchery conditions ( P < 0.01). Only the Stirling strain and mitogynes produced all-male progenies under laboratory conditions. There were significant differences ( P < 0.05) in growth among hybrid progeny groups, when gynogens and their regular O. niloticus (Local strain) females were crossed with O. aureus males. Six-month hybrid offspring from mitogyne female parents grew better than those from regular and meiogyne female broods.     

Efficacy of Trenbolone Acetate in Sex Inversion of the Blue Tilapia Oreochromis aureus

Abstract.— Trenbolone acetate (TBA) is a synthetic anabolic androgenic steroid approved in the United States as a growth promoter for beef cattle. Pooled populations of blue tilapia Oreochromis aureus with more than 98% males were produced by feeding diets containing TBA. This hormone effectively inversed the sex of blue tilapia when doses of 25–100 mg/kg of diet were fed for 28 d. Fish treated with 60 mg of 17-alpha-methyltestosterone (MT)/kg of feed resulted in 88.7% males. The percentage of male tilapia masculinized with TBA was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than with MT. Intersex fish were found in both control and hormone-treated groups, and were significantly more common (P < 0.05) in the MT-treated batches. Survival, feed conversion ratio, and average weight of O. aureus fry fed diets containing either TBA, MT or no hormone were not different (P > 0.05) at the end of the 28-d treatment period.     

Economic Analysis of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Production in Tanzania

In Tanzania, Nile tilapia culture is a promising aquaculture enterprise. Information on production costs could assist fish farmers in economic and financial planning. Economic profitability of small‐scale Nile tilapia production in Tanzania is analyzed using a model that simulates individual fish growth and takes into account fish population dynamics in the pond. The results suggest that the current practiced mixed‐sex tilapia culture without predation is not economically sustainable. Extension efforts should be geared toward developing a Nile tilapia production system that is based on a hand‐sexed all‐male tilapia. Meanwhile catfish can be introduced in ponds to control overcrowding in mixed‐sex tilapia culture without predation. Studies to determine optimal pond sizes, availability of feed, and a quality fingerling supply chain are also fundamental for developing a sustainable Nile tilapia production system in Tanzania. Under improved Nile tilapia production systems, returns are high enough to justify investment through borrowed capital from formal institutions.     

Streptococcus iniae Infection of Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus in a Recirculation Production Facility

Abstract— Streptococcus iniae was isolated from moribund pure strain Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus in a water recirculation aquaculture facility. The extent of the infection was determined in a number of separate culture systems at the facility. A pilot study was also conducted to gain information on potential stressors that may play a role in spread of the infection within such a water reuse facility. The conditions employed in the pilot stress test did not have any apparent impact on spread of S. iniae infection to fish in additional tanks within the facility.     

Evaluation of Gambusia, Gambusia affinis, Fish Meal in Practical Diets for Fry Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

This study was conducted to evaluate the use of gambusia, Gambusia affinis, fish meal (GFM) in practical diets for fry Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (2.11 ± 0.11 g). Six isonitrogenous diets (35%) were formulated in which GFM replaced 0.0, 10, 25, 50, 75, or 100% of the protein supplied by herring fish meal (HFM). Fish were fed one of the test diets at a feeding rate of 4% of the fish body weight 6 d a week, 2 times a day for 13 wk. Results demonstrated that fish growth increased with increasing GFM up to 75%, which produced the highest growth of the treatments. The lowest fish growth was obtained at 100% GFM. Feed intake (FI), protein efficiency ratio (PER), and apparent protein utilization (APU) increased significantly, while feed conversion ratio (FCR) decreased significantly with increasing GFM up to 75%. FI, PER, and APU decreased significantly, while FCR increased significantly for diets containing 100% GFM. There were no significant differences in moisture, protein, lipid, or ash contents in final fish body following inclusion of GFM in fish diet. There was no significant difference in the digestibility coefficient of dry matter. The digestibility coefficients of protein and gross energy for diets containing 100% GFM replacement were the lowest as compared with other GFM levels. The present study recommended that GFM is a suitable protein source in practical diets for fry Nile tilapia and could replace HFM up to 75%.     

Production Management of Double-Net Tilapia Oreochromis spp. Hatcheries in a Eutrophic Tropical Reservoir

Abstract.— A floating, double-net hatchery system for a red tilapia hybrid Oreochromis spp. was developed and tested in a eutrophic reservoir in West Java, Indonesia. Objectives of the studies were to test the effects of different male and female broodstock rotation times on fingerling production and compare production of the double-net system with other studies using a multiple regression model. Two experiments (EXP1 and EXP2) were conducted in four separate double-net hatchery systems comparing three broodstock rotation times over 12 spawning periods in EXP1 and 21 in EXP2. In both experiments, shorter broodstock rotation times (14–16 d in EXP1 or 10–15 d in EXP2) produced significantly ( P < 0.05) higher numbers of fingerlings (6.24 in EXP1 and 14.52 fingerlings/female per d in EXP2). A multiple regression model was developed to summarize results of six studies which included 31 spawning periods. A significant ( r² = 0.651, P < 0.05) relationship was found between tilapia seed production in net hatcheries as the dependent variable and initial female broodstock densities (−), initial female body weight (−), female/male stocking ratio (−), and feed protein content (±) as independent variables.     

Production of Australian Red Claw Cherax quudricarinatus in Polyculture with Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

Abstract— Australian red claw crayfish Cherax quudricarinurus were cultured in monoculture and in polyculture with male Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloricus in nine 0.02-ha earthen ponds. Red claw with an average weight of 7 g were stocked in all ponds at 2/ m². Tilapia with an average weight of 19 g were stocked in six ponds at either 0.5 or 1/m². A sinking 32% fish diet and dry alfalfa hay was provided to all ponds as feed and forage. After 135 d, red claw survival was similar (19–24%) in all treatments while average weights were 76 g in monoculture and 48 g in both polyculture treatments. Lower than expected survival was a result of stress caused by poor shipping conditions. Tilapia survivals were similar (84–90%) in all ponds and had an average weight of 403 g when stocked at 1/m² and 444 g when stocked at 0.5/m². Red claws are generally considered non-aggressive, especially when compared with other clawed crustaceans. This lack of aggressiveness is suggested as a cause for decreased growth in polyculture with tilapia.     

Production of Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus and Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii Stocked at Different Densities in Polyculture Systems in Brazil

Abstract.— The effect of stocking prawns Macrobrachium rosenbergii at increasing densities in ponds with Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus reared at low density was evaluated. Twelve 0.01-ha earthen ponds were stocked with 1 tilapia/m² and 0, 2, 4, or 6 postlarvae prawn/m². Three replicates were randomly assigned to each prawn density. Postlarval prawns were stocked a week prior to tilapia juveniles and both were harvested 175 d after the beginning of the experiment. Tilapia final average weight, survival, production, and food conversion rates did not differ significantly among treatments ( P > 0.05); the averages were 531 g, 67%. 3,673 kg/ha, and 1.91, respectively. Prawn survival rates did not differ for the three stocking densities (mean 90%). However, final weight and production were significantly different ( P < 0.05) as follows: 34.0, 23.0, and 14.7 g and 639, 909, and 818 kg/ha, respectively for 2. 4, and 6 prawns/m² densities. Stocking densities up to 6 prawn/m² did not affect tilapia production and required neither additional feeding nor significant changes in management. The polyculture system allowed an increase in total production with the same amount of supplied feed, thus improving the system sustainability.     

Production Economics of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Pond Culture in El-Fayum Governorate,Egypt

Econometric techniques were used to estimate a production function for tilapia pond culture in El-Fayum Governorate, Egypt, utilizing cross-sectional field data. Explanatory variables were feed, initial stocking weight, and pond size. The function was used to examine returns to scale, estimate the productivity of feed and initial stocking weight, and estimate the profit maximizing demand equations for feed and fingerlings. Diminishing returns to scale seem to exist for tilapia pond culture. Optimal economic stocking and feeding rates, yield, and profits for the whole sample were estimated at prevailing prices. Results indicated that producers were using stocking rates greater than the optimal by 36% to 115% and using insufficient feed by 8% to 22%. Investigation of the effects of changes in tilapia selling price and feed price on optimal stocking and feeding rates, yield, and profits showed that a change in tilapia selling price has greater effect on profits, yield, stocking, and feeding rates than a proportional change in feed price. Profits, feeding, and stocking rates are more sensitive than yield to changes in selling price, while feeding rate is more sensitive than stocking rate, yield, and profits to changes in feed price.     

尼罗罗非鱼Xbp1-S基因克隆及表达分析

为了了解尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)细胞转录因子Xbp1-S(On Xbp1-S)的基因序列特征及其在无乳链球菌(Streptococcus alactolyticus)应激和在B细胞分化中的作用,应用RACE克隆技术获得的On Xbp1-S基因全长1380 bp,包括开放阅读框ORF为1155 bp,5?端非编码区(5?UTR)长127 bp,3?端非编码区(3'UTR)长98 bp。On Xbp1-S序列分析推测该基因编码384个氨基酸,分子量为41.32 k Da,理论等电点为4.36。同源性分析显示,On Xbp1-S基因与其他鱼类的聚为一支,其中,与南极鳕(Notothenia coriiceps)相似性最高。荧光定量PCR及Western-blot结果显示,On Xbp1-S在各组织中均有表达,m RNA水平上在肝脏中表达量最高,蛋白水平上在胸腺中表达量最高,而在肌肉中表达量最低。无乳链球菌应激后,On Xbp1-S基因在肝脏和脾脏中的表达趋势相似,均在应激期间出现表达量上调,在192 h出现峰值。另外,免疫组化分析发现,On Xbp1-S因子在不同分化程度B细胞亚类中的表达呈现差异,在成熟B细胞中呈现高表达,而在未成熟B细胞中几乎不表达。研究结果表明,On Xbp1-S参与尼罗罗非鱼对无乳链球菌的免疫防御,和在B细胞分化中起作用。本研究将为进一步研究On Xbp1-S因子应答病原菌侵染的机理及促进B细胞分化机制提供理论依据。     

不同养殖模式对尼罗罗非鱼（Oreochromis niloticus）生长、免疫性能及水质的影响

为探讨循环水养殖模式(RAS组)和池塘养殖模式(池塘组)对尼罗罗非鱼生长、免疫性能及水质影响的变化规律,开展了为期8周的养殖试验。结果表明：(1)RAS组中鱼体增重率(WGR)(597.36±169.79)显著高于池塘组(470.98±142.99)(P < 0.05),但饲料转化率(FCE)(1.17±0.02)却显著低于池塘养殖系统(1.47±0.03)(P < 0.05)。特定生长率(SGR)和肥满度(CF)也高于池塘养殖系统,但差异不显著(P > 0.05);(2)在第4周和第8周分别测定了鱼体胃和肠中消化酶活性显示,第4周时,RAS组中肠蛋白酶活性值(1387.56±278.43)显著高于池塘组(1129.99±382.67)(P < 0.05);第8周时,肠脂肪酶活性(18.11±4.28)显著高于池塘组(12.89±8.00)(P < 0.05);(3)在第4周和第8周分别测定了鱼体肝胰脏、头肾和血清中碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、溶菌酶 (LSZ)和总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)活性,显示整体上RAS组免疫性能低于池塘组;(4)每周测定水体氨态氮和亚硝态氮含量显示,RAS组氨态氮维持在0.0067 ~ 0.0212 mg / L区间内,亚硝态氮含量位于0.0027 ~ 0.0087 mg / L范围内,均低于池塘组。     

Production of the Malawi chambo, Oreochromis karongae (Trewavas, 1941) association, and Oreochromis shiranus (Boulenger, 1896) in polyculture with the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)

Results are reported of the growth and yield of the Malawi chambo, Oreochromis karongae (Trewavas, 1941) association, and Oreochromis shiranus (Boulenger. 1896) in polyculture with Clarias gariepinus (Burchell. 1822). Six ponds of 150 m² were assigned to two replicates of three treatments: C. gariepinus and O. shiranus; C. gariepinus and chambo spawned on station; C. gariepinus and chambo collected from the lake. Total fish stocking density was 3 m^?2, and stocking ratio 1:2 (C. gariepinus: titapias). Initial mean body weights were 10.9 g for O. shiranus. 13.2 g for C. gariepinus and 13.3 g for chambo. The ponds were fertilized with chicken manure at the rate of 13.5 kg dry matter ha^?1 day^?1, representing the daily NPK loading of 0.618.0.186 and 0.191 kg ha^?1, respectively. Maize bran was applied at 3% body weight day^?1 for 168 days. Fish growth rate for C. gariepinus was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of the tilapias. Weight gains were 0.48-0.57 g day^?1 for C. gariepinus, 0.30-0.31 g day^?1 for chambo and 0.24 g day^?1 for O shiranus. There was no difference (P > 0.05) in the growth of chambo despite the source of fingerlings. More fish biomass came from C. gariepinus stocked at 1 m^?2 than from the tilapias stocked at 2 m^?2. Extrapolated fish yields in the range of 4.37-4.75 t ha^?1 year^?1 were obtained from the polyculture of chambo and C. gariepinus. Oreochromis shiranus and C. gariepinus gave 3.95 t ha^?1 year^?1. Low water temperatures for 112 days slowed the growth of tilapias but did not seem to inhibit the growth of C. gariepinus. Chicken manure and maize bran, applied at smallholder farmer's level, has produced higher yields than by using O. shiranus in monoculture at optimal temperatures. The yields obtained show that the polyculture system is feasible during the cold season and may justify investment in aquaculture at semi-intensive level in Malawi.     

Effects of Two Densities of Caged Monosex Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, on Water Quality, Phytoplankton Populations, and Production When Polycultured with Macrobrachium rosenbergii in Temperate Ponds

The effects of different densities of caged Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, on water quality, phytoplankton populations, prawn, and total pond production were evaluated in freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, production ponds. The experiment consisted of three treatments with three 0.04‐ha replicates each. All ponds were stocked with graded, nursed juvenile prawn (0.9 ± 0.6 g) at 69,000/ha. Control (CTL) ponds contained only prawns. Low‐density polyculture (LDP) ponds also contained two cages (1 m³; 100 fish/cage) of monosex male tilapia (115.6 ± 22 g), and high‐density polyculture (HDP) ponds had four cages. Total culture period was 106 d for tilapia and 114 d for prawn. Overall mean afternoon pH level was significantly lower (P ≤ 0.05) in polyculture ponds than in CTL ponds but did not differ (P > 0.05) between LDP and HDP. Phytoplankton biovolume was reduced in polyculture treatments. Tilapia in the LDP treatment had significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) harvest weights than in the HDP treatment. Prawn weights were higher (P ≤ 0.05) in polyculture than prawn monoculture. These data indicate that a caged tilapia/freshwater prawn polyculture system may provide pH control while maximizing pond resources in temperate areas.     

Growth and Feed Utilization of the Tilapia Hybrid Oreochromis mossambicus×O. niloticus Cultured at Different Salinities under Controlled Laboratory Conditions

Abstract.— Growth and feed utilization of the tilapia hybrid Oreochromis mossainbicus × O. niloticus cultured at different salinities under controlled laboratory conditions were studied for 2 mo. Fish (2.32 g mean initial weight) were grown in 113-L aquaria at salinities of 0.5, 17 and 32 ppt at a density of 20 fish per tank. Mean specific growth, food conversion, and food consumption were determined at each salinity. There was no significant difference ( P > 0.05) in growth among the treatments, although feed conversion and feed consumption were significantly improved (P ≤ 0.05) when fish were grown at 17 and 32 ppt.     

Replacement of Fishmeal with Soybean Meal in Male Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticusxO. aureus) Fingerling Diets at a Suboptimal Protein Level

A feeding trial was conducted to study the feasibility of using soybean meal (SBM) to replace fish meal (FM) as a protein source for tilapia feeds containing 24% dietary protein. Replacement levels were 0%, 33%, 67% and 100%. At each replacement level, methionine was either supplemented up to the amount that the 100% FM protein diet contained or not supplemented. The experiment was carried out for eight weeks in a recirculated water system. Fish fed diets in which 100% of the FM was replaced with SBM either with or without methionine supplementation had significantly ( P < 0.05) lower weight gain, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio and protein digestibility than that of the groups fed the diets containing FM as the sole source of protein. Also, fish fed diets in which 67% and 33% of the FM was replaced with SBM did not differ significantly ( P > 0.05) from that of the control group. These data suggest that when dietary protein level was suboptimal (24%), up to 67% of the FM protein in tilapin feeds can be replaced by hexane-extracted SBM protein without any adverse effect on tilapia growth and feed conversion ratio.     

Growth and Body Composition of Nile Tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus,Fry Fed Organic Diets Containing Yeast Extract and Soybean Meal as Replacements for Fish Meal,with and without Supplemental Lysine and Methionine

Quantities of fish meal (FM) have remained level for the past several decades; however, demand has dramatically increased because of its inclusion in all animal production as a high‐quality protein source. Soybean meal (SBM) is the most widely used plant‐protein ingredient for replacing various proportions of FM in aquatic animal diets. However, use of SBM as the sole protein source has often resulted in reduced fish growth. There is a growing segment of consumers who desire organically grown seafood, and tilapia is one of the most‐cultured fish in the world. As tilapia have herbivorous/omnivorous feeding habits, tilapia fed organic diets may allow producers to enter this rapidly developing market. A feeding experiment was conducted to evaluate the combination of organic SBM and an organic yeast extract (YE) as complete replacements for FM in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, fry diets. Nine diets were formulated to contain various percentages of organic YE (0, 15, 30, and 45%) in combination with organic SBM (84–34%) with and without amino acid (methionine and lysine) supplementation. At the conclusion of the study, fry fed a control diet containing 20% FM and fry fed a diet containing 45% YE/36%SBM with amino acid supplementation showed no significant differences (P > 0.05) in final weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate (SGR) compared to those fed all other diets. On the basis of these data, an organic diet which replaces FM with a combination of SBM and YE with added methionine and lysine is commercially feasible and further investigation into the increased use of these two ingredients as protein sources in aquaculture diets is warranted.     

Sex reversal in the genus Oreochromis: 1. Immersion of eggs and embryos in oestrogen solutions is ineffective

Failure to achieve feminization of tilapia under conditions where masculinization is successful was attributed to earlier determination of testis development than of ovary development. Success in obtaining sex inversion by immersion of eggs and fry of salmonids in hormone solutions suggested the possibility of obtaining sex inversion by treatments applied at early life stages. Thence, tilapia embryos were exposed to oestrogens as early as possible after fertilization, by incubating the eggs in oestrogen solutions. Further treatments consisted of rearing the fry in oestrogen solutions for various durations. Eggs of Oreochromis mossambicus (L.) and of O. mossambicus×O. urolepis hornorum Trewavas were collected from the mouths of females immediately after spawning and incubated in Erlenmeyer flasks set in a water bath shaker, at 27°C. The following oestrogenic hormones (dissolved in ethanol) were added to the flasks: 17β-oestradiol, progesterone, flutamide, and flutamide + progesterone. Initial treatments were given at concentrations of 1-50αg/l, for different durations ranging from 7 to 30 days after spawning. Due to high mortalities, higher doses (i.e. 100-5000αg/1) were tested for shorter periods (from 2 hours to 12 days). No sex inversion to female or to intersex gonads was achieved in any of the immersion treatments.     

Food Production and Water Conservation in a Recirculating Aquaponic System in Saudi Arabia at Different Ratios of Fish Feed to Plants

An indoor aquaponic system (i.e., the integration of fish culture with hydroponic plant production in a recirculating setup) was operated for maximizing water reuse and year-round intensive food production (Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus , and leaf lettuce) at different fish feed to plants ratios. The system consisted of a fish culture component, solid removal component, and hydroponic component comprising six long channels with floating styrofoam rafts for holding plants. Fish culture effluents flowed by gravity from the fish culture component to the solid removal component and then to the hydroponic component. Effluents were collected in a sump from which a 1-horsepower in-line pump recirculated the water back to the fish culture tanks at a rate of about 250 L/min. The hydroponic component performed as biofilter and effectively managed the water quality. Fish production was staggered to harvest one of the four fish tanks at regular intervals when fish attained a minimum weight of 250 g. Out of the total eight harvests in 13 mo, net fish production per harvest averaged 33.5 kg/m³ of water with an overall water consumption of 320 L/kg of fish produced along with the production of leaf lettuce at 42 heads/m² of hydroponic surface area. Only 1.4% of the total system water was added daily to compensate the evaporation and transpiration losses. A ratio of 56 g fish feed/m² of hydroponic surface effectively controlled nutrient buildup in the effluents. However, plant density could be decreased from 42 to 25–30 plants/m² to produce a better quality lettuce.     

Production and Nutritional Quality of Two Small-Sized Strains of the Rotifer Brachionus plicatilis1

The rotifer Brachionus glicatilis, strain-S (from Japan) and strain-S1 (Pozuelo 1975) were mass cultured using Chlorella and bakers' yeast. Under the same feed regime, a significant increase (P < 0.001) in rotifer strain-S production (44.19 ± 8.50 individuals/mL/d) was observed compared with strain-S1 (29.64 ± 9.38 individuals/mL/d). The population growth rate was significantly higher (P> 0.001), and doubling time was significantly lower (P> 0.0001) in rotifer strain-S than in strain-S1. There was a significant decline (P> 0.001) in birth rate of strain-S rotifers in the culture system compared with strain-S1, suggesting short longevity and deterioration of the culture system while using strain-S. In general, no significant difference (P< 0.05) in the presence of ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω3 PUFA) in different strains of rotifers was observed.     

Production Characteristics of Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatusStocked at Two Densities in the Partitioned Aquaculture System

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine if channel catfish could be cultured at an increased density in the Partitioned Aquaculture System (PAS) without significantly affecting performance. Channel catfish fingerlings (36.53±6.76 g; mean ±SD) were initially stocked into six 9.15 m³ sections at 3,461±317 fish per section, twice the designed carrying capacity, and fed twice daily to satiation. After 75 days, the density of three units was reduced by approximately 50% and all six units were fed for another 97 days. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in mean growth rate, feed conversion ratio, or production between fish grown at the low- and high-density treatments. Also, length variation (CV) and condition factors (K) were similar (P > 0.05) between fish grown at the low and high-density. Increasing density by twice the designed carrying capacity did not affect performance of channel catfish in the PAS.