Identification and characterization of the pathogen associated with skin ulcer syndrome in lined seahorse,Hippocampus erectus

The lined seahorse, Hippocampus erectus, is an Atlantic species, which mainly inhabits shallow sea beds or coral reefs. Seahorse has become very popular in China due to its wide use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, the aquaculture of the lined seahorse has been threatened by a variety of diseases, especially bacterial infections. Skin ulcer syndrome becomes more and more common in the culture of seahorses, leading to skin ulcer, liver erosion and minority tail rotting. These diseased seahorses die in only 72 hr, causing huge economic losses in aquaculture. Pathogen HMT‐1 was isolated from the lined seahorses with skin ulcer syndrome, which was identified as Vibrio harveyi. The median lethal dose (LD₅₀) of HMT‐1 was 2.88 × 10⁸ cfu/ml. The pathogenic mechanism of HMT‐1 was preliminarily studied, and the pathological changes of the diseased lined seahorses were also investigated. Moreover, the activities of ACP, complement 3, SOD and LZM at different time post injection were measured by commercial kits. Our findings can provide reliable reference for diagnosis and treatment in the future.     

Rearing the spotted seahorse Hippocampus kuda by feeding live and frozen copepods collected from shrimp ponds

This study evaluated the use of live and frozen copepods collected from shrimp ponds for rearing juveniles of the spotted seahorse Hippocampus kuda. Protein and HUFA contents in frozen copepods were all higher than in Artemia nauplii, the conventional live food for seahorse juveniles. The results of this study showed that copepods can be used as feed for rearing seahorse fry and juvenile. The spotted seahorse showed obvious preference for live copepods and rarely fed on dead copepods on the tank bottom. Furthermore, the combination of frozen copepods and live Artemia nauplii resulted in highest growth and highest survival of the experimental seahorses. Further research on possible effects of DHA:EPA ratio on survival and growth of young H. kuda is recommended.     

Biochemical composition of wild and cultured seahorses (Hippocampus kuda Bleeker)

The seahorse has been used for thousands of years as an important traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in China. Many species of wild seahorse have become endangered, but demand for them continues to grow rapidly. Therefore, it is urgent to cultivate seahorses to relieve the strain on natural populations and meet the market demand for this TCM. In this study, medicinal components of wild and cultured yellow seahorses (Hippocampus kuda Bleeker) were analysed and compared. Different parts of the body (cortex and bone), male and female specimens, and seahorses of different ages were analysed. Crude protein, crude fat, trace elements, calcium, amino acid, fatty acid, steroid and cholesterol content were measured. The results showed that moisture content accounted for 70% of wet weight and ash content increased with growth. Crude protein and fat contents were higher in cultured seahorses than in wild specimens, and the content of Zn in cultured seahorses (93.26 ± 10.44%) was significantly higher than that of same‐aged wild seahorses (74.20 ± 3.83%). Amino acid and fatty acid contents of cultured seahorses also were higher than those of wild seahorses. These findings show that cultured seahorses can also be used in TCMs and that 1‐year‐old cultured seahorses have the best properties.     

Prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii)–plant (Hydrilla verticillata) co‐culture system improves water quality,prawn production and economic benefit through stocking density and feeding regime manage

The effects and commercial implications of aquatic plant addition, and variable prawn stocking density and supply of commercial aquafeed on water quality, prawn production and economic benefit, are investigated in a prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) + plant (Hydrilla verticillata) co‐culture system. Our experimental design includes a control (PM, prawn monoculture without H. verticillata, with 30 prawns/m²) and four treatments with 15% plant cover of total pond area in each replicate. Dissolved oxygen, pH, N, P, total ammoniacal nitrogen, nitrite and nitrate in this co‐culture system were significantly lower than those of PM. Prawn survival (96.2 ± 14.9%), average final weight (68.5 ± 4.9 g) and yield (879.1 ± 102.4 kg/ha) in treatment 20W80%A (20 prawns/m², 80% of control aquafeed) were obviously greater than in PM and other treatments. Despite small males (SM) and immature females (IF) being predominant in prawn + plant cultures, more than 77.2% of prawns reached or exceeded 40 g on completion of trials, and by six months were of appropriate size for market. We report culture of M. rosenbergii with H. verticillata to be both feasible and profitable. The optimal treatment, a stocking density of 20 prawns/m² with these plants, enabled reduction of commercial aquafeed to 20% conventional culture levels. For this optimal treatment, we estimate total gross revenue, profit and internal rate of return to be US$ 6,593.3 ± 103.3 ha^?1, US$ 3,095.5 ± 42.6 ha^?1 and 127.5 ± 20.7% for 20W80%A respectively; we estimate U.S. Dollar (US$) invested generates 3.87 times conventional culture revenue. Co‐culture of M. rosenbergii and plants renders prawn production ecologically and economically feasible on larger farms.     

Effects of Anesthetic Disposal on the Physiological and Behavioral Responses of the Lined Seahorses,Hippocampus erectus

Anesthetic disposal for fish often results in physiological and behavioral responses. There is limited information involved on the metabolic and behavioral responses of the seahorses. The lined seahorse, Hippocampus erectus, is of great interest in the sciences because of its unusual S‐shaped morphology and male pregnancy behavior. This study found that the lined seahorse could be effectively anesthetized into Stage II at the concentrations of 10 mg/L clove oil or 20 mg/L MS‐222 based on the comparison of six different treatments. The ventilation frequency, oxygen consumption, and ammonia‐N excretion of the seahorses were decreased significantly as soon as they were exposed to the anesthetic agents. A higher O : N ratio was found in seahorses anesthetized by clove oil as compared to those exposed to MS‐222. After the anesthetic treatment, the feeding frequencies of recovered seahorses were low at the beginning and then increased during the 7‐d culture. Moreover, there was no incremental difference of wet weights among the tested seahorses (P = 0.534). The findings indicate that the anesthetic process has few effects on the feeding and short‐term growth of seahorses in spite of the occurrence of physiological and behavioral responses.     

Preservation causes shrinkage in seahorses: implications for biological studies and for managing sustainable trade with minimum size limits

• 1. The implications of shrinkage associated with desiccation and ethanol preservation for seahorses (genus Hippocampus) were investigated using Hippocampus guttulatus (European long‐snouted seahorse) as a model. Specifically, this research addressed the implications of preservation for taxonomy and life history studies and the application of minimum size limits (MSL) for managing seahorse trade.
• 2. In 2004, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) listed all seahorse species on its Appendix II, and recommended a 10 cm MSL as an interim means of ensuring sustainable international trade. Inconsistencies in seahorse measurement methods and repeatability posed challenges for applying the MSL. Moreover, the shrinking effect of desiccation on body length observed in other fish was assumed to be negligible for seahorses because of their high degree of ossification.
• 3. Changes in seahorse sizes were measured following immersion in ethanol and desiccation. H. guttulatus shrank on average by 0.1–2.3% when preserved in ethanol and 3.0–6.4% when dried, depending on the trait measured. Similar trends were observed in a sample of H. kuda (yellow seahorse). Specimen posture during drying, and measurement methods also influenced estimates of size.
• 4. Based on the shrinkage observed, 14–44% of captured seahorses that are dried could shrink to below the recommended MSL, even if all seahorses were longer than the MSL at capture. This demonstrates that small changes in body lengths can have significant implications for trade of species managed with size limits.
• 5. Recommendations are to (1) standardize seahorse measurement methods, (2) consider the effects of preservation and measurement technique on body lengths, and apply appropriate corrections in comparative studies and when developing fisheries management strategies, and (3) adjust size limits at the point of capture to ensure retained seahorses comply with the CITES recommended MSL.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis of the diet of the long‐snouted seahorse Hippocampus guttulatus by 18SrDNA amplification of prey in faeces

Breeding in captivity for research or exhibition (e.g. in aquaria) can replace the capture of wild specimens of endangered species and allow controlled reinforcement of wild populations. With this aim, diet analysis and establishing the adequate prey are determinant factors for breeding success. However, non‐invasive approaches such as faecal DNA analysis are advisable for analysing the diet of these species. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to demonstrate the usefulness of faecal DNA analysis by specific PCR amplification of prey DNA for assessing the diet of the seahorse Hippocampus guttulatus. In a comparison of the suitability of different genes (COI, 18SrRNA and 28SrRNA), 18SrRNA was found to be the most suitable for designing specific primers for the prey types fed to seahorses (Artemia, Palaemonetes and Mysidae). The technique was assessed in feeding experiments in which prey ingestion was recorded daily, and faeces were collected for DNA extraction and presence/absence PCR analysis. Amplification of the prey DNA in faeces was consistent with the sequence of prey supplied (prey eaten the day before was always detected). Differences in the time between feeding and detection in faeces suggested prey‐specific gut passage times, which were shorter for Palaemonetes than for Mysidae. This fact highlights the importance of feeding trials to avoid overestimating the consumption of prey with long gut retention when PCR‐based methods are used. This molecular technique is thus applicable for studying the feeding behaviour of captive seahorses and could be adapted for use in other marine species.     

Catch and trade bans for seahorses can be negated by non-selective fisheries

1. All seahorse species (genus Hippocampus) are listed under Schedule I of India's Wild Life Protection Act, making all capture and trade of seahorses illegal. In the more than 15 years since the ban, little work has been done to assess its effects on seahorse conservation.
2. Between 2015 and 2017, fisheries and trade surveys were conducted along the south-east coast of India, in the state of Tamil Nadu, historically known to be a hub for seahorse catches and trade.
3. Seahorses were primarily landed as bycatch, although in greater quantities by traditional drag nets than as trawl bycatch. Total annual catches were estimated between 4.98 million and 13.64 million seahorses, 87% of which were caught by active non-selective gear.
4. Generalized additive models revealed that seahorse catch per unit effort had non-linear relations with depth and latitude, and were higher in biogenic habitats, with active, bottom-used, and non-selective gears (e.g. trawls).
5. The illegal nature of the trade in seahorses hampered an understanding of trade routes and trade volumes. Catch estimates indicated that 11.21–30.31 tonnes of seahorses probably entered trade, yet interviews with traders only documented trade of about 1.6 tonnes.
6. Fishers reported a decreasing availability of seahorses. Since most seahorses come from bycatch in persistent fisheries that are not directly affected by the ban on seahorse capture, this decline is likely to represent a population decline.
7. A fishery and trade ban for incidentally caught species, particularly in a poorly regulated fishery, appears to add little conservation value. There needs to be a shift in the management approach, moving from a ban towards spatial and temporal restrictions, and toward enforcing existing fishery regulations.

     

Assessing East African trade in seahorse species as a basis for conservation under international controls

• 1. Seahorses (Hippocampus spp.), many of which are listed as Vulnerable or Endangered on the IUCN Red List, are traded worldwide as souvenirs, aquarium fish and, primarily, for use in traditional medicines. Given concern over the sustainability of this trade, the genus was added to Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in May 2004.
• 2. This paper reports findings of the first ever survey of seahorse trade in Africa, conducted in Kenya and Tanzania in May and June 2000.
• 3. Seahorse trade in Kenya was found to be negligible, with approximately 10 live seahorses exported as aquarium fish annually. Until 1998, however, Kenya may have imported somewhere from 1 to 2.3 t of dried seahorses annually from Tanzania for re‐export to Asian medicine markets. Seahorse trade in Tanzania remained substantial, with at least 630–930 kg of dried seahorse exported directly to Asia each year.
• 4. Accounts of declines in seahorse availability and seahorse size, although few in number, could be early warning signs that wild populations are suffering, at least locally. Close monitoring of future developments in the trade will be essential to allow for timely conservation action as and when necessary, and would contribute to our understanding of the ecological and economical implications of small‐scale, non‐food fisheries.

Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of carrying capacity for shrimp pond culture with integrated bioremediation techniques

The integrated multi‐trophic aquaculture (IMTA) is a semi‐artificial habitat optimization ecosystem by co‐culture species from multiple trophic levels, in which farm waste produced by species of a higher trophic level is a nutrition source for species of a lower trophic level. However, in system construction it is essential to distinguish the roles of aquaculture organisms from different trophic levels and optimize the aquaculture capacity allocation. With this objective, a carrying capacity evaluation model for shrimp culture with integrated bioremediation techniques was developed, and the efficiency to repair the aquaculture pond environment was evaluated. Scenario simulations were conducted to assess the shrimp culture capacity for optimal economic and ecological benefits. The sensitivity analysis of the model indicated that changes in bivalve biomass had no significant impacts on the concentration of total nitrogen (TN) in the system, and macroalgae were more sensitive to the changes in TN than biofilters did. In conclusion, 1,500,000 Litopenaeus vannamei co‐cultured with 15,000 kg Crassostrea gigas and 1,125 kg Gracilaria lemaneiformis per hectare would bring maximum integrated benefit, and the use of integrated bioremediation techniques can make shrimp pond culture a virtuous cycle incorporating both production and restoration.     

A study on bacteria associated with the intestinal tract of farmed yellow seahorse,Hippocampus kuda (Bleeker, 1852): characterization and extracellular enzymes

The microenvironment of bacteria associated with the gastrointestinal tract of an animal influences the host in many ways, including the metabolism of several nutrients. Isolation, molecular characterization and enzymatic activities of culturable bacteria associated with the gastrointestinal tract of hatchery‐reared oceanic yellow seahorse, Hippocampus kuda, were investigated in the present study. 16S rRNA sequencing of bacterial isolates yielded 10 different bacterial genera belonging to two major groups: proteobacteria (62.9%) and firmicutes (37.03%). The predominant microbial flora belonged to the genera Vibrio spp., Enterovibrio sp. and Bacillus spp. Burkholderia cenocepacia, hitherto unreported from the gastrointestinal tract of marine fish, was retrieved from the seahorse gut, albeit in small numbers. Enzymatic studies indicated that the bacterial isolates possess the ability to degrade lipids, cellulose, xylan, starch and proteins. Lipase activity was exhibited by a majority of the isolates (70.4%), indicating that the bacterial flora associated with the intestinal tract of seahorses is capable of digesting foods rich in lipids. The possible implications for the role of these bacteria in the digestion and physiological processes are discussed. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the characterization and enzymatic activities of bacteria associated with the intestinal tract of farmed seahorses have been reported.     

Improvement of growth performance,water quality and disease resistance against Vibrio harveyi of postlarval whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) by administration of mixed microencapsulated Bacillus probiotics

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of mixed Bacillus on growth, water quality and disease resistance against Vibrio harveyi in whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Postlarval shrimp (PL₃₀) were fed with (a) a basal diet (the control), (b) a diet containing mixed freeze‐dried Bacillus probiotics (FB) and (c) addition of mixed microencapsulated Bacillus probiotics (MB) in culture water. Addition of FB and MB probiotics improved (p < .05) growth, feed efficiency, survival and culture water quality (ammonia and nitrite) compared to the control group although there was no difference (p > .05) between the two treated groups. Bacillus numbers in gastrointestinal tracts and culture water of FB‐ and MB‐administrated shrimp were higher (p < .05) than in the control. After a 30‐day culture, shrimp were infected with V. harveyi and monitored for 10 days. A significant reduction (p < .05) in cumulative mortality was observed in FB‐ and MB‐supplemented shrimp (43.24% and 45.05%, respectively), compared to the control (63.06%). This finding demonstrated that administration of microencapsulated probiotics was as effective as freeze‐dried probiotics for improving growth, feed efficiency, survival, Bacillus in gastrointestinal tracts, water quality (ammonia and nitrite) and conferring disease resistance to V. harveyi.     

Feed management for Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei under semi‐intensive conditions in tanks and ponds

To improve feed management strategies for the semi‐intensive culture of Litopenaeus vannamei, outdoor tank and pond trials were conducted. In the tank trial, shrimp (35 shrimp/m², n = 4) were offered feed for 6 weeks based on a standard feeding protocol (SFP, designed as T100) with five variations (T80:90:100, T90, T90:100, T100:110, T110) of this protocol produced by varying the feed inputs and expressing the treatments as a percentage. Results demonstrated no significant differences in survival rate and feed conversion ratio (FCR) among treatments. The mean final weight and final biomass in the treatments T100:110 and T110 were significantly higher than those in treatment T90 but were not different from the other treatments. In the pond trial, juvenile shrimp (28 shrimp/m², n = 4) were stocked into twelve 0.1‐ha ponds over a 16‐week period. Three feeding protocols were evaluated including a SFP, a 10% reduction in the SFP (SFP:90), and a variable feed input (SFP:80:90:100), which included 80% SFP at week 4th–8th, 90% SFP from week 9th–12th and 100% SFP for week 12th–16th. There were no significant differences in growth performance and economic return among treatments. Based on previous studies, in which higher feed inputs were evaluated, and results of this study, it does not appear to be economically beneficial to use high feed inputs. Instead, feed input could be either applied at a standard ration to optimize growth and economic return or at restricted rations to reduce FCR (feed cost) albeit at the expense of some growth.     

Artificial substrates in zero‐water‐exchange culture system regulate the rearing performance of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) under the winter indoor condition

Effects of artificial substrates in zero‐water‐exchange culture system on the rearing performance of Litopenaeus vannamei under winter indoor condition were investigated in this study. Growth, survival, feed conversion rate (FCR), production rate of L. vannamei and water quality were compared between artificial substrate‐treated group (AST) and control group (without artificial substrates presented in the rearing environment). Artificial substrates can significantly improve the water quality, the ammonia and nitrite‐N concentrations in the AST group were significantly lower than in the control group (P < 0.05), and the total heterotrophic bacteria and Vibrio spp. were also significantly lower in the AST group (P < 0.05). The survival, growth and production rate of L. vannamei in the AST group were significantly higher than in the control group (P < 0.05). Significantly lower FCR was observed in the AST group (P < 0.05). Results from this study indicate that the utilization of artificial substrates in the indoor shrimp culture system could effectively control the water quality, improve the survival and growth of shrimp and significantly reduce the FCR. This study provides a guideline for employing artificial substrates in rearing of shrimp in the zero‐water‐exchange culture system under lower temperature, which could be applicable to other similar species.     

Economic effects of production scale,use of agricultural greenhouses,and integration of tropical aquaculture species when farming in a subtropical climate

Fresh and local production of tropical fish species are growing in demand in subtropical and temperate regions. However, their productions are limited by the short growing season and uncertainty related to using agricultural greenhouses. Thus, this study evaluated the economic feasibility of Amazon River prawn (Macrobrachium amazonicum) and tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) grow-outs in monoculture and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems carried out in a subtropical region of Brazil, considering the transfer of the fish to agricultural greenhouses to complete the grow-out during the winter season. Simulations were performed of each system on small- (1 ha) and medium (5 ha)-sized properties to test the effects of production system and scale on cost return and cash flow, economic indicators, and sensitivity (risk) to productivity and market changes. Treatments were prawn monoculture (PRWN), tambaqui monoculture (FISH), IMTA of prawns and tambaqui reared free-swimming (IMTA), and IMTA of prawns reared free-swimming and tambaqui reared in net cages (CAGE). Harvested prawns were marketed for recreational fishing and the tambaqui is traded for the next grow-out phase after overwintering in greenhouses. Internal rate of return (IRR), net present value (NPV), payback period (PP), and benefit–cost ratio (BCR) showed economic feasibility for all systems, and shorter PP and greater profitability were observed with an increased size of the properties. In addition, the integrated systems showed resilience by remaining economically feasible when subjected to variations in productivity, major costs, and selling price. Further research should test the technical feasibility of producing tambaqui in greenhouses during the winter in colder climates.

     

Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) production and stable isotope dynamics in clear‐water recirculating aquaculture systems versus biofloc systems

Closed recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) offer advantages over traditional culture methods including enhanced biosecurity, the possibility of indoor, inland culture of marine species year‐round and potential marketing opportunities for fresh, never‐frozen seafood. Questions still remain regarding what type of aquaculture system may be best suited for the closed‐system culture of marine shrimp. In this study, shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) were grown in clear‐water RAS and in biofloc‐based systems. Comparisons were made between the system types with respect to water quality, shrimp production and stable isotope dynamics used to determine the biofloc contribution to shrimp nutrition. Ammonia and nitrite concentrations were higher, and shrimp survival was lower in the biofloc systems. Although stable isotope levels indicated that biofloc material may have contributed 28% of the carbon and 59% of the nitrogen in shrimp tissues, this did not correspond with improved shrimp production. Overall, the water column microbial communities in biofloc systems may be more difficult to manage than clear‐water RAS which have external filters to control water quality. Biofloc does seem to offer some nutritional contributions, but exactly how to take advantage of that and ensure improved production remains unclear.     

Comparison of the Intestinal Bacterial Flora in Healthy and Intestinal‐diseased Seahorses Hippocampus trimaculatus,Hippocampus erectus,and Hippocampus spinosissimus

This investigation examined the intestinal microbial flora among healthy and intestinal‐diseased seahorses Hippocampus trimaculatus, Hippocampus erectus, and Hippocampus spinosissimus by utilizing polymerase chain reaction‐denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and densitometric analysis. Results demonstrated that 16 disparate DGGE bands belong to six major bacterial groups, which were Vibrionace, Enterobacteriacea, Rhodobacteraceae, Sphingomonadaceae, Flavobacteriaceae, and Alcaligenaceae. It was found that Vibrionaceae was the dominant population among the healthy and intestinal‐diseased seahorses. Vibrio ponticus strain XJ3 and Vibrio neptunius strain WT82, especially V. ponticus strain XJ3 of high abundance, were identified for the first time in seahorses and concluded to be intestinal disease pathogens because of their co‐existence in three intestinal‐diseased seahorse species and other reported fish or oyster. In comparison, uncultured bacterium clone Alcaligenaceae, Vibrio sp., uncultured bacterium clone Rhodobacteraceae, Serratia nematodiphila strain, and Serratia marcescens strain comprised the basic intestinal bacterial flora of all healthy seahorses. This study is the first to report the presence of S. nematodiphila in seahorses.     

Opportunities and challenges for analysis of wildlife trade using CITES data – seahorses as a case study

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Effects of dietary astaxanthin on growth,antioxidant capacity and gene expression in Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (1050 individuals with initial weight of 1.01 ± 0.001 g) were fed either control diet or one of six dietary astaxanthin (AX) concentration (25, 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 mg kg⁻¹) diets for 56 days in 35 tanks (30 shrimp per tank). After 56 days of culture, shrimp‐fed AX125 and AX150 diets had higher (P < 0.05) weight gain, specific growth rate, total antioxidant status and lower (P < 0.05) superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) than shrimp fed control diet. After low dissolved oxygen stress for 1 h, survival rate of shrimp fed AX75, AX100, AX125 and AX150 diets was higher (P < 0.05) than that of shrimp fed control diet. Hypoxia inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α), cytosolic manganese superoxide dismutase (cMnSOD) and CAT mRNA expression levels of shrimp fed seven diets were significantly down‐regulated under hypoxia than under normoxia, but their expression levels were higher under hypoxia in shrimp fed AX‐supplemented diets than in shrimp fed control diet. About 70‐kDa heat‐shock protein (Hsp70) mRNA expression level of shrimp fed seven diets was significantly up‐regulated under hypoxia than under normoxia, but its expression level was lower under hypoxia in shrimp fed AX‐supplemented diets than in shrimp fed control diet.     

Study on an integrated eco‐aquaculture system for rearing the yellow seahorse,Hippocampus kuda Bleeker

Seahorse aquaculture is challenged by insufficient feeding supply and lack of biological and nutritional knowledge, resulting in low survival rate and poor economical profitability. We report here an integrated eco‐aquaculture system in which the yellow seahorse and its natural prey were co‐cultured with fertilized water and seaweed in cement ponds. In the first stage, urea (10 g m^?3) and chicken manure (50 g m^?3) were used to fertilize the cultured water, 5–7 days later, rotifer and micro‐crustaceans were flourishing. Then, seahorse juveniles were stocked at 200 ind m^?3. After 2 weeks, seaweed Gracilaria lichevoides was transplanted into the ponds to regulate water quality, light and to provide holdfast attachment for seahorses. The optimal density of G. lichevoides was controlled between 0.5 and 2 kg m^?3. The introduction of seaweed provides the habitat for natural food of seahorse. Within the cluster of the seaweed, small crustacean density was over 450 individuals per 100 g of fresh weight. Initial size of seahorse juvenile was 1.03 ± 0.091 cm, After the 146‐day rearing period, seahorse survival rates were 70.8%, 57.7% and 42.5%, and body standard lengths were 11.33 cm, 10.84 cm and 10.04 cm in the integrated eco‐aquaculture system (GFA) and in monoculture systems of FA (fertilized + feeding) and BA (only feeding) respectively. This system incorporated traditional Chinese aquaculture technique in which feedings nature food organisms were cultivated by fertilization and ecological regulation. Results from these preliminary experiments suggest that the integrated system could be technically feasible, suitable and exemplary.