Effects of Stocking Density, Salinity, and Light Intensity on Growth and Survival of Southern Flounder Paralichthys lethostigma Larvae

Four separate studies were done on Southern flounder Paralichthys lethostigma larvae during first feeding and metamorphosis to determine the effects of stocking density, salinity, and light intensity on growth and survival. One study used stocking densities of 10, 20, 40, and 80 fish/L during first feeding; the second study compared the growth and survival of larvae stocked at 20 and 33 ppt; and a third experiment evaluated stocking densities of 1/L and 3/L under two different light intensities (1,600 lux vs 340 lux) during metamorphosis. The fourth experiment tested the effects of different salinities (0, 10, 20 and 30 ppt) on larval growth and survival during metamorphosis. Growth and survival (overall 6.9%) were not significantly different ( P > 0.05) for stocking rates up to 80/L. Larvae placed into 20 ppt salinity had survival through first feeding similar to that of larvae raised at 33 ppt. During metamorphosis, light intensity had no effect ( P > 0.05) on growth or survival, but fish stocked at 3/L had significantly lower ( P < 0.05) survival than fish at 1/L. Complete mortality of larvae occurred at 0 ppt. Growth and survival past metamorphosis were not significantly different ( P > 0.05) at 10, 20 and 30 ppt, but unmetamorphosed fish did not survive to day 60 at 10 ppt. Based on these results, practical larviculture of Southern flounder may require a two-step process with high stocking rates (80 fish/L) through first feeding and lower densities (1/L) through metamorphosis. Fingerling production in fertilized nursery ponds might he possible at salinity as low as 20 ppt.     

Diet and Light Intensity Effects on Survival, Growth and Pigmentation of Southern Flounder Paralichthys lethostigma

Interest in the culture of flatfishes has increased globally due to high consumer demand and decreased commercial landings. The Southern flounder Paralichthys lethostigma inhabit South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico waters and support important commercial and recreational fisheries. In spring, 1996, a two-part larval rearing study was performed with Southern flounder to examine the effects of three larval diets and two light intensities on survival, growth, and pigmentation. The first part of the study consisted of feeding 6 d post-hatch (dph) (3.0 ± 0.1 mm TL) larvae three diets: 1) rotifers Brachionus plicatilis at a rate of 10/mL from day 1–9 and Artemia nauplii (3/mL) from day 7 through metamorphosis; 2) rotifers fed day 1 through metamorphosis and Artemia fed day 7 through metamorphosis; or 3) same diet as treatment 1 plus a commercial larval diet added day 13 through metamorphosis. The second part of the study examined the effects of two light levels: low-light (mean 457 lux) and high-light (mean 1362 lux). At 24 C, metamorphosis began on day 23 (mean fish size 8.2 ± 0.6 mm TL) in all treatments and was completed by day 30. Analysis of survival, size, and pigmentation data indicated there were no significant differences among feed treatments or between light treatments. Overall survival was 33.4% (±15.9) and mean length was 11.5 mm TL ± 1.3. Only 35% of the larvae were normally pigmented. Reexamination of the pigmentation on day 37 indicated fish reared at the low light intensity through metamorphosis (day 30) but exposed to high light intensity for 1 wk post-metamorphosis had become significantly more pigmented.     

光照度对漠斑牙鲆仔鱼活动及成活率的影响

就不同光照度对漠斑牙鲆仔鱼活动及成活率的影响进行了初步研究。试验结果表明,当光照度达1500lx时,仔鱼多数表现为负趋光性,并在阴影处形成集群;在光照度分别为500、1000、1500、2000和2500lx的5个试验组中,仔鱼的成活率分别为15.0%、29.6%、38.3%、11.3%和2.1%;适宜的光照度为500~2000lx,最适光照度为1000~1500lx。     

Combined Effects of Turbulence and Salinity on Growth, Survival, and Whole-body Osmolality of Larval Southern Flounder

The southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) is a commercially important marine flatfish from the southeastern Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of the USA and an attractive candidate for aquaculture. Hatchery methods are relatively well developed for southern flounder; however, knowledge of the optimum environmental conditions for culturing the larval stages is needed to make these technologies more cost effective. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of water turbulence (as controlled by varying rates of diffused aeration) on growth, survival, and whole‐body osmolality of larval southern flounder from hatching through day 16 posthatching (d16ph). Embryos were stocked into black 15‐L cylindrical tanks under four turbulence levels (20, 90, 170, and 250 mL/min of diffused aeration) and two salinities (24 and 35 ppt) in a 4 × 2 factorial design. Larvae were provided with enriched s‐type rotifers from d2ph at a density of 10 individuals/mL. Temperature was 19 C, light intensity was 390 lx, and photoperiod was 18 L:6 D. Significant (P < 0.05) effects of turbulence on growth (notochord length [NL], wet weight, and dry weight) were observed. On d16ph, NL (μm) increased with decreasing turbulence level and was significantly greater at 20 mL/min (64.2) and 90 mL/min (58.2) than at 170 mL/min (56.3) and 250 mL/min (57.2). Survival declined primarily during the prefeeding and first‐feeding stages from d0 to d8ph, then stabilized from d8 to d16ph. In contrast to growth trends, survival (%) on d16ph increased with increasing turbulence levels and was significantly greater at 170 mL/min (57.9) and 250 mL/min (54.0) than at 20 and 90 mL/min (21.4 and 26.2, respectively). Mean rotifer concentrations (individuals/mL) at 24 h postfeeding were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the low‐turbulence treatments of 20 mL/min (4.48) and 90 mL/min (4.23) than in the high‐turbulence treatments of 170 and 250 mL/min (2.28 and 2.45, respectively). Under both salinities, larval whole‐body osmolality (mOsm/kg) increased with increasing turbulence levels and was significantly higher at 250 mL/min (427) than at 20 mL/min (381), indicating osmoregulatory stress at the higher turbulence levels. On d14ph, larvae in all treatments were positively buoyant in 35 ppt and negatively buoyant in 24 ppt. Results showed that growth of southern flounder larvae in 15‐L tanks was maximized under low turbulence levels of 20 and 90 mL/min, while survival was maximized at high turbulence levels of 170 and 250 mL/min. The data suggested that, in prefeeding‐ and early‐feeding‐stage larvae (which have weak swimming ability), higher turbulence levels improved buoyancy and prevented sinking. In feeding‐stage larvae (which are relatively strong swimmers), higher turbulence levels caused excessive swimming, osmoregulatory stress, and slower growth. Based on these results, we recommend that turbulence levels be maintained relatively high during prefeeding (yolk sac) and first‐feeding stages to maintain buoyancy and survival and then decreased for mid‐ to late‐feeding‐ and premetamorphic stage larvae to optimize prey encounters and feeding efficiency.     

Salinity Effects on Early Life Stages of Southern Flounder Paralichthys lethostigma

Abstract.— In South Carolina, studies have been conducted to develop rearing techniques for southern flounder Paralichthys lethostigma a candidate for aquaculture development and stock enhancement programs. To help define environmental tolerances, a variety of salinity studies were conducted with the early life stages of this species. Eggs were buoyant at 32 ppt and sank at 29 ppt with salinities of 30–31 ppt providing varying levels of suspension in the water column. Eggs incubated at 0 and 5 ppt all died, whereas 82.5% hatched at 10 ppt but larvae died shortly thereafter. At 63 h post-fertilization, there were no differences in hatch level for eggs incubated at salinities of 15 to 35 ppt (mean hatch level 98.5%). In a 72-h study, fish 3 wk post-metamorphosis (13.7 mm TL, 50-d-old) were acclimated to seven salinities ranging from 0–30 ppt. Fish held at 0 ppt salinity exhibited a statistically (P < 0.05) lower survival (20.0%) than those exposed to 5–30 ppt salinity concentrations. No differences were detected in survival (mean 99.1%) among fish held in the higher salinities. A second study examined the tolerance of older juveniles to lower salinities. Juvenile flounder (95.2 mm TL, 220-d-old) were acclimated to 0, 1,5 and 10 ppt salinities and reared for 2 wk. Results showed that fish could tolerate salinities of 0–10 ppt (100% survival). These data indicate that salinity tolerance of southern flounder increases with age. In addition to the short duration studies, a replicated 11-mo duration tank grow-out study was conducted at mean salinity 5.4 ppt and mean temperahue 22.6 C with an all male population. Flounder grew from a mean length of 100 mm to 213 mm TL and weight from 8.9 to 104.3 g. Growth of the cultured fish approximated that observed among male flounders in the wild.     

Effects of Temperature on Egg Hatch,Larval Growth and Metamorphosis for Hatchery-Cultured Southern Flounder,Paralichthys lethostigma

ABSTRACT

Egg hatch, larval growth, and metamorphosis of southern flounder, Paralichthys lethostigma, were examined at 13, 17, 21, and 25°C in laboratory experiments. The experiments were separated into four developmental phases: (1) from fertilization until hatch; (2) from hatch until mouth opening; (3) from first feeding until the onset of metamorphosis; (4) from the onset until the completion of metamorphosis. Time to egg hatch were 109, 58, 39, 30 hours at 13, 17, 21, and 25°C, respectively. Size at hatch varied little among temperatures, while percent hatch was significantly higher at 17°C (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in total length at mouth opening among temperatures (P > 0.05). However, those larvae raised at higher temperatures reached mouth opening earlier, as it took on average 7.4, 3.9, 2.8, and 2.2 days from hatch at 13, 17, 21, and 25°C, respectively. During phase three, the growth rate was optimal at 17°C, as growth rates were 0.046, 0.110, 0.106 and 0.096 mm/day at 13, 17, 21, and 25°C, respectively. Larvae in phase four completed metamorphosis sooner at higher temperatures than at lower temperatures. It took 26.4, 15.7, and 13.1 days to complete metamorphosis at 17, 21, and 25°C, respectively, while only 16% of those at 13 progressed to stage “G” within the 27 days that phase four encompassed. No difference in total length was found among treatments (P > 0.05) at the completion of metamorphosis, but fish in the 21 °C treatment had a significantly higher survival (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that southern flounder could be produced in the highest quantity and at the largest size by raising them at 17°C from fertilization until the onset of metamorphosis, and at 21 °C during metamorphosis.     

盐度对漠斑牙鲆幼鱼生长与存活的影响

本文就盐度对漠斑牙鲆幼鱼的生长及存活的影响进行了探讨,结果表明:漠斑牙鲆幼鱼适宜盐度范围为0～36,最适盐度范围为6～18。在适宜盐度下,漠斑牙鲆幼鱼生长快,存活率高。过高或过低的盐度对幼鱼的生长发育均有一定的抑制作用。     

盐度对漠斑牙鲆幼鱼存活、生长及摄食的影响

盐度对漠斑牙鲆幼鱼的存活的影响较小,将漠斑牙鲆幼鱼从盐度为32的海水直接放入盐度为24、16、8、0的水中观察48 h存活情况,仅盐度0组成活率为75%,其他盐度组均为100%.在盐度为32、24、16、8、0各试验组中,经1个月饲养,生长速度和饵料系数均无显著差异.盐度越低越有利于漠斑牙鲆白化个体康复正常体色.     

Low-Temperature Tolerance of Southern Flounder Paralichthys lethostigma: Effect of Salinity

Abstract.— Two studies were conducted to examine the influence of salinity on low-temperature tolerance of southern flounder Paralichthys lethostigma . Juveniles (3.4 g ± 1.2 g in study one; 32.8 g ± 34.8 g in study two) were acclimated to 20 C at salinities of 1, S, 10, 20 and 30% o in study one and 1, 10 and 30% o in study two. Temperature was then decreased approximately 1 C per day to a nominal 4 C and 2 C, in studies one and two. respectively. Fish were subjected to the low temperatures for 10 d and then returned to the initial temperature (20 C) at a rate of approximately 1 C per day. Mortality ranged from 0 to 10% in study one and from 30 to 100% in study two and was significantly affected by salinity. Results of this research suggest that the chronic low-level tolerance limit is between 2 and 4 C and that increased salinity offers some mitigating effect.     

容器颜色对漠斑牙鲆白化率和成活率的影响

本文就培养容器的颜色对漠斑牙鲆稚鱼的白化率和生长率的影响进行初步研究。结果表明:用深蓝色和黑色等深色容器培养的稚鱼白化率显著低于白色和黄色等浅色容器(p<0.05),黑色、深蓝色、黄色和白色4个组别(N=100)的白化率分别为20.8%、14.4%、57.6%和86.6%;白色最高为86.6%,深蓝色最低为14.4%;而用不同颜色的容器培养漠斑牙鲆的稚幼鱼,对其成活率影响不大(p>0.05),黑色、深蓝色、黄色和白色4个组别的成活率分别为96.0%、90.0%、82.5%、93.0%;白化稚幼鱼的生长发育并无异常。     

漠斑牙鲆养殖技术

漠斑牙鲆（Paralichthys ledthostigma）隶属鲽形目、鲆科、牙鲆属,原产于美国,分布于北卡州到佛罗里达州北部的大西洋沿岸以及佛罗里达州南部海湾到德克萨斯州南部海峡沿岸。漠斑牙鲆在海水（盐度36）、半咸水以及淡水中都有分布,为典型的广盐种。该鱼因具有生长速度快、广盐、广温、抗病力强等特点而成为世界上重要养殖鱼类。我国也于近年从美国引入该鱼,在辽宁、山东、北京等地养殖成功,并突破了人工繁殖技术。     

漠斑牙鲆(Paralichthyslethostigma)苗种培育试验

为探索漠斑牙鲆的苗种培育技术，分别于2003年和2004年从美国引进漠斑牙鲆的初孵仔鱼进行鱼苗培育试验和淡化试验。试验获得了成功。2003年引进初孵仔鱼4.0万尾，培育出体长4～5cm的鱼苗2250尾，鱼苗培育成活率为5.6％，其中前期和后期的培育成活率分别为9．0％和62．5％。2004年引进初孵仔鱼4．5万尾，经培育共获得体长4～5cm的鱼苗2830尾，培育成活率为6．3％，其中前期和后期的培育成活率分别为11．8％和63．6％。经过逐步淡化的鱼苗在纯淡水中生长良好。     

Development of Aquaculture Methods for Southern Flounder,Paralichthys lethostigma

ABSTRACT

A detailed spawning and larval rearing protocol for the production of southern flounder, Paralichthys lethostigma, is presented. The protocol is based on the results of spawning, larval culture and fingerling production trials with the southern flounder, which were completed during 1998 and 1999. Seventy-six brood fish (0.1-3.8 kg) were collected from the wild, acclimated to captivity, and stocked in matura tion tanks. Sex ratio (male:female) was 1.1:1. Males (0.1-1.0 kg; mean = 0.5 kg±0.30 SD) were significantly smaller (P > 000.1) than females (0.5-3.8 kg; mean =1.8 kg±0.75 SD). Spermatogenesis was achieved using temperature manipulation during a 3-month period. Vitellogenesis was nearly completed when most females were caught, and final ovulation was accomplished using gonadotropin releasing hormone-analogue (GnRH-a) implants and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Eggs were obtained from both tank and strip spawnings. At 24-26°C, fertilized eggs hatched within 24-28 hours. Weaning to artificial diets was completed after 5 weeks, when metamorphosis was completed. Epizootics of Vibriosis and Amyloodinium ocellatum caused massive mortalities. Average survival rate from eggs to fully metamorphosed fingerlings was 30%, ranging from 5-40%. A total of 14,562 juveniles measuring 5 cm were produced in these experimental trials. Approximately 25% of the fingerlings exhibited pigment abnormalities known as hypomelanosis or pseudo-albinism on the dark side and hypermelanosis or ambicoloration on the blind side. Reversed asymmetry was observed in 5% of the fingerlings and a few individuals (0.02%) exhibited no ocular migration at all. A large size variation was observed during early larval development stages, with larger individuals growing faster through post-larval, juvenile, and adult stages. Results suggest that hatchery production of southern flounder fingerlings should rely on early culling of runts.     

漠斑牙鲆工厂化养殖技术研究

记录了漠斑牙鲆工厂化养殖过程中各个生长阶段鱼的摄食量和生长速度,介绍了养殖过程中的病害及预防,以及工厂化养殖用水的内循环系统。试验结果表明,在北方沿海地区工厂化养殖漠斑牙鲆成活率高于褐牙鲆,平均体长10 cm的苗种经过274天养殖,平均体重达0.58 kg。     

温度对漠斑牙鲆幼鱼生长与存活的影响

本文根据温度实验,对漠斑牙鲆幼鱼的生长及存活的影响进行了探讨。结果表明：漠斑牙鲆幼鱼适宜生长温度范围为15—30℃,最适温度范围为18～27℃。在适宜温度下,漠斑牙鲆幼鱼生长快,存活率高。过高或过低的温度对幼鱼的生长发育均有一定的抑制作用。在生产上,当培育水体温度低于15℃时应进行人为加温,对促进幼鱼的生长发育与存活有积极意义。     

漠斑牙鲆人工催产和自然产卵的比较

为探索漠斑牙鲆人工催产的可行性,以便在预期时间集中获得苗种,分别于2006年在大连和2007年在江苏进行了人工催产和自然产卵对比试验.试验结果表明,漠斑牙鲆亲鱼自然产卵受精率和孵化率远远高于人工催产,但人工催产可以准确掌握生产时机,在短时间内获得大量受精卵和初孵仔鱼;4龄亲鱼人工催产产卵量、受精率、受精卵孵化率高于3龄亲鱼.人工催产受精率孵化率有待于进一步提高.     

漠斑牙鲆仔鱼摄食节律的研究

在实验室条件下研究了漠斑牙鲆仔鱼摄食节律。试验结果表明：漠斑牙鲆仔鱼摄食具有昼夜节律性,其摄食活动主要在白天进行,在10：00光照度为400lx时摄食最为活跃,抵达摄食高峰,仔鱼夜间不摄食,全天表现明显的摄食节律。     

Progress in Controlled Breeding of Summer Flounder,Paralichthys dentatus,and Southern Flounder,P. lethostigma

ABSTRACT

The sum mer floun der, Paralichthys dentatus, and the south ern floun der, P. lethostigma, are high value flat fish spe cies and im -por tant can di dates for com mer cial aquaculture in the east ern U.S. Wild-caught adults of both spe cies have been spawned ei ther nat u rally or by hor mone-in duc tion dur ing their first year in cap tiv ity, but spawn ing suc -cess and fre quency of vo li tional spawnings im proves with size/age and ha bit u a tion (>1.5 year) to cap tiv ity. Con trolled-en vi ron ment tanks (2.5-10 m³) sup plied with re cir cu lat ing sea wa ter (32-36 ppt) are used for photo -thermal con di tion ing of broodstock to fa cil i tate en vi ron men tal con trol, ob ser va tion, han dling, and feed ing. Stocking den si ties of 1.7-4.11 kg/m³and sex ra tios of 1-2 males:1 fe male are rec om mended, but op tima have not been de ter mined. In the sum mer floun der, com mer cial hatch er ies use hor mone-in duced spawn ing of photothermally con di tioned fish to sup -ply fingerlings year round. In tra mus cu lar im plan ta tion of a slow-re lease LHRHa pel let (dose ～100 μg/kg) into fe males with max i mum fol li cle diameters >500 μm or with mean oocyte di am e ters rang ing from 258-456 μm in duces re pet i tive ovu la tion and spawn ing. Com mer cial culturists pres ently opt for strip spawn ing, us ing a “light ta ble” to es ti -mate time of ovu la tion, but hor mone-in duced vol un tary spawn ing and nat u ral spawn ing with out hor mone in duc tion could be come more prev a -lent with lon ger-term ac cli ma tion and do mes ti ca tion. In the south ern floun der, im plan ta tion of a slow-re lease LHRHa pel let (～100 μg) has also in duced re pet i tive ovu la tion and spawn ing, al low ing mul ti ple strip spawn ing or vo li tional spawn ing in fe males with max i mum fol li cle di -am e ters > 500 μm. Large num bers of vi a ble em bryos have also been pro -duced through nat u ral spawn ing with out hor mone in duc tion. Through photothermal ma nip u la tion, the nat u ral spawn ing pe riod has been ex -tended by 2-3 months, but ad di tional stud ies are needed to pro duce fingerlings year round. A fun da men tal prob lem in the con trolled re pro -duc tion of both the sum mer floun der and south ern floun der is the vari -abil ity in num ber of eggs and the fer til ity rates among fe males and among con sec u tive spawns from the same fe male. More pre dict able rates of ovu la tion, as well as of fer til iza tion and hatch ing, are needed to lower costs of seed pro duc tion. Vari able spawn ing suc cess can be at trib -uted in large part to in con sis tent male per for mance and in ad e quate spermiation. Hor mone treat ments used to in duce ovu la tion in fe males have been in ef fec tive in in duc ing spermiation in males, and al ter na tive ther a pies are needed. In fe males, egg qual ity may pre sum ably be im -proved by op ti miz ing nutri tions, en vi ron men tal con di tion ing, and hor -mone doses and re lease rates. To date, adult broodstock are ob tained from the wild, and the po ten tial for se lec tive breed ing or for pro duc ing interspecific hy brids re mains un tapped.     

Nitrite Toxicity and Methemoglobin Changes in Southern Flounder,Paralichthys lethostigma,in Brackish Water

This study was performed to estimate the nitrite toxicity to southern flounder, Paralichthys lethostigma, in brackish water (7.5 ppt of salinity). For a LC₅₀ test, 20 fingerlings (5.7 ± 0.4 cm) in each aquarium (15 L) were exposed to the concentrations of 0, 1, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, 120, and 240 mg NO₂^?‐N/L in duplication for 10 d. Median lethal concentration at 96 h (96‐h LC₅₀) was calculated as 81.6 mg NO₂^?‐N/L. For a verification test, young flounder (164.2 ± 9.1 g) were exposed to a simulated culture condition in recirculating systems (1000 L). Sodium nitrite was not added to control system, whereas it was added to Treatment system 1 (TS 1) and Treatment system 2 (TS 2) to maintain nitrite concentrations of 20 and 30 mg NO₂^?‐N/L, respectively. The plasma nitrite concentrations of the young flounder in TS 1 and TS 2 were 4.5 and 6.6 mg NO₂^?‐N/L, respectively, after 2 wk. At this time, the methemoglobin percentages in TS 1 and TS 2 reached 85.8 and 89.7%, and survival rates were 37.5 and 25.0%, respectively. The results of these tests indicate that southern flounder do not concentrate nitrite in blood from the environment, but they seem to be more sensitive to nitrite compared with other species that do not concentrate nitrite.