Effect of sandy and muddy substrates on the growth and survival of the freshwater clam Galatea paradoxa (Born 1778)

This study was conducted to determine the effect of a sandy and muddy substrate on the growth and survival of three size‐classes of Galatea paradoxa (Born 1778). The experiment was conducted over a 6‐month period in a 1000 m² pond at the research farm of the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources. Three size classes (shell length) of G. paradoxa categorized as small (20–30 mm), medium (31–40 mm) and large (>40 mm) were used to ascertain the effect of a sandy and muddy substrate on growth performance. Growth in general was very slow, between 1.4 and 2.4 mm over the 6‐month experimental period. The lengths measured at the end of the experiment were also significantly different. However, the mean length gained and the specific growth rate for the three size classes in the two substrates (sandy and muddy) were not significantly different (P>0.05). The results of this study indicate that the pond environment is not suitable for the culture G. paradoxa as the species is adapted to life in a river with its filter‐feeding activity dependent on the water current. The effect of the substrate type on growth was not significant. However, the substrate type did affect survival, with sandy substrates yielding in better survival than muddy ones.     

Antioxidant Properties of Protein Hydrolysate Obtained from Oyster Saccostrea cucullata (Born, 1778)

The antioxidant activities of enzymatically hydrolyzed (protease from Bacillus cereus SU12) oyster (Saccostrea cucullata) protein were studied. The hydrolysate exhibited a strong antioxidant potential in 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH, 85.7 ± 0.37%), followed by hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging activity (81.6 ± 0.3%), hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (79.32 ± 0.6%), and reducing power assay (2.63 ± 0.2 OD at 700 nm) at a concentration of 1 mg/mL. Due to the high antioxidant potential, the hydrolysate was purified in Sephadex G-25 gel filtration chromatography. The active peptide fraction was identified by DPPH and reducing power assay. The amino acid content of the purified active peptide fraction was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. The active fraction contained a good quantity of both essential and nonessential amino acids. The present study revealed that oyster (S. cucullata) protein hydrolysate is a potential source for natural antioxidants.     

Growth and mortality of the catfish, Hemisynodontis membranaceus (Geoffroy St. Hilaire), in the northern arm of Lake Volta, Ghana

Estimates of growth and mortality of the catfish, Hemisynodontis membranaceus (Geoffroy St. Hilaire), in Lake Volta were obtained from length composition data compiled in 1995 and 1996. The von Bertalanffy growth function (VBGF) estimates were: L _∞=44.5 cm standard length; K= 0.62 year⁻¹; and t ₀=−0.23 years. Natural mortality rate, M , was 1.20 year⁻¹. Total mortality rate, Z , was computed as 4.39 year⁻¹ and the exploitation ratio ( E = F / Z ) was 0.72. Although the fish is estimated to have longevity of about 5 years, those exploited are normally less than 2 years of age, which is indicative of growth over-fishing. In order to arrest over-exploitation of the species, there is a need to establish 'lake reserves'. In addition, the fisheries management should be devolved from the state to the local level to compel fishermen to take greater responsibility for the sustainability and conservation of the fisheries.     

Growth,development and survival of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) larvae cultured under different light spectra and intensities

We assessed the effects of light intensity and spectrum on the growth, development and survival of Dicentrarchus labrax larvae from 30 to 96 days after hatching. Twelve lighting regimes were applied using 0.3, 1 and 2 W/m² full spectrum white, blue, red and green light. By day 66 of exposure, growth performance was significantly better in larvae reared under green or red light compared with white or blue light (p < 0.05), while it was significantly better at 2.0 W/m² compared with 1.0 or 0.3 W/m² (p < 0.05). Larvae reared under white or blue light had significantly more deformities (p < 0.05) than did larvae reared under light of other spectra, while larvae reared under 0.3 W/m² light intensity had a significantly higher proportion of jaw malformations than reared under 1.0 and 2.0 W/m² (p ? 0.05). Dicentrarchus labrax larvae subjected to green light showed significantly lower survival compared with the other light spectra (p < 0.05). Moreover, light significantly affected brain aanat1a, aanatt1b, mellc, mt1, mt2, gh, tsh and crf mRNA expression. Therefore, the red and green light groups (or under 2.0 W/m²) could improve the growth performance and enhance secretion of melatonin, gh and tsh, and reduce the proportion of jaw malformations.     

Growth and survival of the grouper Epinephelus coioides (Hamilton) at different loading rates in tanks

The effect of increasing fish loading (decreasing water exchange rate, while holding fish stocking density constant) on growth, survival and feed conversion ratio was determined for two size groups of the orange‐spotted grouper Epinephelus coioides (Hamilton). Fingerlings (124.3–145.8 g initial body weight) and subadults (990.6–1147.1 g initial body weight) were reared in 1‐m³ circular tanks for 14 weeks. For the fingerlings experiment, three loading rates of 0.5, 2 and 6 kg L^?1 min^?1 were used, while in the experiment with subadults, the loading rates were 1, 3 and 6 kg L^?1 min^?1. The mean growth rate of fingerlings ranged from 1.60 to 2.14 g fish^?1 day^?1, and survival was high (95–100%); however, there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) as a result of the different loading rates. Similar results were obtained in the subadults experiment, in which the growth rate (3.10–4.90 g fish^?1 day^?1) and survival (86.7–100%) were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by the different loading rates. In both experiments, the feed conversion ratios were also not affected significantly by the loading rates. These results show that water exchange in aerated, flowthrough tanks can be reduced to as low as 6 kg L^?1 min^?1 without adversely affecting growth, survival and feed conversion of fingerling and subadult groupers.     

Growth,survival and feed efficiency for post-metamorphosed Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) reared at different temperatures

Two growth trials were completed on post-metamorphosed Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) for a period of four weeks to determine the optimal temperature for best growth and feed efficiency. The same experiment was repeated twice under similar conditions to determine the effect of four temperature regimes (10, 12, 14 and 16 °C) on randomly selected juvenile cod with an initial weight ranging from 0.34 to 0.51 g. Post-metamorphosed cod grown at 14 and 16 °C were significantly larger at the end of the experiments than the fish grown at 10 or 12 °C, with specific growth rates following a similar trend (p < 0.05). Fish held at 16 °C utilized feed less efficiently than those held at the lower temperatures in experiment II and the highest feed efficiency was observed in fish held at 10 °C (p < 0.05). The results of the feed efficiency and the maximum growth per degree (dG / dT_max) in experiment II suggest that the feed efficiency was likely maximized at a lower temperature than those used in this study. By using data collected from sub-samples of fish in experiment II, maximum growth (G_max) was estimated at 14.5 °C using a growth temperature model. Cannibalism was a problem in the first experiment but was greatly reduced in experiment II by feeding a larger size feed pellet (2 mm).     

Larval growth, survival and development of Metapenaeus monoceros (Fabricius) cultured in different salinities

Larvae of Metapenaeus monoceros (Fabricius) at protozoea 1 (PZ1) stage were stocked in 2‐L glass flasks to investigate the effects of various salinities (25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 and 55 ppt) on growth and survival until the post‐larval (PL) stages. The PZ larvae were not able to tolerate a sudden salinity drop of over 10 ppt. Yet, an abrupt salinity increase of over 10 or even 15 ppt did not cause mortality. The PZ larvae were successfully acclimated to different test salinities at a rate of 4 ppt h^?1. The larvae displayed better tolerance to high rather than low salinities. The lowest and highest critical salinities appeared to be 22 and 55 ppt respectively. Taking into account survival, growth and development results, the optimal salinity for the larval culture of M. monoceros inhabiting the Eastern Mediterranean was 40 ppt. At this salinity, the PZ1 larvae were successfully cultured until PL1 stage within 11 days with 68% survival on a feeding regime of Tetraselmis chuii Kylin (Butcher) (20 cells μ L^?1), Chaetoceros calcitrans Paulsen (50 cells μ L^?1), Isochrysis galbana Parke (30 cells μL^?1) and five newly hatched Artemia nauplii mL^?1 from M1 onwards at 28 °C.     

Growth and survival of juvenile red drum,Sciaenops ocellatus,acclimated to freshwater at three different stocking densities in a partial recirculation system

Preliminary technical baseline information for the inland culture of juvenile red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus, in a freshwater fish hatchery is presented. Three initial stocking densities (d₁ = 83, d₂ = 167, and d₃ = 250 fish/m³) were tested in a semirecirculation system for 575 days using a commercially available feed (48.1% protein, 25% lipids, and 0.13% fiber). Initial and final mean fish weight were 7.11 ± 0.02 g and 287.6 ± 27 g. As carrying capacity appeared to have been reached, only data from Days 1–333 were analyzed. One‐way ANOVA analyses indicated that the survival rate of the smaller density (d₁ =40 ± 3.7%) was significantly different from the other two densities (d₃ = 21 ± 1.1% and d₂ = 23 ± 1.0%), which did not differ between them. Absolute growth rate (0.87 ± 0.02 g/day) was not significantly different between densities (F = 0.23. p = .801). Neither was weight significantly different between treatments. There were significant differences in the feed conversion rate (FCR) between densities (F = 8.54; p = .02). FCR for d₁ was significantly lower than for the two other densities, which did not differ from each other. A von Bertalanffy growth model was adjusted (R² = 0.95), and weight–length relationship presented negative allometric values (b = 2.85, R² = 0.98).     

Protein variation in Schilbe mystus (L.) and Eutropius niloticus (Ruppel) (Pisces siluriformes) in the Volta Basin of Ghana, West Africa

Schilbe mystus (L.) and Eutropius niloticus (Ruppel) (fm. Schilbeidae) from rivers of the Volta Basin were screened at 18 enzyme loci for electrophoretically detectable variation. The mean observed heterozygosity was 0.001 in S. mystus and 0.018 in E. niloticus. The possible causes of these rather low levels of genetic variation are considered in relation to natural and human influences in the Volta Basin river system. The results also suggest that the species S. mystus consists of several distinct biological species and that E. niloticus may have evolved from within the Schilbe group.     

Heavy metal concentrations and sediment quality of a cage farm on Lake Volta,Ghana

This study involved the determination of sediment quality and heavy metals in the water column and bottom sediment of a selected cage fish farm in Lake Volta, to assess the potential impact of metals and organic matter pollution on the lake due to cage fish farming. Sediment analysis indicated that the texture of all sampling sites was sandy clay loam with sand dominating with a range of 31.5%–81.2%. The organic matter (TOM) ranged from 4.42%–8.89%, while organic carbon (TOC) was from 2.57%–5.22%. Total nitrogen (TN) fluctuated between 0.22% and 0.45%; total phosphate ranged between 0.22% and 5.30%. The TOC, TOM and TN content in the farm sediment were significantly lower than those of the reference sites (ANOVA, p < .05). Lead, copper, cadmium and selenium were not detected in the water. The results revealed that heavy metal concentrations in the water column and sediments were low and within tolerable levels, indicating no influence of metals from fish feed was observed on the lake water quality. However, the farm seemed to have moderate impact on sediment quality from organic matter. Water and sediment quality monitoring should be embarked upon periodically to ensure sustainable cage culture in the Lake Volta.     

Effects of seasonal and environmental changes on aquaculture production in tropical Lake Volta,Ghana

Globally, aquaculture production is faced with numerous challenges, notable among which is water quality. The study determined seasonal environmental changes in Lake Volta and its implications on cage production of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus in experimental and commercial farm (Sun Woo Farm) set-ups. For each set-up, three cages were used, each measuring 81 and 162.5 m³ for experimental and commercial, respectively. The cages were stocked with 22.5 g fingerlings at a rate of 40 and 80 m^?3 in experimental and commercial cages, respectively, and fed commercial diet. The growth performance, yield, economics, and selected water quality parameters were monitored during the dry and wet seasons between November 2014 and July 2015. There were no differences in water quality parameters between dry and wet seasons (p?>?0.05). Water quality for both seasons remained within limits required for good Tilapia growth in both set-ups. There were minimal variations in growth characteristics between seasons which were not significant; however, final mean weight and yields were high in the dry seasons in both set-ups. The cost of feed and fingerling accounting for about 80% of total costs were the major components identified to affect cost of production. A higher profit index and returns on investment were observed in the dry season in both set-ups and was linked to higher survival rates in the season. Production of Nile tilapia in cages can be cultured throughout the year without any adverse effects as exhibited in similar production patterns in both experimental and commercial set-ups.     

Production Parameters and Economics of Small-Scale Tilapia Cage Aquaculture in the Volta Lake,Ghana

To calculate the potential for cage aquaculture to create economic opportunities for small-scale investors on the Volta Lake, Ghana, a local NGO with technical support from the Government of Ghana ran two trials (one of four and one of six units) of small-scale cage aquaculture in the town of Dzemeni. Cages were built locally from available materials at a cost of approximately US$1000 per 48 m³ cage. An indigenous line of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, was stocked either as mixed sex (first trial) or all-males (second trial) at an average rate of 103 fish/m³ and grown on locally available pelleted feeds for approximately six months. Total costs averaged US$2038 per six-month production cycle. Gross yield ranged from 232 to 1176 kg/cage, averaging 460 kg/cage (9.6 kg/m³). Final average weight of mixed sex populations (253.05 ± 47.43g) was significantly less than of all-males (376.7 ± 72.30g). Likewise, percentage of fish over 300 g at harvest was significantly lower in mixed-sex (38.3%) compared to all-male (75.7%) populations. Mortality resulting primarily from poor handling during transport and stocking averaged 70% and was a major determinate of production and profitability. To break even, harvested biomass of fish needed to exceed 15 kg/m³. At 25 kg/m³, small-scale cage aquaculture generated a net income of US$717 per cage per six months (ROI = 30.2%) on revenues of US$3,500. Water quality in the area surrounding the cages was not negatively affected by aquaculture at the scale tested (5 tons of feed per six months).     

Growth and survival of juvenile lined seahorse,Hippocampus erectus (Perry), at different stocking densities

The lined seahorse, Hippocampus erectus (Perry), is an important species in both medicinal and aquarium trades. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of stocking density (1, 3 and 5 individuals L⁻¹) on the growth performance and survival of the early-stage juvenile H. erectus. The height (HT), wet weight, weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) were affected significantly by the stocking density during the 40-day study. The HT, WG and SGR of the seahorse at 1 and 3 juveniles L⁻¹ were significantly higher than that at 5 juveniles L⁻¹. The survival of juveniles at the three stocking densities was not significantly different at day 25 (90.3 ± 4.5%, 86.7 ± 4.2% and 86.2 ± 3.8% for 1, 3 and 5 juveniles L⁻¹ respectively), but was significantly different at day 40 (87.8 ± 3.9%, 69.6 ± 4.2% and 52.9 ± 2.8% for 1, 3 and 5 juveniles L⁻¹ respectively). For the early-stage juvenile H. erectus, we recommend a stocking density of 3 juveniles L⁻¹, but the density should be reduced to 1–2 juveniles L⁻¹ to avoid reduced and variable growth and high mortality after 25 days.     

A study of the growth and burrowing ability for the environmentally friendly cultured freshwater clam Corbicula fluminea

Issues concerning ecology, food safety and environmental protection are currently the focus of global attention, as are studies related to region‐specific agriculture that emphasize regional quality. Hualien County, located in eastern Taiwan, proposed the so‐called innocuous agriculture is that the industries can product non‐toxic products, including agriculture, fisheries, animal husbandry and processed industries. Innocuous agriculture and organic agriculture share the same objective, producing non‐toxic and pollutant‐free agricultural products. The biodiversity associated with organic farming is greater than that associated with conventional farming, and these results have been confirmed by several studies, triggering the present research on the benefits of innocuous aquaculture over those of conventional aquaculture farming. The purpose of this study was to compare the growth, aquaculture outlet wastewater and burrowing ability of clams (Corbicula fluminea) cultured by an innocuous aquaculture method and two conventional aquaculture methods. The results indicated that the clams cultured by the innocuous aquaculture method grew faster and were healthier than those cultured by the two conventional methods. The innocuous method, which approaches the organic method, is environmentally friendly and produces more vigorous individuals than those of conventional methods.     

Osmoregulation,growth and moulting cycles of the giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) at different salinities

The giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, is a species with a high commercial value in aquaculture. Two experiments were performed to determine the effects of salinities on the osmoregulation, growth and molting cycles of M. rosenbergii during growout. The first experiment was designed to determine whether these animals are capable of adapting to the changes in salinity seen in salinity intrusions in tropical deltas, with an incremental increase in salinity of 3‰ per day from 0‰ to 30‰ Haemolymph osmolality was rapidly regulated up to salinities of 15‰ , whereas animals conformed at higher salinities. The second experiment determined the growth, moulting cycle, osmolality, muscle water content and mortality during a 4‐month experiment at 0‰, 15‰ or 25‰ salinity. The weight gains in 0‰ and 15‰ were not significantly different and were comparable to the growth rates achieved in production farms with body mass increases of 2.6 and 2.3‐fold their initial body mass, respectively, after 4 months. The 25‰ group suffered from low growth, high mortality and a significantly lower moulting frequency. These data show that this species can be reared in brackish water up to 15‰, allowing for farming in the large areas impacted by salt water intrusions in tropical deltas.     

文蛤养殖群体和野生群体遗传多样性的AFLP 分析

应用AFLP标记技术对辽宁和山东沿海文蛤（Meretrix meretrix）养殖群体和野生群体的遗传多样性进行分析。采用7对AFLP引物组合对5个群体（3个野生群体,2个养殖群体）150个个体进行扩增,共得到364个的位点。5个群体内的多态位点比例为84．3945％～87．6465％,总多态位点比例为99．6300％。群体的Nei’s基因多样性指数（H）为0．2301～0．2634;群体的Shannon多样性指数为0．3617～0．4248,群体间的遗传距离为0．0394～0．1609,群体内个体间的遗传距离为0．2592～0．5360。辽宁大洼野生群体和山东河口野生群体的多态位点比例、Shannon多样性指数和群体内遗传距离均高于辽宁盘山和辽宁庄河养殖群体,辽宁庄河野生群体的遗传多样性处于中等水平。用UPGMA方法构建的群体系统进化树显示,辽宁庄河野生群体单独成为一支,辽宁大洼野生群体与庄河养殖群体聚到一起,辽宁盘山养殖群体与山东野生群体聚到一起,但是用这5个群体的150个个体进行的聚类结果显示,所有个体基本是随机交叉聚类,不能形成明显的类群分支。分子变异分析（AMOVA）表明,文蛤群体94．04%的变异来源于群体内,群体间的变异仅占5．96％。以上结果表明,文蛤群体内遗传多样性非常丰富,群体间相似性较大,且存在较强的基因交流。[中国水产科学,2008,15（2）：215-221]     

养殖密度对毛蚶幼虫生长及存活的影响

为探讨毛蚶(Scapharca subcrenata)幼虫养殖的最佳密度,本研究设定了5个不同的放养密度(2、5、8、14、20 ind/m L),养殖实验从D型幼虫阶段一直持续到幼虫完成附着变态。实验结果表明,随着放养密度的增加,水体氨氮浓度、亚硝酸盐浓度显著升高(P0.05);幼虫密度为20 ind/m L时,分别达到最大值0.089 mg/L和0.008 mg/L。溶解氧浓度则随幼虫密度的增大呈现下降的趋势,幼虫密度达到14、20 ind/m L时,显著低于其他密度组(P0.05)。幼虫的生长速率随放养密度的增加显著下降,5~8 ind/m L为幼虫最佳生长密度。幼虫的存活率也随着放养密度的增加显著下降(P0.05),当幼虫的放养密度为20 ind/m L时,存活率仅为35%。放养密度为8 ind/m L时,幼虫的附着密度最大,且在附着基下层的附着密度显著高于中层和上层(P0.05)。同时,随着放养密度的增加,幼虫附着变态的时间被延长,附着变态规格也显著减小(P0.05)。因此,综合考虑各种要素,规模化苗种生产中幼虫的培育密度控制在5~8 ind/m L较为适宜。     

Influence of temperature and salinity on survival of the freshwater mullet, Rhinomugil corsula (Hamilton)

The upper incipient lethal temperatures of the freshwater mullet, Rhinomugil corsula, acclimated to 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35°C in fresh water, were 32.4, 34.1, 36.0, 36.2 and 36.5°C respectively, and the corresponding lower lethal temperatures were 10.5, 11.5, 13.2, 15.8 and 19.5°C. The mullet has a total tolerance (area of thermal polygon) of 569°C with an upper and lower thermal tolerance of 253 and 316°C². Likewise, the total resistance of the mullet was 391°C², with upper and lower resistance zones of 181 and 210°C respectively. The upper critical temperatures of swimming inhibition of R. corsula (17.2 cm; acclimation 30°C), determined in a swimming tunnel, were 35.2, 34.6 and 34.2 for water current velocities of 38, 62 and 77 cm s^?1 respectively. The corresponding lower critical temperatures were 26.2, 27.5 and 28.1°C. These results indicated the stenothermal nature of the mullet by comparison with other fishes, e.g. Tilapia mossambica.In tests on the influence of ambient salinity on thermal resistance, R. corsula survived longest at 7‰ (iso-osmotic salinity). At salinities above and below this point, survival times were shorter at any lethal temperature. In a tentative scheme for quantification of stress due to temperature and salinity at death (after acclimation to 30°C and tested at 37°C), the hypo-osmotic and hyper-osmotic stress were estimated to be 50 and 31% of the thermal stress (100%) respectively.     

Production and yield of Penaeus semisulcatus (de Haan) cultured at different densities

Two trials were conducted with two sizes, grow‐out (80.0 mg b.w.) and fattening (5.0 g b.w.), of Penaeus semisulcatus to compare the production and yield of shrimp cultured at different stocking densities within an indoor running‐seawater system. In the first experiment, postlarvae were cultured at 50, 100, 150 and 200 m^?3 for 68 days, while in the second experiment, juveniles were cultured at 24, 50, 74 and 100 m^?3 for 126 days. The results of the two experiments showed significant decrease in weight of shrimp as the stocking density increased. During the grow‐out stage, no statistical differences were observed on survival rates among the shrimp stocked at different densities. Thus, as the primary factor to consider at this stage is the number of shrimp produced, it is recommended to use a density of 200 shrimp m^?3. During the fattening stage, the survival rate at the highest density was statistically lower than the other three densities. The mean yield was 437.02, 869.16, 1217.62 and 1446.78 g m^?3 for shrimp stocked at 24, 50, 74 and 100 m^?3 respectively. Although the average harvest size of juveniles at the lowest stocking density was statistically higher than those stocked at the highest stocking density, both sizes (18.12 and 16.67 g) will be classified as one size group in the market, i.e. medium. As the yield significantly increases as the stocking density is increased, it is therefore recommended that the stocking density for the fattening stage be 100 shrimp m^?3.