Meat yields in the introduced freshwater crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana) and Astacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz, from British waters

The freshwater crayfish industry in Britain is based on two species, Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana) and Astacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz, which were introduced during the 1970s and 1980s. The former is widely cultivated but both are also established in the wild, from where they are harvested. Very few studies have been made of the meat yield in these two species and none on British populations. Two essentially wild populations were assessed for their meat yield. Due to its more massive claws male P. leniusculus had a higher meat yield than male and female A. leptodactylus and female P. leniusculus in both winter and summer months. Less difference was found between the yield of tail meat between the sexes and species. Compared with other studies, meat yield in the two British populations of P. leniusculus (11–15%) and A. leptodactylus (9–13%) would appear to be lower; possible reasons for this are discussed. However, expressing meat yield as a percentage of wet body weight, although useful for comparative purposes, can give conflicting results – examples of this are given. Meat yields from the claws of the two species indicated that positive allometric growth continued after sexual maturity.     

A comparison of the growth and survival of two freshwater crayfish species, Astacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz and Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana), under different temperature and density regimes

Growth experiments carried out with two juvenile crayfish species, Astacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz and Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana), at different temperatures and densities highlighted the problem of cannibalism under conditions aimed at intensifying crayfish production. Cannibalism proved to be much lower in A. leptodactylus than P. leniusculus, suggesting that the former might be the better candidate for astaciculture. In the first of two population survival trials, A. leptodactylus showed a higher survival rate than P. leniusculus, with 26% of P. leniusculus surviving in the first replicate, compared to 42.3% of P. leniusculus, and 40.76% surviving in the second replicate, compared to 47.6% of P. leniusculus. The same trend was observed in the second experiment, with P. leniusculus showing survival rates of 48.5 and 55.3% (first and second replicates, respectively) in comparison to 65.2 and 68.2%, respectively, for A. leptodactylus. It is therefore highly likely that if P. leniusculus were to become established in Turkey, it would outcompete the native A. leptodactylus even if it were not to be devastated by the crayfish plague that has decimated the native species. The experiments also highlighted the problem of differential growth, with some juveniles hardly growing at all while others reached a relatively large size. The range in carapace length (CL) was 9–18 mm for A. leptodactylus and 8.5–18.5 mm CL for P. leniusculus at the end of the first experiment. While both species grew quickly, P. leniusculus hatched earlier, giving it an advantage over A. leptodactylus; consequently, by the end of the summer, the juveniles of the former were larger than those of A. leptodactylus. Specific growth rate values showed that the juveniles of the two species had similar growth rates. The results also revealed that growth was not significantly affected by density in both species at 15°C, but at 25°C, growth was significantly better at a density of 234 juveniles m⁻² than at 468 juveniles m⁻², and better at 468 juveniles m⁻² than at 937 juveniles m⁻² (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively). We conclude that P. leniusculus is a good candidate for aquaculture as it has a rapid growth rate and early hatching and maturity; however, its aggressive behavior may make it a less attractive proposition than A. leptodactylus, which is also fast growing but less aggressive. This study is a part of PhD study of M.M. Harlıoğlu, who is supported by Fırat University Elazığ, Turkey.     

Fatty Acid Composition of Muscle,Liver, and Adipose Tissue of Freshwater Fish from Lake Victoria,Uganda

Fish oils may differ in fatty acid (FA) composition depending on diet. Oils extracted from muscle, liver, and adipose tissue of Nile perch (Lates niloticus), Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), silver fish (Rastrineobola argentea), lungfish (Protopterus aethiopicus), Victoria squeaker (Synodontis victoriae), and two catfishes (Clarias gariepinus and Bagrus docmac) from Lake Victoria, a tropical freshwater lake, were evaluated for FA composition. Oil contents of muscles, livers, and adipose tissues were in the range of 3.16 to 13.8%, 3.62 to 53.4%, and 28.8 to 42.4%, respectively. Omega-3 polyunsaturated FA, particularly alpha-linolenic (ALA), eicosapentaenoic (EPA), docosapentaenoic (DPA), and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids, were found to be in substantial amounts in oils from all seven fish species. Ratios of polyunsaturated FA to saturated FA (0.79 to 1.18) were in the range considered adequate for normal health. Overall, the results show that the fish species studied are a rich source of omega-3 polyunsaturated FA.     

Effects of anaesthetics (halothane and MS-222) on crayfish,Astacus astacus

The effects of an anaesthetic despersive in air and usually applied in mammals (halothane, Hoechst) and of an anaesthetic soluble in water and applied in fish (MS-222, Sandoz) were investigated in experiments with crayfish, Astacus astacus (L.). Halothane was used at concentrations of 0.01, 0.06, 0.12, 0.5 and 1.0 vol.%, while MS-222 was applied in two concentrations, dissolved in the ratios of 1 : 1000 and 1 : 10 000. Halothane was most effective at 0.5 vol. %. The concentrations of MS-222 which were applied in our experiments had almost no effect on the crayfish.     

Egg development and lifecycle timing in the noble crayfish (Astacus astacus)

Egg development time in Astacus astacus was strongly influenced by temperature. Five batches of eggs were subjected to different temperature regimes after approximately 600 degree days and, by increasing the temperature, the total number of degree days to hatching was reduced from 1900 to 1300. There were no systematic differences in hatching success or juvenile survival due to different temperature treatments. Females molted and rematured (50–100%) 4–8 weeks after hatching.     

短期饥饿对大鳍鱯生化组成、氨基酸和脂肪酸组成的影响

在水温(21±1)℃条件下,研究了大鳍鱯(Mystus macropterus)在短期饥饿胁迫下生化组成、氨基酸和脂肪酸含量的变化.实验时间分别为饥饿0 d(S0)、饥饿3 d(S3)、饥饿6 d(S6)、饥饿9 d(S9)和饥饿12 d(S12).随着饥饿时间延长,水分显著升高(P<0.05),蛋白质、肝糖原和肌糖原显著降低(P<0.05),脂肪和灰分先显著降低(P<0.05),饥饿9 d均出现回升(P<0.05).氨基酸总量、必需氨基酸和非必需氨基酸含量均呈规则波动,饥饿12 d均出现反弹现象,略高于实验起始值.饱和脂肪酸(SFA)呈先下降、后上升、再下降的趋势,单不饱和脂肪酸(MUFA)先上升后呈规则波动,多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFA)变化规律与饱和脂肪酸恰好相反,饥饿12 d时仅高不饱和脂肪酸被保留,略高于实验起始值.双键位置不同的脂肪酸在饥饿过程中的损失速度也有差异,具体为∑n-9PUFA＞∑n-3PUFA＞∑n-6PUFA.     

短期饥饿对大鳍鱯生化组成、氨基酸和脂肪酸组成的影响

在水温(21±1)℃条件下,研究了大鳍鱯(Mystus macropterus)在短期饥饿胁迫下生化组成、氨基酸和脂肪酸含量的变化。实验时间分别为饥饿0d(S0)、饥饿3d(S3)、饥饿6d(S6)、饥饿9d(S9)和饥饿12d(S12)。随着饥饿时间延长,水分显著升高(P<0.05),蛋白质、肝糖原和肌糖原显著降低(P<0.05),脂肪和灰分先显著降低(P<0.05),饥饿9d均出现回升(P<0.05)。氨基酸总量、必需氨基酸和非必需氨基酸含量均呈规则波动,饥饿12d均出现反弹现象,略高于实验起始值。饱和脂肪酸(SFA)呈先下降、后上升、再下降的趋势,单不饱和脂肪酸(MUFA)先上升后呈规则波动,多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFA)变化规律与饱和脂肪酸恰好相反,饥饿12d时仅高不饱和脂肪酸被保留,略高于实验起始值。双键位置不同的脂肪酸在饥饿过程中的损失速度也有差异,具体为∑n-9PUFA>∑n-3PUFA>∑n-6PUFA。     

The North American signal crayfish,Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana), established in the wild in Scotland

1. Although the North American signal crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana), has been brought into Scotland for aquaculture several times in the past, there appears to be no record of it ever having become established in the wild here. 2. The species is now recorded as being well established at a stream site in south-west Scotland where many specimens were collected in the summer of 1995. Local information indicates that the species has occurred there for several years. 3. The significance of this record is that Scotland is no longer free from this aggressive and invasive species. Fortunately, this locality is far away from the only population of the native white-clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes (Lereboullet), an introduced stock which has been long established in north-west Scotland.     

Growth, mortality and moulting rate of noble crayfish, Astacus astacus L., juveniles in aquaculture experiments

Growth, mortality, moulting rate and cheliped loss were examined in aquaculture experiments with noble crayfish, Astacus astacus L., juveniles from four different Norwegian populations in the period September 1987-June 1988. The juveniles were hatched indoors in May 1987 from parents wild-caught in 1986. The experiments were performed at 18-19°C in communal rearing units. Mean total length at experiment start was about 20mm in all groups. There were no significant differences in mean size (final mean total length: 32-2-34-8mm). mortality (83a-900%) or cheliped loss (429-700%) among juveniles from the different populations when exposed to similar conditions (food: dry pellets; photoperiod: L:D = 8:16). Among crayfish fed fish and potatoes in addition to dry pellets, and with continuous light conditions, mortality was reduced significantly to about 70%. Continuous light conditions significantly increased mean size (final mean length: 36-1-389mm). Moulting occurred from November throughout the experiment period. Moulting rate was positively correlated to mortality and growth rate (i.e. mean length increase). A positive correlation between mortality and cheliped loss, along with direct observations of cannibalism, indicated that agonistic behaviour and cannibalism were the dominating mortality factors. It is suggested that continuous light conditions reduce agonistic behaviour and thereby decrease mortality.     

Effects of different bronopol treatments on final survival rates in the artificial incubation of crayfish eggs (Pacifastacus leniusculus,Astacidae)

Two experiments were conducted on the effects of bronopol in the artificial incubation of crayfish eggs (Pacifastacus leniusculus) with the aim to search an alternative to formaldehyde. In the first experiment, 50, 250, 500 and 1000 ppm bronopol and 3000 ppm formaldehyde (control) in periodical administrations were tested on a density of 6.6 eggs cm^?2. After 44 days of incubation, the highest survival was obtained with 1000 ppm bronopol (81.9% to stage 2 juvenile, with no significant difference from formaldehyde), whereas lower bronopol concentrations resulted in significantly lower survival. In the second experiment, 1000, 3000 and 5000 ppm bronopol and 3000 ppm formaldehyde (control) administered for 15 min every second day were tested on eggs at a density of 20 eggs cm^?2. After 78 days of incubation, bronopol at 3000 ppm allowed for a stage 2 juvenile survival rate of 65.0% (with no significant difference from formaldehyde), whereas significantly lower survival was obtained with 1000 ppm or 5000 ppm. This study shows that bronopol may constitute an alternative to formaldehyde in the artificial incubation of crayfish eggs. A concentration of 3000 ppm administered for 15 min every second day may be adequate even on long incubations at high densities (at least 20 eggs cm^?2, one complete layer).     

The influence of haemocyte number on the resistance of the freshwater crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus Dana, to the parasitic fungus Aphanomyces astaci

Abstract. The number of circulating haemocytes in crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus Dana, was reduced after injection of yeast cell walls (Zymosan) into the animals. Crayfish harbouring the parasitic fungus A. astaci as a 'latent' infection in melanized areas in the cuticle died due to unrestricted growth of unmelanized hyphae when they were injected with Zymosan. The β–1,3–gIucan laminaran, introduced into the haemocoel of P. leniusculus harbouring A. astaci hyphae in the cuticle, also caused a decrease in the total haemocyte counts (THC), but these animals survived the treatment and no unmelanized hyphae of A, astaci were found. The recovery of THC was found to be more rapid after laminaran injection than after Zymosan injection, which could explain why laminaran treated crayfish retained their resistance and could combat the A. astaci hyphae in the cuticle. The importance of the number of haemocytes in defence and well-being of crayfish is discussed.     

Effect on Growth, Survival, and Fatty Acid Composition of Australian Red Claw Crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus Fed Practical Diets With and Without Supplemental Lecithin and/or Cholesterol

Red claw crayfish Cherux quadricarinatus is one of more than a hundred species of Australian freshwater crayfish. However, because of its rapid growth rate, communal and non‐burrowing behavior, ease of spawning, wide temperature and dissolved oxygen tolerance, and no free‐swimming larval stages, red claw may be the best candidate among the Australian crayfishes for semi‐intensive or intensive aquaculture in the United States. The objective of the study was to examine the effects of growth, survival, and fatty acid composition of newly‐hatched red claw when fed four practical diets with or without lecithin and cholesterol. However, little is known of its nutritional requirements or practical diet formulations. An 8‐wk feeding trial was conducted in a recirculating system with newly‐hatched juvenile (mean individual weight, 0.2 g) red claw, each stocked in separate plastic mesh culture units containing their own individual water line. Water was recirculated through biological and mechanical filters. Practical diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous (40% protein) and isocaloric (4 kcal available enerpy/g of diet) and contained menhaden fish meal (25%), soybean meal (35%, except in Diet 4), and shrimp meal (10%, except in Diet 4) as protein sources. Diet 1 had 0.5% lecithin added and 1.0% cholesterol added: Diet 2 contained 0% lecithin and 1.0% cholesterol; Diet 3 contained 0.5% lecithin and 0% cholesterol: and Diet 4 contained 0% lecithin and 0% cholesterol. After 8 wk, juvenile red claw fed diets with 0% supplemental lecithin (Diets 2 and 4) had no significant difference (P >0.05) in final weight and percentage weight gain (5.6 g and 2626%. respectively) compared to red claw fed the control diet (Diet 1) containing 0.5% lecithin. Red claw fed a diet without added cholesterol (Diet 3) had significantly (P 0.05) lower final weight (3.6 g) and percentage weight gain (1,717%) compared to red claw fed the control diet (Diet 1). However, red claw fed Diet 4 (containing 0% added cholesterol and 0% added lecithin) showed no significant (P >0.05) difference in final weight (5.1 g) and percentage weight gain (2254%) compared to red claw fed all other diets. There was no significant difference (P >0.05) among all diets for specific growth rate (SGR) which averaged 5.38%/d. Percentage survival was not significantly different among all treatments and was 76% for red claw fed Diet 1, 64% (Diet 2), 56% (Diet 3), and 80% (Diet 4). These results indicate that red claw fed Diet 4 containing 25% menhaden fish meal, 44.5% soybean meal, 0.5% choline chloride, 2% cod liver oil and 1% corn oil may satisfy the lecithin and cholesterol requirements and that the addition of dietary lecithin and cholesterol may not be necessary for good growth and survival of small (0.2 g) juvenile red claw. This may allow for less expensive diet formulations for use by producers of red claw crayfish.     

Control of Reproduction of the Shrimp Penaeus kerathurus Held in Captivity

The control of the reproductive cycle of the shrimp Penueus kerathurus , held in captivity from early juvenile stages without eyestalk ablation, was attempted in two sets of experimental conditions during two successive years. In the first set of experiments, light regime, sex ratio and presence of sand substratum were assessed in relation to ovarian maturation and successful mating. Examination of thelyca obtained from cast exoskeletons showed that 40–82% successful mating had taken place. A sex ratio of 2:l female/male gave a higher percentage of fertilized females than a ratio of 1:l. The induction to full ovarian development was observed for every treatment except the tank without sand substrate, where no mated females were observed.
In the second set of experiments, the role of diet, in particular the role played by a polychaete Nereis diversicolor , was assessed as a nutritive stimulator to induce maturation and spawning. With the same purpose, a parallel experiment in smaller aquaria was also conducted to assess the relative importance of mussel, squid, ragworm and crab and four composite diets consisting of two or three of the said food organisms. Nereis worm seemed to have a determinant role on the induction of shrimp ovarian maturation and spawning. The possible role of its fatty acids on shrimp reproduction is discussed. The experimental results suggest the possibility for extended control of the reproductive cycle of P. kerathurus in a controlled environment provided that proper food is available.     

Shelter and lighting in the intensive rearing of juvenile crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus,Astacidae) from the onset of exogenous feeding

Recent advances on feeding in intensive rearing of juvenile astacids enable research of other factors influencing growth and survival without the confounding effect of inadequate feeding. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of the number of shelters per crayfish and to test different lighting conditions. Stage 2 juvenile Pacifastacus leniusculus were stocked in fibreglass tanks and fed a dry diet for salmonids combined with restricted amounts of decapsulated Artemia cysts. In experiment 1, four, two or one shelters per crayfish were tested for 80 days. No significant differences were found among groups either in survival (final mean: 86.67%) or in growth [final mean: 11.41 mm mean carapace length (CL), 355.45 mg mean weight]. In experiment 2, three lighting conditions were tested for 120 days: continuous lighting of 925 lx, continuous darkness and natural photoperiod. Survival rates ranged from 76.7% to 88.3%, with no significant differences among groups. The crayfish kept under continuous darkness grew faster (final mean: 12.70 mm CL, 543.08 mg weight) than those reared under the other two light conditions. This study shows that, under improved feeding conditions, a minimum number of shelters can be provided, and faster growth can be obtained in continuous darkness.     

宁波地区桃花水母的脂肪酸组成研究

2004年10月、2005年7月于浙江省宁波市七塔寺、江北区、天童寺采得多个桃花水母标本.用GC/MS法分析后的结果表明,三地桃花水母总脂含量平均值为16.30%.共检测到加种脂肪酸,饱和脂肪酸(SFA)8种、单不饱和脂肪酸(MUFA)5种,多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFA)7种.其中PUFA含量最高,占总脂肪酸的44.37%～50.59%,而SFA和MUFA分别占总脂肪酸的33.96%～39.14%和11.32%～21.67%.