Treatment development for systemic Tetrahymena sp. infection in guppies,Poecilia reticulata Peters

Antibacterial and antiparasitic agents and a cysteine protease inhibitor (E‐64) were tested against Tetrahymena infection, a serious problem in guppy production worldwide. Chemicals were tested in vitro by a colorimetric assay for Tetrahymena survival. The most effective were niclosamide, albendazole and chloroquine, with 23%, 35% and 60% survival, respectively, following 2‐h exposure to 100 ppm. Longer incubation periods resulted in greater reductions in survival. Niclosamide was further studied in vivo at different dosages, administered orally to Tetrahymena‐infected guppies. Mortality rates were significantly lower in all treatment groups; in trial I, 30% and 33% mortality in 5 and 40 mg kg^?1 niclosamide‐fed fish vs. 59% mortality in controls; in trial II, 35%, 13% and 10% in 50, 100 and 200 mg kg^?1 niclosamide‐fed fish vs. 64% in controls. The effect of the cysteine protease inhibitor E64 was tested in tissue culture, by measuring histolytic activity of the parasite (Tet‐NI) on a guppy‐fin cell line, based on cell depletion. Tet‐NI feeding activity was significantly reduced following pretreatment with E‐64 relative to non‐treated Tet‐NI. E‐64‐pretreated Tet‐NI was injected i.p. into guppies: recorded mortality rates were significantly lower (35%) than that in non‐treated Tet‐NI (60%), suggesting inhibition of the parasite’s cysteine protease as a possible therapeutic approach.     

Environmental and physiological conditions affecting Tetrahymena sp. infection in guppies, Poecilia reticulata Peters

Parasitic infections caused by Tetrahymena sp. constitute a serious problem in guppies, Poecilia reticulata. Tetrahymena was isolated from skin lesions of naturally infected guppies in a commercial aquaculture farm, cultured in vitro and used in subsequent experimental infections. In addition to guppies, angelfish, Pterophyllum scalare, platyfish, Xiphophorus maculates, and neontetra, Paracheirodon innesi, were susceptible, whereas tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus xO. aureus) was resistant. The ciliate had a high affinity for dead fish. Skin abrasion did not affect the infection, but fish with gas bubble disease exhibited a significantly higher infection than non-affected fish. Infection was significantly higher when fish were exposed to high levels of ammonia, high organic load and low water temperatures. Under shipment conditions, infection was significantly elevated. Full recovery was achieved at a low fish density. Results suggest that poor environmental and physiological conditions enhance infection with Tetrahymena sp.     

Tetrahymena sp. infection in guppies, Poecilia reticulata Peters: parasite characterization and pathology of infected fish

Tetrahymena sp. infection was diagnosed in guppies imported from Singapore. The parasite was isolated (Tet-NI) and optimally cultured in vitro in RM-9 medium. Cytological analyses [silver-staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)] revealed a pyriform-shaped, 64 × 41-μm holotrich ciliate without caudal cilium, containing a macro-nucleus (18.25 × 16.83 μm) and micro-nucleus (5.73 × 5.40 μm). Wet-mount examination and histological analyses of fish exposed to the parasite by co-habitation, immersion and infection by i.p. (intra-peritoneal) and i.m. (intra-muscular) injection revealed numerous ciliates on the skin, and in the gill and caudal fin blood vessels. Ciliates surrounded internal organs, the peri-orbital region of the eye, and were observed inside developing guppy embryos. Some muscle necrosis was associated with infection, but little or no inflammatory response. Immersion, co-habitation and i.m. injection caused relatively high infection rates and levels in the skin and tail, and lower infection in the gill blood vessels and internal organs; i.p. injection caused higher infection in the gill blood vessels and internal organs. Co-habited fish had relatively high infection levels in the hind-gut sub-mucosa. This is the first report of controlled systemic infection by Tetrahymena sp.     

Controlled infection of Poecilia reticulata Peters (guppy) with Tetrahymena by immersion and intraperitoneal injection

Tetrahymena is a protozoan parasite, which infects guppy, Poecilia reticulata Peters, and causes substantial economical losses in commercial farms worldwide. Studies of guppy infected by Tetrahymena require standardized infection protocols. The LD50 for Tetrahymena infection of guppies by intraperitoneal (IP) injection was calibrated, and the level obtained was 946 parasites per fish. Guppy infection with Tetrahymena by immersion, imitating the natural route of infection via the integument, was studied under normal or stress conditions. Exposure to cold and netting (CNI) and to cold only (CI) followed by immersion exposure to 10 000 Tetrahymena per mL resulted in 22.5% and 19.2% mortality, respectively, as compared to 14.2% and 10% in groups that were netted only (NI) or non‐stressed (I). Histopathology revealed that immersion infection resulted in a systemic infection. Lysozyme levels, measured 3 weeks after infection, were significantly higher in the CNI group (288 μg per mg protein) compared with CI‐, NI‐ and I‐treated groups (94.5, 64 and 62.3 μg mg^?1, respectively). There was no evident parasite immobilization activity in body homogenates, suggesting no development of acquired immunity. Re‐infection by IP injection revealed no increase in protection in any of the treatment groups, mortality range of 56.3–75%, higher than in the non‐exposed control (40.6% mortality).     

Using attraction to light to decrease cannibalism and increase fry production in guppy (Poecilia reticulata Peters) hatcheries. II: the effects of light and cannibalistic adults

Predation of newborn fish by cannibalistic adults is a major cause of fry loss in guppy breeding tanks. The efficacy of using light to attract newborn guppies into a safe area, thereby reducing the cannibalism rate, was evaluated in aquaria. The aquaria were divided using small‐mesh netting into a section with adult fish and a safe section without adults, above which a light source was installed to attract the newborns. Both, the presence of cannibalistic adults and the light, increased the number of newborns in the safe section. The effect of the cannibals was pronounced during the day, and the effect of light seemed to be more pronounced at night. The presence of light significantly decreased cannibalism rate after 30 min, but not 16 h after the introduction of newborns. When tested with cannibalistic adults that have not been fed for 5 days prior to testing, cannibalism rate was higher and the effect of light on reducing cannibalism was evident both 30 min and 16 h after the introduction of newborns. The results demonstrated the potential efficacy of using white light in reducing cannibalism and increasing fry yields in guppy hatcheries.     

Effect of temperature on sex ratio in guppy Poecilia reticulata (Peters 1860)

In this study, the effect of temperature on survival and sex ratios of guppy Poecilia reticulata (Peters 1860) was investigated. Treatments of 19, 21 and 22.5°C low and 29, 32 and 35°C high water temperature were used on fry and gravid females for 11 days after parturitions and several days starting from the 16th day after first parturition until second parturition respectively. The high water temperature treatments caused the death of gravid females. Survival rates of heat‐treated fry were generally decreased with increasing and decreasing temperature. The sex ratios of the progenies from survived gravid females were not differed from a balanced sex ratio (P>0.05). The proportion of females increased gradually with decreasing temperature and the proportion of males increased gradually with increasing temperatures rather than having a threshold response in heat‐treated fry. However, mortality of heat‐treated fry was high; it is most likely that our results were biased by sex‐dependent mortality, which were also revealed by corrected sex ratios of the treatment groups and progeny testing of some individuals. These results suggest that a major gene linked to X‐chromosome could be responsible for resistance and sensitivity to both high and low temperature.     

Effect of feeding guppy fish fry (Poecilia reticulata) diets in the form of powder versus flakes

The effects of feeding guppy (Poecilia reticulata) fry a diet offered as either powder or flakes on their growth and survival were tested over a period of 8 weeks. The results show that the growth of both male and female fish was considerably enhanced when the diet was presented in the form of a finely ground powder compared with a flake form. Final average weights of fish given a diet containing the exact same ingredients (44.9% protein and 6.1% fat), from the same batch of raw materials in the powdered form were 280.0±12.1 mg compared with 114.6±19.9 mg for the diet given in the form of flakes. In a diet that had a higher fat level (45.1% protein and 10.6% fat), the difference in final weight attained was even more dramatic: 303.9±16.7 mg for the powder‐fed fish compared with 92.6±12.5 mg for the flake‐fed fish. The coefficient of variance in the fish fed a flake diet was significantly higher than that exhibited in the treatments fed the powder feed. The ability of the fish to consume the food in a rapid manner, preventing leaching of vital nutrients from the feed before being engulfed by the fish probably led to the better growth results exhibited by the fish given the powdered food.     

Effect of Echinacea purpurea on growth and survival of guppy (Poecilia reticulata) challenged with Aeromonas bestiarum

The effects of Echinacea purpurea supplementation on growth performance, nutrient utilization, body composition and disease resistance were studied in the ornamental fish Poecilia reticulata. Five diets were used, each differing in Echinacea content (0 g kg^?1 diet – control, 5 g kg^?1 diet – group 1, 10 g kg^?1 diet – group 2, 20 g kg^?1 diet – group 3, 30 g kg^?1 diet – group 4 and 60 g kg^?1 diet – group 5), and the fish were fed twice daily at a rate of 30 g kg^?1 body weight per day for 67 days. The gain in the body weight and the condition factor were significantly increased in groups 2‐5, whereas specific growth rate and feed conversion ratio were significantly increased in the supplemented groups (P < 0.05). Cumulative mortalities after challenge infection with the fish pathogen Aeromonas bestiarum were the lowest in the groups supplemented with Echinacea. Log‐rank tests showed significant differences between the supplemented groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 and the control group (P = 0.0074, P = 0.0075, P = 0.00507, P = 0.00001 and P = 0.00001, respectively). The results of this study indicate that Echinacea improves body weight gain and resistance against challenge infection in fish.     

Simultaneous effect of sex and dose on efficacy of clove oil,tricaine methanesulfonate, 2‐phenoxyethanol and propofol as anaesthetics in guppies,Poecilia reticulata (Peters)

We studied the simultaneous effect of sex and dose on anaesthesia efficacy to estimate, if possible, the lowest effective dose (LED) for clove oil, tricaine methanesulphonate (MS‐222), 2‐phenoxyethanol (2‐PE) and propofol in mature guppies. LED is the lowest dose needed to reach A5 stage in a mean time of 3 min, with mean recovery (R5) time of 5 min. We used four doses/anaesthetic: 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg/L for clove oil; 120,140,160 and 180 mg/L for MS‐222; 800, 1,000, 1,200 and 1,400 mg/L for 2‐PE, and 7.50, 8.25, 10.00 and 11.25 mg/L for propofol. Each dose was tested on 10 females and 10 males. Morbidity, mortality and behavioural changes were checked on two control groups (10 males and 10 females/group). Sedation (A3), A5 and R5 times were recorded. Significant interactive effect dose*sex on A5 time was found for each anaesthetic agent (p_dose*sex < .05). Except for MS‐222 (p_dose*sex = .284), significant interactive effect dose * sex on R5 time was found (p_dose*sex < .05). A5 time in females tended to be greater than in males, but, in general, R5 times were longer in males. Body size differences between males and females could explain these differences in MS‐222 on A5 time and for clove oil, 2‐PE and propofol on R5 time. No dose simultaneous meet LED′s conditions relating to both A5 and R5 times; therefore the lowest doses inducing A5 in a mean time of 3 min could be a safe guideline for anaesthetic procedure in both male and females.     

Dynamics of challenge infections of Gyrodactylus bullatarudis Turnbull (Monogenea) on guppies, Poecilia reticulata (Peters)

Abstract. Comparison of the population dynamics of Gyrodactylus bullatarudis o fish that were reinfected at 0, 1, 2, 4, or 6 weeks post-recovery from an initial, infection were based on the following parameters: percentage establishment, recovery and death, mean peak parasite burden, mean time to peak burden, mea duration of infection, mean time to death. Of fish that recover from an initial, infection, some are immediately susceptible to a challenge infection. Other fish are able to harbour a challenge infection hut parasite numbers increase less and the infection is of shorter duration than the initial. These fish regain their fu susceptibility within 4-6 weeks post-recovery. A third group of fish become totally refractory to reinfection and only slowly regain their ability to support an infection Thus even at 6 weeks post-recovery they are only partially susceptible t reinfection. It is probable that the three groups in fact represent a continuum increasing susceptibility to challenge infection.     

Effects of different diets on larval development in a peppermint shrimp (Lysmata sp. (Risso))

Currently, only a handful of marine ornamental species are commercially produced through aquaculture. In order for the marine aquarium industry to continue to grow, a diverse selection of cultured animals is required to offset wild collections. Long and variable larval durations are the major bottleneck for mass production of marine ornamental shrimp. Improving larval diet may reduce the larval duration and enhance the prospects of commercial aquaculture. A laboratory study was conducted to examine the effect of different diets on larval development and survival of the peppermint shrimp, Lysmata (gulf coast variety), a popular aquarium shrimp. The effect of three feeding regimes [Artemia alone (ART), ArteMac? alone (COMM) and Artemia in combination with ArteMac? (ART/COMM)] on survival and development were tested. Survival to zoea 5 for both ART and ART/COMM treatments was 99%, but only 62.5% for COMM treatment. ArteMac? alone treatment shrimp only survived to zoea 7. Survival to postlarvae for ART treatment (72.5%) was significantly lower (P<0.01) than those of treatment ART/COMM (80.5%). Larvae fed ART/COMM had significantly (P<0.01) shorter larval duration than larvae fed ART. Fourteen days after the first postlarva appeared, the rates of settlement (85.4% and 67.5% respectively) and survival (68.8% and 49.0% respectively) were significantly greater (P<0.01) for larvae fed the ART/COMM than those fed ART.     

不同脂肪源饲料对草鱼稚鱼生长的影响

不同脂肪源饲料对草鱼稚鱼生长的影响刘玮，徐萍，任本根，龚纲明（江西省科学院生物资源研究所，南昌３３００２９）关键词草鱼，鱼饲料，必采脂肪酸ＥＦＦＥＣＴＳＯＦＤＩＥＴＳＣＯＮＴＡＩＮＩＮＧＤＩＦＦＥＲＥＮＴＬＩＰＩＤＳＯＮＧＲＯＷＴＨＯＦＪＵＶＥＮＩＬ...     

不同类型饲料对黄斑篮子鱼幼鱼生长及肌肉蛋白质和脂肪酸组成的影响

本研究旨在通过比较不同饲料对黄斑篮子鱼(Siganus canaliculatus)的生长性能和肌肉营养成分的影响,为开发基于以低值海藻为原料的篮子鱼配合饲料提供依据。选用浒苔(Enteromorpha prolifra)和龙须菜(Gracilaria lemaneiformis)以及冰鲜鱼、配合饲料(自制)等4种饲料投喂黄斑篮子鱼8周。结果显示:生长效果以配合饲料组最好,海藻组最差。不同饲料对鱼体的生化成分有明显影响。配合饲料组和冰鲜鱼组全鱼的蛋白和脂肪含量明显高于海藻投喂组,而冰鲜鱼组全鱼的灰分含量明显低于其它3组。从肌肉必需氨基酸和半必需氨基酸占总氨基酸的比例来看,龙须菜组明显高于其它3组,尤以精氨酸和组氨酸的含量最为明显;配合饲料组鱼肌肉的n-3/n-6多不饱和脂肪酸含量明显高于其它各组,而浒苔组鱼肌肉中多不饱和脂肪酸的含量显著高于其它各组。以上结果说明,结合海藻和配合饲料各自在生长或肌肉营养成分上的优点,可望开发出基于此类低值海藻原料的低成本黄斑篮子鱼配合饲料。     

Dietary supplementation with the microalgae Parietochloris incisa increases survival and stress resistance in guppy (Poecilia reticulata) fry

Dietary enrichments with the arachidonic acid (ARA)‐rich microalga, Parietochloris incisa, on the survival of guppy (Poecilia reticulata) fry were examined. Diets were applied via Artemia enrichment to fish from two commercial farms for 34 and 36 days of experimental period (trials 1 and 2, respectively). In trial 1, Artemia nauplii were enriched with dry biomass of whole algal cells at 0 (control), 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg mL^?1. Fry fed with Artemia enriched with 0.4 mg mL^?1 demonstrated the lowest mortality rates (24% and 1% in farms 1 and 2, respectively) compared with controls (36% and 13% in farms 1 and 2, respectively). In trial 2, fry were fed with Artemia, enriched with whole algal cells (0.4 mg ml^?1), algal hexane extract (HE; containing primarily ARA‐rich triacylglycerols and β‐carotene; 0.19 mg ml^?1) or the extraction residue (0.28 mg ml^?1). Acute stress (5 min air exposure) was applied after 18 days. The lowest mortality was recorded in the whole alga‐fed group (av. 26% and 2.6% in farms 1 and 2, respectively), with a slightly, but not significantly higher mortality in the HE‐fed group (av. 29% and 6.2% in farms 1 and 2, respectively). Elevated lysozyme was associated with the reduced mortality. Overall, the use of P. incisa as a dietary supplement for guppy fry during their first month of life enhanced their survival and stress resistance.     

饲料中不同蛋白质及不同蛋白质含量对倒刺鲃鱼苗生长的影响

采用4种不同动、植物性蛋白质及其不同含量的饲料分别喂养4组倒刺鲃鱼苗别。试验结果：植物性蛋白质含量较高的饲料比含量较低的饲料更好促进鱼苗的生长；饲料中含有一定比例动物性蛋白质比不含动物性蛋白质会更好促进鱼苗的生长，并对有关问题进行了讨论。     

不同工艺提取鳀蛋白质原料对黄颡鱼生长性能和生理健康的影响

为了比较不同生产工艺得到的酶解鳀鱼浆(HFP)、鳀鱼溶浆(SW)、酶解鳀鱼溶浆(HSW)、低温烘干鳀鱼粉(L-FM)和常规烘干鳀鱼粉(H-FM)在饲料中的应用效果。以初始体质量为(17.69±0.09) g的黄颡鱼幼鱼为养殖对象,以30%的秘鲁超级蒸汽鱼粉(FM组)为对照,在实验日粮中分别添加酶解鳀鱼浆、鳀鱼溶浆、酶解鳀鱼溶浆、低温烘干鳀鱼粉和常规烘干鳀鱼粉,经过8周池塘网箱养殖实验,比较5种不同生产工艺得到的鳀鱼蛋白质原料对黄颡鱼生长性能的影响。结果显示,(1)与FM组相比,L-FM和H-FM组的特定生长率(SGR)和饲料系数(FCR)均无显著差异;(2)以FM组为对照,HFP25实验组的SGR降低了3.30%,FCR升高了5.36%,无显著差异,而HFP45和HFP65组的SGR分别降低了10.99%、20.33%,FCR分别升高了21.43%、41.96%,差异显著,并且随着日粮中HFP添加量的增加,SGR、蛋白沉积率(PRR)和脂肪沉积率(FRR)均呈现下降趋势,差异显著;(3)HFP45、SW和HSW 3组实验饲料的结果中,HFP具有最高的SGR,而SW的SGR最低,差异不显...     

Effect of two extruded diets with different fish and squid meal ratio on growth,digestibility and body composition of Octopus vulgaris (Cuvier, 1797)

The present work studies the growth and body composition of 18 Octopus vulgaris (6 per treatment) fed two extruded diets, namely FMS and 3FMS, based on different fish and squid meal ratios (1:1, and 3:1 respectively). The diets are compared with a control diet based on crab (Carcinus mediterraneus) and bogue (Boops boops). The growing tests were conducted on animals placed in individual 300 L rectangular fibreglass tanks in an open seawater system, containing PVC tubes as shelters, resulting in 100% survival rate. The control group exhibited the highest specific growth rates (SGR = 2.14%BW day^?1), while values of around 0.69%BW day^?1 were achieved by octopuses fed the extruded diets. Even though the three groups of animals showed similar digestive gland indexes, the two extruded diets promoted significant differences in the muscle composition and fatness of the digestive gland. Digestibility of dry matter was not affected by the type of extruded diet, obtaining ADC values of around 88%. The results suggest that squid and fish meal can be both used in dry pelleted extruded diets, with moderate acceptance by the octopus, even though the formulation must be optimized with the aim of improving acceptability and achieve growths in the range of natural diets.     

Effect of three different oil cake-based diets on pond production performance of silver barb, Puntius gonionotus (Bleeker)

One of the three iso-nitrogenous (30% crude protein) and iso-energetic (15.0 MJ kg⁻¹ diet) oil cake-based diets (groundnut, D-1; soybean, D-2 and mustard, D-3) was fed to the fingerlings (6.61 ± 0.06 g) of silver barb ( Puntius gonionotus ) for 120 days in triplicate fertilized ponds (0.04 ha) with a stocking density of 9000 fish ha⁻¹. Fish were fed at 10% of their body weight for the first month, followed by 3% in the second and 2.5% in the third and fourth months of the culture period. The fish fed diets D-1, D-2 and D-3 grew from initial weights of 6.67, 6.67 and 6.50 g to 320.23, 298.23 and 305.13 g respectively. No significant variation ( P >0.05) was found in the growth and nutrient utilization of fish fed different dietary treatments. Net profits of Indian Rupees 67 385, 59 535 and 65 790 ha⁻¹ were obtained in fish fed D-1, D-2 and D-3, respectively, within 120 days of culture. The results of this study suggest the possibility of the use of mustard oil cake as a dietary protein source for pond culture of silver barb in addition to groundnut and soybean oil cakes without compromising the growth, nutrient utilization, production performance and economics of culture of this fish.     

Effects of guanidinoacetic acid supplementation in all‐plant protein diets on growth,antioxidant capacity and muscle energy metabolism of bullfrog Rana (Lithobates) catesbeiana

Effects of guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) supplementation in all‐plant protein diets were evaluated on growth, antioxidant capacity and muscle energy metabolism of Rana (Lithobates) catesbeiana. Six diets were prepared: a basal fish meal diet (FM), an all soybean meal diet (SM) and four GAA‐supplemented diets by adding 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 g GAA/kg to the SM diet (GAA2, GAA4, GAA6 and GAA8 diets). Triplicate groups of bullfrog (45 ± 0.2 g) were fed the diets to apparent satiation for 8 weeks. Total substitution of FM with SM led to significantly (p < .05) reduced growth and feed utilization. Adding 0.4 g GAA/kg to the SM diet significantly improved growth performance, and the values were comparable to those of FM group. SM and GAA2 groups showed drastically lower serum total antioxidant capacity than FM, GAA4 and GAA6 groups. Also, SM and GAA2 groups showed significantly lower catalase activity than FM and GAA8 groups. A remarkable increase in serum malondialdehyde concentration was detected in SM and GAA2 groups. FM and GAA6 groups exhibited significantly higher serum creatinine concentration than other groups. Muscle creatine kinase activity and glycogen content were significantly decreased in SM group and application of 0.4–0.6 g GAA/kg significantly improved their values. GAA4 group showed significantly lower pyruvate kinase activity than FM and GAA6 groups. Also, GAA2 and GAA4 groups had significantly lower succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity than other treatments. These findings show that supplementing 0.4 g/kg GAA to SM‐based diets improves growth, antioxidant capacity and muscle energy metabolism.     

饵料类型和投喂频率对鳡幼鱼生长及肌肉成分的影响

研究了不同养殖模式F1(投喂1次饵料鱼/d)、F2(投喂2次饵料鱼/d)、A1(投喂1次人工配合饲料/d)、A2(投喂2次人工配合饲料/d)对鳡(Elopichthys bambusa)幼鱼生长及肌肉成分的影响,实验持续56 d.结果显示:各组最终体重为A2 ＞F2 ＞A1 ＞F1.饵料相同时,2次/d组生长速度、肌肉...