Modelling of nitrogen loads from the farming of yellowtail kingfish Seriola lalandi (Valenciennes, 1833)

Farming of yellowtail kingfish ( Seriola lalandi , Valenciennes, 1833) in the coastal waters of Australia is a relatively new aquaculture industry, and little is known about the magnitude of nutrient discharges from individual pens. In this work, we modelled the flow of nitrogen for each of two commercial pens in Fitzgerald Bay, upper Spencer Gulf, South Australia. The fish were fed commercial pellets with feed conversion ratios (FCRs) between 3.0 and 3.2 (dry weight feed/wet weight growth). These high values of FCR were reflected in the high nitrogen loads to the environment (176–195 kg N tonne⁻¹ growth) and a small retention of nitrogen in fish growth (14–16% of feed inputs). Considering an annual production of 2000 tonnes, total loads to the environment can reach 391 tonnes N year⁻¹. Eighty-two per cent of these loads are expected to be lost to the water column as dissolved wastes. The high nutrient loads and the importance of dissolved wastes compared with other aquaculture species, such as salmon and trout, reflect the distinctly higher metabolic rates of this pelagic predatory species. The nature of the wastes suggests low localized impacts at current production levels, but regional effects remain unknown.     

Ontogenetic development of digestive enzymes in yellowtail kingfish Seriola lalandi larvae

The development of digestive enzymes was examined in laboratory-reared yellowtail kingfish larvae from hatching to 36 days after hatching (DAH). The specific activities of amylase, lipase, and alkaline phosphatase showed three distinct phases: a sharp increase in enzyme activity from hatching to the onset of exogenous feeding on 3 DAH, followed by a fluctuation and a general decline toward 18 DAH, and then a period of low activity from 18 to 36 DAH. The total activities of these three enzymes showed a gradual increase from hatching to 18 DAH, followed by a sharp increase toward 36 DAH. In contrast to other enzymes, the specific and total activities of trypsin reached the maximum on 15 DAH and 24 DAH, respectively, and then both activities declined to low levels toward 36 DAH. The dynamics of digestive enzymes corresponded to the anatomical development of the digestive system. The enzyme activities tend to be stable after the formation of gastric glands in the stomach on 15 DAH. The composition of digestive enzymes indicates that yellowtail kingfish is able to digest protein, lipid and carbohydrates at an early stage. However, due to the low level of amylase specific activity after 18 DAH, the carbohydrate component should remain at a low level in formulated diets for fish larvae.     

Early development of the shortfin silverside Chirostoma humboldtianum (Valenciennes, 1835) (Atheriniformes: Atherinopsidae)

The shortfin silverside Chirostoma humboldtianum has been considered for culture in Mexico, but success has been limited by a poor knowledge of its early development. First synthesis of the early development of the shortfin silverside is presented to determine conditions suitable for rearing. Brooder maturation was induced through photothermal cycles. C. humboldtianum ova were fertilized in vitro. The eggs were incubated in reconstituted water (160-180 mg/L CaCO₃) at 18 °C and 5 gm of NaCl per litre. During the hatching day, 300 shortfin silversides were stocked and followed up until metamorphosis in order to establish the timing of exogenous feeding, changes in food type, growth and development during critical periods for survival, according to the theory of saltatory ontogeny. Free embryos hatched 12 days after fertilization at 18 °C. First critical point for survival is the beginning of exogenous feeding. Free embryos started mixed feeding on day four of post-hatching (dph), point of no-return was presented towards the end of mixed feeding on 6 dph, larval period began at six (dph) when the anus is opened, and metamorphosis to juvenile was presented at 65 dph with a SL of 19.34 ± 2.28 mm, when scales and fins were well developed. Differences in growth between periods were detected: free embryos growth slower than larvae but mouth size depicted a larger growth rate in the former. Cephalic length and mouth size were negatively related to standard length in embryos and larvae. Mouth size was positively related to cephalic length in free embryos but negative in larvae. Results suggest that during the free embryo phase, growth priorities are directed to the development of apparatuses and systems; whereas, during the larval period, energy is directed to growth in length, mouth size and development of fins, which allows them to increase their swimming velocity, grants them a greater capacity to obtain exogenous food and, in consequence, increases fitness for survival.     

Effect of nitrite on larval development of giant river prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii

The effects of ambient nitrite concentrations on larval development of giant river prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii were evaluated. The trials were conducted in two phases: phase 1, larvae from stages I through VIII and phase 2, larvae from stage VIII until post-larvae. In both phases larvae were kept in water with nitrite (NO₂-N) concentrations of 0, 2, 4, 8 and 16 mg/L. Oxygen consumption was analyzed for larvae in stage II at nitrite concentrations of 0, 4, and 8 mg/L. Survival, weight gain, larval stage index and metamorphosis rate decreased linearly with increasing ambient nitrite concentration. However, there was no significant difference between larvae subjected to 0 and 2 mg/L NO₂-N. In phase 1, there was total mortality at 16 mg/L NO₂-N, while in phase 2 larval development stopped at stage X in this treatment. The oxygen consumption in stage II increased significantly at NO₂-N concentration from 0 to 4 mg/L, but there was no difference between 4 and 8 mg/L NO₂-N. In conclusion, increasing ambient nitrite up to 16 mg/L NO₂-N delays larval development, reduces larval growth rate and causes mortality, whereas no significant effect occurs for levels below 2 mg/L NO₂-N. However, the establishment of a general safe level of nitrite to M. rosenbergii hatchery may be difficult due to the great variability in larvae individual sensitivity.     

Feed preferences of Salminus brasiliensis (Pisces, Characidae) larvae in fish ponds

Feed preferences of dorado, Salminus brasiliensis, in the early stages of life was studied in larvae, stocked 5 days after hatching in three earthen commercial ponds (810 m², 900 m² and 1480 m²) at a density of 30 m^− 2. Larvae were fed on natural food from ponds supplemented with a commercial ration (40% crude protein), and for 12 days fish samples were taken daily in the morning and in the afternoon from each pond to analyze the food items present in the diet. Zooplankton available in the environment was also analyzed. Feeding was intensive since 94% of the larvae guts examined contained food. Since the commercial diet was not found in the dorado guts, the natural diet dominated the artificial food, but the cannibalistic behavior typically found in laboratory conditions was not observed. Insect larvae and cladocerans were the main prey items found in the gut of the larvae. In fish ponds dorado larvae can be considered a generalist feeder, since small amounts of different food items were consumed, but they tend to specialize in some items, according to their developmental stage.     

Swimbladder inflation,growth and survival of yellowtail kingfish Seriola lalandi (Valenciennes, 1833) larvae under different temperature,light and oxygen conditions

Poor swimbladder inflation leads to low fish survival due to resulting spinal deformities and the inability to feed and develop normally. Failure of swimbladder inflation may be attributed to the inappropriate range of abiotic conditions. This study investigated the effects of temperature, light source and intensity, and oxygen conditions on initial swimbladder inflation, growth and survival of yellowtail kingfish Seriola lalandi larvae. The study consisted of four separate trials including low (21.5°C) and high (24.5°C) temperatures, natural and artificial light sources, low (1000 lux) and high (32 000 lux) light intensities, and ambient and supersaturated dissolved oxygen. Initial swimbladder inflation was only significantly affected by light source, with the highest inflation rate (97.5 ± 3.5%) under artificial light. Fish growth was improved at the higher temperature and at the higher light intensity. Survival was only significantly influenced by light intensity, with the highest survival (11.0 ± 2.3%) at the high intensity (32 000 lux). This study indicates that light source affects swimbladder inflation timing and high artificial light intensity improves larval fish growth and survival.     

Size heterogeneity, growth potential and aggression in juvenile yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi Valenciennes)

The ontogenetic development of size heterogeneity and aggression was monitored in commercial culture tanks of yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi Valenciennes). Size heterogeneity increased substantially with the introduction of Artemia as a food source at 12 days post‐hatch (DPH), and was correlated with the appearance of aiming behaviour, a precursor to more direct aggressive interactions. Chasing behaviour started at approximately 19 DPH (10–12 mm total length), with the main aggressors being large‐grade individuals comprising 8% of the population. At any one time, only 10–30% of this grade carried out all of the chases, meaning that a very small proportion of the entire population (1%) was responsible for most of the aggressive interactions. The main recipients of aggression were the small grade, comprising 42% of the population, while the medium grade (50% of the population) were generally not aggressive and received only a low to moderate level of aggression. A grading trial showed that large‐grade juveniles only displayed aggressive behaviour in the presence of size heterogeneity, and that medium‐ or small‐grade juveniles did not establish an agonistic hierarchy in the absence of large individuals. A high level of aggression in the ungraded control treatment was associated with mortality of most of the small individuals. Even in the absence of aggression, the small‐grade juveniles failed to gain weight or show an increase in the RNA/DNA ratio after 12 days. The large‐ and medium‐grade larvae showed an isometric increase in RNA/DNA ratio during development, indicating that faster‐growing individuals are likely the result of better food capture or processing traits rather than better protein synthesis rates. Decreasing size heterogeneity and aggression via grading mostly benefits the medium‐grade individuals, as the majority of small individuals within a batch appear to be on a degenerative developmental trajectory irrespective of an aggressive environment.     

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.     

Towards development of large-scale hatchery cultivation of larvae and spat of the pearl oyster Pinctada mazatlanica in Mexico

The results of a series of pilot-scale runs with P. mazatlanica larvae from 2004 through 2006 are reported. Preliminary runs in 2004 and 2005 used broodstock collected in summer, when massive spawning of wild populations naturally occurs. However, results of larval development were very poor and failed to produce spat in both years. In 2006, ripe broodstock were still collected in summer, but also in the spring time, based on the hypothesis that the gonads in this season were in better reproductive condition that in summer. Three larval runs were conducted in 2006: two in spring and one in summer. Larvae growth and survival greatly increased in both spring runs, ending with two successful productions of spat (∼ 20 × 10³ and ∼ 100 × 10³ juveniles). The summer larval run in 2006 failed again to produce spat. Additionally, the first run of April 2006 refers to an experiment that evaluated two different larval culture conditions: constant temperature (27 °C) and low stocking density (3-4 larvae ml^− 1) versus variable temperature (24-28 °C) and high stocking density (8-9 larvae ml^− 1). The first trial significantly increased larval survival and growth, which in turn resulted in greater numbers of settled spat, in comparison of the second trial, where survival, growth, and settlement of spat were significantly lower. Also in 2006, the quality of seawater used at the hatchery was evaluated with microbiological and chemical tests. The implication of these tests, together with results from all experiments are analyzed and discussed in terms of the potential development of large-scale hatchery cultivation of P. mazatlanica larvae in Mexico.     

Recruitment and effects of Discocotyle sagittata (Monogenea) infection on farmed trout

Farmed rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and brown trout Salmo trutta were monitored over 3 years for infection with the blood-feeding gill fluke Discocotyle sagittata. Parasite transmission is seasonal: new infections take place during summer/autumn, and transmission is generally negligible during winter/spring. There are 2 sources of infection for naïve fish-of-the-year: limited invasion when fish are in the raceways by riverborne larvae originating external to the farm; and internally, within the farm, when 0+ fish are transferred to ponds previously occupied by older cohorts of infected fish. Thereafter, infection levels continue to increase in rainbow trout primarily through transmission within the farm. Prevalence rose to 100% in 1+ fish by the end of their second summer. In O. mykiss, mean abundance reached 194 worms/host for 1+ fish (up to 489 worms/host) and 160 worms/host for 2+ fish. By contrast, in S. trutta, parasite prevalence never exceeded 85% and, after the first year's invasions, infection levels decreased over time: in 1+ and 2+ brown trout, parasite mean abundance was < 4 (maximum 15) worms/host. We present evidence of the detrimental effects of D. sagittata on the host: high burdens are associated with pale gills, decreased body condition and host mortality. Parasite burdens become overdispersed during the warmer part of the year, as prevalence and mean abundance increase. However, the degree of parasite overdispersion decreases over winter; we cannot distinguish whether decreased aggregation is due to parasite losses from infected fish (including immune-mediated parasite mortality) or parasite-induced host mortality.     

Spawning, early development and first feeding in the gobiid fish Priolepis nocturna

The reproductive behavior, embryonic development and early larvae of Priolepis nocturna are described. Three pairs of P. nocturna began spawning 41 days after acquisition and maintained a 5–10 day spawning cycle lasting beyond several months. Spawning was initiated by the female who signaled her readiness to spawn by displaying to the male. Egg clutch size averaged 1578 ± 51.23 eggs and ranged from 268 to 3121. Egg length averaged 0.82 ± 0.01 mm total length (TL) and ranged from 0.75 to 0.90 mm. Egg width averaged 0.51 ± 0.51 mm total width (TW) and ranged from 0.49 to 0.52 mm. Fertilized eggs were ovoid in shape and attached to the ceiling of provided shelters via adhesive filaments at the proximal end. Hatching rates averaged 97.3 ± 0.51% and ranged from 91.9 to 99.8%. Larvae measuring 1.89 ± 0.04 mm TL hatched 121 ± 0.5 h post fertilization and did not rotate position prior to hatching. Skeletal elements of the chondrocranium were simplistic and dominated by the hyoid, hyomandibulosymplectic cartilage, ethmoid and Meckel's cartilage in first feeding larvae. No elements were added to the cranial architecture by 5 days post hatch (DPH) when larvae measured 2.05 ± 0.04 mm TL. First feeding larvae consumed only dinoflagellates and tintinnids suggesting that feeding was constrained by a poorly developed feeding mechanism. Embryology and larval development are described to 5 DPH.     

Distribution of lipid droplets is an indicator for egg quality in brown trout, Salmo trutta fario

In the eggs of the brown trout, Salmo trutta fario, lipid droplets are clearly visible beneath the oolemma on the surface of the protein yolk. When examining the distribution of lipid vesicles in egg batches of different quality, four categories of lipid vesicle distribution could be distinguished: In the first category, the lipid droplets were evenly distributed throughout the egg. These egg batches had a high quality (percentage of eggs developing to eyed stage embryos: 96.2 ± 5.2). Some lipid droplets had the tendency to coalesce in one pole of the egg in the second category. This coalescing of lipid droplets was accompanied with a reduction in egg quality to about 50% of the first category (% of eyed stage embryos: 40.6 ± 15.2). In the last two categories, the lipid droplets were mostly coalesced in one or two poles of the egg and the egg quality was very low (% of eyed stage embryos: 3.3 ± 2.9 and zero, respectively). In conclusion, examination of lipid droplets distribution, in brown trout, can distinguish between high and low quality eggs in an easy and reliable way.     

Investigating fragment size for culturing reef-building corals (Porites lobata and P. compressa) in ex situ nurseries

Culturing small propagules of coral has the potential for high yield with low environmental impact, provided that mortality is low. This study investigated the size-specific mortality and growth of minute fragments (as small as 5 polyps) of two of the most abundant reef-building corals in Hawaii (Porites lobata and P. compressa). Two ex situ nursery systems differing in cost, design complexity, and labor intensity were compared. The first nursery experiment lasted for four months in a large tank with high water motion/surge and extensive manual cleaning to remove competitive algae. The corals were then transferred to a simple low-flow tank containing sea urchins (Tripneustes gratilla) and reduced cleaning, where they were grown for six more months (Nursery II). ‘Nursery I’ resulted in 92% of P. lobata and 73% of P. compressa fragments surviving and nearly doubling in area, in spite of a brief infestation by a nudibranch (Phestilla sibogae) that primarily fed on larger P. compressa fragments. There was a significant positive relationship between fragment size and growth rate, and survivorship was significantly different between donor colonies (genets), but there was no evidence of size-specific mortality. ‘Nursery II’ on the other hand had clear size-specific mortality and higher urchin damage for smaller fragments, resulting in moderate survivorship (78% for P. lobata and 76% for P. compressa), and only a slight increase in the total area covered by coral tissue. Fragments larger than 3 cm² were undamaged and had the highest survival and growth rates. This study illustrates how size-specific mortality can be reduced by ex situ nursery conditions.     

Oxytetracycline (OTC) uptake following bath treatment in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata)

The uptake and elimination profile of oxytetracycline (OTC) following a prolong bath treatment in gilthhead sea bream (Sparus aurata) were investigated in this study. The bath experiment was carried out using a OTC concentration of 50 μg/ml for 24 h at 17-18 °C water temperature. Plasma and muscle fish samples were analysed at 1, 3, 6 and 24 h during and at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 d following the bath. Detectable OTC levels were revealed only at the end of bath treatment (24 h) in examined tissues of gilthead sea bream, where drug concentration was measured to be as low as 0.096 and 0.047 μg/g or ml in muscle plus skin and plasma, respectively. The findings of the present study indicate that OTC bath treatment under this dosage schedule is unlikely to confront systemic bacterial infections.     

No AFLP sex-specific markers detected in Pangasianodon gigas and P. hypophthalmus

Sex-specific DNA markers are useful for hatchery management. Sex identification at early ages can reduce broodstock rearing costs. This study employed the Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) approach for the identification of sex-linked markers in Pangasianodon gigas and P. hypophthalmus. Eight DNA pools (4 females, 4 males) each from P. gigas and P. hypophthalmus were screened using a total of 570 and 102 different primer combinations, respectively. None of the 570 primer combinations gave sex-associated amplification for P. gigas while 31 of the 102 primer combinations gave apparent sex-associated amplification across the pooled DNA samples of P. hypophthalmus. However, none of the 45 SCAR markers derived from the presumed sex-specific fragments showed sex specificity when tested using DNA of individual P. hypophthalmus males and females.     

Chicken-derived IgY recognizes developing and mature stages of Loma salmonae (Microsporidia) in Pacific salmon, Oncorhynchus spp.

A polyclonal IgY preparation, purified from yolk of immunized hens, is shown to be useful for the detection of Loma salmonae in Pacific salmon. Purity of the IgY was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and western blots of yolk protein extracts. Reactivity of the IgY preparation to L. salmonae was determined through indirect-fluorescent antibody tests on purified spores and by immunohistochemistry. Developing xenomas in histological sections of heart and gill tissue of infected chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) were visualized as early as 4 weeks post-exposure (PE). Non-lethal detection of L. salmonae was obtained by indirect-fluorescent microscopy of acetone-fixed gill smears. The IgY preparation was shown to react with another Loma sp., L. branchialis. In contrast, no reactivity was observed with other microsporidian parasites of fish such as Pseudoloma neurophilia and Glugea anomala. Yolk derived IgY may be useful in the detection of other fish pathogens.     

The mariculture potential of the Indonesian reef-dwelling sponge Callyspongia (Euplacella) biru: Growth, survival and bioactive compounds

In the present study, the Indonesian reef-dwelling sponge Callyspongia (Euplacella) biru de Voogd [de Voogd, N.J., 2004. Callyspongia (Euplacella) biru spec. nov. (Porifera: Demospongiae: Haplosclerida) from Indonesia. Zool. Meded. 78, 477-483.] (Demospongiae, Callyspongiidae) was cultured for a period of 6 months at three sites in the Spermonde Archipelago, Indonesia. A total of 250 sponge cuttings of two size classes (30 and 40 mm in length) were threaded on either polyethylene or very fine nylon rope and attached to horizontal mooring systems. All sponge cuttings were photographed at regular time intervals. Survival rates were high (82%-100%) among all treatments used. Growth rates differed significantly among treatments, but did not differ significantly per location, farming method, explant size and explant position obtained from the parent sponge. The concentration of the bioactive compound amphitoxin in the cultured explants was not significantly lower than in the natural population, but the concentration did vary significantly between explants used in the different treatments, and also between the different fragments of the natural population. The high growth potential and high survival rate suggest that this sponge species is a promising candidate for further mariculture development.     

Controlling the growth of a cyanobacterial contaminant, Synechoccus sp., in a culture of Tetraselmis chui (PLY429) by varying pH: Implications for outdoor aquaculture production

In aquaculture, large volumes of phytoplankton are often grown outdoors to reduce costs. However, growing microalgae in an environment not as well-controlled as in the laboratory can lead to unwanted phytoplankton, including cyanobacteria, contaminating a culture. A cyanobacterial contaminant was isolated from an outdoor culture of Tetraselmis chui (PLY429) at the Milford Laboratory. This study investigated the growth of PLY429 and the cyanobacterium in pure cultures and a mixed culture in a pH range of 6.5-9.5. The division of PLY429 was greater at a pH range of 7.0-8.0; whereas, for the cyanobacterium, higher growth was obtained at pH 8.0-9.0. Results from combined cultures of PLY429 and the cyanobacterium grown at various pHs indicated that maintaining pH near 7.1 yields higher growth of PLY429 than those of the cyanobacterium. These findings suggest that controlling pH may reduce the population of a cyanobacterial contaminant in an aquaculture feed culture.     

Distribution of a fish pathogen Listonella anguillarum in the Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus hatchery

The present study was undertaken to investigate the distribution of Listonella anguillarum in a Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) hatchery. A total of 2704 isolates were obtained from the developing fish, live diets and artificial feeds of Japanese flounder and their rearing water, 439 of which were identified as L. anguillarum by the combining incubation on thiosulfate-citrate-bile salt-sucrose (TCBS) agar at 35 °C overnight with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection for the VAH1 hemolysin gene. L. anguillarum was detected in all seven rotifer samples, with densities of 2.5 × 10³ to 4.6 × 10⁶ colony forming units (CFU) g^− 1. Both the analyzed samples of Nannochloropsis oculata contained this bacterium at densities of 1.6 × 10⁴ to 1.4 × 10⁵ CFU g^− 1. L. anguillarum was detected in only one of four samples of Artemia nauplii with a density of 4.8 × 10⁵ CFU g^− 1 (35%) and it was not detected in the two analyzed artificial feed samples. L. anguillarum was detected in 11 of 18 specimens of larval and juvenile Japanese flounder at densities of 5.0 × 10¹ to 7.4 × 10⁵ CFU g^− 1, while it was not detected in the two analyzed egg specimens of Japanese flounder. These results indicate that L. anguillarum associated with the developing Japanese flounder is likely derived from rearing water and live diets such as rotifers. Further, it is strongly suggested that L. anguillarum is a transient bacterium of the intestinal microflora for the Japanese flounder but is a permanently indigenous one for the Japanese flounder hatcheries.     

Heritability for body weight at harvest size in the Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus (Litopenaeus) vannamei, from a multi-environment experiment using univariate and multivariate animal models

To estimate family BLUP breeding values and the heritability of body weight at harvest size (BW) in the Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus (Litopenaeus) vannamei, an experiment was conduced using information from two farm units of a Mexican hatchery and two shrimp population densities at each location. Data consisted of 12,658 shrimps that were siblings from 48 sires and 77 dams with a nested dam-sire structure. Shrimps were individually weighed at an average age of 130 days post-hatching. BW phenotypic mean (S.D.) was 18.2 (2.4) g, with values ranging from 8.4 to 30.0 g. Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate models that considered BW within location by density pond environment as a different trait and included or not a common full-sib effect (c). The multivariate animal model included fixed effects of days from hatching and sex. For univariate models that included c effects, BW heritability (S.E.) estimates ranged from 0.24 (0.14) to 0.35 (0.18) across environments (heritability was zero in one environment). For multivariate models (excluding the environment with zero heritability) the heritabilities increased and ranged from 0.37 (0.06) to 0.45 (0.09). Standard errors of heritabilities and c effects were both drastically reduced in the multivariate analysis. Pairwise genetic correlations between environments were from 0.80 (0.08) to 0.86 (0.04). These differences may be indicative of genotype-environment interaction for BW at 130 days post-hatching. Statistical problems found to separate c from additive genetic effects both in univariate models were reduced using multivariate models. Correlation between family raw phenotypic means and family BV means from the multivariate analysis was 0.93 indicating a rather low risk of miss selecting superior families if BLUP solutions were neglected using replicated environment data. It is also concluded that use of incorrect statistical models or unreplicated data may lead to biased or inaccurate estimates of genetic parameters in shrimp breeding programs.