The histopathology of carp, Cyprinus carpio L., exposed to microcystins by gavage, immersion and intraperitoneal administration

Carp liver, gills, intestine, kidneys, heart and spleen were studied by histology after the fish were exposed to microcystins by gavage, immersion and intraperitoneal administration. Intraperitoneal inoculation with microcystins caused necrosis or dose- dependent degeneration in the liver, gills and kidneys. Gavaging with microcystins caused changes in the histopathology of the liver and gills. Cellular degeneration and necrosis occurred in the liver, gills and kidneys when carp were introduced to a tank containing 1.7 μg ml^?1 of microcystins. Lesions were not observed in the heart, spleen or intestines from any of the treated carp. Microcystins administered by intraperitoneal injection at a concentration of 50 μg kg^?1 were lethal to all fish within 8 h, while gavaging with 250 μg kg^?1 of microcystins caused minimal damage in the tissues studied.     

Comparison on growth performance,body coloration changes and stress response of juvenile river catfish,Pangasius hypophthalmus reared in different tank background colour

The effects of different tank background colours (green, black and white) on the growth performance and body coloration of juvenile river cafish, Pangasius hypophthalmus, were examined in this study. The experimental fish with an initial body weight (BW) 0.13 ± 0.05 g and total length (TL) 2.54 ± 0.37 cm were used, and groups of 15 fish per tank were randomly distributed. The experiment was conducted for 20 days as a triplicate for each treatment. Survival, growth in BW, body weight gain (BWG), total length (TL), total length gain (TLG), specific growth rate (SGR), condition factor, feed conversion ratio (FCR), swimming speed, body coloration and stress response were evaluated. River catfish reared in white and green tanks attained significantly higher BW, BWG, TL, TLG and SGR compared to the black tank. The white tank attained significantly better FCR compared to the black tank. River catfish showed the most active swimming behaviour in the green tank (5.49 ± 1.32 cm/s) while the least in the white tank (3.37 ± 0.93 cm/s). Body coloration of river catfish in the black tank showed almost pure black body coloration (75.59 ± 9.08), followed by the green tank (126.23 ± 17.46) and the white tank (148.19 ± 10.51). However, there was no significant difference in the stress level of river catfish reared in white and black tanks and insignificant to those reared in the green tank. The findings in this study showed that the white and green background colour tanks can be used for promoting growth of river catfish culture while the black background colour tank can enhance body coloration that is suitable as ornamental fish.     

Effect of Shelter, Broodstock Number, and Sex-Ratio on Juvenile Production in the Swordtail Xiphophorus helleri under Intensive Culture Conditions

Abstract.— Filial cannibalism has been identified as a constraint to the intensive production of swordtails Xiphophorus helleri . The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of refuge availability and quantity, broodstock population density, and adult sex-ratio on the rate of cannibalism under culture conditions. The availability of shelter had a significant effect on the number of harvestable juveniles, while the quantity of shelter did not affect harvest size. At a constant sex-ratio of 1:1 and broodstock population densities of four, ten, and 16 fish per 300-L tank the amount of juveniles harvested was lowest at the stocking density of four fish per tank, but did not increase significantly when stocking density was raised from ten to 16 fish per tank. Rate of cannibalism was lowest at the lowest population density. At a constant stocking density of ten fish per tank and sex-ratios of 1:1, 1:4, and 4:1 (male: female), the highest number of juveniles was obtained at a social structure of two males and eight females. Rate of cannibalism was independent of sex-ratio, indicating that males and females are equally cannibalistic. These results suggest that the 300-L broodstock tanks should be stocked with a maximum of two males and between five and eight females to obtain the greatest number of harvestable juveniles per tank.     

Acoustical monitoring of fish density,behavior, and growth rate in a tank

A challenge for the aquaculture community has long been the development of harmless techniques for monitoring fish in a tank. Acoustic telemetry has been used to monitor fish swimming behavior, and passive acoustics have been used to monitor fish feeding, but new techniques are needed to monitor non-invasively their numbers and growth rates. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the acoustical total scattering cross section of fish swimming in a tank can be measured from multiple reverberation time series. These measurements have been used successfully to estimate the number of fish in a tank in laboratory conditions, and to characterize their acoustical signatures. Here, we introduce a novel method for acoustically monitoring fish numerical density and behavior, and measuring their growth rates over long periods of time. These measurements can be performed remotely, without human interaction with the fish, and are harmless. To demonstrate the efficiency of these techniques, the number of sea bass, as well as the behaviors of sardines, rockfish and sea bass, in different tanks were monitored. Also, the growth rates of a group of starved sardines and a group of fed sardines were measured acoustically, over 1 month. For comparison, their average weight was measured once per week.     

Evaluation of Larval Growth and Survival in Mexican Mojarra,Cichlasoma urophthalmus,and Bay Snook,Petenia splendida,Under Different Initial Stocking Densities

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the initial stocking density in larvae of Bay snook, Petenia splendida, and Mexican mojarra, Cichlasoma urophthalmus, using a recirculation system. Five initial stocking densities (0.5, 1, 5, 10, and 20 larvae/L) were evaluated by triplicate for 45 d. Weight and total length (TL) were measured every 15 d, and fish production was calculated for each density. The larvae stocked at the lowest densities (0.5 and 1 larvae/L) presented the highest growth for both species: C. urophthalmus (0.78 g and 45‐mm TL, and 0.76 g and 45‐mm TL, respectively) and P. splendida (0.80 g and 52‐mm TL, and 0.79 g and 49‐mm TL, respectively). However, lowest fish production was recorded (35 and 69 fish per tank, respectively, for C. urophthalmus and 34 and 70 fish per tank, respectively, for P. splendida) compared with those at densities of 5, 10, and 20 larvae/L (336, 584, and 604 fish per tank, respectively, for C. urophthalmus and 341, 679, and 912 fish per tank, respectively, for P. splendida). The polynomial model for biomass production related to the stocking density shows that the optimum stocking densities for C. urophthalmus and P. splendida are 12 and 14 larvae/L, respectively.     

Positive phototaxis as the cause of jaw malformations in larval greater amberjack,Seriola dumerili (Risso, 1810): Mitigation by rearing in tanks with low‐brightness walls

Jaw malformations are a serious problem in fingerlings of the greater amberjack, Seriola dumerili. To establish a countermeasure against these malformations, we conducted a larval behavioural test to identify their root cause, and we investigated the ability of low‐brightness rearing tank walls to control their occurrence. Larval distribution was examined in a horizontally illuminated rectangular transparent aquarium (20 cm × 100 cm × 25 cm), and their distribution was biased towards the light source after this lighting was provided from 3 to 13 days post hatching (dph), indicating positive phototaxis; this response disappeared on 22 dph (there are no data between 13 and 22 dph). Larvae were observed to swim phototactically towards the light source and repeatedly collided with the tank wall (walling behaviour). To investigate the ability of wall brightness to control the incidence of jaw malformations, we compared their incidence in a rearing trial with different Munsell colour values for the tank walls: 2.11 (black), 5.85 (grey) and 9.52 (white). The incidence rate of jaw malformations at 25 dph was significantly lower in the tanks with lower‐brightness walls, that is, 5.8%, 22.5% and 26.8% for black, grey and white respectively. Larval walling behaviour was most intense for white, followed in order by grey and black. These results indicate that positive phototaxis elicits larval walling behaviour, causing jaw malformations, and that low‐brightness tank walls control this process.     

Effects of tank color on the growth,stress responses,and skin color of snakeskin gourami (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichogaster pectoralis</Emphasis>)

The effects of tank color on the growth, stress responses, and skin color of snakeskin gourami (Trichogaster pectoralis) were investigated in this study. Fish with initial body weights of 5.03±0.00 g were reared in five experimental tank colors (white, red, green, blue, and black) for 8 weeks. Each tank color was tested in triplicate with an initial stocking density of 15 fish per tank. Fish were fed with commercial sinking pellets at 4% of the average body weight per day. Growth performance, feed utilization efficiency, stress indicators (hematocrit, blood glucose, plasma cortisol levels), and skin color parameters were investigated. The fish reared in blue tanks had a significantly higher average final body weight (9.73?±?0.14 g) and significantly lower average feed conversion ratio (3.42?±?0.12) than the fish reared in black tanks (P?<?0.05). The fish reared in black tanks exhibited higher average hematocrit (36.63?±?1.11%), blood glucose (48.33?±?1.45 mg dL^?1), and plasma cortisol (9.00?±?0.56 μg dL^?1) levels than those reared in the other tank colors. However, the blood glucose levels in only the fish reared in black tanks were significantly higher than those in the fish reared in the other tank colors. The fish skin color ranged from very pale (high skin lightness) in the white tanks to very dark (low skin lightness) in the black tanks, and 80% of the variation in skin lightness were explained by the tank lightness. The use of a blue tank resulted in normal skin color; hence, blue tanks will not affect the customer acceptance of the fish. Our study revealed that blue is the most appropriate tank color for culturing snakeskin gourami.     

Impact of Sump Tank Size on Growth,Survival, and Production of Marron,Cherax tenuimanus,in an Intensive System

Juvenile marron, Cherax tenuimanus were cultured in an intensive crayfish culture system for a period of six months to study the effects of sump tank size on crayfish growth, survival, and production. Water volume in the large sump system was 2750 L and in the small sump tank system was 500 L. Crayfish were held in individual compartments (surface area 320 cm², depth 10 cm) and fed with commercial pellets (30% protein; 3-5% body weight per week). Specific growth rate (SGR) was 0.75%/day in the large sump system and 0.68%/day in the small sump system; survival was 83% in the large sump system and 71% in the small sump system; and biomass roduction (B) was 239 g/m² in the large sump system and 158 g/m² in the small sump system. These values were all higher (P < 0.05) in the large sump system. The results suggest that crayfish production could be improved by using large sump tanks in recirculating intensive crayfish culture systems.     

Filial Cannibalism in the Swordtail Xiphophorus Helleri (Poeciliidae)

To understand behaviour during filial cannibalism in swordtails (Xiphophorus helleri), the parturition behaviour of eight individually kept females was recorded on videotape. Three levels of female activity (low, medium and high) were quantified by measuring the duration of each. Four additional behavioural events (non-cannibalistic feeding, as well as the birth, attack and cannibalism of juveniles) were quantified by determining the frequency of each. Females gave birth most frequently at a low level of activity and at this level of activity they most often gave birth at the top of the tank. Of all the attacks by females on the young, 84.4% occurred in the light. Most attacks were recorded at the bottom of the tank and 84.0% of all cannibalism occurred at the bottom. Cannibalism was most successful at the bottom of the tank with a cannibalism:attack ratio of 1:2.2 and least successful in the middle where no cannibalism was recorded. In the light, females spent more time at the top of the tank, whereas in the dark they spent more time at the bottom. It was suggested that the rate of cannibalism might be reduced if parts of the tank were kept constantly dark and if females were restricted from reaching those areas in the tank where the frequency of cannibalism was highest, namely the top and the bottom of the tank. Experimental designs and working hypotheses for future studies are discussed.     

进径比对矩形圆弧角养殖池水动力特性影响

为研究单管入流模式下,进径比(参数C/B,C为射流孔位置到养殖池壁的水平距离,B为养殖池短边边长)对单通道矩形圆弧角养殖池系统水动力特性的影响,实验运用计算流体动力学仿真技术构建单通道矩形圆弧角养殖池三维数值计算模型,应用平均流速、阻力系数和速度分布均匀系数等流体动力学特征量分析养殖池内(尤其是池底)的流场形态,并修正...     

Effects of silymarin on growth performance,antioxidant capacity and immune response in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.)

A 9‐week feeding trial was conducted using triplicate groups of turbot (6.50 ± 0.01 g) to explore the potential effects of silymarin. Three concentrations of silymarin (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) were added to the plant protein‐based diet. Fish were randomly distributed into fiberglass tanks (30 fish per tank). The results showed that adding 100 mg/kg silymarin significantly improved the growth performance, with no effects on feed utilization. The antioxidant capacity in the liver was significantly improved in the 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg silymarin groups by not only inducing the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase but also increasing the messager RNA (mRNA) expression levels of SOD, glutathione peroxidase, and peroxiredoxin 6. Meanwhile, supplying 100 and 200 mg/kg of silymarin enhanced the heights of villi and enterocytes. Silymarin supplementation reduced the mRNA expression of interleukin‐8 and tumor necrosis factor‐α but induced the expression of transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) in the intestine. These results indicated that silymarin was a potential nutraceutical that could enhance the growth performance and health status of turbot fed in a high plant protein diet. Adding 100 mg/kg silymarin to the plant protein diet achieved optimal performance in turbot.     

Improved fertilization rates by using a large volume tank in red spotted grouper (Epinephelus akaara)

Two types of spawning experiments were carried out using a small or a large tank in order to determine the reason for the low fertilization rate in artificially reared red spotted grouper. The mean fertilization rate in the large tank (45%) was significantly higher than the one in the small tank (22%). The fertilization rates were high when a pair spawned underwater (84%) compared with the `jump-type' spawning behavior (31%). Spawning in the large deep tank was effective for improving the fertilization rate in this species.     

Estimation of flow in a rearing tank of marine fish larvae by simplified numerical computation—a case of two-dimensional flow

Marine fish larvae are fragile against physical stress. However, few studies have been conducted to evaluate the flow field in a rearing tank, which is assumed to provide a high degree of physical stress to marine fish larvae. The flow field in a rearing tank (volume of 1 m³) is generated by aerators, which are commonly used to provide oxygen.

This paper is a report on the estimation of stationary flow in the rearing tank of marine fish larvae. The larvae are seven band grouper larvae of Epinephelus septemfasciatus, which have a very low survival rate immediately after the hatching of eggs. The experiments of rearing of seven band grouper larvae were carried out using rearing tanks with four aeration rates (1000, 200, 50 ml/min, and no aeration). The effects of aeration on the survival and floating death of seven band grouper larvae were examined. The experiments confirmed that the mass mortality of seven band grouper larvae depends on the flow rate in the rearing tank. Aeration at 200 ml/min resulted in the highest survival and growth rates of grouper larvae.

Larvae-rearing experiments provided evidence that the flow rates of the rearing tanks are very important design aspects of rearing tanks. The estimation of flow in a rearing tank for an aerating rate of 200 ml/min was carried out by numerical calculation. The computation was simplified by a two-dimensional flow based on experimental results. The calculated flow in the rearing tank was compared with the experimental one. The calculation of the stationary flow in the rearing tank showed good qualitative and quantitative agreement with the experimental results. The numerical estimation of the flow in a rearing tank of marine fish larvae was confirmed to be effective and satisfactory for the design of a tank that would provide optimum performance.     

A bath challenge model for furunculosis in rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson, and Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.

Abstract. A natural bath challenge method has been developed for furunculosis using Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., and rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson. Fish were placed in an enclosed, continuously circulating tank system, supplemented with additional oxygen, the temperature raised gradually (overnight) to 15–16°C, a low dose of Aeromonas salmonicida (strain 184/186) introduced into the tank and the challenge maintained for 14 days. The challenge strain was characterized with respect to possible virulence factors and possessed an A-layer, ability to auto-agglutinate, haemagglutinate, adhere to Atlantic salmon cells and resist destruction by serum. No caseinase activity was detected. LD₅₀ for salmon using this method was 1.8×10³ cells per millilitre while trout had an LD₅₀ of 9.5×10⁴ cells per millilitre. Onset of the disease appeared to depend on fish size with larger trout (50 g) taking up to 10 days to show signs of the disease while mortalities in smaller trout (8.5g) commenced on day 1 post-challenge.     

Escape‐related behaviour of Atlantic cod,Gadus morhua L., in a simulated farm situation

Cultured fish escaping from farms represent an economic loss as well as a potential problem for wild fish populations. This study investigated the escape‐related behaviour of farmed Norwegian coastal and northeast Arctic cod (NEAC), Gadus morhua L. Six groups of fish were observed during three replicate trials in a large tank that was split into two equal parts by a net wall. The fish could move freely through an opening in the net during the trials. Three groups were not fed during the trials. The first escape occurred shortly after producing the net opening (11±10.5 min; mean±standard deviation). Norwegian coastal cod were more prone to escape than the NEAC. A starvation period of 9 days increased the number of fish on the escape side of the tank. Net biting and net inspection by the fish were frequently observed, irrespective of whether the fish were fed or not. The same fish were repeatedly found on the escape side of the tank, but the propensity for recurrent escape behaviour was not related to genotype, feeding status or size. The results suggest that other factors, such as individual variation in boldness or exploration behaviour, could affect the willingness to escape.     

Improving spawning synchrony in the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

Abstract. The development stage and number of seed (eggs and fry) removed from individual incubating Oreochromis niloticus (L.) broodfish at 10-day interharvest intervals (IHI) was compared with the harvest of free-swimming fry from undisturbed fish held in a tank within the same system. Spawning synchrony and productivity were compared for (1) total exchange of females for ‘conditioned’ females after each harvest, (2) exchange of only spawned females, and (3) return of females back into the spawning tank. Improved synchrony and seed production were positively related to removal of eggs and fry from incubating females and could have important implications for broodstock management in commercial hatcheries. Allowing fish to remain undisturbed in clear water tanks may lead to inhibition of spawning activity related to the formation of hierarchies. Individual weight loss by females during incubation was correlated with stage of seed harvested and thus with timing of spawning during the interharvest interval.     

Improved hatchery‐rearing techniques for juvenile production of blue swimming crab,Portunus pelagicus (Linnaeus, 1758)

The effects of tank colour, larval stocking density, antibiotic administration and water exchange on survival and moulting of blue swimming crab, Portunus pelagicus, were determined. Circular 4‐m³ experimental larval‐rearing tanks were used in triplicate for all treatments. White, dark grey, blue and brown were tested as tank background colours. The stocking densities tested were 10, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 larvae L^?1. The effect of oxytetracycline was estimated by comparing a treatment with oxytetracycline to a treatment without oxytetracycline administration. The daily water exchange rates tested were 0%, 25%, 50% and 100% of the tank volume. In all treatments, the larvae were fed with Artemia nauplii, rotifers and encapsulated Spirulina. The highest percentage survival was observed in the dark‐grey tanks when the stocking density of larvae was 20 larvae L^?1. No larva reached the juvenile crab size in white tanks. No significant difference in survival was found between treated and non‐treated larvae with oxytetracycline when the daily water exchange rate was more than 50%.     

Selection experiments with salmon: III. Genetic and environmental sources of variation in length and weight of Atlantic salmon in the freshwater phase

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) brood stock were taken from 32 strains in Norway for 3 consecutive years. Each year, after fertilization, the offspring in each family from each strain were reared in separate egg trays and fingerling tanks. Individual weights and lengths were recorded on a sample of fish from each tank. Environmental and genetic factors influencing the growth rate were studied. The length and weight at a standardized age were significantly affected by hatching date and number of fish held in a tank. There was also a significant ‘tank effect’ which influenced the heritabilities estimated. Significant differences between strains were found for all three year-classes (P<0.01). The estimates of heritabilities found for different year-classes are very consistent. When ‘tank effect’ was removed the heritabilities estimated from the total material were 0.08 for weight and 0.12 for length calculated from the sire components of variance. Calculated from the dam components, the heritabilities were 0.15 for weight and 0.17 for length. The genetic correlation between length and weight estimated from the total material was 1.00. For the ‘trait’ condition factor there were no significant sire and dam components of variance when tank effect was removed.     

引起半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis Günther)鱼苗大规模死亡的神经坏死病毒病

2012和2013年,山东某育苗场15–20日龄的半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis Günther)鱼苗出现暴发性大规模死亡,7 d内死亡率高达90%–100%。本研究调查了疾病的发生情况和临床特征,采集病鱼样品进行了组织病理学检查,并运用RT-PCR方法进行了病原的检测和基因序列分析。结果发现,半滑舌鳎鱼苗一般在7月和8月发病,发病时养殖水温为22–24℃。病鱼游泳行为异常,表现为上下翻游、螺旋性游动、全身大幅度波浪状浮动症状,但病鱼体表无出血和溃疡症状。组织病理检查发现,病鱼脑和视网膜组织出现严重的空泡化及坏死。病鱼样品的RT-PCR检测结果全部呈鱼类神经坏死病毒阳性。对得到的RT-PCR产物测序,进行BLAST比对,发现该病毒与鱼类神经坏死病毒的赤点石斑鱼神经坏死病毒(Red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus, RGNNV)基因型的相似性达98%以上,而与鱼类神经坏死病毒的其他3个基因型：黄带拟鲹神经坏死病毒(Striped jack nervous necrosis virus,SJNNV)、红鳍东方鲀神经坏死病毒(Tiger puffer nervous necrosis virus, TPNNV)和条斑星鲽神经坏死病毒(Barfin flounder nervous necrosis virus,BFNNV)的相似性仅为71%–78%。由此可以判定,本研究发现的引起半滑舌鳎鱼苗大规模死亡的神经坏死病毒为RGNNV基因型,半滑舌鳎也是鱼类神经坏死病毒的天然宿主。该发现在半滑舌鳎疾病防治和鱼类神经坏死病毒的流行机制研究方面都具有重要意义。     

Survival,growth and biomass of mud polychaete Marphysa iloiloensis (Annelida: Eunicidae) under different culture techniques

Polychaetes are commercially exploited as fishing bait and supplemental diet to crustacean and finfish broodstock. However, scarcity of supply and biosecurity issues limits its use. Polychaete aquaculture has become the best alternative to wild resources. In this study, two different culture techniques (1‐sediment tank throughout the culture period and 2‐nursery tank with bioflocs for 30 days; thereafter, juveniles were transferred to sediment tank until harvest) using two diets [bioflocs (BF) and feed mill sweepings (FS)] were tested to determine the survival, growth and biomass of polychaete Marphysa iloiloensis (Glasby et al., Zootaxa, 2019, 4674) in the grow‐out. The 180‐day trial was conducted in 16 tanks (0.20 m²) stocked with 5,066 ± 575 M. iloiloensis trochophore larvae/tank which were assigned randomly into four culture treatments with four replicates each. The treatments were labelled as: (a) BFS – fed BF in sediment tank for 180 days; (b) BF + BFS – fed BF in nursery tank for 30 days, juveniles were transferred in sediment tank and fed BF for another 150 days; (c) FSS – fed FS in sediment tank for 180 days; and (d) BF + FSS – fed BF in nursery tank for 30 days, juveniles are transferred in sediment tank and fed FS for another 150 days. Results showed that polychaetes in BF + FSS had significantly higher survival than BFS. Polychaetes in both BF + FSS and FSS had significantly higher body weight than BF + BFS and BFS, while biomass in BF + FSS (175.73 ± 42.25 g/tank) was significantly higher compared to other treatments (p < .05). Polychaetes fed with FS had 61%–64% protein and 12%–13% fat, while those fed with BF exclusively had 66%–70% protein and 3.50%–4.50% fat. The findings indicate that FS whether or not BF is included in the diet can improve both survival and growth of polychaetes but significantly higher biomass can be achieved with the combination of BF and FS. Additionally, polychaetes in BF + FSS contained 64% protein and 13% fat. Therefore, BF can be used as an alternative diet to FS in the early life stages of M. iloiloensis and nursery rearing using BF is imperative to increase its biomass in the grow‐out production.