水中丝状藻类有害藻华的形成与对策

以水绵和刚毛藻为代表的丝状藻广泛存在于各种自然水体和养殖水体,其过度生长对水体环境和养殖动物构成威胁。为探究丝状藻发生的关键因子,实验通过走访调查,筛选了5组环境相同且隶属同一家养殖户的有丝状藻池塘和无丝状藻池塘,重点对水质、底泥生物可利用性氮磷含量及丝状藻繁殖体进行了检测分析。结果显示,5组有丝状藻塘、无丝状藻塘整体水体氮磷水平无显著差异,而有4组无丝状藻塘叶绿素a含量显著高于有丝状藻塘。5组有丝状藻塘底泥平均生物可利用性氮含量为(15.72±3.60) mg/kg,而无丝状藻塘底泥平均生物可利用性氮为(13.22±1.97) mg/kg,较前者低2.50 mg/kg。5组有丝状藻塘底泥平均生物可利用性磷含量为(72.26±10.57) mg/kg,无丝状藻塘底泥平均生物可利用性磷含量为(50.33±12.62) mg/kg,较前者低21.93 mg/kg。底泥生物可利用性氮磷比在5组中均小于0.5,而无丝状藻塘平均较有丝状藻塘高26.32%。低氮磷比会抑制浮游藻类的繁殖,而丝状藻则对低氮及低氮磷比环境具有较强的适应能力。因此,在养殖开始时,底泥低氮及低氮磷比的条件使得浮游藻类在与丝状藻的初期生态位竞争中处于劣势,即使检测到的浮游藻类OTUs数量高于丝状藻繁殖体,也不能使其在上述条件下成为优势种。另外,对丝状藻繁殖体的检测发现,其广泛存在于有丝状藻塘、无丝状藻塘及水源的水体和底泥中,即使清塘、晒塘依然检测到繁殖体的存在,但清塘、晒塘能够减少丝状藻繁殖体的数量。研究表明,单独依靠生石灰或漂白粉清塘并不能完全杜绝丝状藻的发生,但可以作为一个辅助防控措施,而通过调控养殖系统的生物可利用氮含量及氮磷比左右种间生态位竞争则是一个值得深入研究的、有前景的丝状藻防控方向。本实验结果对养殖池塘的丝状藻防控研究和生产实践具有重要的参考价值。

     

养殖池塘青苔(Filamentous algae)发生关键因子调查

以水绵和刚毛藻为代表的青苔广泛存在于各种自然水体和养殖水体,其过度生长对水体环境和养殖动物构成威胁。为探究青苔发生的关键因子,本文通过走访调查,筛选了5组环境相同且隶属同一家养殖户的有青苔池塘和无青苔池塘,重点对水质、底泥生物可利用性氮磷含量及青苔繁殖体进行了检测分析。结果发现,5组有青苔塘、无青苔塘整体水体氮磷水平无显著差异（P > 0.05）,而有4组无青苔塘叶绿素a含量显著高于有青苔塘（P < 0.05）。5组有青苔塘底泥平均生物可利用性氮含量为15.72 ± 3.60 mg/kg,而无青苔塘底泥平均生物可利用性氮为13.22 ± 1.97 mg/kg,较前者低2.50 mg/kg。5组有青苔塘底泥平均生物可利用性磷含量为72.26 ± 10.57 mg/kg,无青苔塘底泥平均生物可利用性磷含量为50.33 ± 12.62 mg/kg,较前者低21.93 mg/kg。底泥生物可利用性氮磷比在5组中均小于0.5,而无青苔塘平均较有青苔塘高26.32%。低氮磷比会抑制浮游藻类的繁殖,而青苔则对低氮及低氮磷比环境具有较强的适应能力,因此,在养殖开始时,底泥低氮及低氮磷比的条件使得浮游藻类在与青苔的初期生态位竞争中处于劣势,即使检测到的浮游藻类OTUs数量高于青苔繁殖体,也不能使其在上述条件下成为优势种。另外,对青苔繁殖体的检测发现,其广泛存在于有青苔塘、无青苔塘及水源的水体和底泥中,即使清塘、晒塘依然检测到繁殖体的存在,但清塘、晒塘能够减少青苔繁殖体的数量。因此,单独依靠生石灰或漂白粉清塘并不能完全杜绝青苔的发生,但可以作为一个辅助防控措施,而通过调控养殖系统的生物可利用氮含量及氮磷比左右种间生态位竞争则是一个值得深入研究的、有前景的青苔防控方向。     

Effects of Feeding Rate on Habitat Quality in Fish Rearing Ponds

Manufactured feeds are commonly added to earthen ponds to enhance growth and survival of juvenile fish. However, excessive feeding may decrease fish production efficiency and yields by causing hypoxia (dissolved oxygen, DO < 2 mg/L) and stimulating excessive phytoplankton, filamentous green algae, and vascular plant growth. In this study, we quantified the effects of manufactured feed addition (no feeding, 1%, or 3% body‐weight/day, BW/d) on DO and inorganic phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) concentrations, plant abundance, and invertebrate prey production in ponds stocked with age‐0 channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus. We found that the 3% BW/d ponds had lower DO concentrations and greater infestation by filamentous green algae (Rhizoclonium spp.) as compared to the 1% BW/d and no‐feeding ponds. Using stable N and carbon (C) isotopes to trace the fate of feed‐derived N and C in ponds, as well as analysis of zooplankton abundance, we determined that the supplied feed did not support or enhance production of natural invertebrate prey. To improve fish production efficiency, we recommend that managers leverage natural prey support of growth during early life, then adjust feeding levels to enhance growth of older fish and maintain suitable habitat quality.     

The timing of inorganic fertilization of sunfish ponds

Fertilization with diammonium phosphate (20 kg/ha per application) was initiated at different dates in each of four treatments replicated three times in 0.04-ha ponds. Although there were some differences in averages of total and filtrable orthophosphate concentrations and phytoplankton abundance among treatments (P < 0.05), sunfish production was not influenced by the timing of fertilization (P > 0.05). Phytoplankton blooms did not develop in any of the treatments until late spring or early summer. The failure of phytoplankton to respond to fertilization in late winter and early spring was apparently related to low water temperature and competition by macrophytes. In larger, deeper ponds (> 0.5 ha), inorganic fertilization will cause phytoplankton blooms in early spring even when water temperatures are low.     

Seasonal production of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), in ponds using different feeding practices

Abstract. In temperate regions of North America, the culture of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), in ponds is constrained to the period mid-November to early April by water temperature. Feeding practice may influence production time. The effects of three feeding practices on growth and body composition of rainbow trout raised in ponds during a 142-day winter growth period were investigated. Feeding practices were (1) hand-feeding to satiation, (2) feeding according to a fish size/water temperature chart, and (3) feeding by demand feeder.
Fish fed to satiation consumed 66% more diet than fish fed according to a feeding chart and 163% more than fish fed by demand feeders. Fish fed to satiation had significantly higher (P < 0·05) weight gain, harvest weight, specific growth rate, and protein gain with no significant increase (P > 0·05) in percentage body fat or feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the other two treatments. Survival percentage did not differ significantly (P > 0·05) between treatments. These data indicate that by using satiation feeding, marketable size rainbow trout can be produced in temperate region ponds without increases in percentage body fat or FCR.     

The effect of dietary lipid and lecithin levels on the growth, survival, feeding efficiency, production and carcass composition of post-larval Penaeus monodon Fabricius

Abstract. Eight semi-purified diets were formulated to investigate the effects of dietary lipid and lecithin levels on the performance and carcass composition of post-larval Penaeus monodon Fabricius.
Supplementary soyabean lecithin levels from 0 to 9% and total dietary lipid (cod liver oil:soyabean oil at a ratio of 3:1) levels from 3·5 to 12·5% at 3% increments were tested in diets that were isonitrogenous and isoenergetic. The diets were fed for 50 days to triplicate groups of post-larval P. monodon held in a laboratory marine recirculated water system.
Despite poor overall performance due to the purified dietary ingredients, the absence of basal lipids and/or lecithin was found to result in the poorest performance. Optimum production was obtained with a diet containing 3% basal lipid and 3% lecithin at a total lipid level of 6·5%. The addition of dietary lecithin (particulariy at 46·63% of the total lipid) at up to 3% in terms of growth, feeding efficiency and production or 6% in terms of survival significantly ( P < 0·05) increased shrimp production. Lecithin was therefore probably acting as a growth, survival and/or phago-stimulant in P. monodon.
The total lipid requirements are consistent with those reported by other workers for penaeid shrimp, and are probably a result of the requirement for essential fatty acids, the stimulant properties of lecithin and the calorigenic effects of high dietary lipid levels.     

Influence of ammonia on growth of Penaeus monodon Fabricius post-larvae

Abstract. Tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon Fabricius, post-larvae (32·0±3mg, 1·43±0·03 cm) were exposed to control, 0·12, 0·60, 1·20 and 2·40mg/l ammonia-N (un-ionized plus ionized ammonia as nitrogen) which is equivalent to control, 6,32,63 and 126μg/1 NH₃-N (un-ionized ammonia as nitrogen) for 8 weeks in 25 ppt, as pH of 7·85–8·18 and 26–28°C by static renewal method. Growth in weight and length of the shrimps exposed to 1·20 and 2·40 mg/l ammonia-N were significantly lower (P < 0·05) than those exposed to control. The EC₅₀ (concentration that reduced growth by 50% of that of the controls) was 1·33 mg/l ammonia-N, 70 μg/l NH₃-N for weight gain, and 2·35 mg/1 ammonia-N, 123μg/l NH₃-N for length gain of P. monodon post-larvae. The'maximum acceptable toxicant concentration'(MATC) of ammonia-N and NH₃-N for P. monodon post-larvae was 0·60mg/l and 32μg/l, respectively after 6 weeks of exposure.     

Effects of Two Densities of Caged Monosex Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, on Water Quality, Phytoplankton Populations, and Production When Polycultured with Macrobrachium rosenbergii in Temperate Ponds

The effects of different densities of caged Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, on water quality, phytoplankton populations, prawn, and total pond production were evaluated in freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, production ponds. The experiment consisted of three treatments with three 0.04‐ha replicates each. All ponds were stocked with graded, nursed juvenile prawn (0.9 ± 0.6 g) at 69,000/ha. Control (CTL) ponds contained only prawns. Low‐density polyculture (LDP) ponds also contained two cages (1 m³; 100 fish/cage) of monosex male tilapia (115.6 ± 22 g), and high‐density polyculture (HDP) ponds had four cages. Total culture period was 106 d for tilapia and 114 d for prawn. Overall mean afternoon pH level was significantly lower (P ≤ 0.05) in polyculture ponds than in CTL ponds but did not differ (P > 0.05) between LDP and HDP. Phytoplankton biovolume was reduced in polyculture treatments. Tilapia in the LDP treatment had significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) harvest weights than in the HDP treatment. Prawn weights were higher (P ≤ 0.05) in polyculture than prawn monoculture. These data indicate that a caged tilapia/freshwater prawn polyculture system may provide pH control while maximizing pond resources in temperate areas.     

Use of duckweed (Lemna sp.) grown in sugarmill effluent for milkfish, Chanos chanos Forskal, production

Abstract. Oxidation treatment of sugarmill waste using duckweed ( Lemna sp.) as part of the system, to reduce effluent nutrient concentrations and biological oxygen demand (BOD), was evaluated during a 6 month milling season in Negros Oriental, Philippines. Mean ammonia concentration in effluent water was reduced from 0·87 to 0·31 mg/l NH₃-N and orthophosphate from 0·93 to 0·51 mg/l P₂O₅, while mean BOD was reduced from 611 to 143mg/t BOD₅, after treatment. Seasonal mass fish kills in the adjoining bay no longer occurred during the 3 years following introduction of this treatment. The mean duckweed production (dry weight) was 8–8g/m²/day. Duckweed was harvested from a 1·9ha area of the system and transferred to an adjacent milkfish, Chanos chanos Forskal, farm. Its fertilization effect, in terms of lablab production ( lablab is the biological complex of bluegreen algae, diatoms, bacteria and various animals which forms a mat at the bottom or floats in patches), was evaluated in the milkfish ponds. This was compared with ponds fertilized with either inorganic fertilizers or cow manure, in the traditional way. Lablab growth was significantly increased using duckweed, with ash-free dry weight production averaging 32g/m²/day following fertilization with duckweed compared with 4g/m²/day using inorganic fertilizers. Milkfish net production averaged 320 kg/ha/90-day crop in inorganically fertilized ponds. 545kg/ha/90-day crop for cow manure and 820kg/ha/90-day crop in duckweed-fertilized ponds. The system is described and the benefits of this integrated waste treatment-fish production facility are discussed.     

Acute Toxicity of Copper to Juvenile Freshwater Prawns,Macrobrachium rosenbergii

Abstract

Copper sulfate is an algicide that is commonly used for phytoplankton and filamentous algae control and has been used as a therapeutant in aquaculture. The objectives of this study were to determine the acute toxicity of copper sulfate and the safe level for use in freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, production ponds in a high calcium and alkalinity environment. Six concentrations of copper sulfate (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 mg/L) were tested in 8-L glass aquaria for 48 hours with three replicate aquaria per treatment. Concentrations of calcium hardness and alkalinity were set at 100 mg/L using calcium chloride and sodium bicarbonate, respectively. After 48 hours, survival of the control treatment (0% CuSO₄) averaged 97%, which was significantly higher (P< 0.05) than that of all other treatments. The survival in the 0.2 mg/L and 0.4 mg/L (70% and 73%, respectively) concentrations of CuSO₄ were significantly greater (P< 0.05) than higher dose treatments; but were not significantly different from each other (P> 0.05). Treatments containing 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0-mg/L copper sulfate demonstrated a dramatic decrease in prawn survival, which averaged 30, 7, and 0%, respectively. Regression analysis of the data predicted 48-hour LC₅₀ for copper sulfate tobe0.46 mg/L. Since recommended application rates for use of copper sulfate as an algicide are 1.0 mg/L or more for water with alkalinities of 100 mg/L, copper sulfate treatments are not recommended for prawn production ponds.     

Growout of Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii in Fertilized Ponds with Reduced Levels of Formulated Feed

Formulated feed for freshwater prawn farming under semi-intensive conditions is expensive, presenting a significant portion of the farm's operating costs. Production and availability of natural food in earthen ponds may reduce the needs for formulated feed. This paper evaluates growth of freshwater prawn Macrobrachiurn rosenbergii under three feeding regimes, where supplemental feed was reduced and natural productivity of the ponds was increased by a fertilization program that included the addition of lime, phosphorus and nitrogen. Prawns (4.35 g) were stocked into 12 50-m² earthen ponds (6 juveniles/m²) and grown for 84 d feeding on 25% crude protein ration. Chemical and physical water parameters were monitored routinely. Growth and production were similar at 100% formulated feed supplementation with no fertilization and at 50% formulated feed with fertilization, as determined by weight gain, specific growth rate, and net yield ( P >0.05). However, further reduction in feed supplementation (0, 25%, and 50% of feeding rate, respectively, for each subsequent 28-d period) with fertilization, yielded shrimp smaller than market size. Feed conversion ratios were significantly higher ( P 0.05) for the 100% versus the 50% feed supplementation. Survival rate averaged 86% with no significant differences among treatments. Reducing up to 50% of the supplemental feed with added fertilization for increased natural productivity does not reduce yield of M. rosenbergii raised under semi-intensive conditions in northeastern Brazil. Under the local conditions of semi-arid and warm water temperatures (24.0–33.5 C), increasing natural productivity of ponds significantly improves feed conversion ratio, which is reflected in feed cost savings and potential savings of the farm operating cost.     

Constructed wetlands for treatment of harvest effluents from grow‐out ponds of the Amazon river prawn

Effluent discharges from aquaculture can reduce water quality in receiving water bodies and that strategies or practices to reduce this are necessary. One possibility is to reduce, or eliminate, water renewal in grow‐out ponds. In this study, we eliminated water renewal in grow‐out ponds associated with the culture of 40 individuals m^?2 of Amazon river prawn (Macrobrachium amazonicum). At the end of the culture period it was, however, necessary to drain the pond to harvest the prawns. An experiment was performed in triplicate, in which the water supply characteristics and harvest water characteristics of ponds were evaluated. To reduce these concentrations of total N and P, an aquatic macrophyte (Eichhornia crassipes, water hyacinth) treatment system (CWs) was adopted. The water characteristics in the CWs were evaluated after 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days. The water supply of ponds presented the average concentrations of 0.67 ± 0.32 mg L^?1 and 17.4 ± 14.7 μg L^?1 of total‐N and total‐P respectively. The harvest effluent of ponds had elevated concentrations of different forms of nitrogen (4.44 mg L^?1 of total‐N) and phosphorous (100.9 μg L^?1 of total‐P). After 1 day of the experiment we found the following reductions in key nutrients in treatment system containing E. crassipes: 90%, 78% and 45% reductions in the concentrations of particulate matter, orthophosphates and nitrates respectively. We noted that after 3 days the nitrates had been reduced by 53%. We concluded that 3 days of this treatment was sufficient for the removal of the additional nutrients that had accumulated in the Amazon river prawn ponds.     

Effects of common carp Cyprinus carpio (L.) and feed addition in rohu Labeo rohita (Hamilton) ponds on nutrient partitioning among fish, plankton and benthos

The effects of introducing common carp (CC) and of adding artificial feed to fertilized rohu ponds on water quality and nutrient accumulation efficiency were studied. All ponds were stocked with 15 000 rohu ha^?1. Treatments included ponds with rohu alone, rohu plus 5000 common carp ha^?1 and rohu plus 10 000 CC ha^?1. A comparison was also made between supplementally fed and non‐fed ponds. The overall highest nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations were observed in ponds with 5000 CC ha^?1, followed by ponds with 10 000 and 0 CC ha^?1. The largest fractions of N and P inputs accumulating in fish, phytoplankton and zooplankton were observed in ponds with 5000 CC ha^?1, followed by ponds with 10 000 CC ha^?1 and subsequently ponds without CC. Relatively more nutrients accumulated in benthic organisms in ponds without than in ponds with CC. A smaller fraction of the nutrient input was retained in fish, plankton and benthic organisms in ponds without CC compared with ponds with CC. Compared with 5000 CC ha^?1, stocking 10 000 CC ha^?1 can be considered as overstocking, because this leads to lower fish production and relatively less nutrients retained in plankton and benthic organisms.     

Effects of eyestalk ablation, thoracic ganglion extract and gonad extract from 'spent spawners'on ovarian maturation in pond-reared shrimps, Penaeus monodon Fabricius

Abstract. Eyestalk-ablated and non-ablated pond-reared Penaeus monodon Fabricius of two sizes (116·3 ± 2·8g and 67·9 ± 1·0g body weight (BW)) were injected with crude thoracic ganglion extract from 'spent spawners'(0·4mg/g and 1·0mg/g shrimp respectively). Controls (ablated and non-ablated groups) received either equivalent amounts of crude muscle extract or crustacean saline.
In another experiment, non-ablatéd shrimps (67·4 ± 1·8g BW) were injected with crude gonad extract from 'spent spawners'. The controls received an equal volume of crustacean saline.
Significant differences (P < 0·05) in the gonadosomatic index and the gonad index in relation to the carapace length were detected between eyestalk-ablated and non-ablated shrimps; the larger shrimps showing a greater difference following treatments with muscle and thoracic ganglion extracts.
However, no significant differences (P > 0·05) were detected between the thoracic ganglion-treated groups and the controls in either the eyestalk-ablated or non-ablated shrimps. Nor were significant differences (P > 0·05) observed between the gonad-treated group and the control and between the two control groups receiving crustacean saline and crude muscle extract.     

The effects of phosphorus and nitrogen on phytoplankton dominance in tropical fish ponds

Nine ponds were used to determine the effects of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) loading on the phytoplankton dominance in tropical fish ponds. Three ponds received triple superphosphate (TSP), three received triple superphosphate plus urea (TSP-Urea) and the rest served as the control. Addition of both phosphorus and nitrogen (TSP-Urea treatment) resulted in higher total phytoplankton than the TSP treatment and the control (P < 0.05). In general, blue-green algae formed the dominant group in TSP-Urea treatment ponds, followed by dinoflagellates, green algae, euglenoids and diatoms. In TSP-Urea treatment ponds, green algae was the most abundant group followed by blue-green, dinoflagellates, euglenoids and diatoms. Addition of combined nitrogen and phosphorus to the ponds not only significantly increased (P < 0.05) total phytoplankton densities, but also caused a shift from blue-green algal dominance to green algae. TSP treatment ponds showed significantly higher blue-green algae than TSP-Urea treatment in the early culture cycle. However, as the ponds became more productive with time, blue-green algae also appeared to be common in TSP-Urea treatment in spite of high N : P ratios. The blue-green algae increased linearly with the increase of total phytoplankton in all treatments (r²= 0.58, P < 0.01).     

Production of Oreochromis niloticus (L.) and ecosystem dynamics in manured ponds of three depths

Abstract. During three 5-month experiments in Thailand, earthen ponds of approximately 370m2 surface area were stocked with male Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), fingerlings of 4–12g weight at densities of 0·5 to l·6fish/m². Stocking and fertilization (with chicken manure, urea and TSP) in triplicated depth treatments of 0·6,1·0 and 1·5m were proportional to pond volume in two experiments (wet and dry seasons) and to pond area in the other (dry season).
Depth showed no direct effect on fish yields of 0·9–6·3t/ha/year, on survival rates of 66 to 98%, nor on final individual weights of 96–313 g/fish. Greater yields were obtained from deeper ponds when they received proportionally greater stocking and fertilizer inputs. Inputs per unit area were the most important factor accounting for yield variation.
Temperature, dissolved N and P, and suspended solids showed little or no relation to depth treatments. Time-averaged chlorophyll concentrations and photosynthetic production of dissolved oxygen were greater in treatments receiving greater inputs of nitrogen per unit pond volume.
Deeper ponds produced the greatest areal yields of fish, when fertilized in proportion to their volumes. Shallow ponds produced fish and dissolved oxygen at least as efficiently per unit input as did deep ponds, which is consistent with models of photosynthesis-depth relations.     

生物絮团在斑节对虾养殖系统中的形成条件及作用效果

为确定斑节对虾（Penaeus monodon）养殖系统中生物絮团形成所需的最适碳源及添加量,试验选取葡萄糖、蔗糖、糖蜜3种碳源按碳（C）与氮（N）比（C/ N）为20：1添加,再按日投饲量的0％、25％、50％、75％和100％添加蔗糖,以期获得其最适添加量。结果显示,添加3种不同糖作为碳源均可以显著提高斑节对虾的特定生长率（P ﹤0.05）,而添加蔗糖可以显著提高斑节对虾的成活率（P ﹤0.05）;与其他组相比,添加75％的蔗糖组可以显著提高斑节对虾的特定生长率和成活率（P ﹤0.05）,促进异养细菌和浮游植物的繁殖,水体氨氮（NH4-N）、亚硝酸氮（NO2-N）等有害物质的浓度较低,过多的添加蔗糖却会起到反作用。结果表明添加75％的蔗糖最适合生物絮团在斑节对虾养殖系统中形成,并促进斑节对虾的生长。     

A Preliminary Evaluation of Naturally Occurring Organisms,Distillery By-Products,and Prepared Diets as Food for Juvenile Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii

The relative acceptability and suitability of naturally occurring pond organisms identified as likely natural food items for juvenile freshwater prawn, Macrobrachiurn msenbergii, were evaluated under controlled conditions. The potential of direct consumption of materials used as organic pond fertilizer (distillers dried grains with solubles [DDGS] was also evaluated. Growth and survival of prawn fed gastropods, oligochaetes, zooplankton, or DDGS were compared with those fed a nutritionally-complete pellcted diet (control). Groups of five juvenile prawn (average weight 1.66 ± 0.10 g) were stocked into eighteen 7.5-L glass aquaria. Dietary treatments were evaluated in triplicate aquaria for 21 days. Prawn fed live zooplankton exhibited a significantly higher rate of weight gain (P < 0.05) than drawn in other treatments, as measured by differences in slopes of regression lines for weight gain over time. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in rates of gain for prawn fed a complete diet and those fed DDGS or gastropods. Prawn fed oligochaetes grew significantly slower (P < 0.05) than those fed the prepared diet. Results indicate that juvenile prawn as large or larger than 2g can utilize live zooplankton and that DDGS may be consumed directly by prawn. Thus, DDGS may serve a dual role as a feed and pond fertilizer. Additional research in pond management strategies that maximize zooplankton and gastropod numbers and the potential of DDGS as a combination food/fertilizer in freshwater prawn production ponds should be conducted.     

Effects of pond preparation and feeding rate on production of Penaeus monodon Fabricius, water quality, bacteria and benthos in model farming ponds

Fibreglass pools with sediment were used as model farming ponds to investigate the interactive effects of pond preparation and feeding rate on prawn production, water quality, bacterial dynamics, abundance of benthos and prawn feeding behaviour. Pools were either fertilised 1 month (prepared) or 2 days (unprepared) prior to stocking and either ‘high’ or ‘low’ feeding rates were used. The ‘high’ rate was 5.0% (range 4–8%) wet prawn biomass/day and was similar to that recommended for commercial farms. The ‘low’ rate was 2.5% (range 2–4%) wet prawn biomass/day. Juvenile Penaeus monodon (2.0–7.5 g) were stocked at 15 prawns/m² and were cultured for 71 days. With the exception of one prepared, high feeding-rate pool where mass mortality (> 80%) of prawns occurred following an interruption to aeration, prawn survival was high (> 86%) and was unaffected by preparation, feeding rate or their interaction. Pond preparation improved growth and biomass gain by about 20%. Growth was 4% higher with the higher feeding rate but biomass gain was not affected and, as food conversion ratio was much worse, use of the lower feeding rate offers considerable scope to reduce production costs, especially during cooler periods. There was no interaction in relation to growth between pond preparation and feeding rate. Meiofauna were more abundant, and prawns grew faster, in prepared pools than unprepared pools at the start of the experiment. However, changes in bacterial dynamics or meiofauna abundance over time did not explain reductions in prawn growth over time. In general, water quality was reduced in pools receiving the high feeding rate compared with low feeding rate pools. Other interactive effects of pond preparation and feeding rate on water quality, bacteria, benthos and prawn feeding behaviour are discussed.     

Organic flocculants for the removal of phytoplankton biomass

The formation of noxious phytoplankton blooms causes deterioration of water quality in aquaculture ponds and reservoirs, but also in swimming pools and aquaria. We have studied the effects of selected cationic polyacrylamides on natural phytoplankton community, which was investigated by a decrease of chlorophyll a content in the water column and photosynthetic activity of phytoplankton floccules. Results indicate that cationic polyacrylamides are able to remove more than 80% of phytoplankton biomass. Moreover, no cell damage or lysis was observed by microscopic observation after flocculation. To our knowledge, this is the first report suggesting the removal of cyanobacterial blooms by organic flocculants. Cationic polyacrylamides are biodegradable organic flocculants with low toxicity to aquatic organisms, and seem to be a prospective tool with a possibility for algal or cyanobacterial bloom management in aquaculture.