Residence pattern of the ayu <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plecoglossus altivelis</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">altivelis</Emphasis> larvae and juveniles occurring in the surf zone of a sandy beach,Niigata Prefecture,northern Sea of Japan

This study examined the residence pattern of ayu larvae and juveniles occurring in the surf zone of an extensive sandy beach, in the north part of the Sea of Japan. In this region, ayu larvae mainly hatched in October and November, generally appeared in the surf zone in hatching order, and were continuously present until the following January. During a short period after mid- to late January when the water temperature fell below 10°C, ayu larvae and juveniles concurrently migrated from the surf zone regardless of their size and age, resulting in a longer term residence for earlier-hatched ayu. This was in contrast to studies in other waters, which found that early-hatched ayu have a short-term residence and late-hatched a long-term residence. Furthermore, faster growth that enables ayu to reach the maximum residence size (around 40 mm BL) in the surf zone during the period when the water temperature was still over 10°C might lead to earlier migration and a shorter residence term. This process might be applicable only to the early-hatched group (defined as individuals hatched in late September and October) and depends on the size of each individual, thus leading to a gradual migration of larger individuals as they attain maximum residence size.     

Multiple spawning of amphidromous type ayu <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plecoglossus altivelis</Emphasis> in a large river,Mogami River System

Female ayu Plecoglossus altivelis were sampled from the Mogami River System, Yamagata Prefecture to investigate the occurrence of multiple spawning that has previously been reported in small rivers. Spawning frequencies of the females were estimated by histological observations of the ovary mainly from the degree of degeneration of postovulatory follicles. In the middle and late part of the spawning period, most females showed characteristics of having spawned two or three times, indicating that multiple spawning is a common phenomenon also in a large river. Mean relative batch fecundity (RBF) and condition factor (without gonads) decreased with the number of spawning batches. Size dependency in the occurrence of the multiple spawning and the RBF values was not observed. These results are similar to those reported in previous studies of ayu from a small river near the Mogami River System, and indicate that the occurrence and properties of multiple spawning are almost the same regardless of the river scale. However, it is possible that the ratios of multiply spawned females may differ due to variations in survival rates during the spawning season.     

Economic analysis of tiger grouper <Emphasis Type="Italic">Epinephelus fuscoguttatus</Emphasis> and humpback grouper <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cromileptes altivelis</Emphasis> commercial cage culture in Indonesia

This study presents an economic analysis of tiger and humpback grouper at different production scales in Indonesia. The results highlight the non-viability of small-scale tiger grouper farming, with a 5-year projected negative cumulative cash flow of −IDR 18,102,650.00 and a negative net present value (NPV) of −IDR 22,059,576.28. An increased production scale of tiger grouper highlights a marginal viability for medium-scale farms (with a 5-year projected cumulative cash flow of IDR 198,320,673.00, a positive NPV of IDR 105,578,440.42; a benefit cost ratio of 1.25; an internal rate of return (IRR) of 88% and a payback period of 0.99 years), and an economically viable large-scale cage culture (with a 5-year projected cumulative cash of IDR 707,746,923.00; a NPV of IDR 406,801,749.07; a benefit cost ratio of 1.33; an internal rate of return of 157%; and a payback period of 0.57 years). The economic analysis of humpback grouper at different production scales highlighted a positive cumulative cash and NPV, a benefit cost ratio over 2, an internal rate of return over 300% and a payback period <1 year. A sensitivity analysis revealed that increased survival rate up to 80% would increase cumulative cash and NPV of small-scale tiger grouper cage culture. Additionally, improved profitability performance was associated with decreasing major production costs, increasing production and price of the product.     

Effects of exogenous non-starch polysaccharide-degrading enzymes in diets containing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gracilaria lemaneiformis</Emphasis> on white-spotted snapper <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lutjanus stellatus</Emphasis> Akazaki

A feeding experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of exogenous non-starch polysaccharide (NSP)-degrading enzymes in diets containing Gracilaria lemaneiformis (GL) on growth performance and digestive enzyme activities of white-spotted snapper Lutjanus stellatus Akazaki (initial mass 8.0 ± 0.1 g). A basal diet (D0) containing a mixed protein source (fish meal, soybean meal and GL meal) was used as the control. Two diets supplemented with 0.5 g (D1) and 1 g (D2) exogenous NSP-degrading enzymes per kilogram of diet were formulated. Each diet was assigned to triplicate groups of fish in a total of nine floating sea cages (270 fish, 30 fish per cage). After a 60-day feeding trail, significantly higher weight gain, specific growth ratio and feed efficiency ratio were observed in fish fed D2 diet compared to those of control (P < 0.05). Body lipid, moisture and ash contents were not significantly affected by NSP-degrading enzyme supplementation, but significantly higher protein content was noticed in fish fed D2 diet compared to that of control (P < 0.05). The amylase activity in the stomach and intestine was significantly higher in fish fed D2 diet (P < 0.05), but no significant differences were observed in pepsin and lipase activities in the stomach or trypsin and lipase activities in the intestine between all treatments. The results suggested that addition of 1 g kg^?1 NSP-degrading enzymes in diet could efficiently improve seaweed feed utilization and growth performance of white-spotted snapper fish.     

Spatial learning-induced <Emphasis Type="Italic">egr</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">1</Emphasis> expression in telencephalon of gold fish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carassius auratus</Emphasis>

The immediate-early gene (egr-1) expression was used to examine the neuron’s response in telencephalon of goldfish during spatial learning in small space. Fishes were pre-exposed in the experimental apparatus and trained to pick food from the tray in a rectangular-shaped arena. The apparatus was divided into identical compartments comprising three gates to provide different spatial tasks. After the fish learned to pass through the gate one, two more gates were introduced one by one. Fish made more number of attempts and took longer time (P < 0.05) to pass through the first gate than the gate two or three. This active learning induces the expression of egr-1 in telencephalon as established by western blot analysis. Subsequently, the fish learn quickly to cross the similar type of second and third gate and make fewer errors with a corresponding decline in the level of egr-1 expression. As the fish learned to pass through all the three gates, third gate was replaced by modified gate three. Interestingly, the level of egr-1 expression increased again, when the fish exhibit a high exploratory behavior to cross the modified gate three. The present study shows that egr-1 expression is induced in the telencephalon of goldfish while intensively acquiring geometric spatial information to pass through the gates.     

Characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">kiss2</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">kissr2</Emphasis> genes and the regulation of kisspeptin on the HPG axis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cynoglossus semilaevis</Emphasis>

Reproduction allows organisms to produce offspring. Animals shift from immature juveniles into mature adults and become capable of sexual reproduction during puberty, which culminates in the first spermiation and sperm hydration or ovulation. Reproduction is closely related to the precise control of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis. Kisspeptin peptides are considered as the important regulator of HPG axis in mammalian. However, the current understanding of kisspeptin in flatfish is not comprehensive. In this study, we cloned and analyzed the kiss2 and kissr2 genes in Cynoglossus semilaevis. Interesting alternative splicing in the 5′-untranslated regions (UTR) of the Cskissr2 gene was found. The expression profiles of Cskiss2 and Cskissr2 showed relative high messenger RNA (mRNA) levels at the late gastrula stage during embryonic development, at total length = 40 mm during early gonadal differentiation, and in the brains and gonads of all investigated tissues. These results suggested that the kisspeptin system participated in embryogenesis and in the regulation of gonadal differentiation and development. Considering that the control and regulatory mechanisms of kisspeptin in the central reproductive axis are still unclear, we documented that the intramuscular injection of kisspeptin caused different sGnRH and cGnRH mRNA levels in a dose- and tissue-dependent manner. The mRNA expressions of FSH and LH were stimulated in the ovary and were inhibited in the testis under the kisspeptin treatments. These results provided foundations for understanding the roles of kisspeptin in the neuroendocrine system in fish. The manipulation of the kisspeptin system may provide new opportunities to control the gonadal development and even reproduction in fish.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Virgibacillus proomii</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus mojavensis</Emphasis> as probiotics in sea bass (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Dicentrarchus labrax</Emphasis>) larvae: effects on growth performance and digestive enzyme activities

This study examined the effects of two probiotics (Virgibacillus proomii and Bacillus mojavensis) on the digestive enzyme activity, survival and growth of Dicentrarchus labrax at various ontogenetic stages in three separate experiments. These probiotics were incorporated as single or mixed into fish feed for a period of 60 days. The growth parameters, proximate composition of whole body, digestive enzymes and gut microbiology were monitored at regular. The increments in length and weight and the survival were significantly higher (P < 0.05), and the values of food conversions were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in fishes fed the probiotic. The administration of V. proomii and B. mojavensis in diet resulted in an increase (P > 0.05) in body ash and protein content and in the specific activity of phosphatase alkaline and amylase in the digestive tract of all the fishes. V. proomii and B. mojavensis persisted in the fish intestine and in the feed in high numbers during the feeding period (group 1: 5.8 × 10⁴ CFU/ml, group 2: 9.6 × 10⁴ CFU/ml, and group 3: 9.8 × 10⁴ CFU/ml day 60). The two probiotics V. proomii and B. mojavensis were adequate for improved growth performance and survival and for healthy gut microenvironment of the host.     

Effects of potential probiotic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactococcus lactis</Emphasis> subsp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">lactis</Emphasis> on digestive enzymatic activities of live feed <Emphasis Type="Italic">Artemia franciscana</Emphasis>

In the present study, cellulase, protease, lipase and amylase activities were performed to investigate the effects of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis CF4MRS bioencapsulation of Artemia franciscana. Our results show that cellulase activities (total cellulase—FPase activity, exoglucanase and endoglucanase—CMCase activity) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in A. franciscana tissue homogenates compared to those in the control group after 8 h of L. lactic bioencapsulation. Notably, an exception case was found in β-D-glucosidase activity, whereby the cellulase activity was not significantly different (P > 0.05) compared to the control group. Administrations of L. lactis at cell concentration of 10⁸ CFU mL^?1 showed considerable improvement of other important enzymatic activities such as amylase, protease and lipase in A. franciscana. The amylase/protease ratio in probiotic-treated A. franciscana was recorded at 0.343, approximately two times higher than those without probiotic administration (0.184). In contrary, amylase/lipase ratio showed half of a reduction (0.330) in L. lactis-administrated A. franciscana compared to the control (0.614). Our study suggests that important digestive enzymes, e.g., cellulase, amylase, protease and lipase, can be enhanced through bioencapsulation of A. franciscana with L. lactis subsp. lactis, which could in turn lead to further stimulation of endogenous enzymes in the fish and shrimp larvae.     

Influence of the dietary inclusion of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gracilaria cornea</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ulva rigida</Emphasis> on the biodiversity of the intestinal microbiota of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sparus aurata</Emphasis> juveniles

Partial substitutions of fish meal by 5, 15, or 25 % of Gracilaria cornea or Ulva rigida in experimental diets were evaluated to study their effects on biodiversity of intestinal microbiota composition in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) juveniles. The diets were offered to duplicate groups of 15 juvenile fish (14.0 ± 0.5 g) for 70 days, and at the end of the experiment the intestinal microbiota from four specimens of each treatment was analysed by denaturing gel gradient electrophoresis. Results showed that the substitution of fish meal by algae meal induced important modifications in the intestinal microbiota community, as a big reduction of the biodiversity when the highest percentage (25 %) of U. rigida was included. On the contrary, an increase on the number of species was detected when a 15 % of algae was included. Various Lactobacillus delbrueckii subspecies were selectively stimulated when G. cornea was included in the feed, and other bacterial species, such as those included in the Vibrio genus, were reduced.     

Replacement of fishmeal in cobia (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rachycentron canadum</Emphasis>) diets using poultry by-product meal

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the use of local poultry by-product meal (PBM) in replacement of imported fishmeal in the diets of cobia, Rachycentron canadum. Six isolipidic (12%) and isoproteic (45%) experimental diets were formulated using PBM to replace fishmeal at 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% dietary protein. Eleven juvenile cobia (initial mean weight of 30.7 ± 0.78 g) were randomly stocked in 300-L circular fibreglass tanks and hand-fed based on the total biomass of each tank, twice a day at 0900 h and 1500 h. The fish were group weighed at 2-week intervals to monitor their growth performance in order to adjust the feeding ratio. At the end of the feeding trial, weight gains (WGs) ranging from 221 to 322% were obtained. The specific growth rate (SGR), WG and protein efficiency ratio (PER) for fish fed with PBM-based diets were not significantly different (P > 0.05) when compared to fish fed the control diet. The best SGR was recorded for fish fed with 60PBM diet, which was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those fed the control diet with values at 2.40 ± 0.01 and 1.97 ± 0.26%/day, respectively. The FCR of 1.83 ± 0.05 for fish fed the 60PBM diet was not significantly different (P > 0.05) when compared to those fed the control diet. The PBM source and dietary level did not significantly (P > 0.05) affect the hepatosomatic index of the fish. The results from this study suggested that PBM could replace 100% dietary fishmeal without adversely affecting the growth performance, but an optimal replacement level at approximately 60% was recommended for better growth performance and efficient feed utilization.     

Study of growth and body composition of red snapper <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lutjanus erythropterus</Emphasis> fed diets containing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> expressing recombinant tilapia insulin-like growth factor-I

ABSTRACT:   To examine the effects of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I on the growth performance of fish, juvenile red snapper Lutjanus erythropterus with an initial body weight of approximately 12 g were fed diets containing different amounts of IGF-I containing Escherichia coli BL21 powder (BL21-tIGF-I). The growth of fish was enhanced by lower doses (0.25, 0.5 and 1%), but deteriorated at higher amounts (2.5 and 5%). The best results were obtained with 0.5% BL21-tIGF-I supplementation, which resulted in 154 and 85% weight gain and feed efficiency, respectively. In addition, muscle proteins appeared to be elevated, but muscle lipids were reduced except for in the 1% BL21-tIGF-I group. In contrast, liver lipids were reduced at 0.25, 0.5 and 1%, but increased at 2.5 and 5% BL21-tIGF-I. Furthermore, to examine the effects of BL21-tIGF-I on later-stage red snapper, we selected fish of approximately 23–24 g weight and fed them a diet either with or without 0.5% BL21-tIGF-I for 12 weeks. Results showed that the growth performance of later-stage fish was better with BL21-tIGF-I than those without supplementation after 6 weeks of feeding. The average body weight of fish that did not receive BL21-tIGF-I during the first 6 weeks, but were fed BL21-tIGF-I in weeks 7–12, was significantly higher than those fed without BL21-tIGF-I for the entire experiment. These results suggest that a continuous supply of BL21-tIGF-I may be beneficial for the growth performance of red snapper.     

Effects of dietary <Emphasis Type="Italic">myo</Emphasis>-inositol on growth,chemical composition and plasma chemistry of Amur sturgeon <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acipenser schrenckii</Emphasis>

The present study was conducted to demonstrate the dietary myo-inositol requirement and its effects on the growth, proximate composition and blood chemistry of Amur sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii). Triplicate groups of 30 fish (initial weight 11.90?±?0.12 g) were fed different diets containing graded levels of myo-inositol (28.75, 127.83, 343.83, 565.81, 738.15 and 936.28 mg kg^?1) until satiation for 56 days. The fish were weighed after a 24-h fast, and six fish were used for whole body composition analysis. Further, the liver and muscle were sampled from another six fish for lipid analysis. The blood and liver were sampled from the remaining six fish for haematology and fatty acid analysis. The weight gain of fish increased with myo-inositol content, from the 28.75- to 343.83-mg kg^?1 myo-inositol treatment groups, and then stabilised. The liver lipid content and hepatosomatic index decreased significantly from 21.91 to 19.14% and from 3.20 to 2.76% with increased dietary myo-inositol supplementation, respectively. The whole body lipid content generally decreased from 6.33 to 5.55%. The content of liver-saturated fatty acids decreased significantly (28.13%) in the 936.28-mg kg^?1 treatment group. The content of plasma non-esterified fatty acids increased with the increase in dietary myo-inositol supplementation from 0.77 to 1.17 mmol L^?1, whereas the content of triglycerides significantly decreased from 4.62 to 3.28 mmol L^?1. In conclusion, the optimum myo-inositol requirement was found to be 336.1 mg kg^?1, based on weight gain in a two-slope quadratic broken-line model.     

Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cratoxylum formosum</Emphasis> on innate immune response and disease resistance against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptococcus agalactiae</Emphasis> in tilapia <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oreochromis niloticus</Emphasis>

The effect of aqueous extract of Cratoxylum formosum on innate immune response and disease resistance in tilapia Oreochromis niloticus was investigated. The fish were fed diets containing 0% (control), 0.5% (diet 1), 1% (diet 2), and 1.5% (diet 3) of C. formosum aqueous extract for 30 days. At the end of the experimental period, parameters of innate immune response including phagocytosis of blood leukocytes, lysozyme activity in plasma, and respiratory bust activity were examined. Feeding the fish with diet 2 and diet 3 for 20 days enhanced phagocytic activity and for 30 days stimulated lysozyme and respiratory burst activities. Diet 1 increased the phagocytic activity at 30 days, but did not affect the other measured parameters. All parameters were not significantly changed (P > 0.05) in the control group throughout the experiment. Following 30 days of feeding, fish were infected with S. agalactiae. The cumulative mortalities of bacterial-infected tilapia that were fed diet 1, diet 2, and diet 3 were 56, 12, and 10%, respectively, compared with 85% in the control group. These results indicate that the aqueous extract of C. formosum may elevate the innate immune response and enhance disease resistance in tilapia.     

Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactococcus lactis</Emphasis> K-C2 on the growth performance,amino acid content and gut microflora of amberjack <Emphasis Type="Italic">Seriola dumerili</Emphasis>

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Lactococcus lactis K-C2 on the growth performance, microbial diversity, and release of free amino acids in the intestinal tract and the edible parts of young amberjack, Seriola dumerili. Fish were fed a diet with or without strain K-C2 (2?×?10¹⁰ cfu/g feed) for 25 days. The results indicated that the growth performance of fish in the treated group was significantly higher than those in the control group (p?<?0.05). The amount of five amino acids (aspartate, sarcosine, taurine, alanine, and arginine) in the gut content and 13 of 21 amino acids in the edible parts of fish in the treated group were significantly higher (p?<?0.05) than those in the control group. Sphingomonas, Propionibacterium, and Mycobacterium were observed in gut microflora of fish in both the control and treated groups. Staphylococcus and Kocuria were detected in one sample from the control and treated groups; Acinetobacter and Acidobacteria were found in one sample from the control group. L. lactis was only found in one sample in the treated group. In conclusion, the dietary administration of probiotic L. lactis stimulated growth, reduced feed consumption, and improved the nutritional value of cultured amberjack.     

Effects of culture density and bottom area on growth and survival of the cuttlefish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sepia</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">officinalis</Emphasis> (Linnaeus, 1758)

The effects of culture density and bottom areas on cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) culture were studied. Cuttle fish were cultured under three experimental combinations of culture density and bottom area: (1) high density and small bottom surface area; (2) low density and large bottom area; (3) high density and large bottom area. Each experimental protocol was repeated in triplicate. Average weights at the end of the experiment were of 65.8 ± 5.8, 87.1 ± 5.6 and 78.7 ± 5.9 g for cuttlefish cultured under the conditions of protocol 1, 2, and 3, respectively; these differences were significant between each of the three groups. Total biomass increased faster (up to 7.5 kg per tank) under the high density/large bottom area conditions (protocol 3) due to the larger number of animals and low mortality in those tanks. Growth rates (%bw day⁻¹) were different between protocols, with growth rates of 2.1 ± 0.1, 3.0 ± 0.2, and 2.5 ± 0.1%bw day⁻¹ obtained for cuttlefish cultured according to protocol 1, 2, or 3, respectively. Average feeding rates were similar for the three groups—10.7 ± 0.8, 9.7 ± 2.0, and 9.6 ± 1.1%bw day⁻¹ for cuttlefish cultured according to protocols 1, 2, and 3, respectively, while food conversions (%) were different—21.5 ± 3.2, 32.4 ± 2.5, and 27.0 ± 1.1%bw day⁻¹, respectively. Total mortality was high in the high density/small bottom area tanks, 30%, while it was very low for the groups cultured under conditions of low and high density/large bottom area, 4%. Based on these results, we conclude that culture conditions that provide large bottom areas also provide good survival conditions and promote growth in comparison those with small bottom areas, even under conditions of lower culture densities.     

Monitoring of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Francisella noatunensis</Emphasis> subsp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">orientalis</Emphasis> in farmed Nile tilapia (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oreochromis niloticus</Emphasis>) in Brazil

Francisella noatunensis orientalis is a bacterium that causes emerging bacteriosis in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in many parts of the world, including Brazil. It is a non-motile, Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, facultative intracellular coccobacillus. This species of bacteria is responsible for low to high mortality in fish farms, causing economic losses for fish farmers. This study aimed to detect the presence of F. noatunensis orientalis using qPCR (real-time polymerase chain reaction) and to describe lesions caused by the bacterium in O. niloticus in Brazilian aquaculture. For this purpose, 360 fish from six fish farms (30 per farm) were sampled at two time points (n = 180 per sampling). Necropsies and histopathology were performed for lesion observation, in addition to qPCR and sequencing for detection and identification of Francisella species. Environmental data were collected using a multiparameter sonde YSI EXO2. All measured limnological variables were within the optimum range for cultivation of Nile tilapia. The major lesions present were melanization of the skin, splenomegaly, granulomas, and inflammatory cell responses. The prevalence of francisellosis varied from 0 to 86.66% between time periods and fish farms analyzed, and an outbreak was observed during the second sampling period. This study describes the prevalence of francisellosis in O. niloticus and reports that the lesions found are not exclusively associated with this bacterial disease.