Effect of feeding ratio on growth and body composition of juvenile olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus fed extruded pellets during the summer season

The effect of feeding ratio on growth and body composition of juvenile olive flounder fed extruded pellets was determined during the summer season. Thirty juvenile olive flounder (initial body weight of 17 g) per tank were distributed into 21, 180-l flow-through tanks. Seven treatments that included triplicate groups of feeding ratio in 5% decrement were prepared for this study: 100% (satiation), 95%, 90%, 85%, 80%, 75% and 70% of satiation. Fish in the control group were hand-fed to apparent satiation twice a day. Then feed allowance in the rest of the six groups was determined based on average feed consumption in the control group. The feeding trial lasted for 7 weeks. Survival was over 97% and was not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by the feeding ratios. Weight gain and SGR of fish fed to 100% of satiation were not significantly different from those fed to 95% of satiation but significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of fish fed to 90%, 85%, 80%, 75% and 70% of satiation. Weight gain, SGR and feed consumption of flounder linearly (P < 0.001) decreased with a decrease in feeding ratio. However, feed efficiency ratio, protein efficiency ratio and protein retention in fish body were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by the feeding ratio. The crude protein levels of the whole body without liver or liver were significantly affected by the feeding ratio. Hepatosomatic index and condition factor of fish were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by the feeding ratio. It can be concluded that optimum feeding ratio for growth of juvenile olive flounder could be lowered to 95% of satiation without growth suppression.     

Effects of dietary protein and energy levels on spawning performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) broodstock in a recycling system

The effects of dietary protein and energy level on spawning performance of Nile tilapia broodstock and hatchability of their eggs were studied. Nine diets containing three protein (30, 35 and 40%) and three energy (14.6, 16.7 and 18.8 MJ GE/kg) levels were prepared. The diets were fed to duplicate groups of broodfish (average weight of 60.5 ± 4.6 g for males and 39.4 ± 3.1 g for females) at 2–3% of their body weight, twice a day, for 150 days. At low protein level (30%), time to first spawning was significantly longer than at 35 and 40% protein levels, and increased with increasing dietary energy (decreasing protein-to-energy (P/E) ratio). At 35 and 40% protein levels, time to first spawning was not affected by dietary energy. Inter-spawning intervals (ISI) showed irregular patterns in relation to dietary protein and energy, however, at 40% protein the females tended to spawn at shorter intervals, regardless of dietary energy. Spawning performances, including total number of spawnings per tank, number of spawnings per female, absolute fecundity and average number of eggs per spawn, were all significantly lower (P < 0.05) at 30% CP than at higher protein levels. At all protein levels, increasing dietary energy from 14.6 to 18.8 MJ GE/kg (and decreasing P:E ratio) resulted in a significant decrease in fish fecundity. Egg size was not significantly affected by dietary protein and energy. At all energy levels, egg hatchability increased with increasing dietary protein levels (P < 0.05). Eggs produced from broodstock fed 30 and 35% CP, exhibited significantly lower hatchability (P < 0.05) and needed less time for hatching and yolk-sac absorption, and resulted in lower larval length than those fed a 40% protein diet. However, increasing energy level at each dietary protein level did not significantly affect these parameters. These results revealed that the best spawning performance of Nile tilapia broodstock reared in a recycling system was achieved at 40% dietary protein and 16.7 MJ GE/kg, with a P/E ratio of 23.6 g/MJ.     

Overwintering performance of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (L.) broodfish and seed at ambient temperatures in northern Vietnam

Two experiments (E1 and E2) to assess the performance of tilapia broodstock and tilapia sex‐reversed fry in overwintering were conducted at the Research Institute for Aquaculture No.1 (RIA‐1) in the cold seasons of 1995–96 and 1996–97. Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (L.) broodstock of the Thai, GIFT, Egypt and Viet strains were overwintered in deep and shallow ponds, as well as in deep and shallow hapas suspended in a single deep pond for evaluation of the influence of overwintering systems on the survival and growth of fish. Large (> 1 g) and small (< 1 g) tilapia seed were overwintered in deep hapas‐in‐ponds for comparison of their performance. In 1995–96, the coldest pond water temperature was 10–11 °C, and survival of tilapia broodfish overwintered in deep and shallow hapas‐in‐ponds was 99.6–100%. This was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than fish stocked in deep and shallow ponds (74.4–90%). The survival rate of larger monosex tilapia fry was 54%, which was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of smaller fry (33.4%). In 1996–97, the lowest pond water temperature was 15.8 °C, and fry showed similarly high survival rates in all treatments (97–100%). There was no significant difference between fry in the two size classes. The results of this study clearly indicate that hapas‐in‐ponds are useful for reducing the risk and improving the survival of tilapia broodstock and fry in the cold season. Differences in the decline in ambient temperatures year on year mean that the need for special overwintering conditions varies. Hapas‐in‐ponds are a low‐cost overwintering method that can be one of the appropriate strategies for tilapia seed production under the variable, cool temperature regimes in northern Vietnam.     

Influence of feeding rate and diet form on growth and survival of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fry

Young Nile tilapia (12 mg mean body weight and 11 mm total length) were stocked at a density of 5 fish/l in twelve 50-l aquaria filled with 30 l of tap water. They were fed pellet crumbles containing 35% crude protein at various daily feeding rates expressed as percentages of fish biomass. Mean increases in body weight after 5 weeks were 63, 198, 232 and 228 mg for the 15, 30, 45 and 60% feeding rates, respectively, when ambient temperature ranged from 19 to 21°C. Corresponding survival rates were 53, 85, 87 and 84%. Growth and survival rates were enhanced significantly (P < 0.01) at the 30, 45 and 60% feeding rates.Two feeding trials were conducted to compare the growth and survival of fry fed pellet crumbles and an unpelleted form of the same diet. Results showed that growth and feed conversion were similar for both forms of diet. However, the survival rate of fry fed pellet crumbles was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than the survival rate of fry fed the unpelleted diet. Prior pelleting of the formulated diet for the tilapia fry given at 30% to 45% of fish biomass daily ensured high survival, fast growth and efficient feed conversion.     

Selective particle feeding by the Chilean oyster, Ostrea chilensis; implications for nursery culture and broodstock conditioning

Hatchery broodstock conditioning and nursery culture of the Chilean flat oyster Ostrea chilensis have been hampered by the poor performance of oysters fed typical microalgal hatchery diets. To determine the feeding capabilities of this species the selective removal and consumption of natural planktonic assemblages and artificial inert particles (polystyrene beads) by juvenile and adult oysters were examined experimentally. The arrangement of the eulaterofrontal cirri of the ctenidia was also examined to infer their potential efficiency of particle selection for feeding. Polystyrene beads of 45 and 15 μm in diameter had high rates of removal from suspensions by both juvenile (45 μm = 70%, 15 μm = 73%) and adult (45 μm = 88%, 15 μm = 87%) oysters. In contrast, beads of 6 μm diameter had lower rates of removal (adults = 68%, juveniles = 53%), while 1 μm beads were not removed at all. Both adult and juvenile oysters feeding upon natural plankton assemblages removed only microphytoplankton (20-75 μm in size) despite the presence of nanophytoplankton (2-20 μm), picophytoplankton (< 2 μm), cyanobacterium Synechoccocus spp. (< 2 μm), and bacterial cells (< 75 μm) in the experimental suspensions. Eulaterofrontal cirri of both juvenile (15.2 μm ± 0.9 SE) and adult oysters (18.9 μm ± 0.3 SE) are the shortest that have been reported for any ostreid species which helps to explain the inability of this species to retain small food particles. The clearance rates for oysters feeding on microphytoplankton only were 1.49 (± 0.05 SE) and 7.1 (± 1.2 SE) l h^− 1g^− 1 for juveniles and adults respectively. These values are much higher than previously reported for this species being fed smaller sized cultured microalgae. Our results strongly suggest that the difficulties in the nursery and broodstock hatchery culture of this oyster may be due to inappropriate phytoplankton diets. We recommend the provision of cultured microalgae of 20-75 μm in diameter for improving the performance of hatchery maintained juvenile and adult O. chilensis.     

Effects of starvation and feeding on blood chemistry,fatty acid composition and expression of vitellogenin and fatty acid-binding protein genes in female swimming crab <Emphasis Type="Italic">Portunus trituberculatus</Emphasis> broodstock

Portunus trituberculatus broodstock were stocked in plastic tanks to evaluate the effects of starvation and feeding on gonadal development, blood chemistry, fatty acid composition, and expression of vitellogenin (Vtg) and fatty acid-binding protein genes (FABP) in females. Two treatments (starved and fed) were randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 90 swimming crab broodstock (approximately 230 ± 45 g). In the starved treatment, crabs were starved for 30 days, whereas in the fed treatment crabs were fed once a day with clams. The gonadosomatic index decreased significantly in starved crabs (P < 0.05), as did the serum glucose and cholesterol concentrations; conversely, the total protein concentration in serum significantly increased (P < 0.05). In the ovary, there was a significant relative decline of 18:0, 16:1n-7 and 20:1n-9 fatty acids and relative increases of 20:4n-6, 22:6n-3, 18:1n-9 and 20:5n-3 in starved crabs compared to fed crabs (P < 0.05). Relative expression of Vtg in the ovary decreased significantly in starved crabs (P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference in hepatopancreas Vtg expression between starved and fed crabs (P > 0.05). Starvation suppressed gonadal development in female swimming crab broodstock.     

Effects of dietary protein level on spawning performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) broodstock reared at different water salinities

Effects of dietary protein level and water salinity on spawning performance of Nile tilapia broodstock and growth of their larvae were studied. Four isocaloric (400 kcal/100 g) diets containing 25%, 30%, 35% and 40% crude protein were prepared. The diets were fed to broodfish (25.7 g) reared at three water salinities (0‰, 7‰ and 14‰) at a female/male ratio of 3:1, to satiation twice a day for 195 days. The size at first maturation increased with increasing dietary protein at all salinities. At 25% and 30% protein levels, broodstock reared at 0‰ reached their sexual maturity at bigger sizes than those reared at 7‰ and 14‰. At 0‰, spawning intervals were not significantly affected by dietary protein levels. At 7‰ and 14‰, spawning intervals significantly decreased with increasing dietary protein level. Spawning frequency and number of eggs per spawn were increased with increasing dietary protein level. The total number of spawnings per female and absolute fecundity were better in fish fed 40% protein in freshwater than at 7‰ and 14‰ salinity. The relationship of dietary protein and water salinity on egg size was significant, but showed irregular patterns. The chemical composition of broodstock muscles, eggs and fry were not significantly affected by dietary protein and water salinity, except for body water and crude protein of broodstock which were significantly affected; but showed irregular trends. At each water salinity, egg hatchability was linearly increased with increasing dietary protein level. Eggs produced from broodstock fed 25% protein at 7‰ and 14‰ needed more time for hatching and yolk-sac absorption and resulted in poorer larval weight than those reared in freshwater. Fry growth was improved with increasing protein level at all salinities. This result revealed that 40% dietary protein is required for optimum spawning performance of Nile tilapia reared at 0‰, 7‰ and 14‰ salinity. It also indicated that spawning performance and larval growth were better in freshwater than at 7‰ and 14‰.     

Growth and fry production of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), on different feeding schedules

The effect of scheduled use of high‐protein and low‐protein diets on body weight and fry production of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), was determined. A preliminary feeding trial was first conducted on fingerlings. These were fed a high‐protein diet (H, 25% protein) or a low‐protein diet (L, 18% protein) daily, or diet H for 1–3 days followed by diet L for 1–4 days. Final body weight was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in fish fed diet H daily and in fish fed diet H for 2–3 days followed by diet L for 1 day (2H?1L and 3H?1L). Fingerlings on 1H?1L and 3H?2L had slightly lower growth. Based on the response of the fingerlings, five feeding schedules were tested with the broodstock. A high‐protein diet (HP, 40%) and a low‐protein diet (LP, 25%; same as H for fingerlings) were used. Feeding schedules significantly influenced body weight of female but not the male fish. Fry production was not significantly affected by the feeding schedule for broodstock. When growth, fry production and saving in feed cost were all considered, the broodstock on 1HP?1LP and 3HP?2LP feeding schedules both gave the highest overall performance. These findings give fish farmers an option in the management of feeding of tilapia broodstock.     

Growth, immune function, and disease and stress resistance of juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed graded levels of bovine lactoferrin

Juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were fed nutritionally complete, practical basal diets supplemented with bovine lactoferrin (Lf) at 0, 200, 400, 800, or 1600 mg/kg diet to apparent satiation twice daily for 8 weeks. After the feeding trial, the effect of dietary Lf on growth performance, immune function, and resistance to Streptococcus iniae challenge and low-water stress was determined. Dietary Lf did not affect growth performance (weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency ratio, or survival) or haematological parameters (haemoglobin, white and red blood cell counts, or haematocrit) (P > 0.05). Crowding stress produced significant increases in plasma cortisol, glucose, lactate, and osmolality from baseline values (P ≤ 0.001), but dietary Lf did not affect plasma glucose, osmolality, or cortisol concentrations (P > 0.05). The level of Lf in diet had a significant impact on survival following S. iniae challenge with fish fed the 800 mg/kg Lf diet having significantly higher survival than control fish (P ≤ 0.05). There was not a corresponding increase in activity of non-specific or specific immune parameters (plasma lysozyme and spontaneous haemolytic complement activities or agglutination antibody titer against S. iniae) with addition of Lf to diets (P > 0.05), but plasma iron decreased and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) increased significantly with increasing concentration of Lf in diet (P ≤ 0.05). The ability of Lf to sequester iron, an essential nutrient required for the growth of bacteria, is regarded as one of its key antibacterial properties. The increased survival with increasing dietary concentration of Lf seemed to correspond with a decrease in plasma iron concentration and not enhancement of non-specific or specific immune functions.     

Effect of dietary supplementation of phospholipids and highly unsaturated fatty acids on reproductive performance and offspring quality of Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis (H. Milne-Edwards), female broodstock

This study was conducted to determine the optimum phospholipids: highly unsaturated fatty acids (PL/HUFA) ratio in maturation diets for female Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis broodstock. Five isolipidtic and isonitrogenous diets were formulated to contain different amounts of pork lard, fish oil and soy lecithin with resulting PL/HUFA levels (%dry weight) of 1.4/0.3 (Diet 1), 1.6/2.5 (Diet 2), 2.3/2.0 (Diet 3), 3.8/1.5 (Diet 4) and 5.1/0.8 (Diet 5). Diet 1 lacked supplemental fish oil and soy lecithin and served as the control. Each of the five formulated diets was fed to a total of 150 female crabs for a period of 7 months. All diet treatments were triplicated with 50 crabs stocked in a pond as a replicate. After 6 months, male crabs were introduced into the ponds where females were kept, mating, spawning and egg hatching (in seawater) occurred in the following month. The nutritional value of various formulated diets was assessed based on survival, gonadosomatic index (GSI), egg production per female, fecundity (eggs/g female weight) of the females fed those diets and egg and larval (newly hatched zoea I larvae) quality.Females fed Diet 1 had the lowest GSI, egg production per female and fecundity while no significant difference were found for survival, hepatosomatic index (HSI) and the percentage of female spawned among the diet treatments (P > 0.05). Although there were no significant differences in egg diameter, egg wet or dry weights among all treatments (P > 0.05), the highest and the second highest proportions of essential fatty acids (EFA), i.e. 20:5n-3 (EPA), 22:6n-3 (DHA) and HUFA were found in the eggs produced by the females fed Diet 3 and Diet 2, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that EPA, DHA and HUFA in eggs produced by females fed Diet 3 were significantly higher than those from the other treatments (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, zoea I larvae from crabs fed Diet 3 had significantly larger carapace length than those from the other four treatments (P < 0.05). The zoea I larvae from crabs fed Diet 2 and Diet 3 also showed generally better tolerance to starvation and osmotic shock.In conclusion, our results indicated that diet included levels of PL/HUFA around 1.6/2.5 or 2.3/2.0 (% dry weight) fed female E. sinensis broodstock supported increased fecundity and elevated level of HUFA in egg, which in turn resulted in improved overall quality of newly hatched larvae.     

Juvenile cobia (Rachycentron canadum) can utilize a wide range of protein and lipid levels without impacts on production characteristics

Two, 6 week feeding trials were conducted to evaluate the impacts of protein and lipid on weight gain, feed efficiency ratio values and biological indices of juvenile cobia (Rachycentron canadum). Utilizing a 2 × 3 factorial design, experimental diets containing two levels of crude protein (CP; 40 and 50%) and three levels of lipid (6, 12 and 18%), providing 14.4, 15.1 and 16.6 kJ available energy/g dry diet (calculated), respectively, were formulated for use in both feeding trials. In the first trial, cobia (initial weight 49.3 g per fish) was randomly assigned to one of the six experimental diets and fed to apparent satiation twice daily. At the end of the first trial, weight gain in cobia was not significantly impacted by protein levels with values ranging from 333% (50% CP) to 353% (40% CP). However, lipid significantly (P < 0.05) affected weight gain with fish fed the diet containing 18% total lipid returning the lowest growth of 293%. Feed efficiency ratio values were not significantly impacted by dietary protein or lipid levels and ranged from 0.46 (50% CP/18% lipid) to 0.51 (50% CP/6 and 12% lipid). Survival was significantly impacted by protein and lipid with fish fed the diets containing 50% CP and 18% lipid having lower (P < 0.05) survival rates of 90%.In the second trial, smaller fish were utilized (7.4 g average initial weight) under identical experimental conditions and dietary formulations. Weight gain was not significantly affected by protein or lipid levels and ranged from 1099% in fish fed the diet containing 40% CP/18% lipid to 1305% in fish fed the diet containing 50% CP/12% lipid. Feed efficiency ratio values, visceral somatic and hepatosomatic indices were significantly affected by protein and/or lipid. Muscle and liver lipid were impacted by dietary lipid (P = 0.0203 and 0.0012, respectively). Muscle protein was significantly impacted by dietary protein levels, while liver protein was affected by both main effects. Dietary protein and lipid had no impact on muscle ash.These data suggest that juvenile cobia can thrive on a wide range of protein and lipid levels, as well as a range of protein to energy ratios. Positive impacts of optimizing the protein component in terms of economic and environmental concerns, coupled with the ability to maintain the rapid growth rates this species are renowned for at lower dietary lipid levels, point towards beneficial consequences of further refinement of commercial cobia production feeds.     

不同循环饥饿投喂模式对尼罗罗非鱼补偿生长的影响

为了探讨尼罗罗非鱼对不同循环饥饿投喂模式的补偿生长效应,本实验分别采用每天投喂(S0)及饥饿1 d+投喂3 d(S1F3)、饥饿1 d+投喂5 d(S1F5)、饥饿1 d+投喂7 d(S1F7)、饥饿2 d+投喂3 d(S2F3)、饥饿2 d+投喂5 d(S2F5)和饥饿2 d+投喂7 d(S2F7)6种不同的循环投喂模式,用含33%蛋白质和8%脂肪的饲料饲养尼罗罗非鱼(均重13.50 g),饲喂期为43 d。结果显示,S0组的增重率(806.74%)最高,与S1F3、S1F5和S1F7组差异不显著,但分别比S2F3、S2F5和S2F7组显著提高40.3%、33.6%和10.4%;S0组的特定生长率最低(5.36%),显著低于其他各组;与对照组相比,采用循环投喂模式没有改善饲料转化率和蛋白质效率,但却能明显提高日摄食率;各实验处理组肝体比、脏体比、肥满度、鱼体灰分含量、肌肉RNA/DNA比值及血清总胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇和尿素氮含量与对照组差异不显著;S1F3、S1F5和S1F7组鱼体蛋白质和脂肪含量、血清甘油三酯含量及血清谷丙转氨酶和谷草转氨酶活性与S0组差异不显著,但S2F3、S2F5和S2F7组鱼体蛋白质和脂肪含量及血清甘油三酯含量显著低于S0组,血清谷丙转氨酶和谷草转氨酶活性显著高于S0组。研究表明,尼罗罗非鱼在S1F3、S1F5和S1F7模式下获得了完全补偿生长,而在S2F3、S2F5和S2F7模式下仅获得了部分补偿生长,且均是通过提高恢复投喂期间的摄食量来实现补偿生长。在获得完全补偿生长的3组中,S1F3组的实际投喂天数最短,仅为33 d,比每天投喂模式缩短了23.3%,因此在本实验条件下,饥饿1 d+投喂3 d是最佳的循环饥饿投喂模式。     

Feeding regime does not influence lysine utilisation by Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., parr

This study investigated whether the efficiency of lysine utilisation for liveweight gain, protein gain and lysine gain was affected by feeding regime in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) parr. Twelve diets containing from 10.15 to 20.79 g dietary digestible lysine kg^− 1 were hand-fed either to satiation or to a controlled fixed ration. The controlled ration was set to equal the feed intake of the basal (lowest) lysine diet so that any growth above that of the group fed the basal diet at the controlled ration was due entirely to the additional dietary lysine. For both feeding regimes, with increasing dietary lysine there were significant linear increases in liveweight gain (P < 0.001) and in protein (P < 0.001) and lysine (P < 0.01) concentration of liveweight gain. Increasing dietary lysine resulted in a significant (P < 0.001) linear increase in feed intake at satiation. Efficiency of lysine utilisation for liveweight gain above maintenance lysine intake was significantly (P < 0.005) higher at satiation than for the controlled ration: 47.7 compared to 34.9 mg liveweight gain per mg digestible lysine intake, respectively. However, feeding regime had no significant effect on the efficiency of lysine utilisation for protein or lysine gain. This study demonstrated that feed intake does not influence the efficiency of lysine utilisation for protein or lysine gain in Atlantic salmon parr. The change in weight-specific lysine composition suggests a robust physiological mechanism maintaining the efficiency of lysine utilisation for lysine gain in Atlantic salmon parr.     

Effects of a dietary organic acids blend and oxytetracycline on the growth,nutrient utilization and total cultivable gut microbiota of the red hybrid tilapia,Oreochromis sp., and resistance to Streptococcus agalactiae

A 20‐week feeding trial was conducted to measure growth, nutrient utilization and faecal/gut bacterial counts in triplicate groups of red hybrid tilapia, Oreochromis sp., when fed diets supplemented with 0.5% organic acids blend (OAB), 1.0% OAB, 0.5% oxytetracycline (OTC) or a control diet (no additives). At the end of the feeding trial, tilapia were challenged with Streptococcus agalactiae for 22 days. Fish fed the OTC diet had significantly higher (P < 0.05) growth than the control treatment, while growth between fish fed the OTC or OAB diets was not significantly different (P > 0.05). Phosphorus, dry matter and ash digestibility were significantly higher in the 1.0% OAB diet than the control diet. Fish fed the OAB diets had significantly lower colony‐forming units of adherent gut bacteria compared to the control or OTC treatments while those fed the 1.0% OAB diet had the lowest total faecal bacterial counts. Tilapia fed the 0.5% OTC or OAB diet had significantly higher resistance to S. agalactiae than those fed the control diet. This study indicates that dietary organic acids can potentially replace OTC as a growth promoter and antimicrobial in tilapia feeds.     

Dietary copper requirements of juvenile grouper, Epinephelus malabaricus

To quantify dietary copper (Cu) requirements in grouper, Epinephelus malabaricus, copper sulfate was added to the basal diet at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 20 mg Cu/kg diet providing the actual dietary value of 0.11, 1.66, 2.41, 4.37, 6.56, 8.97, 11.03 and 20.05 mg Cu/kg diet, respectively. Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of grouper (initial body weight 13.35 ± 0.01 g) in a recirculated rearing system for 8 weeks. The Cu concentration in rearing water was monitored during the feeding period and ranged from 1.0-1.5 μg/l. Weight gain (WG) and feed efficiency (FE) were higher (P < 0.05) in fish fed diets with 4.37 and 6.56 mg Cu/kg diet than those in fish fed diets with ≥ 11.03 and ≤ 1.66 mg Cu/kg diet. Hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) value was lowest in fish fed diets with 4.37 and 6.56 mg Cu/kg diet, intermediate in fish fed diets with 11.03 and ≤ 1.66 mg Cu/kg diet, and highest in fish fed the diet with 20.05 mg Cu/kg diet. Differences between each of the three groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Both hepatic copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn SOD) and plasma ceruloplasmin activities in fish fell into four groups. Cu-Zn SOD value was highest in fish fed the diet with 6.56 mg Cu/kg diet, second highest in fish fed the diet with 8.97 mg Cu/kg diet, intermediate in fish fed the diet with 20.05 mg Cu/kg diet, and lowest in fish fed the diet with 0.11 mg Cu/kg diet; plasma ceruloplasmin was highest in fish fed the diet with 6.56 mg Cu/kg diet, second highest in fish fed diets with 2.41, 4.37 and 8.97 mg Cu/kg diet, intermediate in fish fed diets with ≥ 11.03 mg Cu/kg diet, and lowest in fish fed diets with ≤ 1.66 mg Cu/kg diet. All values in each of the four groups were significantly different from the values of three other groups (P < 0.05). Analysis by broken-line regression of WG, hepatic SOD activity and TBARS value and linear regression of whole-body Cu retention of the fish indicate that the adequate dietary Cu concentration in growing grouper is about 4-6 mg Cu/kg diet.     

Effect of dietary protein source and time on alkaline proteolytic activity of Nile tilapia (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oreochromis niloticus</Emphasis>)

A 4 × 3 factorial study was conducted to evaluate the effect of four experimental diets (a control diet and a 0, 50, and 100% fish meal replacement diet) and the period of time Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, were fed those diets (0, 20, and 40 days) on the alkaline proteolytic activity of the animals’ digestive tract, as well as their potential interaction. Significant differences (at P < 0.05) and a significant interaction were observed among dietary treatments for the alkaline proteolytic activity of tilapia after 40 days of feeding. This study confirmed that, under these experimental conditions, a 50% fish meal replacement formulation elicited the highest alkaline proteolytic activity in the digestive tract of tilapia, which resulted in the highest final weight and specific growth rate (SGR), but further research is needed to establish the relative contribution of the alkaline proteases to the overall proteolytic activity of this omnivorous fish species.     

Enrichment of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) fillets with conjugated linoleic acid and omega-3 fatty acids by dietary manipulation

An experiment was conducted in aquaria with channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) to determine the efficacy of augmenting fillets with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (n − 3 HUFA) by feeding diets amended with products containing high levels of these nutrients. Refined menhaden fish oil at 1.5% of diet supplied the n − 3 HUFA. CLA was used at dietary levels of 0.5% and 1% with a preparation that contained approximately 65% isomers of CLA. Corn oil was added to the basal diet at maximum inclusion level for added lipids of 3% for the control diet and to adjust total added lipid content of the other diets to 3%. Average initial body weight was 57.39 ± 0.25 g/fish. Six experimental diets were fed twice daily to four replicate aquaria for six weeks. At that time, fish were group weighed for determination of weight gain and feed conversion. Fillets of six fish per aquarium were recovered and stored at − 80 °C for moisture and total lipid analyses, fatty acid analysis, and sensory evaluation. Results showed feed consumption and feed conversion did not differ (P > 0.05). Significantly (P < 0.05) greater body weight gains were observed only for fish fed the diets with two combinations of CLA and 1.5% fish oil compared to fish fed the diet containing 0.5% CLA and corn oil. Fillet n − 3 HUFA levels were significantly (P < 0.05) elevated for fish fed diets containing fish oil when compared to n − 3 HUFA of fillets of fish fed diets containing either corn oil or CLA and corn oil. Similarly, fillets from fish fed diets amended with CLA contained substantial amounts of CLA of up to 6.4% of total lipids. Fillets from fish fed corn oil or fish oil diets had no CLA. Taste panel evaluation indicated that fillets containing n − 3 HUFA and CLA were essentially without fishy off-flavor and had excellent sensory qualities. Catfish fillets produced by amending diets with sources of n − 3 HUFA and CLA at the levels used in this study would contain elevated levels of these nutraceuticals and could be an important human food source for these healthful fatty acids.     

Effect of feeding frequency on growth,feed utilization,body composition and waste output of juvenile golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus) reared in net pens

A 6‐week feeding trial was conducted to examine the effect of feeding frequency on growth, feed utilization efficiency, body composition and waste output of juvenile golden pompano Trachinotus ovatus reared in net pens. Fish (10.3 ± 0.5 g) were either fed a formulated diet containing 48.4% crude protein and 5.7% crude lipid at 0.5, 1, 2, 3 or 4 meals per day or fed a raw fish feed at two meals per day as a control. The weight gain (WG) increased with increasing feeding frequency from 0.5 to 3 meals per day (P < 0.05), but did not significantly change with the further increase in feeding frequency from 3 to 4 meals per day (P > 0.05). The feed intake (FI) was lower in fish fed at 0.5 or 1 meal per day than in fish fed at 2, 3 or 4 meals per day (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found in the feed conversion ratio (FCR), nitrogen retention efficiency (NRE), condition factor (CF), nitrogen waste output (NWO) and phosphorus waste output (PWO) between fish fed at 1, 2, 3 or 4 meals per day (P > 0.05), whereas no significant difference was found in the phosphorus retention efficiency (PRE) among the feeding treatments (P > 0.05). The body lipid content increased, whereas the contents of moisture and ash decreased, with the increase in feeding frequency (P < 0.05). At the same feeding frequency, fish fed the formulated diet exhibited lower FI, FCR, HSI, body moisture content, NWO and PWO, but higher NRE, PRE, body lipid content and body phosphorus content than those of fish fed the raw fish feed (P < 0.05). These results suggest that the formulated diet can satisfy nutrient requirements of juvenile golden pompano reared in net pens, and the suitable feeding frequency is 3 meals per day.     

Effect of Indian lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) leaf powder on immune status and disease resistance of Nile tilapia

This study assessed the immune response of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) after feeding on different levels (0.1%, 0.2% and 0.4%) of dietary Indian lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) leaf powder for 45 days. We evaluated both the nonspecific immune response at the end of the feeding period and the resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila. Exposure to Indian lotus resulted in a significant elevation in serum total globulins, serum lysozyme activity, serum killing percentage and the phagocytic activity (p < 0.05). Total serum protein and albumin showed no remarkable variation between tilapia fed on 0.1% Indian lotus and the control group (p > 0.05). In addition, the relative expressions of immune‐related genes, namely interleukin–1β and tumour necrosis factor–α were significantly up‐regulated in tilapia fed on 0.4% Indian lotus as compared to the control group; their expressions were down‐regulated in the other tested groups (p < 0.05). The survival rate of Nile tilapia postchallenge to A. hydrophila reported a significant and dose‐dependent increase in the Indian lotus‐supplemented groups (p < 0.05). Therefore, dietary incorporation of Indian lotus leaves (0.4%, 0.2% and 0.1%) could strengthen the immunity of Nile tilapia and improve its resistance to A. hydrophila infection. Therefore, Indian lotus leaves could serve as potential feed supplements for Nile tilapia.     

Astaxanthin digestibility as affected by ration levels for Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of feed intake on the apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of astaxanthin including the major geometrical E/Z-isomers in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Atlantic salmon (50 per pen, initial weight 2 kg) were kept in 125 m³ sea pens equipped with an excess feed collection system to monitor and quantify accurate feed intake, and subjected to three treatments in triplicate. All salmon were fed the same diet supplemented with 47 mg astaxanthin per kg. Two treatments were fed full or restricted rations corresponding to 100 or 40% of apparent satiation, respectively, with a switch in ration between two consecutive feeding periods (14 and 3 d, respectively), whereas the control treatment was fed to 100% of apparent satiation during both periods. The corresponding feed intakes were 0.45 and 0.16% of biomass for salmon fed 100% or 40% of apparent satiation, respectively. Faeces were collected by stripping at the end of each feeding period and ADCs of astaxanthin were determined by an indirect method using yttrium oxide (Y₂O₃) as an indigestible marker. Feed intake and astaxanthin ADC were negatively correlated (R² = 0.64; p = 0.0001). Astaxanthin ADC was 1.5 times higher at the low compared to the high ration level (p < 0.05), but due to the low feed intake the total amount of digested astaxanthin was only about 50% of that in fish fed to satiation. The ADCs of the all-E and 13Z-isomers of astaxanthin were similar and considerably higher than for 9Z-astaxanthin (p < 0.05). The amount of digested astaxanthin/TGC (estimated thermal growth coefficient) decreased with increasing feed intake. Estimates of astaxanthin retention indicated that a higher feed intake cause a lower muscle concentration of astaxanthin compared to that obtained at low feed intakes due to the lower digestibility. Blood samples were collected at the end of the second feeding period to examine possible relationships between plasma carotenoids, feed intake and ADC. Salmon without faeces in the hindgut had a lower plasma astaxanthin concentration compared to salmon with faeces in the hindgut (p < 0.05). In conclusion, feed intake and astaxanthin ADC are negatively correlated, and may thus explain reductions in muscle retention of Atlantic salmon.