Triploid induction by hyperosmotic shock in the Yesso scallop,Patinopecten yessoensis

The triploid technology is a new frontier in shellfish aquaculture and has shown encouraging results in numerous shellfish species. We induced triploid larvae in the Yesso scallop, Patinopecten yessoensis, using hyperosmotic shock for the first time in this study. Different induction parameters, including salinity strength, treatment starting point, and the duration, were tested. The highest triploid ratio of D‐shaped larvae (72.12%) was obtained by 60 ppt salinity treatment for 20 min at the first appearance of zygote showing polar body II (PB2). A significantly faster growth rate was observed during the swimming larvae stage despite a decrease in the hatching and survival ratios. The triploid ratio decreased to 46.67%, and approximately 1.76 million triploid juveniles were harvested after 90 days of cultivation. The treatment parameters can be further optimized to improve the yield of Yesso scallop triploids.     

Pathogenic threats and probiotic use in larviculture of the scallop,Pecten maximus

During a series of experiments, bacteriological elements in scallop larval rearing were investigated: larvae susceptibility to pathogens as a function of their age, and the use of probiotic bacteria during larviculture. Younger larvae (d5 PF) were highly more susceptible to pathogenic‐challenge than their older siblings, which were challenged at an older age (d15 PF). A challenge with 10⁴ CFU mL^?1 of V. pectenicida killed 100% of d5 PF larvae 7 days following challenge, yet killed only 9% of d15 PF larvae 9 days following challenge. Use of the probiotics Phaeobacter gallaeciensis, Alteromonas macleodii 0444 and Neptunomonas sp. 0536, provided for larger larvae, a high yield of competent larvae and, perhaps more importantly, protection against pathogen‐challenge similar to levels achieved from antibiotic use. When challenged with V. pectenicida, d29 survivals were 20.3%, 85.1% and 75.0% respectively for control (no probiotic), antibiotic treated, and ‘probiotic mix’ administered larvae. Use of potential probiotic Pseudoalteromonas sp. D41 appeared to hinder scallop larvae. Future use of probiotics in scallop larval rearing would benefit from combined use of P. gallaeciensis, A. macleodii 0444 and Neptunomonas sp. 0536.     

温度对虾夷扇贝普通养殖群体和选育新品种海大金贝呼吸代谢的影响

2012年5月和9月,2013年3月和6月,在自然水温条件下,采用呼吸瓶法比较了不同温度(5.6℃、10.5℃、14.4℃、21.2℃)下普通养殖虾夷扇贝(Patinopecten yessoensis)和虾夷扇贝选育新品种海大金贝(Haida golden scallop)耗氧率和排氨率的影响。结果表明,在实验设置水温范围内(5.6~21.2℃),普通虾夷扇贝和海大金贝的耗氧率表现出相似的变化趋势。在温度达到14.4℃之前,实验贝耗氧率随温度的升高而增大,而在14.4℃后,则随温度的升高而减小。两种贝最大耗氧率分别为1.67 mg/(g·h)和1.27 mg/(g·h),其中在5.6℃和14.4℃海大金贝耗氧率显著小于普通虾夷扇贝(P0.05);10.5℃和21.2℃时,两组贝类的耗氧率差异不显著(P0.05)。普通虾夷扇贝和海大金贝排氨率随温度变化呈现出不同的趋势。前者从5.6℃开始,随温度的升高,排氨率缓慢升高,水温为14.4℃时达到最大值,为0.063 mg/(g·h),然后逐渐降低,14.4℃水温的排氨率显著大于10.5℃和21.2℃(P0.05);而从5.6℃到10.5℃,后者的排氨率逐渐降低,10.5℃时达到最低值,为0.029 mg/(g·h),然后随温度升高缓慢升高,到21.2℃达到最高值。海大金贝组在温度条件为5.6℃和21.2℃时排氨率高于普通虾夷扇贝组(P0.05);而水温为14.4℃时,普通虾夷扇贝组排氨率显著高于海大金贝组(P0.05);10.5℃时两者排氨率差异不显著(P0.05)。两实验组耗氧率Q_10系数均随温度的升高而降低。O/N结果表明,普通虾夷扇贝在本次研究的设定温度区间内以消耗脂肪和碳水化合物为主;海大金贝以消耗蛋白质为主,当温度逐渐升高,转化为以消耗脂肪和碳水化合物为主,当水温达到较高的水平,又转换为以消耗蛋白质为主。     

Reproduction,larviculture and early development of the Bluebanded goby,Lythrypnus dalli,an emerging model organism for studies in evolutionary developmental biology and sexual plasticity

The Bluebanded goby, Lythrypnus dalli, is a popular ornamental aquarium species and a key organism for the study of several fundamental biological questions, most notably reversible sex change in adults. To maximize the tractability of this species as an emerging model system, it is essential to have an optimized propagation system and a detailed developmental staging scheme. One limitation to the larviculture of L. dalli is the relatively small size of the larvae, which makes the transition from yolk to feeding challenging. We developed a protocol and successfully reared three generations of L. dalli in the laboratory. The protocol contains several key innovations for the rearing of diminutive fish larvae, including tank design and co‐culturing of microalgae (Isochrysis galbana) with copepods (Parvocalanus sp.) in the larval rearing tanks. In addition, we describe the embryonic and larval development of L. dalli under controlled conditions and in comparison with the model organism Danio rerio. We found that at 21°C L. dalli larvae hatch in 4 days, reach flexion in 18–25 days and are sexually mature by 3 months. Overall, the embryonic development of L. dalli is remarkably similar to D. rerio with several striking differences, including the position and shape of the blastomere, size of the neuromasts and corresponding cupula, and relative timing of pigmentation and brain subdivision. The ability to rear this species in captivity is a valuable tool that could be utilized for a variety of similarly diminutive species and to address a greater breadth and depth of biological questions.     

First report of Shewanella sp. and Listonella sp. infection in freshwater cultured loach,Misgurnus anguillicaudatus

A novel disease outbreak occurred among cultured loach, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus in China. The diseased fish displayed lethargy, loss of appetite, black discolouration, anasarca and ventral skin hyperaemia. Clinical signs were observed in most of the fish examined, which consisted of discoloured liver, swollen spleen and petechial haemorrhage in the intestine and peritoneal membranes. The causative agent was found to be two species of bacteria by experimental infection, identified as Shewanella sp. and Listonella sp. The result showed that these were likely to be Shewanella putrefaciens and Listonella anguillarum respectively. Bacterial identification consisted of physiological and biochemical tests as well as 16S rRNA sequence analysis. In addition, antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed, revealing that Shewanella putrefaciens and Listonella anguillarum were susceptible to enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, pipemidicacid and norfloxacin. This is the first report of S. putrefaciens and L. anguillarum from cultured loach.     

Use of Nannochloropsis sp. isolated from the East China Sea in larval rearing of sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus)

The supply of microalgae to hatcheries is a limiting factor for the mass larval production of sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) in Fujian Province, China. In this study, Nannochloropsis sp. isolated from the East China Sea was tested as food for A. japonicus larvae. The first trial compared the effect of mono‐, bi‐ and trialgal diets comprising three microalgae (Chaetoceros muelleri, Dunaliella tertiolecta and Nannochloropsis sp.) on A. japonicus larval growth, survival, settlement and juvenile growth. The results showed that there were no significant differences in survival and settlement between larvae fed with Nannochloropsis sp. and other diets. All diet treatments yielded similar juvenile sea cucumber output. In the second trial, A. japonicus larvae were fed equally four times daily at three different rations (5000, 20 000 and 40 000 cells mL^?1 day^?1). Larvae fed 20 000 cells mL^?1 day^?1 were significantly larger than larvae in other groups and experienced the highest survival rate. In the third trial, A. japonicus larvae were fed 20 000 cells mL^?1 day^?1 in three different frequency (2, 3 and 4 meals day^?1). The greatest body length was observed in larvae that received 3 meals day^?1. Survival and settlement of larvae fed 2 meals day^?1 were significantly lower than other two groups. These results suggest that Nannochloropsis sp. can be used as a diet for the large‐scale production of A. japonicus seed, and larvae fed three times daily at a ration of 20 000 cell mL^?1 day^?1 are recommended for hatchery production of A. japonicus.     

The parasite Ichthyophonus sp. in Pacific herring from the coastal NE Pacific

The protistan parasite Ichthyophonus occurred in populations of Pacific herring Clupea pallasii Valenciennes throughout coastal areas of the NE Pacific, ranging from Puget Sound, WA north to the Gulf of Alaska, AK. Infection prevalence in local Pacific herring stocks varied seasonally and annually, and a general pattern of increasing prevalence with host size and/or age persisted throughout the NE Pacific. An exception to this zoographic pattern occurred among a group of juvenile, age 1+ year Pacific herring from Cordova Harbor, AK in June 2010, which demonstrated an unusually high infection prevalence of 35%. Reasons for this anomaly were hypothesized to involve anthropogenic influences that resulted in locally elevated infection pressures. Interannual declines in infection prevalence from some populations (e.g. Lower Cook Inlet, AK; from 20–32% in 2007 to 0–3% during 2009–13) or from the largest size cohorts of other populations (e.g. Sitka Sound, AK; from 62.5% in 2007 to 19.6% in 2013) were likely a reflection of selective mortality among the infected cohorts. All available information for Ichthyophonus in the NE Pacific, including broad geographic range, low host specificity and presence in archived Pacific herring tissue samples dating to the 1980s, indicate a long‐standing host–pathogen relationship.     

Thelohanellus testudineus n. sp. (Myxosporea: Bivalvulida) infecting the skin of allogynogenetic gibel carp Carassius auratus gibelio (Bloch) in China

A Thelohanellus species was encountered during a survey on Thelohanellus diversity of Carassius auratus gibelio (Bloch) in China. The infection is characterized by the presence of large cysts of 1.4–3.2 cm in diameter in the skin of host. Mature spores were ampullaceous in frontal view and testudinate in lateral view, measuring 19.7 ± 0.7 (18.6–20.8) μm long, 7.6 ± 0.4 (6.6–8.4) μm wide and 7.3 ± 0.5 (6.6–8.8) μm thick. The single polar capsule was elongated pyriform, with 11.1 ± 0.5 (10.0–11.9) μm long and 5.3 ± 0.3 (4.3–5.8) μm wide. Polar filaments coiled with 7–8 turns. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a smooth spore surface with flat side and convex side. The sutural line was straight or ‘S’ like, running near the middle of the valves. Histologically, the large cysts consisting of numerous small plasmodia developed in the dermis of the skin. The BLAST search indicated that the newly obtained ssrRNA gene sequences did not match any available sequences in GenBank and phylogenetic analysis placed it in the Thelohanellus clade. Based on morphology and molecular differences with reported Thelohanellus spp., this parasite was described as a new species of genus Thelohanellus.     

The use of bromelain as a feed additive in fish diets: Growth performance,intestinal morphology,digestive enzyme and immune response of juvenile Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus)

Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme extracted from Ananas comosus and has great potential to affect several physiological functions. The current study examined the effect of bromelain added to commercial feed at concentrations of 0 g (control), 10 g (B1) and 20 g (B2) per kg diet on growth, feed utilization, intestinal morphology, digestive enzyme and immune response of juvenile Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) for 56 days. At the end of this experiment, the highest final body weight was detected in fish fed diet of B2 compared to control. The protein content of whole fish was higher in fish fed diet of B1 and B2, but the content of calcium, iron, copper and zinc was noted lower in fillets of fish fed diet of B1 and B2. Supplementation with bromelain significantly increased the height of mucosal folds, enterocytes and the supranuclear zone of the epithelial cells compared to control diet. The enzymatic activity of lipase and pepsin was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in fish fed diet of B1 and B2. The highest activity of lysozyme, total protein level and total immunoglobulin and the proliferative activity of T and B cells were detected in fish fed diet of B2 compared to control, where no significant (p > 0.05) difference was found in ceruloplasmin, metabolic activity of spleen macrophages and potential killing activity of spleen phagocytes between different treatments.     

Aurantiochytrium sp. meal as DHA source in Nile tilapia diet,part II: Body fatty acid retention and muscle fatty acid profile

Nile tilapia juveniles (8.35 ± 0.80 g) were fed on four levels (0.0%; 0.5%; 1.0%; 2.0%, 4.0%) of Aurantiochytrium sp. meal (ALL‐G‐RICH?), a source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The 1% Aurantiochytrium sp. meal diet was compared to a control diet, which contained the same amount of DHA as cod liver oil (CLO) at 1.7% diet. Groups of 25 fish were stocked in 100 L tanks and fed twice daily until apparent satiation, for 57 days, at 28°C. Increasing dietary Aurantiochytrium sp. meal reduced the body retention of DHA and n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 PUFA) but increased the body retention of alpha‐linolenic (α‐LNA), linoleic (LOA) and n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐6 PUFA). Fatty acid profile in tilapia muscle was affected by increasing dietary inclusions of Aurantiochytrium sp. meal, with an increase in DHA, α‐LNA, n‐3 PUFA and n‐3 long chain‐polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 LC‐PUFA) but a decrease in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), n‐6 PUFA and n‐6 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐6 LC‐PUFA). There was a larger body retention of DHA, α‐LNA, LOA, n‐3 PUFA and n‐6 PUFA fatty acids and a higher percentage of DHA, n‐3 PUFA and n‐3 LC‐PUFA in muscle fatty acid profile in fish fed on CLO diets than in those fed on 1% Aurantiochytrium sp. Therefore, Aurantiochytrium sp. meal is an alternative source of DHA for Nile tilapia diets.     

Year‐round natural spawning,early development,and the effects of temperature,salinity and prey density on captive ornate goby Istigobius ornatus (Rüppell, 1830) larval survival

Natural spawning, early development and larviculture of the ornate goby Istigobius ornatus in captivity were studied for the first time. I. ornatus spawned 46 times from 31 October 2013 to 31 October 2014. Fecundity ranged from 246 to 10,214 eggs per clutch, with an average hatching rate of 77.8% ± 9.9% (M ± SEM). Fertilized eggs (1.31–1.54 × 0.46–0.50 mm in diameter) were adhesive demersal and oval‐shaped. Embryonic development lasted 84 hr at 27.5 ± 0.5°C. Newly hatched larvae [2.12 ± 0.04 mm in total length (TL)] transformed to the juvenile stage completely when TL was 7.79 mm. Effects of different water temperatures (24, 28 and 32°C) and salinities (10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 g/L) on per cent survivals (%) and survival activity indices (SAIs) were tested. Survival was not significantly different under different temperatures; SAIs was significantly higher at 28°C. Larvae showed the significantly higher survival and SAIs at salinities 10–30 g/L than at 35 and 40 g/L. Effect of different prey densities on survival was significantly higher in 7 days post hatch larvae fed 20 and 30 rotifers/ml. These findings could guide future programs in captive breeding technology development and commercial production of other marine ornamental gobies.     

Morphology,seasonality and phylogeny of Zschokkella soleae sp. n. (Myxozoa,Myxosporea) parasite of Solea solea (L.) (Pleuronectiformes,Soleidae) from Ghar El Melh Lagoon,Tunisia

A new Myxosporea, Zschokkella soleae sp. n., was found in the gall bladder and the bile of common sole, Solea solea (L.), from Ghar El Melh Lagoon in north‐east Tunisia. This is the first record for the presence of Zschokkella species in Tunisian waters. The parasite's plasmodia are polysporic with variable size and shape. Some plasmodia appeared attached to the gall bladder epithelium while others were found free in bile. Mature spores are ellipsoidal in frontal view 13.8 ± 0.38 μm long and 10.86 ± 0.40 μm wide with two equal size spherical polar capsules 3.6 ± 0.43 μm in size. The prevalence of infection seems to correlate with host size and changes over the year with maximum percentage in summer. Based on the 18S rDNA sequence data, Z. soleae sp. n. is readily distinguishable from other myxozoan DNA sequences in GenBank. Phylogenetically, the new species is placed in the freshwater Myxidium clade including several Zschokkella spp. infecting the gall bladder. Morphology, histology as well as DNA sequence analysis indicate that the examined species differs from all previously described Zschokkella species.     

Effect of dietary protein levels on growth and nutrient utilization of fringe‐lipped carp,Labeo fimbriatus (Bloch) fingerlings

Effect of various dietary protein levels on growth and nutrient utilization were studied in fringe‐lipped carp, Labeo fimbriatus fingerlings for 60 days. Five practical diets containing graded protein levels of 200, 250, 300, 350 and 400 g kg^?1 with respective digestible protein (DP) contents of 192.4, 244.5, 291.6, 339.4 and 391.4 g kg^?1 were evaluated as five treatments, T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively, in triplicate. Each experimental tank (80‐L) contained eight fingerlings (4.9 ± 0.1 g) and was subjected to continuous aeration and 25% water replenishment daily. The fish were fed two times daily at 8:00 and 14:00 h to satiation. Significantly higher (P < 0.05) absolute growth and thermal growth coefficient, and lower feed conversion ratios (FCR) were observed in T2–T4 than T1 and T5. Protein efficiency ratio (PER) and protein productive values (PPV) were highest in T2 and lowest in T5. Significantly higher (P < 0.05) apparent protein digestibility was perceptible in T2–T4. While specific amylase activity declined linearly with increasing DP : DE, the protease, trypsin, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase established polynomial relationship. Based on live weight gain, PER and PPV fitted to quadratic model optimum DP levels were estimated as 301.4, 260.0 and 273.0 g kg^?1, respectively.     

The effects of dietary vitamin C on growth performance,serum enzymes activities and resistance to Vibrio alginolyticus challenge of yellow drum Nibea albiflora

A 9‐week feeding trial was conducted to determine the optimal dietary vitamin C requirement and its effects on serum enzymes activities and bacterial resistance in the juvenile yellow drum Nibea albiflora (initial weight 33.2 ± 0.10 g). Six practical diets were formulated containing vitamin C 2.1, 45.3, 89.6, 132.4, 178.6 and 547.1 mg kg^?1 diet supplied as l ‐ascorbyl‐2‐monophosphate. The fish fed 547.1 mg kg^?1 diet showed a significantly higher survival than that fed 2.1 mg kg^?1 diet. The weight gains and specific growth rate of the fish fed 2.1 mg kg^?1 diet were significantly lower than those of the fish fed 89.6–547.1 mg kg^?1 diets. The liver vitamin C concentration firstly increased with increasing dietary vitamin C supply from 2.1 to 178.6 mg kg^?1 diet and then stabilized. The serum superoxide dismutase activities of the fish fed 547.1 mg kg^?1 diet were significantly lower than those of the fish fed 2.1–89.6 mg kg^?1 diet. The fish fed 2.1 mg kg^?1 diet had a significantly higher alkaline phosphatase activity than those in the other groups except the 45.3 mg kg^?1 group. Fish that received diets containing vitamin C at 547.1 mg kg^?1 had significantly higher nitro blue tetrazolium and lysozyme activity, and fish that received diets containing vitamin C at 45.3–547.1 mg kg^?1 exhibited resistance against Vibrio alginolyticus infection. The dietary vitamin C requirement of the juvenile yellow drum was established based on broken‐line model of weight gain to be 142.2 mg l ‐ascorbyl‐2‐monophosphate kg^?1 diet.     

Ecological and histopathological aspects of Didymodiclinus sp. (Trematoda: Didymozoidae) parasite of the dusky grouper,Epinephelus marginatus (Osteichthyes: Serranidae), from the western Mediterranean Sea

The dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus (Lowe) is an ecologically and commercially important fish species of the Atlantic and Mediterranean coastal rocky habitats. Despite records of didymozoid infections in several grouper species, the identification and pathogenesis of these parasites in E. marginatus are lacking. The aim of this study is to characterize the didymozoids of E. marginatus, particularly their mechanisms of infection and histopathological features. Dusky groupers (n = 205) were caught off Majorca Island (western Mediterranean Sea) and examined for parasites. Of the fish sampled, 45% were infected with white and yellow didymozoid capsules and brown nodules, found on the gills and pseudobranchs. Parasite abundance had a strong positive relationship with the fish length; only fish larger than 20 cm were infected, suggesting infection via consumption of an intermediate host, for which E. marginatus size was a limiting factor. The capsules contained two convoluted viable adult trematodes, identified as Didymodiclinus sp., in close contact with host capillary vessels, with no evidence of the tissue inflammatory response. Conversely, nodules containing degraded parasites were surrounded by an intense inflammatory infiltrate. The findings suggest that Didymodiclinus sp. have the potential to evade the host's immune system by inhibiting the inflammatory response.     

The use of preserved copepods in sea bream small‐scale culture: biometric,biochemical and molecular implications

Considering the well‐known problems arising from the use of rotifers and Artemia as live prey in larval rearing in terms of fatty acid deficiencies, the aim of this study was to evaluate a partial or complete replacement of traditional live prey with preserved copepods during the larviculture of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). Sea bream larvae were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups in triplicates: group A larvae (control) fed rotifers followed by Artemia nauplii; group B fed a combined diet (50%) of rotifers–Artemia and preserved copepods; group C fed rotifers followed by preserved copepods; and group D fed preserved copepods solely. Survival and biometric data were analysed together with major molecular biomarkers involved in growth, lipid metabolism and appetite. Moreover, fatty acid content of prey and larvae was also analysed. At the end of 40 days treatment, a stress test, on the remaining larvae, was performed to evaluate the effects of different diets on stress response. Data obtained evidenced a positive effect of cofeeding preserved copepods during sea bream larviculture. Higher survival and growth were achieved in group B (fed combined diet) larvae respect to control. In addition, preserved copepods cofeeding was able to positively modulate genes involved in fish growth, lipid metabolism, stress response and appetite regulation.     

Effects of a mix of Bacillus sp. as a potential probiotic for Florida pompano,common snook and red drum larvae performances and digestive enzyme activities

This study examined the effect of a commercial mix of Bacillus sp. on survival, growth and digestive enzyme activities of Florida pompano, red drum and common snook. Larvae were fed either live feed enriched with Algamac 3050 (Control), Algamac 3050 and probiotics (PB), or the previous diet combined with a daily addition of probiotics to the tank water (PB+). Survival was not affected by the treatments for any of the species. At the end of the pompano and snook trial, standard lengths of larvae from the PB and PB+ treatments were significantly greater than for the control larvae. Microbiological analyses were performed at the end of the pompano trial, and numbers of presumptive Vibrio were not a concern in the system. For both pompano and snook, trypsin‐specific activity was higher in PB and PB+ larvae compared with the control larvae. Similarly, alkaline phosphatase activity was higher for the pompano larvae fed the PB and PB+ treatments and for the snook larvae fed the PB+ treatment compared with the control larvae. This experiment suggests that a mix of Bacillus sp. can promote growth through an early maturation of the digestive system during the early larval stages of pompano and snook.     

Connectivity of the bay scallop (Argopecten irradians) in Buzzards Bay,Massachusetts, U.S.A.

The harvest of bay scallops (Argopecten irradians) from Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, U.S.A. undergoes large interannual fluctuations, varying by more than an order of magnitude in successive years. To investigate the extent to which these fluctuations may be due to yearly variations in the transport of scallop larvae from spawning areas to suitable juvenile habitat (settlement zones), a high‐resolution hydrodynamic model was used to drive an individual‐based model of scallop larval transport. Model results revealed that scallop spawning in Buzzards Bay occurs during a time when nearshore bay currents were principally directed up‐bay in response to a persistent southwesterly sea breeze. This nearshore flow results in the substantial transport of larvae from lower‐bay spawning areas to settlement zones further up‐bay. Averaged over the entire bay, the spawning‐to‐settlement zone connectivity exhibits little interannual variation. However, connectivities between individual spawning and settlement zones vary by up to an order of magnitude. The model results identified spawning areas that have the greatest probability of transporting larvae to juvenile habitat. Because managers may aim to increase scallop populations either locally or broadly, the high‐connectivity spawning areas were divided into: (i) high larval retention and relatively little larval transport to adjoining settlement areas, (ii) both significant larval retention and transport to more distant settlement areas, and (iii) little larval retention but significant transport to distant settlement areas.     

Effects of exogenous multienzyme complex supplementation in diets on growth performance,digestive enzyme activity and non‐specific immunity of the Japanese seabass,Lateolabrax japonicus

This experiment aimed to investigate the effects of exogenous multienzyme complex (EC) on growth performance, digestive enzyme activity and non‐specific immunity of the Japanese seabass, Lateolabrax japonicus (initial weight 27.09 ± 0.08 g). EC includes protease, xylanase, glucanase and mannase. Japanese seabass were given six levels of EC (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 g/kg) for 28 days. Results show that EC significantly enhanced the weight gain rate and specific growth rate (p < .05), while the feed conversion ratio reduced significantly (p < .05). Activities of lipase and trypsin in liver and intestine significantly increased (p < .05). Alkaline phosphatase, superoxide dismutase and lysozyme activities in serum and liver significantly increased (p < .05), while the content of malondialdehyde in liver significantly declined (p < .05). Regression analysis showed that the optimal supplementation of EC in WGR, SGR, FCR, SOD and LZM activity in serum was 1.66, 1.67, 1.81, 1.71 and 1.53 g/kg, respectively, while the best SOD, LZM activity in liver, trypsin activity in liver and intestine supplement were 1.64, 1.51, 1.81 and 1.97 g/kg. In conclusion, EC supplemented can improve the growth performance, digestive enzyme activity and non‐specific immunity of Japanese seabass, and it is recommended that the optimal supplementation of EC in diets of Japanese seabass is 1.5–2.0 g/kg.     

Aurantiochytrium sp. meal as DHA source in Nile tilapia diet,part I: Growth performance and body composition

This study evaluated the inclusion of Aurantiochytrium sp. (ALL‐G‐RICH?), a source of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n‐3, DHA), in the diet of Nile tilapia and its effect on growth performance indexes and body composition. Fish (initial mean weight 8.35 ± 0.80 g) were fed different dietary inclusion levels of ALL‐G‐RICH?: 0.00, 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, and 0.40 g/kg and a control diet using cod liver oil (CLO), to provide DHA content comparable to the inclusion of 0.10 g/kg ALL‐G‐RICH?. Although there was no significant effect (p > 0.05) on weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion, protein retention rate, and proximal body composition, the inclusion of ALL‐G‐RICH? in the Nile tilapia diet influenced positively the fatty acid profile in the body, resulting in a high DHA concentration. CLO‐fed fish accumulated significantly more DHA compared to those fed 0.10 g/kg ALL‐G‐RICH? (p < 0.05). A digestibility trial was also performed for ALL‐G‐RICH with 65.86 g mean‐initial‐weight fish. The digestibility was high for DHA (96.10%); however, it was low for palmitic acid (70.81%). The results show that the inclusion of up to 0.40 g/kg ALL‐G‐RICH? can be used in Nile tilapia diets without impairing growth performance.