尼罗罗非鱼淀粉酶性质的初步研究

研究了尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)肝脏淀粉酶的基本性质及金属离子对该鱼淀粉酶活性的影响。结果表明:罗非鱼淀粉酶活力的最适pH是6.5,最适底物浓度是2%。研究金属离子对该鱼淀粉酶活力影响,一价金属离子K+、Li+、Na+对酶活力影响较小;二价金属离子Cu2+对酶活力具有抑制作用,Zn2+对酶活力无明显影响;三价金属离子Al3+对酶活力具有抑制作用,但效果不是很强烈,Fe3+对酶活力具有明显的激活作用;碱土金属Mg2+、Ca2+对淀粉酶活性有激活作用,而Ba2+对酶具有抑制作用;重金属离子Cd2+、Pb2+有明显的抑制作用。     

Evaluation and Nutrient Quality of Detoxified Jackbean Seeds,Cooked in Distilled Water or Trona Solution,as a Substitute for Soybean Meal in Nile Tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus,Diets

ABSTRACT

Jackbean, Canavalia ensiformis, seeds were detoxified using eight different wet thermal detoxification methods in either distilled water (5% w/v) or trona (NaCO₂.NaHCO₃.2H₂O) solution. The effects of the detoxification methods on hemagglutinating, antitryptic and urease activities, and on the digestibility coefficient of crude protein and gross energy in the jackbean seeds were investigated. Cracked jackbean seeds cooked (100°C) in trona solution for one hour proved to be more effective as a method of inactivating the antinutritional factors in jackbean seeds. Dried detoxified jackbean seed meals were incorporated in dry practical diets providing 20% or 30% of total protein and fed to Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, fingerlings (mean weight, 6.7 g) twice daily to apparent satiation for 70 days. Mortality was low and no abnormal fish behavior was noted even when the detoxified jackbean meals provided 30% of total protein in diet. Growth and feed utilization indices, were similar (P > 0.05) between the diet in which cracked jackbean seeds cooked in water provided 20% of total protein and in diets in which cracked jackbean seeds cooked in trona solution provided 20% or 30% of total protein. Carcass composition and hepatosomatic index showed no definite trend among O. niloticus fingerlings fed the experimental diets.     

Influence of Dietary Lipid Sources on the Growth Performance,Immune Response and Resistance of Nile Tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus,to Streptococcus iniae Challenge

ABSTRACT

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of dietary lipid sources on growth performance, body proximate composition, hematology, immune response and resistance of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, to Streptococcus iniae infection. Six isocaloric (3.2 kcal/g) and isonitrogenous (34% crude protein) semi-purified diets were supplemented with 7% of various sources of lipid, namely, corn oil (CO), beef tallow (BT), menhaden fish oil (FO), linseed oil (LO), and equal combinations of FO+CO+BT or LO+CO+BT. Diets were fed to tilapia in quadruplicate aquaria to apparent satiation, twice daily for 12 weeks. Fish fed the BT-diet exhibited significantly lowest weight gain, diet intake, feed and protein efficiency ratios, apparent protein utilization, and survival. Whole-body protein and ash were significantly (P < 0.05) lowest and highest, respectively, for fish fed the beef tallow-diet, but the values of these parameters did not differ among fish fed other diets. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were found among hematological values, except for fish fed the FO-diet which had abnormally high red and white blood cell counts. Serum protein concentration, lysozyme activity, and natural hemolytic complement activity were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in fish fed the BT-diet. The values of these parameters did not differ among fish fed other diets. Post-challenge antibody titer was not influenced by dietary lipid sources. Cumulative mortality 15 days post-challenge with S. iniae was significantly lower (P < 0.05) for fish fed the BT diet compared with those fed FO or FO+CO+BT diets. No significant differences were observed in fish fed other dietary lipid sources.     

Comparative digestion efficiencies in conventional, genetically improved and genetically male Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

Apparent digestibility of dry matter, protein, lipid and energy of a fishmeal‐based feed (41% crude protein, 9% crude lipid and 19 kJ g⁻¹ gross energy) was compared in genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT), genetically male Nile tilapia (GMNT) and conventional Nile tilapia (CNT) (Oreochromis niloticus). The experimental fish were reared individually under standardized conditions in a recirculation system at 27±0.1°C for 10 weeks. Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) was used as a marker. Faeces of individual fish were collected daily by siphoning and stored at −18°C before analysis. No significant differences (P<0.05) were observed in the digestibility coefficients of feed dry matter (78.2±3.4%, 77.7±4.4% and 76.4±3.7%), protein (87.9±3.0%, 88.4±2.8% and 88.0±3.3%), lipid (90.0±2.5%, 91.0±2.1% and 89.4±3.0%) and energy (90.4±1.9%, 90.7±2.0% and 89.4±2.3%) in GIFT, GMNT and CNT respectively. At the end of the experiment, there were no significant differences (P<0.05) in average percentage growth (82.2±7.2, 87.3±7.7 and 74.7±4.1 respectively for GIFT, GMNT and CNT), growth rates or feed utilization efficiencies between the three tilapia groups. We conclude that the higher growth claimed for improved GIFT and GMNT as compared with CNT, if ever existing, cannot be attributed to higher nutrients or energy digestibility.     

吉富罗非鱼对饲料中苯丙氨酸的需要量

分别用含6种水平(质量比分别为0.78%、0.95%、1.09%、1.34%、1.51%和1.72%)苯丙氨酸(phenylalanine,Phe)的等氮等能(粗蛋白30.10%,总能17.73 MJ/kg)饲料,在池塘网箱中(实验期间水温为24~32℃)饲喂初始体重为(52.70±1.80)g的吉富罗非鱼60 d,考察饲料Phe对吉富罗非鱼(GIFT,Oreochromis niloticus)生长性能、饲料系数、体成分、部分血清生化指标及前肠消化酶活性的影响,以期获得吉富罗非鱼对饲料苯丙氨酸的需要量。结果表明,随着饲料中Phe水平的升高,吉富罗非鱼的增重率、特定生长率、蛋白质效率、蛋白质沉积率、肥满度、肝体比和脏体比均呈现先上升后下降的趋势,饲料系数呈现先下降后上升的趋势;全鱼粗脂肪和全鱼灰分含量显著上升(P0.05),肌肉灰分含量显著下降(P0.05)。饲料中Phe对全鱼水分和粗蛋白质、肌肉水分、肌肉粗蛋白质和肌肉粗脂肪含量无显著性影响(P0.05);各实验组的肌肉氨基酸含量差异不显著(P0.05)。饲料中Phe显著影响血清中谷丙转氨酶活性,甘油三酯、总胆固醇和葡萄糖的含量(P0.05),对谷草转氨酶活性无显著性影响(P0.05);Phe显著影响肠蛋白酶、肠脂肪酶和肠Na~+-K~+-ATP酶活性(P0.05),而对肠淀粉酶活性影响不显著(P0.05)。以增重率、饲料系数和蛋白质效率为评价指标,通过二次回归分析可知,吉富罗非鱼对饲料中Phe需要量为1.17%~1.21%,占饲料蛋白质的3.89%~4.02%。本研究结果为合理配制吉富罗非鱼配合饲料提供了理论依据。     

Effects of pretreatment with microbial phytase on phosphorous utilization and growth performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

This study was to assess effects of the pretreatment in all‐plant based diets with microbial phytase on phosphorous utilization and growth performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Pretreatment trials were conducted using phytase at graded doses to determine the optimal dose of phytase. Available phosphorus (P) levels increased significantly with the increased doses of phytase and the dose of 1000 U kg^?1 was most efficient. Based on the pretreatment trials, plant based diets for Nile tilapia were formulated by pretreating with phytase at 1000 U kg^?1. Experimental diets were supplemented with graded levels of mono calcium phosphate (MCP) at 25, 18.75, 12.5, 6.25 and 0 g kg ^?1 diet. In addition, there were three controls: one phytase control, one inorganic P control and one pretreatment control. The results showed that diets pretreated with phytase gave better growth performance, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio of Nile tilapia compared with the phytase control diet and pretreatment control diet (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in growth performance of Nile tilapia between the inorganic control diet and phytase pretreated diets supplemented with MCP at 25, 18.75 and 12.5 g kg^?1 (P > 0.05), which resulted in significantly better performance than those at 6.25 and 0 g kg^?1 (P < 0.05). Dietary interaction effects of phytase were observed for phosphorus retention efficiency and phosphorus load. Apparent digestibility coefficient of P (ADCp) was improved significantly by phytase pretreatment (P < 0.05). No significant difference was detected on ADC of crude protein among all experimental diets (P > 0.05).     

Replacement of Fish Meal by Plant Proteins in the Diet of Nile Tilapia: Digestibility and Growth Performance

Apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) values for a number of ingredients of plant or animal origin were obtained in order to formulate diets based on such values and to evaluate growth performance of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus fed four experimental diets in which fish meal was gradually replaced by a mixture of other ingredients.The digestibility of various diet components was measured by using an inert marker in the feed and by using the Guelph faeces collecting system. ADC values of the ingredients tested were generally high, especially for fish meal. It was found that extruded pea seed meal (92.6%), defatted soybean meal (94.4%), full-fat toasted soybean (90.0%) and micronized wheat (88.6%) were the best vegetable proteins tested. Lupin seed meal and faba bean meal had similar ADC values for protein and energy.Groups of tilapia, initial mean body weight (SD) 6.7 (0.1) g, were fed experimental diets with the same digestible protein (DP) and digestible energy (DE) containing graded levels of a mixture of vegetable ingredients as partial or total replacement of fish meal protein. A growth trial was conducted over 12 weeks as partial or total replacement of fish meal protein. A growth trial was conducted over 12 weeks at a water temperature of 25 °C. Significant differences were observed for weight gain among tilapia fed diets D0, D33, D66 and D100 (containing only animal protein, 33, 66, and 100% of plant protein, respectively). No significant differences were observed for voluntary intake among tilapia fed diets D0, D33 and D66. These values were significantly lower than those observed for tilapia fed plant protein based diet (D100) and suggest the possibility of partial replacement of fish meal by vegetable proteins without negative effects.     

Relationship Between Dietary Protein Source and Feeding Frequency During Feeding Nile Tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus (L.) Cultured in Concrete Tanks

ABSTRACT

A 24-week feeding trial was conducted in concrete tanks with Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.) with an average initial weight and length of 50.87 ± 6.03 g and 14.4 ± 0.45 cm, respectively, to examine the effect of two protein sources and two feeding frequencies on growth performance, production traits, and body composition. Twelve 4 m³ concrete tanks (2 × 2 × 1.25 m, long, width, and height) were each stocked with 100 fish and fed diets containing either fish meal protein or soybean meal protein at two feeding frequency of two times daily or four times daily (2 × 2 × 3 factorial experiment). The results revealed that there was no significant effect of dietary protein sources on growth rate, whereas there was a significant increase in growth rate with increasing feeding frequency (P < 0.05). The same trend was also observed for mean body weight (g), production rate (kg/m3), specific growth rate (SGR % day^?1). The best final mean body weight (g), specific growth rate (SGR % day^?1), and production rate (kg/m3) were recorded in groups of fish fed with feeding frequency four times daily. Whole fish moisture, protein, fat, and ash contents were significantly influenced (P ≤ 0.05) by protein sources and feeding frequency, except protein not influenced with feeding frequency. Energy was significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by feeding frequency, but not by dietary protein sources. Economic evaluation indicated that soybean meal (Diet B) at four times feeding daily was the most cost-effective and affordable feed strategy for farmers. We conclude that a soybean diet fed four times daily is recommended for adult Nile tilapia reared in concrete tanks.     

延迟投饵对奥尼罗非鱼仔鱼摄食、生长和存活的影响

在盐度为5‰,水温(28±0.5)℃的条件下,对延迟投饵0~7d的奥尼罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus×O.aureus)仔鱼摄食、生长与存活进行了研究,并确定了仔鱼的饥饿不可逆点(PNR)。试验于仔鱼开口的当天开始试验。结果显示:仔鱼于3日龄开口;延迟投饵0~7 d组,投饵2 h后仔鱼摄食发生率分别为20%、100%、83.3%、36.7%、13.3%、6.7%、3.3%和0%,各组之间差异显著(P<0.05);延迟投饵在2 d以内,10日龄仔鱼体长和体重与对照组无显著差异(P>0.05),延迟投饵超过2 d,体长和体重显著低于对照组(P<0.05);奥尼罗非鱼仔鱼存活率随延迟投饵天数增加而降低,延迟0~2 d的10日龄仔鱼的存活率相差不大,介于78.6%~79.3%,各组差异不显著(P>0.05),延迟投饵超过2 d的仔鱼存活率较低,介于0%~33.3%;奥尼罗非鱼仔鱼的不可逆点出现在仔鱼开口后第4 d,开始投喂的最佳时间在仔鱼开口后的3 d之内。     

Effect of dietary probiotic Biogen® supplementation as a growth promoter on growth performance and feed utilization of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

Probiotic microbial feed supplements are gaining wide acceptance in livestock production, and may be applicable to aquaculture production systems. The present study was conducted to examine probiotic treatment in the fingerling diet of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (L.). A total of 240 of Nile tilapia fingerlings (weight ranged from 22.96 to 26.40 g) were divided into five experimental groups. The experiment was conducted for 120 days. Experimental diets were identical in all, except for the variation in probiotic levels. A probiotic (Biogen^®) was used at 0% (diet 1), 0.5% (diet 2), 1.5% (diet 3), 2.0% (diet 4) and 2.5% (diet 5) inclusion rates in the experimental diets. The growth performance and nutrient utilization of Nile tilapia including weight gain, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, protein productive value and energy retention were significantly (P≤0.01) higher in the treatment receiving probiotic (Biogen^®) than the control diet. No differences were observed for moisture, ash and protein content (P≤0.01) among the experimental diets. The lowest gross energy and lipid contents were recorded for fish fed the diet containing 0.5% Biogen^® (P≤0.01). The production performance and subsequent cost–benefit analyses clearly indicated that the diets containing probiotic biogen recorded the highest net return and the lowest total cost compared with the control diet.     

不同蛋白水平饲料对台湾东风螺生长性能和体组成的影响

以优质鱼粉、豆粕等原料制成蛋白质含量不同的6组饲料(粗蛋白含量分别为48.16%、45.64%、40.67%、35.68%、30.80%、25.96%),喂养台湾东风螺47 d,以投喂鲜杂鱼组作为对照,分别于15、27、37、47 d测定螺高、螺宽、螺体重等生长指标,计算不同处理组在不同时间段(27、37、47 d)的饲料系数和蛋白质效率,试验结束后测定东风螺螺肉的体组成和氨基酸含量,研究结果表明:投喂颗粒饲料比投喂鲜杂鱼的饲料系数显著高;而当颗粒饲料中蛋白质含量变化(25%~48%)时,对东风螺生长性能并无显著影响。但随着饲料蛋白含量的增加,东风螺对饲料的利用率在一定程度上有所提高。当饲料中粗蛋白含量低于25%时,47 d时其饲料系数2.3,显著高于其他饲料组;蛋白质效率1.74显著低于蛋白含量48.16%饲料组。从东风螺生长性能和饲料利用分析,颗粒饲料中蛋白质含量不应低于25%。所有组东风螺螺肉的粗蛋白、脂肪,总氨基酸组成均无显著差异,但是一些中性氨基酸(如亮氨酸、异亮氨酸和丙氨酸)和精氨酸随着饲料蛋白含量的降低而呈现出降低趋势,部分组产生了显著差异。投喂颗粒饲料的东方螺生长不如投喂鲜杂鱼组。     

Effect of Dietary Protein Level,Stocking Density,and Dietary Pantothenic Acid Supplementation Rate on Performance and Blood Components of Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

Protein in the diet (25 Vs 31%), stocking rate (100 Vs 200 fish per m³), and inclusion rate of pantothenic acid, vitamin B5, (10 Vs 20 mg/kg diet) were compared for their effects on blood plasma protein, albumin, urea-N, creatinine, plasma transaminase enzymes (AST and ALT), thyroxin (T₃), and growth in Oreochromis niloticus juveniles. Blood total protein, albumin, ALT, T₃, and growth were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in fish groups fed the high protein diet, while urea-N concentration in blood was significantly (P < 0.001) lower. Final body weight and daily weight gain were lower and food conversion rate was higher at the higher stocking density. Blood total protein, albumin, ALT, and T₃ were lower in fish groups reared at high stocking density. Body weight and daily gain was significantly higher at the higher pantothenic acid inclusion level, while feed conversion ratio was lower. Blood total protein, albumin, ALT, and T₃ were also elevated. The highest income to the system was from the group fed high protein, reared at low stocking density and fed diets supplemented with 10 mg vitamin B5.     

盐度、碱度对尼罗罗非鱼生长和肌肉品质的影响

在水温(24±1)℃下,将初始体质量(50.00±4.12)g的尼罗罗非鱼放入150 cm×60 cm×40 cm循环可控水族缸内,每箱15尾,每组设置3个平行。将尼罗罗非鱼在盐度(12 g/L)、碱度(23.8 mmol/L NaHCO3)、盐碱(12 g/L和23.8 mmol/L NaHCO3)以及淡水(对照组)水体中分别饲养56 d,比较和测量各组鱼体生长性能指标、肌肉常规营养成分、结合氨基酸和游离氨基酸含量,研究盐度、碱度对罗非鱼生长性能和肌肉品质的影响。试验结果显示,与淡水组相比,改变水体盐度、碱度对鱼体质量增加率、特定生长率和饲料系数均无显著影响(P>0.05)。盐碱组鱼肌肉灰分含量升高,粗蛋白含量下降;粗蛋白含量显著低于其他组(P<0.05);各组水分和粗脂肪含量差异不显著(P>0.05)。各组必需氨基酸量与氨基酸总量比值和必需氨基酸与非必需氨基酸比值分别为40%~41%和66%~69%,各组间差异不显著(P>0.05);处理组中必需氨基酸指数为47.06~59.66,盐碱组>碱度组>盐度组,盐碱组显著高于盐度组和碱度组(P<0.05)。碱度组、盐碱组和盐度组鲜味氨基酸总量分别为淡水组的1.78倍、1.74倍和1.63倍,且碱度组和盐碱组显著高于盐度组(P<0.05);盐碱组甜味氨基酸和游离氨基酸总量显著高于盐度和碱度组(P<0.05)。水体盐度、碱度均可有效改善罗非鱼肌肉营养价值和呈味特征,而碱度对肌肉呈味的影响效果更加明显。     

Effects of Yeast Oligosaccharide Diet Supplements on Growth and Disease Resistance in Juvenile Nile Tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

Commercially available yeast and yeast subcomponents consisting mainly of β-glucan or oligosaccharide feed additives were added to diets of juvenile (12–18g) Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) at rates recommended by suppliers. Three experiments were conducted following a basic protocol with varied rates of supplementation, duration of feeding, and stocking densities. Experimental diets were fed twice daily to apparent satiation for a period of two or four weeks, at the end of which feed consumption and weight gain were measured. Following the experimental feeding period, serum components, including protein and immunoglobulin concentrations, as well as lysozyme and complement activities, were measured. A disease challenge was conducted with pathogenic isolates of Streptococcus iniae or Edwardsiella tarda. Weight gains were not significantly different in fish fed the supplemented diets when compared to the control diet. There were significant differences in fed intake within individual experiments; however, this effect was not consistent in all three experiments. Overall feed efficiency was not significantly affected by diet. There were no differences in serum components of fish sampled at two or four weeks. Fish fed the experimental diets did not have lower mortality or morbidity after disease challenge compared to fish fed the control diets. Specific antibody against S. iniae or E. tarda measured by ELISA did not reveal differences in the fish surviving the challenge. We conclude that the incorporation of these commercial yeast component products into the diet of juvenile Nile tilapia at these rates and for these feeding periods had no effect on growth, serum components, antibody responses, or survival following S. iniae or E. tarda infection.     

饲料牛磺酸对尼罗罗非鱼生长、体成分及组织游离氨基酸含量的影响

本文探讨了饲料牛磺酸水平对尼罗罗非鱼幼鱼生长性能、体成分及游离氨基酸含量的影响。选用体重为5.89±0.03g的罗非鱼300尾,随机分为5个处理组,每个处理3个重复,每个重复20尾。在基础饲料中分别添加0、0.4%、0.8%、1.2%、1.6%的牛磺酸,配制成5种试验料,分别饲喂不同处理组的罗非鱼,饲养周期为56d。结果表明： 0.8%牛磺酸组罗非鱼增重率最高,且显著高于0%和1.6%组(P<0.05);饲料牛磺酸水平(0.4%-1.2%)显著提高了罗非鱼摄食率、肝脏指数和内脏指数,显著降低了饲料系数(P<0.05)。随着饲料牛磺酸水平的提高,鱼体粗蛋白质和粗脂肪含量随之升高,鱼体水分和粗灰分含量随之降低(P<0.05);以增重率为指标,通过二次曲线回归分析得出罗非鱼饲料牛磺酸最适需要量为0.75%。罗非鱼血清、肝脏、肌肉和全鱼中牛磺酸含量与饲料牛磺酸含量存在正相关关系,且牛磺酸添加组血清、肝脏、肌肉和全鱼牛磺酸含量显著高于对照组相(P<0.05)。罗非鱼肝脏和肌肉中游离氨基酸含量随饲料牛磺酸含量的增加均呈逐渐下降的趋势,且牛磺酸添加组肝脏和肌肉中游离氨基酸含量显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。     

Palm oil-laden spent bleaching clay as a substitute for marine fish oil in the diets of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

A 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of substituting fish oil with palm oil‐laden spent bleaching clay (SBC), a by‐product from crude palm oil (CPO) refining, on growth, feed utilization, fatty acid composition and heavy metal accumulation in the muscle of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Four isonitrogenous and isolipidic practical diets were formulated to contain 0, 100, 200 or 300 g kg^?1 SBC. Growth performance of Nile tilapia was significantly better in fish fed the 100 g kg^?1 SBC diet compared with fish fed the 0, 200 or 300 g kg^?1 SBC diet. Growth and feed utilization efficiency of fish fed 200 or 300 g kg^?1 SBC were similar to fish fed the control diet without added SBC. Whole‐body composition, body‐organ indices and haematocrit of tilapia were not affected by dietary treatments. Fatty acid compositions in the muscle lipid of Nile tilapia were strongly influenced by dietary treatments with progressively elevated levels of total saturates and n‐6 PUFA because of the dietary influence of these fatty acids from residual CPO adsorbed onto SBC. A gradual decrease in total n‐3 PUFA concentrations were also observed with the ratio of n‐3 to n‐6 fatty acids in muscle lipids decreasing from 4.75 to 4.41, 3.23 or 2.37 after 8 weeks on the 0, 100, 200 or 300 g kg^?1 SBC diet, respectively. The arsenic, cadmium and lead concentrations in the experimental diets increased with increasing dietary levels of SBC but the concentrations of these heavy metals in the whole body and bone of Nile tilapia were not significantly different among fish fed the various diets. The present 8‐week study showed that in fishmeal‐based diets for Nile tilapia, palm oil‐laden SBC can totally replace added fish oil. The use of this presently discarded waste product from palm oil refining in tilapia diets will greatly contribute to reducing the impact of rising feed costs in the culture of tilapia in many tropical countries. Other potential benefits may include acting as a feed binder, removal of mycotoxins in fish feeds as well as adsorbing toxic substances present in the culture water.     

Characterization and comparison of variations in reproductive performance of Chitralada strain Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

In an attempt to better understand and characterize the variability in the female reproduction of individual Thai‐Chitralada strains of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), tagged mature females (n=68) from a single population were monitored in a hapa‐in‐pond system over a 12‐month experimental period. Spawn female⁻¹, eggs female⁻¹ day⁻¹, eggs kg female⁻¹ day⁻¹, day spawn⁻¹ and weight (g) at first spawning of individual females were determined from the regular weekly sampling of weight (g) and eggs per spawn. For analysis, the females were grouped into two, high spawning (HSF) and low spawning frequency (LSF) classes based on their spawning frequency (SF) record. Moreover, nested under these two classes were two groups each based on growth rate, i.e., high frequency – large size (HL), high frequency – small size (HS), low frequency – large size (LL) and low frequency – small size (LS). There was no difference in eggs spawn⁻¹ among all females. The HSF group produced 68% and 361% more eggs female⁻¹ day⁻¹ than the population mean and LSF group respectively. Eggs female⁻¹ day⁻¹ and spawn female⁻¹ remained high in the HSF group and low in the LSF group throughout the 12‐month experimental period. This suggests that individual female spawning activity is consistent within a population in a common environment. The inter‐spawn interval increased with age in all four groups, and day spawn⁻¹ was shorter by 130% in HSF females compared with day spawn⁻¹ in LSF. The HSF group also spawned more successively (≥3), while the LSF group of females had fewer successive spawns (≤2). Body weight (g) had no influence on the number of eggs produced. The study indicates that separating frequently spawning females could be used as an important strategy to improve commercial seed production of Nile tilapia.     

Dissolved Oxygen Level and Stocking Density Effects on Growth,Feed Utilization,Physiology, and Innate Immunity of Nile Tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

A factorial design with three levels of dissolved oxygen (DO)—low 1.0–1.5 mg/l (LDO), medium 2.5–3.0 mg/l (MDO), and normal 6.0–6.5 mg/l (NDO)—and two stocking densities—0.2 g/l (SD1) and 0.4 g/l (SD2)—tested the interaction between oxygen and stocking density on juvenile tilapia performance. After the feeding trial, fish were intraperitoneally injected by pathogenic bacteria, Aeromonas hydrophila, and fish mortality was observed for 10 days post challenge. Highest growth was observed in the NDO-SD1 group. Reduction in DO concentration from 6.5 to 3.0 or 1.5 mg/L caused a reduction in fish growth and feed intake, which increased significantly by increasing fish density. Crude protein and total lipid in whole-fish body decreased significantly at LDO, while total lipid content decreased also at high SD. Glucose, activities of aspartate amninotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, creatinine, and uric acid in fish sera increased significantly, while total protein and total lipid decreased significantly at LDO and/or high density. Lowest fish immunity was observed in the LDO-SD2 group, suggesting that stress was maximized under LDO conditions and/or at high density.     

Improving growth performance and caudal fin stripe pattern in selected F6–F8 generations of GIFT Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) using mass selection

Genetic improvement using the mass selection method of growth performance and stripe pattern on caudal fin in selected F₆, F₇ and F₈ generations from genetically improved farmed tilapia strain Nile tilapia was evaluated at the National Tilapia Seed Farm of Qingdao, north China. In experiment I (2003), the average of daily body‐weight gain of F₇ was 12.5% higher than F₆, and 28.6% higher than F₅ (P<0.05). In experiment II (2004), the average daily body‐weight gain of F₈ was 12.9% larger than F₇, and 56.9% larger than F₆ (P<0.05). Coefficient of variation [(SD/mean)100] of body weight of F₈ decreased significantly (P<0.05) to 79.7% of F₆ and 72.9% of F₇, respectively, indicating that the growth became more synchronous after continuous selection. The percentage of fish with ideal vertical and parallel stripes on caudal fins in F₅, F₆, F₇ and F₈ reached 24.8%, 28.8%, 32.2% and 37.6%, respectively, significantly higher than that of the base population (17.6%) (P<0.05).     

The effect of the introduction of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus,L.) on small indigenous fish species (mola,Amblypharyngodon mola,Hamilton; chela,Chela cachius,Hamilton; punti,Puntius sophore,Hamilton)

This is the first controlled experiment to quantify the effect of introduced tilapia on indigenous species. This experiment was conducted in small earthen ponds (100 m²) to assess the impact of mixed‐sex or all‐male Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) on small indigenous species (SIS) commonly found in south Asia, mola (Amblypharyngodon mola), chela (Chela cachius) and punti (Puntius sophore). Ponds were fertilized, then stocked with 0.56 fish m^?2 of water surface area in the mixed‐sex and all‐male tilapia treatments and 0.42 fish m^?2 in the treatment without tilapia. No additional nutritional inputs were applied after stocking. Treatments were: mixed‐sex tilapia with SIS, mono‐sex male tilapia with SIS and SIS without tilapia (control). All treatments were stocked with 14 fish per species. All species reproduced during the 21‐month culture duration. The number of recruits varied by species, Tilapia reproduced in greater numbers than SIS. Tilapia numbers at harvest were the highest (451 ± 25/100 m²) in the mixed‐sex treatment compared with mola (221 ± 22/100 m²), chela (94 ± 8/100 m²) and punti (100 ± 7/100 m²). The number of mola was higher (399 ± 33/100 m²) in the all‐male tilapia treatment. There was reduction in the number of mola and chela in the treatment containing mixed‐sex tilapia. Gut content analysis combined with water sampling revealed that all fish species fed selectively. Significant interspecies dietary overlap was found between Nile tilapia and SIS and among SIS. Thus, there is potential for tilapia to compete with indigenous fish species when space and other resources are limiting, but a longer duration study with varying level of management is needed to determine how successfully tilapia competes with locally adapted SIS.