Effects of two dietary protein levels on energy balance and digestive capacity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Octopus maya</Emphasis>

Octopus maya is a carnivorous species and protein is the main energy source. During the present study, two different dietary protein levels (40 and 60% CP) were offered to octopuses as specifically designed artificial diets, to determine protein needs and the effects on metabolism. Frozen crab (Callinectes spp.) was used as control. Results obtained demonstrated that crab remains as one of the best diets for O. maya. The artificial diet with 60% CP produced a low but positive growth rate, and at times, a physiological response similar to that observed in octopuses fed crabs. The present results show the capacity of O. maya juveniles to adjust their digestive enzymes to different types of food and protein level, and this appears to be well correlated with octopus growth. General proteases and trypsin from the pancreas were well correlated with growth rates. A low activity was observed in octopuses fed 40% PC diet (negative growth rate), while a high activity was present in octopuses fed 60% CP diet and crabs (low and high growth rate, respectively). In contrast, these same enzymes were inducted in the salivary glands of octopuses fed with the diet that promoted weight loss (40% CP diet), while a reduced activity was observed in octopuses fed crabs. Energy budget indicates that the animals ingested more than 1,000 kJ week⁻¹ kg⁻¹; with such energy, octopuses should satisfy their physiological demands such as was observed when animals were fed crab (I = 1,300 kJ week⁻¹ kg⁻¹; P = 834 kJ week⁻¹ kg⁻¹). However, a very low digested energy was observed in octopuses the fed artificial diets, indicating that these could have a factor that limits digestibility.     

Activity of digestive enzymes along the gut of juvenile red abalone, Haliotis rufescens, fed natural and balanced diets

Two carbohydrases (cellulase, lysozyme), three proteases (trypsin, aminopeptidase and non-specific protease), a non-specific lipase, and semiquantitative tests of 19 digestive enzymes were assayed in different gut sections of juvenile red abalone, Haliotis rufescens, in order to identify the regions where digestion takes place and investigate the extent to which diet composition can modify the digestive capacity of abalone. The abalone were fed either fresh kelp (K) or balanced diets containing 25 or 38% crude protein for 6 months. Enzyme assays were carried out on different sections of the abalone's gut at the end of this period. On a weight-specific basis, the digestive gland was the site containing most of the enzymes. On a protein-specific basis, two main digestion regions were identified: the digestive gland-stomach region that is characterized by high activities of cellulase and lysozyme, chymotrypsin and protease, and the mouth-intestine region with a typically high activity of lipase and amino peptidase. Significant dietary effects were observed on the activity of enzymes, especially in the digestive gland. Abalone fed with 25 and 38% crude protein diets exhibited higher cellulase (39.8 ± 4.6 and 14.2 ± 0.8 mU mg^− 1 protein, respectively) and lysozyme activities (88.0 ± 20.4 and 56.6 ± 15.7 U, respectively) than those fed with fresh kelp (5.5 ± 0.7 mU mg^− 1 protein and 17.1 ± 1.8 U). In contrast, higher protease activity was found in kelp-fed organisms (234.1 ± 20.4 μg product/mg protein) than those fed the 25 and 38% crude protein diets (109.5 ± 20.7 and 119.5 ± 20.5 μg product/mg protein, respectively). Semiquantitative API ZYM assays resulted in no clear food-specific effects on the activity of carbohydrases, proteases, ester hydrolases or phosphohydrolases, yet organ-specific differences were conspicuous in various cases, and generally agreed with quantitative results. It is suggested that the increased carbohydrase activity exhibited by organisms fed the balanced diets resulted from a combination of an increased number of resident bacteria in the abalone's gut and facilitated contact between dietary substrates and digestive cells. The present results indicate that H. rufescens can adjust their enzyme levels in order to maximize the acquisition of dietary protein and carbohydrates. This characteristic can be advantageously used to search for suitable diets in abalone aquaculture.     

Growth, survival and biochemical composition of spider crab Maja brachydactyla (Balss, 1922) (Decapoda: Majidae) larvae reared under different stocking densities, prey:larva ratios and diets

The spider crab Maja brachydactyla is overexploited on the NW coast of Spain. Aquaculture of this species can be the solution to the problem, and consequently, several attempts of intensive larval rearing have been conducted. However, most of the studies already published do not provide enough zoo technical data, especially in terms of larval and prey densities or the nutritional quality of diets used for rearing.Three experiments were carried out to evaluate the conditions for intensive larval rearing of M. brachydactyla. Larval stocking density (10, 50 and 100 larvae L^− 1), prey:larva ratio (15, 30 and 60 enriched Artemia larva^− 1) and diet (enriched Artemia, non-enriched Artemia and polychaete supplement) effects on growth and survival of this species were studied. For larval culture nine, 35 L, 150 μm mesh-bottomed PVC cylinders (triplicates for each treatment and larval stage) connected to a recirculation unit, were used. Temperature and salinity were kept constant at 18 °C and 36‰ respectively. A 12 to 18 day trial was conducted for each experiment and samples of larvae were collected at each larval stage (zoea I, zoea II, megalopa) in the inter-molt phase and at first juvenile. Survival, carapace length and width, dry weight (DW), and proximate biochemical content (protein, carbohydrates and total lipid) as well as lipid class composition were determined.Stocking densities of 100 larvae L^− 1 resulted in higher growth in DW and higher content in lipids and protein for zoea I (ZI) and zoea II (ZII) than 10 larvae L^− 1. However, survival decreased with increasing stocking density.The use of 60 preys larva^− 1 produced larvae with significantly higher DW and protein content, especially at ZII stage, than lower prey densities. Survival rate obtained feeding 60 preys larva^− 1 up to the megalopa stage was almost two-fold (42.2%) the rate obtained using 15 preys larva^− 1 (24.8%).Larvae fed on enriched Artemia (EA) showed an increase in weight up to megalopa (518.9 ± 26.5 μg) in contrast to larvae fed on non-enriched prey (A) (467.9 ± 6.9 μg). Variation in DW correlated with the total lipid content (L) of the larvae (L_EA = 70.1 ± 37.5 μg ind^− 1; L_A = 28.9 ± 3.2 μg ind^− 1) especially in terms of neutral lipids. The use of an initial density of at least 50 larvae L^− 1 and 60 enriched Artemia larva^− 1 can be considered the most adequate rearing parameters in order to obtain good results in growth and survival of M. brachydactyla.     

The effects of supplemental dietary cholesterol on growth, development and survival of mud crab, Scylla serrata, megalopa fed semi-purified diets

The effects of varying levels of dietary cholesterol on growth, development time and survival of mud crab, Scylla serrata megalopa were investigated using semi-purified microbound diets (MBD). Five iso-energetic diets containing different level of cholesterol ranging from 0.14% to 1% of dry weight of the diet were tested. Fifteen megalopa were reared individually for each dietary treatment, and development time and survival were recorded on a daily basis. More than 25% of megalopa from all treatments were able to metamorphose into the first crab stage, suggesting that the endogenous level of cholesterol in the basal diet (0.14%) was sufficient to support development of the megalopa stage of this species. Widest mean carapace width (3.53 ± 0.08 mm) and highest mean dry weight (2.11 ± 0.22 mg) were recorded for juveniles that molted from megalopa fed live Artemia, whereas no megalopa in the unfed control treatment metamorphosed into crabs. The average development time from megalopa to the juvenile crab stage varied between the treatments, where megalopa fed live Artemia or MBD containing 0.2%, 0.4% or 0.8% total cholesterol showed the most synchronized molting (between 8.0 and 9.9 days). Longest development time was recorded for the megalopa fed diets containing 0.14% or 1% total cholesterol (both 11 days). Highest survival (74.3%) was recorded for the megalopa fed a diet containing 0.8% cholesterol. The results of this study are valuable in research to develop formulated diets for mud crab larvae as a replacement for live food in hatchery culture.     

Effects of dietary protein sources on growth,survival and digestive capacity of Octopus maya juveniles (Mollusca: Cephalopoda)

We propose two hypotheses to explain the inexistence of adequate prepared diet for Octopus maya at this date: Hypothesis 1 is related to changes in protein structure during protein cooking, which affects the digestibility. Hypothesis 2 is related to changes on nutritional characteristics during ingredient process, which affects the nutritional composition of diet. To test hypothesis 1, experiments one and two were directed to determine if protein cooking reduces digestibility and growth of animals when compared to fresh or lyophilized protein sources. For hypothesis 2, three experiments were conducted, testing seven different dietary protein sources offered in isolation or combined in artificial diets fed to O. maya. Results demonstrated that the diets that promoted growth were the ones based on fresh crab paste, and both lyophilized crab and squid tentacles paste. In consequence hypothesis 1 was accepted. The cooking process also changed nutritional characteristics of protein sources, affecting the growth of O. maya. Results obtained when squid and crab were mixed suggest that nutritional requirements of octopuses were covered with that diet in similar forms compared to when using fresh or lyophilized crab, also confirming hypothesis 2. Based on growth rates obtained, we can conclude that nutritional requirements of O. maya must be between 80% and 86% Protein (P), 5.1–5.6% Lipids and a protein: energy ratio between (P/E) 38.9 and 42.2 g MJ^?1.     

Effects of dietary vitamin C on survival, growth, and immunity of large yellow croaker, Pseudosciaena crocea

An 8 weeks growth experiment was conducted to determine the effects of dietary vitamin C on the survival, growth, tissue ascorbic acid contents and immunity of large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea) with initial weight of 17.82 ± 0.68 g. Seven practical diets were formulated to contain 0.1, 12.2, 23.8, 47.6, 89.7, 188.5 and 489.0 mg ascorbic acid equivalent kg^− 1 diet, supplied as l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (LAPP). Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of fish in seawater floating cages (1.5 × 1.5 × 2.0 m), and each cage was stocked with 120 fish. Fish were fed twice daily (05:00 and 17:00) to apparent satiation for 8 weeks. The water temperature fluctuated from 19.5 to 25.5 °C, the salinity from 25 to 28‰ and dissolved oxygen content was approximately 7 mg l^− 1 during the experimental period. Results showed that the specific growth rate (SGR) (from 1.80 to 1.96% d^− 1) had an increasing trend with the increase of dietary vitamin C, but no significant difference was observed among dietary treatments. No gross deficiency signs were observed in any of the experimental fish. Survival rate, however, significantly increased with increasing dietary vitamin C (P < 0.05). The vitamin C contents in liver and muscle correlated positively with the vitamin C in diets. The vitamin C requirement was estimated to be 28.2 mg kg^− 1 based on survival, and 87.0 mg kg^− 1 on liver content of vitamin C. The activities of serum lysozyme and alternative complement pathway (ACP), phagocytosis percentage (PP) and respiratory burst activity of head kidney significantly increased with increasing dietary vitamin C. The challenge experiment with Vibrio harveyi showed that fish fed the diets with supplementation of vitamin C had significantly lower cumulative mortality compared to the control group (66.7%), and the cumulative mortality (16.7%) in fish with 489.0 mg kg^− 1 ascorbic acid was significantly lower than that (41.7%) in fish with 23.8 mg kg^− 1 ascorbic acid. These results suggested that vitamin C significantly influenced the immune response and disease resistance of large yellow croaker.     

Influence of dietary soybean meal levels on growth, feed utilization and gut histology of Egyptian sole (Solea aegyptiaca) juveniles

The present study was undertaken in order to determine the effect of a dietary incorporation of soybean meal (SBM) on growth performance, nutrient utilization and gut histology of Egyptian sole Solea aegyptiaca. This species, which is genetically and morphologically close to Solea solea, is currently present in the Mediterranean Sea and reared in some Italian farms, using the same techniques for S. solea production and it could represent a promising new species for Mediterranean aquaculture.Three isoproteic and isolipidic extruded diets (crude protein, 47%, crude fat, 20%) were formulated containing 0 (diet 1), 18 (diet 2) and 30% SBM (diet 3). 540 juveniles (initial body weight of 6.9 ± 0.2 g) were equally distributed into nine 150 l squared tanks (bottom surface: 520 cm²) connected with a recirculation system (temperature 20 ± 1 °C and dissolved oxygen above 6 ppm). Animals have been hand-fed twice a day (at 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m.) at a daily ratio of 1.5% body weight^− 1. Diets were tested in triplicate for 87 days. The fish were weighed at days 28, 57 and 87, and they were sampled at days 0, 57 and 87 for nutrient retention determination. One-way ANOVA with Newman-Keuls' post-test were used to analyze data (P ≤ 0.05).No differences in terms of palatability were observed and any diet has been consumed completely all throughout the experiment. At day 87, fish fed diet 1, 2 and 3 reached weights of 25.8 ± 0.8 g, 27.5 ± 0.9 g and 26.1 ± 1.5 g, respectively and no differences in performances or nutrient retention were found.Histopathological gut examinations have revealed no noticeable differences in the appearances of the intestines between any of diet groups. Intestinal mucosal cells presented well vacuolated upper, with well defined microvillar brush borders. On the basis of the results of this trial, SBM seems to be a good protein source for Egyptian sole and can be added in the diet up to 30% without any reduction in growth rate and no adverse effect on gut histology.     

The effects of algal diets on population growth and egg hatching success of the tropical calanoid copepod, Acartia sinjiensis

As natural diets of fish larvae, a number of calanoid copepod species are being investigated for use as live prey in aquaculture hatcheries. One of these, the tropical calanoid copepod, Acartia sinjiensis, has good potential as a live feed for tropical reef fish larvae. However, the rearing techniques for A. sinjiensis require further development to improve productivity. This study was carried out to investigate the population growth and egg hatching success of A. sinjiensis when fed a range of mono-and binary algal diets, including algae in the form of frozen paste.For the population growth experiment, the final A. sinjiensis population, including eggs, nauplii, copepodites and adults, was determined after feeding eight algal diets (two frozen algae, four live monoalgal and two live binary algal diets) for 8 days at temperature 28 ± 1 °C; salinity 34 ± 1 psu and photoperiod 12 L:12 D. Five replicates, with an initial 12 adult A. sinjiensis per replicate, were set up for each treatment. In a separate experiment, effects of diets on egg hatching success were examined after 48 h incubation of eggs produced by A. sinjiensis fed the same eight diets.The results showed that diet significantly affected both population growth and hatching success of A. sinjiensis. Of the diets tested, the binary algal diets were more successful than monoalgal diets, while the frozen algae had little dietary value. The highest population growth was recorded on A. sinjiensis fed a binary diet of Tetraselmis chuii and the Tahitian strain of Isochrysis sp. (T-ISO) (final population: 1091 ± 80), which was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than all other diets tested except for the other binary diet of Nannochloropsis sp. and T-ISO (final population: 897 ± 123). Diet also had a significant effect (P < 0.001) on egg hatching rate, though the highest hatch rate was recorded with eggs produced by A. sinjiensis fed binary diet Nannochloropsis sp. and T-ISO (88.1 ± 2.1%), this was not significantly different from that of eggs produced by A. sinjiensis fed either T-ISO alone (88.0 ± 1.7%) or the binary algal diet of T. chuii and T-ISO (76.4 ± 7.1%). The results of this study suggest that among the diets tested, a combination of live T. chuii and T-ISO was the best for the culture of A. sinjiensis.     

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.     

Effects of a dry pelleted diet on growth and survival of the Yucatan octopus, Octopus maya

The effect of a dry pelleted diet on growth of the Yucatan octopus (Octopus maya) was determined and compared with crab diet (Callinectes spp). Two groups of 15 wild collected animals were used. Octopuses were placed in isolation, in a flow‐through system composed of 30 circular tanks (80 L), with a bottom of 40 cm in diameter and a water depth of 80 cm. Experiment lasted 40 days, and octopuses were weighed every 10 days to determine growth rates. Octopuses were fed between 7% and 10% body weight (BW) per day, twice a day at 9:00 h and 17:00 h. Uneaten food was removed after 4 h in the tanks and weighed, to determine food ingestion and conversion. No mortality as a result of natural causes was observed. The 15 octopuses fed on frozen crabs and the 15 fed on the artificial diet had similar weights (P > 0.05) at the start of the experiment, of 486.2 ± 214.8 and 472.5 ± 228.3 g, respectively. At the end of the experiment, octopuses fed on frozen crabs weighed 1466.5 ± 484.0 g, and were significantly larger (P < 0.05), than octopuses fed on artificial diets (438.9 ± 202.6 g). Growth rates for the experiment were of 3.3 ± 0.2 and –0.0 ± 0.3% BW per day, for octopuses fed frozen crabs and the artificial diet, respectively. The artificial diet did not promote growth, but animals did not loose weight and more important, ate regularly all the food supplied, with feeding rates higher than reported in the literature for prepared diets. This makes O. maya a good research animal for the development of artificial diets for cephalopods.     

Effects of moderately oxidized dietary lipid and the role of vitamin E on the development of skeletal abnormalities in juvenile Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus)

A study was conducted to characterize the effects of oxidized marine fish oil (MFO) on skeletal development in juvenile Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) and to determine the role of vitamin E on their bone health and antioxidant defense mechanisms. Juvenile halibut (4.5 ± 0.1 g) were fed six experimental diets containing untreated (peroxide value (POV)  =0.6 meq kg^− 1), mod`rately oxidized (POV = 7.5 meq kg^− 1) and highly oxidized (POV = 15 meq kg^− 1) MFO either with or without α-tocopherol acetate (0 or 300 IU kg^− 1) supplementation for 14 weeks. No significant effects on growth, survival, hepatosomatic indices, or hematocrit were observed among the dietary treatments. Fish fed diets without vitamin E and highly oxidized dietary lipids showed increased hepatic malonaldehyde concentrations indicating a response to oxidative stress. Both muscle and liver α-tocopherol concentrations were significantly lower in fish fed diets without vitamin E supplementation. Alkaline phosphatase levels in serum and bone were increased when vitamin E was present within the diet indicating higher bone formation activity by osteoblasts. Oxidized lipids and lack of dietary vitamin E significantly increased saturated and decreased polyunsaturated hepatic fatty acids. Liver lipids of fish fed diets without vitamin E also exhibited a lower ratio of 22:6n-3 to 22:5n-3 and n-3 fatty acids. The most frequent skeletal deformity observed was scoliosis, spanning the cephalic/prehemal regions, as well as the anterior hemal region of the vertebral column, which increased the frequency according to elevated levels of oxidized dietary lipid. Lordosis was also observed, with no specific pattern along the vertebral column. The pattern and type of abnormalities observed were similar to those reported in an earlier study in halibut from a commercial hatchery.     

Relationship between nutritional and rearing parameters of Octopus maya juveniles fed with different rations of crab paste

To study the effect of feed ration on rearing and nutritional conditions of Octopus maya juveniles (7–10 days old), two groups of octopuses were fed on 10% and 30% rations, using a crab paste agglutinated with gelatine, when compared to another control group fed ad libitum on crab muscle tissue. The agglutinated diet was well accepted by the octopuses at this early stage. When considered together, the marginally higher survival of the 30% group and probably higher levels of the other rearing performance parameters (growth and feeding rate) indicate that this feed ration is more adequate than a 10% feed ration for rearing O. maya under these conditions. Octopuses fed 30% also generally showed higher total energy per gram of arm tissue and oxygen consumption, as well as different proteolytic activity. In addition, the mentioned nutritional differences influenced by the feed ration were found to be statistically correlated to the promoted growth and the end survival and feeding rates.     

Replacing live feed with formulated diets in juvenile Patagonian red octopus (Enteroctopus megalocyathus)

Two formulated diets were evaluated to replace live crab (C) as feed for juveniles Enteroctopus megalocyathus. Formulated diets consisted of crab paste (CP) and a mixture of freeze‐dried meals of crab and squid (C&S). After 10 weeks of feeding, the effect of each diet was analysed on productive performance, nutritional and physiological condition and immune system. Both the crab and C&S diets produced the best values for specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio. The diet C&S proved to be the most digestible with greatest metabolized energy. The CP diet was similar to the C diet in terms of biological value and protein apparent digestibility; nevertheless, its performance was weaker for the other indicators. Furthermore, the highest α‐amylase, lipase and alkaline proteolytic activity values were observed in octopuses fed live crab, as opposed to those fed formulated feeds. The type of diet did not affect lysozyme activity in neither mucus nor haemolymph. The production of reactive oxygen species was highest in octopuses fed CP diet. It is proposed the use of C&S diet to study the nutritional requirements and to develop an optimal formulated diet for juvenile Patagonian red octopus.     

Rearing of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and vundu catfish (Heterobranchus longifilis) in traditional fish ponds (whedos): Effect of stocking density on growth, production and body composition

African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) (initial body weight: 34.8 ± 4.8 g) and vundu catfish (Heterobranchus longifilis) (initial body weight: 39.1 ± 8.2 g) fingerlings were stocked at densities of 4, 6 or 8 fish m^− 3 in traditional fish ponds (whedos) constructed in the floodplain of the Oueme River (South Benin, West Africa), for 70 days from March to June 2005. Fish were fed twice a day with 34% crude protein feed formulated with locally available ingredients. The effects of stocking density were evaluated in growth responses, gross production and body composition. Water quality variables were similar (p > 0.05) in all compartments. Temperature and pH were at the optimum level for fish. Dissolved oxygen ranged from 0.9 to 1.2 mg l^− 1 during the experiment and secchi disc transparency was low (< 14 cm). In both species, growth responses increased with the increasing density, significantly in African catfish stocked at density of 8 fish m^− 3 compared to the other densities (4 and 6 fish m^− 3) but not significantly in vundu catfish. Production data ranged from 3.1 ± 0.5 to 22.8 ± 4.5 t ha^− 1 year^− 1 in African catfish and from 6.1 ± 1.2 to 15.1 ± 3.1 t ha^− 1 year^− 1 in vundu catfish. Production increased with increasing stocking densities but only significantly (p < 0.05) between the density of 8 fish m^− 3 and the other densities. In both species, carcass fat increased with increasing density (p < 0.05) while carcass protein and moisture decreased (p > 0.05). These results are important because they indicate that, as far as growth rate and production are concerned, African catfish is more profitable than vundu catfish for culture at high density in whedo.     

Evaluation of three seaweeds Gracilaria bursa-pastoris, Ulva rigida and Gracilaria cornea as dietary ingredients in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles

The aim of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of three seaweeds Gracilaria bursa-pastoris (GP), Ulva rigida (UR) and Gracilaria cornea (GC) as dietary ingredients on the performance, nutrient utilisation and body composition of European sea bass juveniles. Six experimental diets were formulated to replace 5% (GP-5, UR-5, and GC-5 Diets) and 10% (GP-10, UR-10 and GC-10 Diets) fish protein hydrolysate (CPSP) by each of the three seaweeds. A control diet was used, without inclusion of any seaweed. Diets were fed to duplicate groups of 25 European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles (IBW = 4.7 g) for 10 weeks. Growth performance was only significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in fish fed the GC-10 diet, whereas the feed conversion ratio increased significantly in those fish. The apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter and lipid were significantly lower in fish fed diet GC-10 relative to those fed the control diet. Carcass composition was similar among treatments, although fish fed GC-10 exhibited significantly higher ash content.The results obtained in this study suggest that the inclusion of G. bursa-pastoris (GP) and U. rigida (UR), up to 10%, can be considered as very interesting ingredients in diets for sea bass juveniles, as no negative consequences on growth performance, nutrient utilization or body composition were observed. On the other hand, the inclusion of G. cornea (GC) should be limited to 5% of the diet.     

Successful culture of larvae of Litopenaeus vannamei fed a microbound formulated diet exclusively from either stage PZ2 or M1 to PL1

In three separate experiments, harpaticoid copepods Tisbe monozota (alive and dead) and a microparticulate microbound diet were evaluated as alternatives to live Artemia nauplii as food, beginning at either stage PZ2 or M1, in the larval culture of Litopenaeus vannamei. Larvae were cultured in 2 L round bottom flasks at a density of 150 L^− 1 (Experiment 1) and 100 L^− 1 ( 3.2 and 3.3) at 28 °C, 35‰ salinity and 12:12 LD photoperiod, and fed 4×/day^- 1. Larvae were initially fed a mixture of phytoplankton to stages PZ2 or M1 and then fed either live Artemia, live or dead copepods, or a microparticulate microbound diet. The experiments were terminated and all larvae were harvested when more than 80% of larvae had molted to postlarvae 1 (PL1) within any flask representing any of the treatments. The comparative value of the different diets and feeding regimes was determined by mean survival, mean dry weight and total length of individual larva, and percentage of surviving larvae that were PL1. Trypsin activity of samples of larvae from each treatment was also determined. The microparticulate microbound diet effectively served as a complete substitute for Artemia nauplii when fed beginning at stage M1. When fed at the beginning of the PZ2 stage, survival was comparable to that of larvae fed Artemia, but mean dry weight, mean total length, and percent of surviving larvae that were PL1 generally were significantly less. Responses to the feeding of copepods, whether fed dead or live, as a substitute were generally significantly less than those of larvae fed either the Artemia nauplii or the microparticulate diet. Values of trypsin activity (10^− 5 IU/μg^- 1 dry weight) corresponded to the relative proportions of the different larval stages within a treatment, with higher activity being characteristic of early stages. Previously demonstrated successful results with another species of crustacean suggest that the microparticulate microbound diet has characteristics that should be effective in the culture of the carnivorous stages of other crustacean and fish larvae that are currently fed live Artemia nauplii.     

Growth,protein retention and biochemical composition in Octopus vulgaris fed on different diets based on crustaceans and aquaculture by-products

The octopus, Octopus vulgaris, is one of the main targets for aquaculture diversification in Mediterranean countries. However, the development of octopus farming is limited by the lack of information regarding nutritional requirements of this species during its life cycle. In this study, five diets were tested on the biological performance (growth, protein retention and biochemical composition) of individually reared octopuses (n = 8 per diet), including three single diets constituted by: an endemic crab (the white crab, Plagusia depressa), a commercial crab imported frozen (the blue crab, Portunus pelagicus), and bogue (Boops boops) discarded from fish farms (aquaculture by-product), as well as two mixed diets, containing a 60–40% of blue crab-bogue and white crab-bogue, respectively. The rearing period lasted 8 weeks. Octopuses that fed on a mixed diet constituted by blue crab-bogue showed a higher growth than those feeding on bogue as a single food item. No significant differences in growth were observed among individuals feeding on single food items. Highest protein retention was observed in octopuses fed on diets containing discarded bogue, associated with a high lipid and monoenes content in this food item, underlying the use of lipid as energy source in O. vulgaris. However, discarded bogue was deficient in ARA in comparison with octopus tissues, which did not seem to affect growth during the experimental period. These findings underline the potential of aquaculture by-products, particularly bogue, as an adequate diet for culturing O. vulgaris.     

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.     

Nutrient digestibilities and gut function in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fed diets with cellulose or non-starch polysaccharides from soy

Duplicate groups of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), kept in saltwater, were fed fish meal based cold-pelleted diets where graded levels of native or extruded non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) from soybeans replaced cellulose, at a total NSP level of 100 g kg^− 1 for 28 days. The study also included a diet where defatted soybean meal (SBM) constituted the NSP at a level of 100 g kg^− 1 and a reference diet without NSP supplementation.The SBM diet resulted in a significant reduction in faecal dry matter content, apparent digestibilities of starch and organic material, and growth, and an increased faecal output of several elements (K, Na, Zn), compared to all the other diets. Morphological changes were only seen in the intestine of the fish fed the SBM, i.e. the diets holding purified soy-NSP did not induce enteritis. When compared to the diet without NSP, cellulose addition increased faecal dry matter, while inclusion of native soy-NSP reduced it. Dry matter in faeces and apparent digestibility of crude protein decreased in a linear manner, while the digestibility of starch and faecal output of K and Na increased linearly when native soy-NSP replaced graded levels of cellulose from 0 to 100 g kg^− 1 feed. When diets with 75 or 100 g kg^− 1 of native NSP and extruded soy-NSP were compared, fish fed native soy-NSP had reduced faecal dry matter, higher digestibility of starch, and increased faecal output of Cu, Fe, and K. Dry matter in faeces and faecal output of Cu was lower for the highest inclusion level, while digestibility of starch and faecal output of Mn and K were higher.In conclusion, soy-NSP was inert compared to the fish meal reference, with respect to nutrient digestibilities and intestinal pathologies, but affected faecal mineral excretion in Atlantic salmon.     

Effects of fish hydrolysate (CPSP®) on growth and digestive gland lipid composition of Octopus vulgaris (Cuvier, 1797) juveniles

Effects of artificial diets were tested on growth and digestive gland (DG) lipid composition of juvenile Octopus vulgaris. For Experiment I, three diets were used: (i) SQUID (Loligo gahi) as a control diet; (ii) Squid paste and fish hydrolysate CPSP^®, agglutinated with gelatine (GEL20); and (iii) Squid paste, fish hydrolysate CPSP^® and gelatine (GEL40). For Experiment II, three diets were used: (i) SQUID, control diet; (ii) Squid paste, CPSP^® and alginate (ALG10); and (iii) Squid paste, CPSP^® and alginate (ALG20). For both experiments, growth rates for octopuses fed control were higher (P < 0.05), while artificial diets were not different (P > 0.05) between them. All diets promoted similar growth, regardless of the different CPSP^® concentrations and binders. Growth rates obtained were among the highest obtained for O. vulgaris with artificial diets until now. The lower growth obtained with the artificial diets was greatly reflected in the DG fatty acid composition. The most important fatty acid groups, such as n‐3 highly unsaturated fatty acids, decreased in the DG of animals fed artificial diets. Lipid content, particularly neutral lipids, was higher in the DG of octopuses fed squid, indicating higher nutritional condition of these animals compared to those fed the artificial diets.