Small-scale fry production systems for Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

Abstract Experiments were conducted to evaluate and compare the production, quality and survival of eggs and the subsequent growth and survival of fry in two small-scale production systems: natural incubation and egg collection followed by artificial incubation. Artificial incubation produced a significantly greater number and biomass of fry per unit weight of female broodstock (P < 0·05). This was due to the significantly decreased spawning interval in females from which eggs were collected (mean = 23· days) compared to naturally incubating females (mean = 36·8 days). It is also hypothesized that survival during artificial incubation (85%) is greater than in natural incubation. Cost-benefit analysis demonstrated a threefold increase in total net returns for artificial incubation.     

Improving spawning synchrony in the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

Abstract. The development stage and number of seed (eggs and fry) removed from individual incubating Oreochromis niloticus (L.) broodfish at 10-day interharvest intervals (IHI) was compared with the harvest of free-swimming fry from undisturbed fish held in a tank within the same system. Spawning synchrony and productivity were compared for (1) total exchange of females for ‘conditioned’ females after each harvest, (2) exchange of only spawned females, and (3) return of females back into the spawning tank. Improved synchrony and seed production were positively related to removal of eggs and fry from incubating females and could have important implications for broodstock management in commercial hatcheries. Allowing fish to remain undisturbed in clear water tanks may lead to inhibition of spawning activity related to the formation of hierarchies. Individual weight loss by females during incubation was correlated with stage of seed harvested and thus with timing of spawning during the interharvest interval.     

Ultraviolet-induced androgenesis in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), and hybrid Nile × blue tilapia, O. aureus (Steindachner)

Fertilization of ultraviolet (UV) irradiated oocytes of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), with sperm from O, niloticus or blue tilapia, O, aureus (Steindachner), and subsequent suppression of the first cleavage of fertilized eggs successfully induced androgenesis in Nile and blue tilapia. The optimal doses of UV irradiation to denucleate a female genome of Nile tilapia prior to androgenesis ranged from 5940 to 6930 erg mm^?2 for 54-63 s at a fixed intensity of 110 erg mm^?2 s^?1. Putative androgenetic fish were created from eggs which were irradiated at various times and several durations of heat-shock. Eggs which were treated for 5 min at 41.6 ^oC at 2 7.5 min after fertilization were the most successful at suppressing the first cleavage and producing viable androgenetic diploids in Nile or hybrid Nile X blue tilapia. The maximal survivals of putative androgenetic diploids in relation to the control were 1.60% and 0.90% in Nile and hybrid Nile X blue tilapia, respectively. The androgenetic offspring established exhibited active feeding and normal growth.     

Economic profitability of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) production in Kenya

Economic profitability of Nile tilapia production in Kenya was analysed using a model that simulated individual fish growth and took fish population dynamics in the pond into account. The results suggest that the currently practiced mixed‐sex tilapia culture is economically unsustainable. It is suggested that research and extension efforts be geared towards developing monosex Nile tilapia production systems. Nile tilapia culture with African catfish predation should be viewed as an intermediate step towards all‐male Nile tilapia culture. This will allow accumulation of both physical and human capital to support all‐male tilapia culture. Under all‐male culture, economic returns are high enough to justify investment in Nile tilapia culture using borrowed capital. However, the success of monosex culture will depend on the availability and affordability of quality fingerlings and low‐cost fish feeds. The results have a wide application in Sub‐Saharan Africa where mixed‐sex Nile tilapia culture is common.     

Effect of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), size on phytoplankton filtration rate

Four different‐sized (390±3, 140±2, 40±2, 16±1 g) Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), stocked at the same biomass in timed pulse feeding chambers were provided 27–29°C water dominated by Microcystis (82%) and Scenedesmus (18%) to determine the effect of fish size on filtration rates. The number of Microcystis and Scenedesmus units filtered from the water decreased significantly with increasing tilapia size. The shaping constants and maximum filtration rates for Ivlev's feeding model used to describe the relation between filtration rates and the suspended particulate organic carbon (POC) concentrations were significantly different among the four sizes. Filtration rates of 763, 671, 512 and 300 mg C kg^?1 h^?1, which correspond to 70%, 82%, 86% and 90% saturation levels, were achieved at POC levels of 30, 32, 32 and 33 mg C L^?1 for 16, 40, 140 and 390 g Nile tilapia respectively. Smaller tilapia achieved these rates at lower POC concentrations than larger tilapia.     

Use of shrimp protein hydrolysate in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, L.) feeds

A 45-day feeding trial was carried out to evaluate the use of shrimp protein hydrolysate (SPH) in diets for Oreochromis niloticus, L. SPH was included in isonitrogenous diets replacing fish meal protein by 0, 5, 10, and 20% and offered to Nile tilapia juveniles (1.7 ± 0.4 g) stocked in 40-L glass aquaria. The inclusion of SPH produced no significant differences (P ≥ 0.05) in final weight, survival, weight gain, average daily gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, or apparent net protein utilization. The inclusion of SPH Nile tilapia diets significantly affected (P < 0.05) the final fish body composition. Protein and ash contents decreased and fat content increased slightly with the increase in SPH. This study has demonstrated that SPH is a promising protein feedstuff and could account for as much as 6% of Nile tilapia diets with no adverse effects on growth and nutrient utilization.     

Genotyping of Streptococcus dysgalactiae strains isolated from Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

Streptococcus dysgalactiae is an emerging fish pathogen that is responsible for outbreaks of disease on fish farms around the world. Recently, this bacterium was associated with an outbreak at a Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), farm in Brazil. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity, best genotyping method and aspects of molecular epidemiology of S. dysgalactiae infections in Nile tilapia farms in Brazil. Twenty‐one isolates from four farms located in different Brazilian states were characterized genetically using pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), ERIC‐PCR, REP‐PCR and sodA gene sequencing. The discriminatory power of the different typing methods was compared using Simpson's index of diversity. Identical sodA gene sequences were obtained from all isolates, and ERIC‐PCR and REP‐PCR were unable to discriminate among the isolates. PFGE typing detected three different genetic patterns between the 21 strains evaluated; thus, it was the best genotyping method for use with this pathogen. The strains from Ceará State were genetically divergent from those from Alagoas State. The S. dysgalactiae isolates analysed in this study constituted a genetically diverse population with a clear association between geographical origin and genotype.     

Antibacterial activity of oxytetracycline on microbial ecology of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) gastrointestinal tract under laboratory condition

The antibacterial effect of oxytetracycline (OTC) on bacterial load, pathogen and possible development of antibiotic resistance in intestinal flora of apparently healthy Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) was investigated under laboratory condition. OTC, a broad spectrum approved antibiotic widely used in aquaculture, was fed to Nile tilapia through medicated diet at a rate of 2 g/ kg of feed for consecutive 7 days in treatment 1 (T₁) and 30 days in treatment 2 (T₂). Changes in physico‐chemical parameters of water were also recorded where pH and dissolved oxygen influenced bacterial load and coliform count respectively. At the start of the experiment, initial bacterial load in fish intestine was 1.61 ± 2.25 × 10¹⁰ cfu/g, which after OTC treatment decreased significantly (p < .05) to 3.06 ± 2.08 × 10⁸ cfu/g on day 7 and 3.45 ± 4.46 × 10⁷ cfu/g on day 30 when compared with the control group. Among the 10 bacterial genera identified in the intestine, 4 potential public health concern bacteria viz., Salmonella, Escherichia, Enterobacter and Staphylococcaus were predominant. There was a sharp increase in bacterial load on day 18 in T₂ that may be attributed to the development of antibiotic resistance in intestinal bacteria. Antibiotic susceptibility test for isolates against seven antibiotics: amoxycillin, ciprofloxacin, co‐trimoxazole, erythromycin, gentamicin, nitrofurantoin and tetracycline using disc diffusion method revealed significantly increased resistance of Gram‐negative rods (p < .05) that possibly caused increased frequency of OTC‐resistant microorganisms. In conclusion, short‐ and long‐term exposure to OTC treatment affected the distribution of bacterial genera including pathogens in the Nile tilapia gastrointestinal tract and concomitantly influenced their antimicrobial resistance.     

Pond farming of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.) in northern Cameroon. Comparing two different strategles for feeding cottonseed cake in tilapia male monosex culture

Two cottonseed cake feeding strategies were tested in pond culture of hand-sexed male Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.). (W₀ > 80 g), with the objective of making better use of the algal blooms which develop when cottonseed cake is applied to a pond. In the conventional ‘progressive feeding strategy’, the daily amount of cottonseed cake was adjusted monthly for the total tilapia bioweight estimated from sampling, assuming that cottonseed cake primarily acted as a tilapia feed. In the ‘linear feeding strategy’, ponds received a fixed daily amount of cottonseed cake throughout the trial, based on the hypothesis that tilapia would cover their nutritional requirements mostly by grazing the algae. Each feeding strategy was tested at two feeding levels. Mean daily feeding rate R in the progressive feeding strategy averaged 48.6 (low feeding level) and 102.5 kg ha^?1 day^?1 (high feeding level), and 49.8 and 82.9 kg ha^?1 day^?1 in the linear feeding strategy. Significantly better growth rates and feed conversion rates were obtained in the progressive feeding strategy. Average extrapolated net pond production was highest at R_pr=6% body weight day^?1 (10.61 ha^?1, year^?1). It was concluded that cottonseed cake contributed to tilapia growth mainly directly as a tilapia feed rather than indirectly as a pond fertilizer via algal production. Finally, the appropriateness of the metabolic feeding rate R_mb(BW^0.8 day^?1) was discussed, compared with the progressive feeding rate R_pr (%BW day^?1). (BW denotes body weight). A practical, two-step linear feeding method was proposed for cottonseed cake as a ‘rule of thumb’ that is workable in the field.     

吉富品系尼罗罗非鱼（GIFT）摄食节律初探

用投喂添加色素的膨化颗粒饲料和观测排便相结合的方法,研究吉富品系尼罗罗非鱼(Genetic Improvement of Farmed Tilapias;GIFT)的摄食节律.结果发现,6个家系的吉富品系尼罗罗非鱼摄食具有明显的节律性,家系之间的摄食周期存在非常显著差异(P＜0.0001);t检验发现,各家系内摄食周期和排便周期的差异均不显著(P≥0.1097).回归分析发现,摄食周期对生长无显著的影响(P=0.8988),但与摄食量之间存在显著的线性关系(R2=0.9679,P=0.0004).对摄食节律聚类分析,6个家系可分为(1、2、6)、(3、4)、5共3个家系类别.该项研究能为GIFT的养殖投饵和进一步选育提供理论依据,为鱼类摄食节律研究提供方法上的参考.     

Genetic changes during mass selection for growth in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), assessed by microsatellites

Two control (C1 or first control generation, and C4 or fourth control generation) and three selected (S1 or first selected generation, S2 or second selected generation, S4 or fourth selected generation) stocks of Chitralada Nile tilapia were analysed for microsatellite variation to determine the effect of size‐specific mass selection on genetic variability. Genetic variation based on five microsatellite loci (UNH123, UNH147, UNH172, UNH222 and UNH216) showed a slightly higher allelic diversity in the selected stocks (7.4–10 alleles) than in the control stocks (6.8–8.8 alleles). Apparent reductions in the mean number of alleles and H_e values were noted in successive generations of both control and selected lines. Significant deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium because of an excess of homozygotes indicated inbreeding in all control and selected stocks. Although estimated inbreeding levels were not significantly different among selected and control lines based on Welch's t‐tests, the increase in the degree of inbreeding within the selected line was higher (107.9%) than the control line (64.2%) after four generations. The implications of these results on the management and conservation of genetic diversity in improved breeds are discussed, while the importance of monitoring and minimizing inbreeding are likewise emphasized.     

Optimizing diets to decrease environmental impact of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) production

Aquaculture is one of the most thriving animal production sectors, and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) farming represents 8% of total finfish culture. However, the industry sustainability depends on the development of cost‐effective and environmental friendly feeds. This study aimed to reduce dietary protein levels in diets for juvenile tilapia and to minimize diet environmental impact while maximizing biological efficiency. A growth trial was performed using five isoenergetic plant protein‐based diets with decreasing levels of crude protein: 360, 340, 320, 300 and 280 g/kg diet (D360, D340, D320, D300 and D280, respectively). Dietary protein utilization was assessed by metabolic trials using a radiolabelled amino acid mixture. Tilapia in all treatments showed similar growth performance and feed intake. Feed conversion ratio was significantly higher in fish fed the D280 than the D360 diet, while no differences were found for other treatments. Protein retention was significantly higher in tilapia fed the D300 than the D360 diet. Amino acid catabolism increased in fish fed the D360 diet, though without significant differences in muscle amino acid retention. This study demonstrates that dietary protein levels can be reduced to 300 g/kg diet without hindering tilapia growth and feed conversion ratio, while reducing environmental nitrogen losses.     

Water-soluble vitamin requirements of tilapia: ascorbic acid (vitamin C) requirement of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

Abstract. The quantitative dietary ascorbic acid requirements of fingerling Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L., were assessed by feeding seven diets containing graded supplements of this vitamin (0, 50, 75, 100, 125, 300 and 400mg/100g dry diet) to triplicate groups of fish for 12 weeks. Fish fed the diet devoid of ascorbic acid exhibited significantly ( P < 0·01) poorer growth and higher condition factor. Food conversion and protein efficiency ratios were improved with increasing dietary ascorbic acid level up to 125mg/100g of dry diet. Protein utilization, haematocrit, haemoglobin level and tissue ascorbate concentrations were depressed in fish fed the ascorbic-acid-free diet. Tissue ascorbate concentrations, especially for liver, were highly correlated with dietary ascorbic acid level. Fish fed the ascorbic-acid-free diet exhibited deficiency signs including erratic and convulsive swimming, anorexia, lethargy, caudal fin erosion, skin haemorrhages and mortality. Based on the nutritional and pathological parameters investigated, the recommended dietary inclusion level is 125mg/100g dry diet, which is equivalent to a net requirement (after processing and storage) of 42mg/100g diet.     

Control of reproduction in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (L.) by photoperiod manipulation

A major problem in tilapia aquaculture is the frequent reproduction of female fish, leading to increased competition for supplemented food and stunted somatic growth. The feasibility of using photoperiod manipulation to arrest the reproductive performance of tilapia Oreochromis niloticus was therefore examined. Newly hatched O. niloticus were reared in the laboratory under 12L:12D photoperiod at 28 °C. Fish (230–340 g) were maintained under 6L:6D, 12L:12D and 14L:10D photoperiod at 28 °C during the course of this study. Effect of photoperiod manipulation on reproductive parameters of fecundity, gamete quality, offspring viability and overall reproductive success were evaluated. Steroid levels (estradiol-17β, E₂; testosterone, T) during the spawning cycles of fish were analyzed on days 1 and 3 postspawning and at 3-day intervals thereafter. A total of 72 female fish from each photoperiod treatment were investigated the changing pattern of E₂, T and GSI with fish that have spawned once, twice and three times. Fish exposed to 12L:12D and 14L:10D photoperiod spawned successfully throughout the study. Whereas the spawning of fish exposed to 6L:6D photoperiod was arrested after three to four spawning cycles. The arrestment of spawning in fish exposed to 6L:6D photoperiod was paralleled by a significant decrease in plasma levels of E₂ (P<0.05). By contrast, there was no major difference in T levels among the treatments. These findings suggest that photoperiod manipulation can be used to arrest the spawning in tilapia O. niloticus. The utility of this in controlling the problem of overcrowding due to excess offspring in tilapia aquaculture is applicable.     

Buprofezin toxication implicates health hazards in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The objective of this study was to investigate the toxic effects of buprofezin insecticide on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The fish were exposed to buprofezin at 100 mg/L for 28 days. Compared to control, activity of serum transferases and levels of urea and creatinine showed significant increases. Oxidative stress was recorded manifested by elevated levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced concentrations of reduced glutathione (GSH) and inhibition of activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in liver and kidney. Examination of peripheral RBCs revealed elevated frequency of micronucleated cell. Interleukin 1 beta (IL‐1β) gene was upregulated in liver, muscle and brain, while that of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX‐2) gene increased in liver and muscle, but not in brain. Histopathological alterations were recorded in liver, kidneys, brain, gills, pancreas, spleen, intestine, muscle and ovaries. The immunohistochemical detection of caspase‐3 in the liver revealed no differences between treated and control groups; however, the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was demonstrated in hepatocytes and hepatopancreas in buprofezin‐treated group compared to control. It has been concluded that the tissue damage induced by buprofezin in Nile tilapia is mediated by oxidative stress and inflammatory response but not by apoptosis.     

Dietary valine requirement of juvenile Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to quantify the dietary valine requirement of cultured juvenile Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Six isonitrogenous (280 g/kg crude protein) and isoenergetic (16.06 MJ/kg gross energy) diets with graded levels of valine (amounting to 4.1, 7.2, 9.9, 12.7, 15.6 and 18.8 g/kg of dry diet) were formulated. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 20 fish (6.48 ± 0.06 g). Results showed that the weight gain, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio and protein retention efficiency all increased with an increasing level of dietary valine up to 12.7 g/kg, but remained relatively constant for fish fed higher levels of dietary valine. In addition, the total protein concentration and aspirate aminotransferase activity in plasma, hepatic lysozyme and catalase activities were all significantly (p < .05) improved by dietary valine supplementation. Based on the broken‐line regression analysis of weight gain and protein retention efficiency, the optimal dietary valine requirement for juvenile Nile tilapia occurred between a level of 11.5 g/kg of diet (equivalent to 41.1 g/kg of dietary protein) and 12.7 g/kg of diet (equivalent to 45.3 g/kg of dietary protein).     

Optimum selenium requirement of juvenile Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

A feeding experiment was conducted to determine the optimum selenium requirement in juvenile Nile tilapia. Each of six purified diets with Se‐methionine levels at 0.05, 0.21, 0.41, 0.57, 0.79 and 1.00 mg/kg was assayed in triplicate with initial body weight of 3.00 ± 0.01 g for 8 weeks. The growth of fish was obviously increased when the dietary Se was less than 0.57 mg/kg diet and reached a plateau when the dietary Se was ≥0.57 mg/kg. Serum and hepatopancreatic glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity increased markedly when the dietary Se was less than 0.57 mg/kg, but then decreased when the dietary Se was higher than 0.57 mg/kg. The malondialdehyde contents in hepatopancreas were significantly decreased when the dietary Se was higher than 0.79 mg/kg. No significant differences were observed in hepatopancreatic total antioxidant capability (T‐AOC) among the groups (p > .05). The results of this study indicated that Se addition as Se‐methionine was essential, while both the deficiency and excess levels of dietary Se would cause negative effects on growth or antioxidant capability in juvenile Nile tilapia. Based on broken‐line regression of WG and piecewise regression of liver GPx, the optimum requirement of Se for juvenile Nile tilapia is 0.57 mg/kg diet.     

Dietary threonine requirement of juvenile Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to determine the dietary threonine requirement of juvenile Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. Six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated to contain graded levels of threonine, 0.73, 0.91, 1.14, 1.31, 1.56 and 1.72 % of dry weight, respectively. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 25 juvenile fish (2.97 ± 0.02 g), which were fed three times daily (8:30, 12:30 and 17:00) to apparent satiation. By the end of the feeding trial, weight gain (WG) was found to have increased with increasing dietary threonine levels up to 1.31 %, but WG then decreased in fish fed higher dietary threonine concentrations. Threonine concentration had no significant impact on survival, body composition or the measured haematological and immune parameters. There were, for example, no significant differences in serum lysozyme activity, superoxide dismutase activity, immune globulin M concentration and C-reactive protein content among dietary treatments. Using quadratic regression analysis of WG data, the optimal dietary threonine inclusion for juvenile tilapia was estimated to be 1.33 % of the diet (4.74 % of dietary protein).