Microalga <Emphasis Type="Italic">Isochrysis galbana</Emphasis> in feed for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trachinotus ovatus</Emphasis>: effect on growth performance and fatty acid composition of fish fillet and liver

Seeking alternatives to the depleting fish oil are crucial for marine fish aquaculture, which is currently dependent on fish oil as the primary source of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFAs). Five isonitrogenous (46% crude protein) and isolipidic (16% crude lipid) feed diets (FO, ISO2.9, ISO4.8, ISO6.7, ISO8.6) were formulated by partially replacing fish oil with microalgae Isochrysis galbana. These diets were fed to triplicate tanks of Trachinotus ovatus (mean initial weight 1.92 g) for 80 days. This work demonstrates that a moderate inclusion (around 4.5–5.0 wt%, equivalent to the replacement of 24–26 wt% fish oil) of I. galbana biomass in fish diet improves fish growth performance, lipid deposition and enhances total n-3 fatty acids, DHA, and EPA contents in neutral and polar lipids (PLs) of fish muscle and liver of T. ovatus. The results disclosed in this study suggest that I. galbana microalgae represents a potential high-quality substitute for fish-based ingredients in aquaculture feeds, which can be a promising sustainable solution to resolve the depleting fish oil resource in a cost-effective manner.     

Effects of different salinities on growth performance,survival, digestive enzyme activity,immune response,and muscle fatty acid composition in juvenile American shad (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Alosa sapidissima</Emphasis>)

The effects of salinity on survival, growth, special activity of digestive enzymes, nonspecific immune response, and muscle fatty acid composition were evaluated in the American shad (Alosa sapidissima). Juveniles of 35 days after hatching were reared at 0 (control), 7, 14, 21, and 28 ppt for 60 days. At the end of the experiment, juvenile American shad presented higher survival and specific growth rate (SGR) in salinity group (7, 14, and 21 ppt) than control group (P < 0.05). The special activity of trypsin and chymotrypsin was highest in fish reared at 21 ppt, while the highest lipase special activity was obtained in control group (P < 0.05). The special activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lysozyme (LZM), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) showed significant increases in salinity group (14 and 21 ppt) compared to control group (P < 0.05). Lower muscle ash contents were detected in salinity group (14, 21, and 28 ppt) than control group (P < 0.05), while the contents of crude lipid and crude protein were significantly higher than control group (P < 0.05). The level of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) exhibited a decreasing trend, while an increased level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was detected with the increase of salinity. Among the PUFA, the content of n-3 fatty acids in muscle tissue was found to be increasing with the increasing salinity, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Results indicate that appropriate increase in salinity was reasonable and beneficial for juvenile American shad culture after a comprehensive consideration, especially salinity range from 14 to 21 ppt.     

Immunogene expression in head kidney and spleen of common carp (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinus carpio</Emphasis> L.) following thermal stress and challenge with Gram-negative bacterium, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aeromonas hydrophila</Emphasis>

To evaluate the effect of thermal and microbial stress on the immune response of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.), relative mRNA expression level of pro-inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-1β] and other genes related to immune or stress response [inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), superoxide dismutase one (SOD1), and glucocorticoid receptor (GR)] was measured by quantitative PCR (qPCR). In addition, total protein and total immunoglobulin level in blood plasma of experimental common carp was also assayed. All the above parameters were estimated 24 h post-challenge with Gram-negative bacterium, Aeromonas hydrophila. Common carp (54.89?±?6.90 g) were initially exposed to 20 °C (control group) and 30 °C (thermal stress group) water temperature for 30 days, followed by experimental challenge with 2.29?×?10⁸ colony forming unit/mL (CFU/mL; LD₅₀ dose) of A. hydrophila. Exposure of fish to thermal stress and subsequently challenge with A. hydrophila significantly (P?<?0.05) increases the IL-1β mRNA expression in head kidney and spleen of common carp by ~?39.94 and ~?4.11-fold, respectively. However, TNF-α mRNA expression in spleen decreased ~?5.63-fold in control fish challenged with A. hydrophila. Thermal stress and challenge with bacterium suppresses the iNOS and GR mRNA expression in spleen of common carp. Moreover, significant (P?<?0.05) increase in total protein content of blood plasma (~?43 mg/g) was evident in fish exposed to thermal stress and challenged with A. hydrophila. In conclusion, our study highlights the importance of elevated temperature stress and microbial infection in differential regulation of expression of several immunogenes in common carp.     

The changes in cortisol and expression of immune genes of GIFT tilapia <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oreochromis niloticus</Emphasis> (L.) at different rearing densities under <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptococcus iniae</Emphasis> infection

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of stocking density on serum cortisol (COR) levels and expression of immune genes in the head kidney of juvenile GIFT tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) after Streptococcus iniae (S. iniae) infection. Juveniles (2700) were distributed into 30 tanks at five stocking densities (150, 300, 450, 600 and 750 g/m³), and each treatment had six replicates. After a 45-day feeding trial, a S. iniae challenge study was conducted for 96 h. Differences in mortality, serum COR and gene expression of C-type lysozyme, heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were analyzed. The levels of serum COR at all infected treatments were significantly higher compared with the levels of pre-infection (P < 0.05). At 96 h post-infection, serum COR levels of high stocking densities (600 and 750 g/m³) were significantly higher than those of low-density groups (P < 0.05); the mRNA levels of C-type lysozyme, HSP70, IL-1β, TNF-α and IFN-γ were significantly lower in tilapia reared at 600 g/m³ group than in those reared at 300 g/m³ group (P < 0.05). Fish reared in high-density treatments (600 and 750 g/m³) exhibited significantly higher post-challenge mortality (43.3 and 40.0 %) at 96 h following S. iniae infection, and it was significantly higher than other groups (P < 0.05). The data suggest that when living in high stocking density, GIFT tilapia showed decrease in immune capability, together with increased serum COR and susceptibility to S. iniae.     

Toxicological and hematological effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Terminalia arjuna</Emphasis> bark extract on a freshwater catfish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Heteropneustes fossilis</Emphasis>

Increasing demand for eco-friendly botanical piscicides and pesticides as replacements for harmful synthetic chemicals has led to investigation of new sources of plant materials. Stem bark of Terminalia arjuna, which has been used as a popular folk medicine since ancient time, was examined for its piscicidal activity. This study aims to determine toxicity of ethanol extract of T. arjuna bark on fresh water stinging catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis), along with evaluation of changes in hematological parameters of the fishes exposed to a lethal concentration. The percent mortality of fishes varied significantly in response to concentrations of the extract and exposure times (between exposure time F = 36.57, p < 0.001; between concentrations F = 39.93, p < 0.001). The lethal concentrations (LC₅₀) of ethanol extract were found to be 12.7, 8.94, 5.63 and 4.71 mg/l for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, respectively. During acute toxicity test, blood samples of treatment fishes showed significant decreases in the red blood cells count, hematocrit content, hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and plasma protein level when compared to those of the control group, while there were significant increases in the mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, white blood cells count and plasma glucose concentration. These results suggest that T. arjuna bark extract could be considered as a potent piscicide due to its toxic effect on fish, particularly fish hematology.     

Molecular cloning and expression analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Megalobrama amblycephala</Emphasis> transferrin gene and effects of exposure to iron and infection with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aeromonas hydrophila</Emphasis>

Transferrin (Tf) plays an important function in iron homeostasis and metabolism of organisms. In this study, we identified and characterized the Tf gene in Megalobrama amblycephala and evaluated its expression in basal conditions as well as after iron overload and experimental infection with Aeromonas hydrophila. Furthermore, we studied the iron binding properties of recombinant Tf. The full-length M. amblycephala Tf complementary DNA (cDNA) (GenBank accession no.: KX698308) of 2245 bp was cloned and contained a 1953 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding 650 amino acid residues and flanked by a 68 bp 5′ and a 204 bp 3′ untranslated regions (UTR). Predicted conservative structure illustrated that M. amblycephala Tf consisted of two conservative Tf domains. Amino acid sequence alignment revealed that M. amblycephala Tf had high similarity with that of cyprinids deposited in Genbank, and phylogenetic analysis showed that M. amblycephala Tf clustered with Ctenopharyngodon idella and Hypophthalmichthys molitrix. Tissue expression pattern analyses demonstrated that the liver was the main Tf mRNA expressing organ, being significantly higher than other tissues (p < 0.05). In the liver, Tf mRNA expression in fish artificially injected with the pathogenic bacteria A. hydrophila was significantly upregulated, reaching a peak at 12 h post injection (hpi) and then decreasing afterward. The expression in FeCl₃-injected fish showed a similar tendency, but reached a peak at 8 hpi. Meanwhile, fish serum iron significantly decreased following A. hydrophila injection, but increased to peak at 4 hpi and then decreased in FeCl₃-injected fish. The recombinant M. amblycephala Tf showed iron binding capacity using CAS analysis. These results are helpful to understand the structure and regulation of expression of Tf, as well as the specific function of Tf for both immune responses and iron homeostasis.     

Biofloc management with different flow rates for solids removal in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Litopenaeus vannamei</Emphasis> BFT culture system

Different water flows for solids removal in the Litopenaeus vannamei BFT system were evaluated. One control (no solids removal) and two treatments using different water flows, high (3945 L h^?1—HF) and low (1750 L h^?1—LF), were used with no water replenishment after each process, and the total dry weight of the solids was measured. L. vannamei (0.18 ± 0.06 g; 350 individuals m^?2) were stocked in 35-m^?3 tanks. For 17 weeks, the physical and chemical parameters were maintained within the recommended. To keep the total suspended solids concentrations at approximately 500–600 mg L^?1, clarifying was performed. The average water volume flowed by clarifiers was significantly different (p < 0.05) between HF (205 ± 34 m³) and LF (114 ± 24 m³). There was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the final tank volume in HF (28.09 ± 0.92 m³) and LF (28.62 ± 1.38 m³) due to the clarifying. Before clarifying (initial sample) and at the end of experiment (final sample) were not significantly different (p > 0.05) for crude protein, moisture or ash. The crude lipid of the LF in the final period was significantly lower (p < 0.05) compared to others in both periods. The survival, productivity and food conversion ratio were significantly better (p < 0.05) in the HF and LF treatments compared to those of the control. The best shrimp performance was obtained with solids removal. The lower flow in the clarifier facilitated particle settling, allowing adjustment of the flow.     

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.     

Comparative nutritional value of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Jatropha curcas</Emphasis> protein isolate and soy protein isolate in common carp

Jatropha seed cake (JSC) is an excellent source of protein but does contain some antinutritional factors (ANF) that can act as toxins and thus negatively affect the growth and health status of fish. While this can limit the use of JSC, detoxified Jatropha protein isolate (DJPI) may be a better option. An 8-week study was performed to evaluate dietary DJPI to common carp Cyprinus carpio. Five iso-nitrogenous diets (crude protein of 38%) were formulated that consisted of a C _ontrol (fish meal (FM) based protein), J ₅₀ or J ₇₅ (50 and 75% of FM protein replaced by DJPI), and S ₅₀ or S ₇₅ (50 and 75% of FM protein replaced by soy protein isolate, SPI) and fed to triplicate groups of 75 carp fingerlings (75; av. wt. ± SD; 11.4 ± 0.25 g). The growth, feeding efficiencies, digestibility, plasma biochemistry, and intestinal enzymes were measured. Results showed that growth performance of fish fed the S ₇₅- or DJPI-based diets were not significantly different from those fed the C _ontrol diet, while carp fed the S ₅₀ had significantly better growth than the J ₇₅ diet. Fish fed the J ₇₅ diet had significantly lower protein and lipid digestibility as well as significantly lower intestinal amylase and protease activities than all other groups. However, all plant protein-based diets led to significantly higher crude protein, crude lipid, and gross energy in the body of common carp compared to the control treatment. Plasma cholesterol and creatinine significantly decreased in the plant protein fed groups, although plasma triglyceride as well as the red blood cells count, hematocrit, albumin, globulin, total plasma protein, and lysozyme activity were higher in plant protein fed groups compared to FM fed group. White blood cells, hemoglobulin concentration, alkaline phosphatase and alanine transaminase activities, and glucose level in blood did not differ significantly among treatments. The results suggest that the DJPI is non-toxic to carp and can be used to replace FM in the diets of common carp up to 75%, but further research to potentially reduce some inherent ANF within this protein source, such as non-starch polysaccharides, may improve nutrient utilization.     

Pre-sedation and transport of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhamdia quelen</Emphasis> in water containing essential oil of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lippia alba</Emphasis>: metabolic and physiological responses

The effects of transporting silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) for 6 h in plastic bags containing 0 (control), 30 or 40 µL/L of essential oil (EO) from Lippia alba leaves were investigated. Prior to transport, the fish in the two experimental groups were sedated with 200 µL/L of EO for 3 min. After transport, dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, alkalinity, water hardness, pH, temperature and un-ionized ammonia levels in the transport water did not differ significantly among the groups. However, total ammonia nitrogen levels and net Na⁺, Cl^? and K⁺ effluxes were significantly lower in the groups transported with EO of L. alba than those in the control group. PvO₂, PvCO₂ and HCO₃ ^? were higher after transporting fish in 40 µL/L of EO of L. alba, but there were no significant differences between groups regarding blood pH or hematocrit. Cortisol levels were significantly higher in fish transported in 30 µL/L of EO of L. alba compared to those of the control group. The metabolic parameters (glycogen, lactate, total amino acid, total ammonia and total protein) showed different responses after adding EO to the transport water. In conclusion, while the EO of L. alba is recommended for fish transport in the conditions tested in the present study because it was effective in reducing waterborne total ammonia levels and net ion loss, the higher hepatic oxidative stress in this species with the same EO concentrations reported by a previous study led us to conclude that the 10–20 µL/L concentration range of EO and lack of pre-sedation before transport are more effective.     

The effects of starvation on fast-start escape and constant acceleration swimming performance in rose bitterling (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhodeus ocellatus</Emphasis>) at two acclimation temperatures

To investigate the effects of starvation and acclimation temperature on the escape ability of juvenile rose bitterling (Rhodeus ocellatus), we measured the fast-start escape and constant acceleration swimming performance of fish fasted for 0 (control), 1 and 2 weeks and half-lethal periods (6 or 4 weeks) at two temperatures (15 and 25 °C). Fish acclimated at a high temperature exhibited shorter response latency (R), higher maximum linear velocity (V _max) and longer escape distance during escape movement (D _120ms) than those at the low temperature. Starvation resulted in a significant decrease in V _max and D _120ms at either low or high temperature and a significant increase in R at only the high temperature in the half-lethal period groups (P < 0.05). The relationship between V _max (Y, m s^?1) and starvation time (X, week) was Y ₁₅ = ?0.062X + 1.568 (r = ?0.665, n = 36, P < 0.001) at low temperature and Y ₂₅ = ?0.091X + 1.755 (r = ?0.391, n = 40, P = 0.013) at high temperature. The relationship between U _cat (Y, cm s^?1) and starvation time (X, week) was Y ₁₅ = ?1.649X + 55.418 (r = ?0.398, n = 34, P = 0.020) at low temperature and Y ₂₅ = ?4.917X + 62.916 (r = ?0.793, n = 33, P < 0.001) at high temperature. The slopes of equations showed a significant difference between low and high temperature (F _1,63 = 9.688, P = 0.003), which may be due to the different energy substrate utilization when faced with food deprivation at different temperatures.     

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of probiotic properties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Enterobacter cloacae</Emphasis> in Kenyi cichlid, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Maylandia lombardoi</Emphasis>

In this study, Enterobacter cloacae bacterium was isolated from curd and its antibacterial potential against the pathogen Plesiomonas shigelloides was evaluated using the freshwater ornamental fish Kenyi cichlid (Maylandia lombardoi). Among the bacterial isolates, E. cloacae exhibited tolerance to acidic pH 2 and demonstrated the highest antibacterial activity against P. shigelloides in various in vitro assays. Dietary supplementation of E. cloacae with prebiotic supplement 2% mannan oligosaccharide improved the growth performance and reduced the toxic metabolites such as nitrite in culture tank water of Kenyi cichlid. In vivo application of E. cloacae with mannan oligosaccharide significantly elevated (p?<?0.05) white blood cell counts (88.47?±?2.15 10³ mm^?3) and respiratory burst activity (0.243?±?0.007) of Kenyi cichlid when challenged with P. shigelloides. Intestinal morphology of Kenyi cichlid fish treated with probiotic and prebiotic combinations showed improved intestinal architectures. The present findings confirm that the isolated bacterium E. cloacae is a potential probiotic and can be used effectively to prevent infection of P. shigelloides in freshwater ornamental fish culture.     

Molecular mobility of fish flesh measured by low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) relaxation: effects of freeze–thaw cycles

In this study, the molecular mobility of fish flesh was measured by low field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) relaxation. Sardine, tuna and mackerel were frozen at ?40 °C and stored for 1 day (24 h); and then these samples were thawed at room temperature (20 °C). The relaxation of water protons in fish flesh was measured for fresh (i.e., before freezing) and multi-cycle freeze–thaw samples (i.e., up to 12 times). Three domains from different pools of protons (i.e., low-mobile, medium-mobile and high-mobile) were identified from the relaxation curve. The T _2b (low-mobile), T ₂₁ (medium-mobile) and T ₂₂ (high-mobile) indicated the proton populations in the protein molecules, strongly bound water molecules, and weakly bound water molecules, respectively. In all cases, the relaxation time (T _2b: sardine r = 0.736 and p < 0.01, tuna r = 0.857 and p < 0.001, mackerel r = 0.904 and p < 0.001; and T ₂₂: sardine r = 0.956 and p < 0.0001, tuna r = 0.927 and p < 0.0001, mackerel r = 0.890 and p < 0.0001) increased with the freeze–thaw cycles and it reached a nearly constant value after 6 freeze–thaw cycles. The increased relaxation time (i.e., higher mobility) up to 6 freeze–thaw cycles could be due to the increase in proton mobility. However, relaxation time (T ₂₁: sardine r = ?0.510 and p > 0.05, tuna r = 0.162 and p > 0.5, mackerel r = 0.513 and p > 0.01) showed insignificant change with the increase of freeze–thaw cycles, which indicated minimal change in the medium-mobile protons. The results in this study revealed that the changes in proton mobility in the fish flesh during freeze–thaw cycles could be identified using T _2b and T ₂₂ relaxation of LF-NMR.     

Dietary supplementation of yeast (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces cerevisiae</Emphasis>) improves growth,stress tolerance,and disease resistance in juvenile Nile tilapia (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oreochromis niloticus</Emphasis>)

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is one of the commonest probiotics incorporated in aquafeeds. An 84-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of varying dietary inclusions of S. cerevisiae, 0% (control), 3% (YF3), 5% (YF5), and 7% (YF7), on growth, stress tolerance, and disease resistance in juvenile (body mass ~?21 g) Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Fish were randomly distributed in groups of 20 into 12 1-m³ hapas and fed isoenergetic (~?17 kJ g^?1 gross energy) and isonitrogenous (~?300 g kg^?1 crude protein) diets at 3% of their bulk weight daily. Specific growth rates were significantly higher for the yeast-fed fish (0.77–0.78% day^?1) than for the control fish (0.60% day^?1) and resulted in significantly higher mean final weights for the yeast-treated groups. Protein and lipid retention efficiencies were also significantly higher in the yeast-fed fish than in the control group. In subsequent stress challenge trials, the yeast-fed fish had greater tolerance to acute heat as well as hypoxia exposure than the control fish. Survival rates of the yeast-treated groups following sudden exposure to elevated water temperature (40 °C) ranged from 82.5 to 100% compared to 15% for the control. Mean survival rates following a 24-h hypoxia exposure were also generally significantly higher for the yeast-fed fish. The probiotic groups recorded a relative percent survival (RPS) of 75% after a 14-day Aeromonas hydrophila infection challenge. The results of this study indicate that S. cerevisiae as an additive in Nile tilapia diets has beneficial impacts on growth, stress tolerance, and disease resistance.     

Molecular endocrine changes of Gh/Igf1 axis in gilthead sea bream (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sparus aurata</Emphasis> L.) exposed to different environmental salinities during larvae to post-larvae stages

The influence of acclimation of the euryhaline gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) larvae/post-larvae to brackish water on growth, energetic contents, and mRNA levels of selected hormones and growth-regulating hypothalamic neurohormones was assessed. Specimens from 49 days post-hatching were acclimated during 28 days to two different environmental salinities: 38 and 20 psu (as brackish water). Both groups were then transferred to 38 psu and acclimated for an additional week. Early juveniles were sampled after 28 days of acclimation to both salinities and one week after transfer to 38 psu. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (adcyap1; pacap), somatostatin-I (sst1), growth hormone (gh1), insulin-like growth factor-I (igf1), and prolactin (prl) mRNA expression were all studied by QPCR. Post-larvae acclimated to 20 psu showed better growth performance and body energetic content than post-larvae maintained at 38 psu. prl, adcyap1, and igf1 mRNA expression levels increased in 20-psu-acclimated post-larvae but decreased upon transfer to 38 psu. GH1 expression did not show significant changes under both experimental conditions. Our results suggested an enhanced general performance for post-larvae in brackish water, supported by the actions of adcyap1, igf1, and prl.     

<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.     

Effect of stocking density on growth performance,serum biochemical parameters,and muscle texture properties of genetically improved farm tilapia, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oreochromis niloticus</Emphasis>

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of stocking density on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, and muscle texture properties of genetically improved farmed tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, GIFT). Juvenile GIFT with an average initial weight of 12.54?±?0.45 g (mean?±?SD) were randomly stocked in 16 tanks (80 L) in a recirculation aquaculture system at four densities of 10 (D1), 20 (D2), 30 (D3), and 40 (D4) fish per tank for 56 days, with quadruplicate for each density. There were no significant differences in water temperature among the four treatments (P?>?0.05). D4 had the significantly lowest dissolved oxygen content (5.52 vs 5.69–6.09 mg L^?1) (P?>?0.05) and pH (6.63 vs 6.87–7.20) (P?<?0.05). NO₂-N and NH₄-N concentrations significantly increased with increasing stocking density (P?<?0.05). Weight gain (WG) and specific growth rates (SGR) decreased with increasing stocking density. The lowest WG (617.20 vs 660.45–747.06%), SGR (3.52 vs 3.62–3.81% day^?1), and highest feed conversion ratio (1.68 vs 1.53–1.58) were observed in D4. Fish at D4 had significantly lower condition factor (3.11 vs 3.29–3.37%) and survival rate (91.25 vs 97.50%) than those from D1 and D2 (P?<?0.05). With increasing stocking density, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and total protein concentrations decreased (P <?0.05) and aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities increased (P <?0.05). D4 fish had higher moisture content (78.80 vs 76.97%) and lower crude protein content (18.14 vs 19.39%) in muscle than D1 fish (P?<?0.05). Compared to D1 and D2, D3 and D4 had lower muscle hardness (1271.54–1294.07 vs 1465.12–1485.65 g), springiness (0.62–0.65 vs 0.70–0.72), gumminess (857.33–885.32 vs 1058.82–1079.28 g), and chewiness (533.04–577.09 vs 757.53–775.69 g) (P <?0.05). High stocking density resulted in growth inhibition, declines in flesh quality, and disturbance to several serum biochemical parameters.     

Corn gluten meal in pacu <Emphasis Type="Italic">Piaractus mesopotamicus</Emphasis> diets: effects on growth,haematology, and meat quality

Corn gluten meal (CGM) has a high protein content and absence of antinutrients. However, it has high levels of carotenoids that can cause a yellowing of fish fillets and impair further commercialisation. Graded levels of CGM were incorporated in pacu diets to replace soybean meal (SM) protein. The experimental diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous (220 g kg^?1 digestible protein) and isoenergetic (13.4 MJ kg^?1 digestible energy) with 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 % replacement of SM protein by CGM protein over a 60-day period. One hundred fish (32.79 ± 3.43 g) were randomly distributed in 20 experimental cages (70 L) placed within five (1000 L) aquaria with continuous water renewal. The experimental design was completely randomised with five treatments and four replicates. A quadratic effect (P < 0.05) was observed for fillet and carcass yields, feed conversion ratio, weight gain, and specific growth rate, with the optimum values for replacement of SM protein by CGM protein estimated as 21.95, 29.13, 30.94, 37.71, and 38.75 %, respectively. There were no differences (P > 0.05) for blood parameters, proximal composition, water-holding capacity, pH, lipid oxidation, and a* value of fillets. The L* and b* values of fillets showed differences (P < 0.05). Replacement between 21.95 and 38.75 % of SM protein by CGM protein (5.37 and 9.48 % of inclusion in the diet) improves the growth performance and body yield of pacu juveniles without altering blood parameters or affecting the fillet quality.     

Changes in the physicochemical and microbiological properties of dried anchovy <Emphasis Type="Italic">Engraulis japonicus</Emphasis> during storage

This study investigated the changes in the pH, thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value, volatile basic nitrogen (VBN), color L*, a*, b*, shear force, and microbial content (total plate count; TPC) of dried anchovy Engraulis japonicus in a home refrigerator and freezer at 2, ??1, ??5, and ??20 °C. The TBA value and shear force significantly decreased with increasing storage duration at all of the tested temperatures (p?<?0.05), whereas the VBN and TPC values increased (VBN significantly so) with increasing storage duration (p?<?0.05). The anchovy L* values decreased, whereas the a* (redness) and b* (yellowness) values increased as the storage period was lengthened. The pH decreased after 9 months. The results suggest that the optimum storage period of the dried anchovy is within 6 months. It can be stored below 2 °C for 3 months, but for storage exceeding 3 months, it should be frozen at ??5 °C.     

Inhibitory neurotransmitter serotonin and excitatory neurotransmitter dopamine both decrease food intake in Chinese perch (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Siniperca chuatsi</Emphasis>)

Aminergic neurotransmitters play important roles in the regulation of food intake. However, their effects on feeding in fish have been less explored and still unclear. In the present study, the effects of serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) on food intake were evaluated through intraventricular (ICV) administration in Chinese perch (Siniperca chuatsi) and the mRNA expression levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY), agouti gene-related protein (AgRP), and pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) were detected. At 1 h post-injection, 5-HT significantly decreased food intake in a dose-dependent manner. The mRNA expression of NPY and AgRP were significantly decreased (p < 0.05), whereas the mRNA expression of POMC was significantly increased (p < 0.05), suggesting the involvement of NPY, AgRP, and POMC in inhibitory action of 5-HT on food intake in Chinese perch. DA significantly decreased (p < 0.05) food intake and AgRP mRNA expression at 1 h post-injection, indicating the inhibitory effect of DA on food intake might be mediated through AgRP. This might shed new light on the regulation of food intake in Chinese perch.