基于GAM模型分析水温垂直结构对热带大西洋大眼金枪鱼渔获率的影响

通过模型分析环境变量对延绳钓大眼金枪鱼渔获率的影响,评估适宜垂直活动空间对大西洋大眼金枪鱼延绳钓渔获率的作用。首先采用回归分析检验环境变量对延绳钓渔获率(由单位捕捞努力渔获量(catch per unit fishing effort,CPUE)表示)的影响显著性,结合时空变量,采用GAM(generalized additive model)模型分析各变量对大眼金枪鱼CPUE非线性作用。模型结果表明,环境因子和时空变量对热带大西洋延绳钓大眼金枪鱼渔获率空间分布影响明显。大西洋大眼金枪鱼延绳钓的高渔获率月份出现在夏季和冬季,空间上在赤道以北和30?~50?W。12℃等温线深度对大眼金枪鱼延绳钓渔获率的影响表现为抛物线形状,高渔获率出现在深度较浅的250 m水层,随着12℃等温线深度的增加,大眼金枪鱼延绳钓渔获率降低。温跃层下界深度和深度差对大眼金枪鱼延绳钓渔获率的影响都是穹顶状。随着温跃层下界深度值和深度差由小变大至200 m,延绳钓渔获率递增;温跃层下界深度和深度差超过200 m后,延绳钓渔获率变小。温跃层下界深度和深度差对大眼金枪鱼延绳钓渔获率影响显著的水层分别是200 m和50 m。研究结果显示,12℃等温线深度和温跃层对热带大西洋延绳钓大眼金枪鱼渔获率影响是交叉的,在大眼金枪鱼适宜垂直活动水层受限到和延绳钓作业深度相同时,延绳钓渔获率最高;在适宜垂直活动空间过深或者过浅时,延绳钓渔获率都变小,但可以通过改变作业方式提高渔获率。采用延绳钓CPUE进行渔场和资源评估要考虑金枪鱼适宜垂直活动空间。     

热带印度洋大眼金枪鱼渔场时空分布与温跃层关系

为了解印度洋大眼金枪鱼(Thunnus obesus)温跃层参数适宜分布区间及季节变化,采用Argo浮标剖面温度数据重构热带印度洋各月平均温跃层特征参数,并结合印度洋金枪鱼委员会(IOTC)大眼金枪鱼延绳钓渔业数据,本文绘制了月平均温跃层特征参数和月平均CPUE的空间叠加图,用于分析热带印度洋大眼金枪鱼渔场CPUE时空分布和温跃层特征参数的关系。结果表明,热带印度洋温跃层上界深度、温度和下界深度都具有明显的季节性变化,大眼金枪鱼中心渔场分布和温跃层季节性变化有关。夏季季风期间,高CPUE渔区温跃层上界深度在30~50 m,浅于冬季的50~70 m;温跃层上界温度范围为24~30℃。在冬季季风期间,高CPUE区域对应的温跃层上界温度范围为27~30℃;从马达加斯加岛北部沿非洲大陆至索马里附近海域,温跃层下界深度在170~200 m时的渔区CPUE普遍较高;当深度超过300 m时,CPUE值均非常低。采用频次分析和经验累积分布函数计算其最适温跃层特征参数分布,得出大眼金枪鱼最适温跃层的上界、下界温度范围分别是26~29℃和13~15℃;其上界、下界深度范围分别是30~60 m和140~170 m。文章初步得出印度洋大眼金枪鱼中心渔场温跃层各特征参数的适宜分布区间及季节变化特征,为金枪鱼实际生产作业和资源管理提供理论参考。     

南太平洋长鳍金枪鱼垂直活动水层空间分析

为了解南太平洋长鳍金枪鱼(Thunnus alalunga)的垂直活动水层分布特征及其适宜的垂直活动水层深度,采用Argo数据重构了研究海域次表层20℃和25℃等温线深度场,并结合2010年~2012年中水集团南太平洋长鳍金枪鱼延绳钓渔船实际生产统计数据,绘制了20℃和25℃等温线深度与长鳍金枪鱼单位捕捞努力量渔获量(CPUE)叠加图,分析南太平洋长鳍金枪鱼的垂直活动水层分布特征。结果表明,研究海域20℃和25℃等温线深度存在明显的季节性变化,且长鳍金枪鱼渔场时空分布随着20℃等温线深度的220 m等深线和25℃等温线深度的140 m等深线时空变动而季节性南北移动。长鳍金枪鱼中心渔场主要分布于10°S以南、160°E~175°E之间,中心渔场所处海域,其20℃等温线深度多在220 m以深,超过250 m的海域CPUE均偏低;25℃等温线深度多在140 m以浅,浅于80 m的海域则难以形成中心渔场。采用频次分析与经验累积分布函数(ECDF)相结合的方法,计算出南太平洋长鳍金枪鱼适宜的垂直活动水层深度为88~238 m。文章初步得出了南太平洋长鳍金枪鱼的垂直分布特征及其适宜的垂直活动水层深度,可用于指导延绳钓投钩深度,为中国南太平洋长鳍金枪鱼延绳钓生产作业提供理论参考。     

基于贝叶斯概率的印度洋大眼金枪鱼渔场预报

本文采用贝叶斯概率为模型基础框架,利用来自印度洋金枪鱼管理委员会(IOTC)的大眼金枪鱼延绳钓历史渔获统计数据和美国国家海洋大气管理局(NOAA)的海温最优插值再分析数据,进行适用于印度洋金枪鱼延绳钓渔场的模型参数估算与预报模型构建。模型回报精度验证结果表明,印度洋大眼金枪鱼延绳钓渔场综合预报的准确率达到了65.96%。模型预报结果用概率百分比来表示,符合渔业资源分布的客观特点。利用中分辨率成像光谱仪MODIS提供的SST产品进行业务化运行的渔场预报,利用模型结果每周生成印度洋大眼金枪鱼延绳钓渔场概率预报图,用不同大小的圆形来表示渔场概率的高低,可以为印度洋区域的远洋渔业生产提供信息支持。     

南印度洋长鳍金枪鱼渔获率与水深温度关系研究

印度洋金枪鱼延绳钓渔业是我国远洋渔业的重要组成部分,海洋不同深度的水温影响到长鳍金枪鱼(Thunnus alalunga)延绳钓渔获率。文章利用2008—2017年延绳钓生产作业数据,并结合Argo浮标水温数据,采用广义加性模型(Generalized additive model, GAM)分析长鳍金枪鱼空间分布与不同深度水温之间的关系。结果表明,海表面(0 m)、200和400 m 3个水层的温度显著影响长鳍金枪鱼的空间分布,最优的GAM模型对渔获率(单位捕捞努力量渔获量,Catch per unit effort, CPUE)的方差解释率为53.3%,模型拟合的决定系数为0.527。长鳍金枪鱼渔获率与所选取的3个水层温度均呈非线性关系,高渔获区集中分布于17～30℃的表层海域,17～20℃的200 m层海域,9～15℃的400 m层海域,以及他们的交集海线。文章初步得出了南印度洋长鳍金枪鱼空间分布与水深断面温度的关系,可为指导长鳍金枪鱼的合理生产提供技术支撑。     

印度洋金枪鱼延绳钓主要渔获种类及分布

根据印度洋金枪鱼管理委员会IOTC的金枪鱼生产数据库,对1967-2004年间印度洋金枪鱼延绳钓主要渔获种类的产量按年进行汇总和基于5度格网进行了空间上的统计,采用GIS软件制作了印度洋金枪鱼延绳钓主要渔获种类的捕捞产量的地理空间分布图,分析了其资源的空间分布特征。分析结果表明,大眼金枪鱼Thunnus obesus、黄鳍金枪鱼Thunnus albacares、长鳍金枪鱼Thun-nus alalunga和剑鱼Xiphias gladius是印度洋金枪鱼延绳钓的主要渔获种类,其产量之和占到总产量的90%,这4种印度洋金枪鱼延绳钓的主要渔获种类从1967-2004年的产量均呈上升趋势,但产量的峰谷变化各不相同;空间分布特征研究表明,尽管在印度洋海域分布范围广泛,但产量丰沛的区域存在明显差异。     

印度洋公海温跃层与黄鳍金枪鱼和大眼金枪鱼渔获率的关系

2005年9月15日-12月12日,金枪鱼延绳钓渔船"华远渔18、19号"对印度洋公海进行了金枪鱼渔业调查.利用多功能水质仪(XR-620)、温盐深仪(CTD SBE37SM)和微型温度深度计(TDR-2050)等获取海洋环境数据,得出作业海域的温跃层深度和强度,结合每天作业时记录的渔获数据,分别计算黄鳍金枪鱼和大眼金枪鱼在温跃层内和深水层的渔获率,研究温跃层与黄鳍金枪鱼和大眼金枪鱼渔获率之间的关系.结果表明:(1)2艘船分别有60.9%和60.0%的作业天数中,温跃层内黄鳍金枪鱼渔获率较高,"华远渔18号"船在温跃层内和温跃层以下的平均渔获率分别为18.22尾每千钩和6.04尾每千钩,"华远渔19号"船温跃层内和温跃层以下平均渔获率分别为2.22尾每千钩和1.31尾每千钩.通过t-检验成对双样本均值分析,温跃层以内和温跃层以下黄鳍金枪鱼总平均渔获率有显著性差异(P=0.02<0.05),温跃层以内比温跃层以下的渔获率明显要高;(2)2艘船分别有69.6%和100%的作业天数中,温跃层以下水深大眼金枪鱼渔获率较高,"华远渔18号"温跃层以内和温跃层以下平均渔获率分别为4.18尾每千钩和4.88尾每千钩."华远渔19号"温跃层以内和温跃层以下平均渔获率分别为0.10尾每千钩和2.57尾每千钩.大眼金枪鱼渔获率在温跃层以下水深较高.通过t-检验成对双样本均值分析,温跃层以内和温跃层以下大眼金枪鱼总平均渔获率无显著性差异(P=0.070.05),但对"华远渔19号"船的渔获率数据经t-检验发现大眼金枪鱼在温跃层以内和温跃层以下的渔获率有显著性差异(P=0.00<0.05).     

太平洋大眼金枪鱼延绳钓渔获分布及渔场环境浅析

本文主要根据收集到的渔获量数据、海水表层温度数据和有关文献资料 ,应用GIS技术对太平洋大眼金枪鱼延绳钓渔业进行了定量或定性分析。结果表明 :太平洋大眼金枪鱼延绳钓渔场主要分布在 2 0°N～2 0°S之间的热带海域 ,具纬向分布特征。对渔获产量同海表温度的分月统计显示 :太平洋大眼金枪鱼渔场最适月平均表层水温约 2 8～ 2 9℃ ,渔场出现频次为偏态分布型。最后 ,结合有关文献综合讨论分析了海表温度、溶解氧含量、海流等环境因子与金枪鱼渔场分布和形成机制的关系     

印度洋大眼金枪鱼栖息地指数研究及其比较

根据商业性大眼金枪鱼延绳钓渔业数据、环境数据结合专家知识绘制了印度洋大眼金枪鱼(Thunnus obseus)对温度、盐度、溶解氧和温跃层深度的适应性指数曲线,运用4种关联建模方法计算综合栖息地指数.用AIC值检验不同建模方法的拟合度,并对不同建模方法的输出结果进行空间分析.最后用实证研究的方法探索其在渔场选择上的可行性.结果表明,最小值法在4个模型方法中拟合度最好,给出了较为严格的栖息地适宜度估计,算术平均法则给出了较为粗略的栖息地适宜度估计.不同方法计算得出的栖息地指数(HIS)在空间分布上存在明显的差异.连乘法指示的HIS>0.9的区域局限于赤道附近55°E～68°E间;最小值法指示的HIS>0.9的区域分布于赤道附近50°E～75.E小块水域;算术平均法和几何平均法指示的HIS>0.9区域终年分布在50°E～85°E、5°N～5°S间的广大热带印度洋海域.最小值法和算术平均法指示的HIS等值线分布具有一定的相似性,两者相比较发现,最小值法指示的HIS=0.4等值线相当于算术平均法指示的HIS=0.7等值线;最小值法指示的HIS=0.6等值线相当于算术平均法指示的HIS=0.8等值线;最小值法指示的HIS=0.7等值线相当于算术平均法指示的HIS=0.9等值线.实证研究发现,算术平均法和几何平均法指示的HIS值对大眼金枪鱼的渔获地点和渔获频次有较好的估计,平均渔获频次比重分别达到96.10%和85.51%.研究认为发展实时的栖息地动态预测模型有助于渔场的探索.     

南海及临近海域黄鳍金枪鱼渔场时空分布与海表温度的关系

为得到南海及临近海域黄鳍金枪鱼(Thunnus albacores)渔场最适宜栖息海表温度(SST)范围,基于美国国家海洋大气局(NOAA)气候预测中心月平均海表温度(SST)资料,结合中西太平洋渔业委员会(WCPFC)发布的南海及临近海域金枪鱼延绳钓渔业数据,绘制了月平均SST和月平均单位捕捞努力量渔获量(CPUE)的空间叠加图,用于分析南海及临近海域黄鳍金枪鱼渔场CPUE时空分布和SST的关系。结果表明,南海及临近海域黄鳍金枪鱼CPUE在16℃~31℃均有分布。在春季和夏季(3~8月),位于10°~20°N的大部分渔区CPUE较高,其南北侧CPUE较低;而到了秋季和冬季(9月到次年2月),高产渔场区域会向南拓宽。CPUE在各SST区间的散点图呈现出明显的负偏态分布,高CPUE主要集中在26℃~30℃,最高值出现在29℃附近;在22℃~26℃范围内CPUE散点分布较为零散,但在这个范围也会出现相当数量的高CPUE;在22℃以下的CPUE几乎属于低CPUE和零CPUE;零CPUE的平均SST为26.7℃(±3.2℃),低CPUE的平均SST为27.8℃(±2.1℃),高CPUE的平均SST为28.4℃(±1.5℃),高CPUE在各SST区间的分布要比零CPUE和低CPUE更为集中。采用频次分析和经验累积分布函数计算其最适SST范围,得到南海及临近海域黄鳍金枪鱼最适SST为26.9℃~29.4℃。本研究初步得到南海及临近海域黄鳍金枪鱼中心渔场时空分布特征及SST适宜分布区间,可为开展南海及临近海域金枪鱼渔情预报工作提供理论依据和参考。     

Association between the interannual variation in the oceanic environment and catch rates of bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) in the Atlantic Ocean

The environmental processes associated with variability in the catch rates of bigeye tuna in the Atlantic Ocean are largely unexplored. This study used generalized additive models (GAMs) fitted to Taiwanese longline fishery data from 1990 to 2009 and investigated the association between environmental variables and catch rates to identify the processes influencing bigeye tuna distribution in the Atlantic Ocean. The present findings reveal that the year (temporal factor), latitude and longitude (spatial factors), and major regular longline target species of albacore catches are significant for the standardization of bigeye tuna catch rates in the Atlantic Ocean. The standardized catch rates and distribution of bigeye tuna were found to be related to environmental and climatic variation. The model selection processes showed that the selected GAMs explained 70% of the cumulative deviance in the entire Atlantic Ocean. Regarding environmental factors, the depth of the 20 degree isotherm (D20) substantially contributed to the explained deviance; other important factors were sea surface temperature (SST) and sea surface height deviation (SSHD). The potential fishing grounds were observed with SSTs of 22–28°C, a D20 shallower than 150 m and negative SSHDs in the Atlantic Ocean. The higher predicted catch rates were increased in the positive northern tropical Atlantic and negative North Atlantic Oscillation events with a higher SST and shallow D20, suggesting that climatic oscillations affect the population abundance and distribution of bigeye tuna.     

Rare serotype occurrence and PFGE genotypic diversity of Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from tilapia in China

Previously, we reported 10 PEGE types of 85 tilapia Streptococcus agalactiae(GBS), which shifted from Streptococcus iniae in China, by using PEGE method. Presently, larger and more representative tilapia GBS were isolated, for the ?rst time in China, to characterize their serotypes and genetic diversities more precisely than had done before. 168 GBS strains were distributed in ?ve provinces of China, in which Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan were the major ones, holding36.9%(62/168), 37.5%(63/168) and 19.6%(33/168), respectively. Serotypes, Ia, Ib and III, were observed in these strains and the most predominant one was Ia(95.2%), which mainly distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan. Ia initially occurred in 2009, it shoot up to 32.1% in 2010,but decreased to 16.1% in 2011 before went up to 45.2% in 2012. Ib sporadically occurred during2007–2011, III onlyoccurred in 2012. 14 different PFGE types, including 4 new types(N, O,P and Q), were observed, in which B, D, F and G were the predominant types, holding 83.9%(141/168) of the total GBS strains. Ia corresponded to 11 PFGE types(A–H, N–P), in which type D predominated(51%). Ib represented 3 genotypes(I, J and Q) and III harbored only 2genotypes(N and F). Type N and Fsynchronously presented in Ia and III. In summary, the genetic diversity of tilapia GBS varied by serotypes and changed with geographical locations and years.Although Iastillpredominated, new rareserotypeIII alreadyoccurred in China.     

Growth performance,digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Japanese sea bass,Lateolabrax japonicus fed with fructooligosaccharide

In this experiment, a feeding trial was performed to determine the effects of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) on growth performance, digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Japanese sea bass, Lateolabrax japonicus juveniles (initial weight 38.3 ± 0.5 g), and the fish were examined following feeding with six levels of FOS (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 6 g/kg) for 28 days. Significant enhancement of weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) was found in fish fed 1 g/kg FOS incorporated diets (p < .05), while the feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the 1, 2 g/kg FOS groups reduced significantly compared with the control (p < .05). Besides, the crude lipid in the 4, 6 g/kg FOS groups increased significantly compared with the control (p < .05). On the other hand, the erepsin and lipase activities significantly elevated in intestine of fish fed 2 g/kg FOS (p < .05) and the lysozyme activity in serum of fish fed 2 g/kg FOS were significantly higher than that in the control (p < .05). Moreover, the alkaline phosphatase activities in serum of fish fed 0.5, 1, 2 g/kg FOS were significantly higher than in control (p < .05). Regression analysis showed that the relationships between dietary FOS levels and either SGR, FCR, erepsin or lysozyme activities were best expressed by regression equations, and the optimal inclusion levels are 1.37, 1.80, 3.06, 3.11, 1.93 and 1.80 g/kg for SGR, FCR, erepsin, lipase, lysozyme and total superoxide dismutase activities, respectively. Overall, this study revealed that FOS incorporated diets could beneficial for L. japonicus culture in terms of increasing the growth, digestion and immune activities. Under the present experimental condition, the optimal supplementary level of FOS in the diet of L. japonicus is 1–3 g/kg.     

Growth hormone (GH) and reproduction: a review

Interaction between growth and reproduction occurs in many vertebrates and is particularly obvious at certain stages of the life cycle in fish. Endocrine interactions between the gonadotropic axis and the somatotropic axis are described, the potential role of GH being emphasised. A comparative analysis of these phenomena in mammals, amphibians and fish, suggests a specific role of GH in the physiology of puberty, gametogenesis and fertility. It also shows the original contribution made by studies on the fish model in this field of investigations.     

Purification and partial characterization of GtHs (cfLH and cfFSH) from Indian walking catfish (Clarias batrachus) (L.) and development of a homologous ELISA for cfLH

Two gonadotropins (GtH; Qa and Qb) were purified by gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography from the pituitaries of Indian walking catfish (Clarias batrachus). The presence of GtH during purification was assessed by in vitro oocyte maturation and in vivo steroidogenic activity, and their identities were determined by elution profiles, molecular weight, biological activities and yield. The molecular weights of Qa and Qb were 37 and 42 kDa, respectively, and composed of distinct subunits (Qa: 20 and 14 kDa and Qb: 26 and 18 kDa). Polyclonal antibodies raised against Qa immunostained Qa, Qb and pituitary GtH cells. A competitive Qa‐ELISA was developed whose sensitivity was 6.25 ng mL^?1 (1.25 ng well^?1) with intra‐ (3.5%) and inter‐ (12.4%) assay coefficients of variation. Displacement curves parallel to the standard were obtained with plasma and pituitary extracts of catfish, Qb and carp GtHII. The assay was validated by measuring the plasma Qa levels after LHRH treatment and in relation to ovarian growth in the female catfish during different reproductive phases. Based on the results, Qa and Qb corresponded to fish LH and FSH respectively. The findings will increase the knowledge of the mechanisms controlling fish reproduction and identification of sensitive phases in fish in captivity for hormonal manipulation.     

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).     

Protein and amino acid composition from the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris exposed to prolonged starvation

Protein and amino acid composition of the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris (Cuvier, 1797) during fasting for 27 days were determined. Average protein content of octopus mantle was of 711.19 ± 46.80 g kg^?1 DW, and it decreased with increasing fasting days. The non‐essential amino acids content was higher (486.18 ± 11.08 g kg^?1 protein) than essential amino acids (425.82 ± 9.15 g kg^?1 protein) at the start of the experiment (unstarved animals). The results suggest that the amino acid profile of the mantle where the most abundant amino acids are Arg, His, Lys, Gly, Leu and Pro could indicate a prolonged fasting condition (>20 days) or poor nutrition of O . vulgaris. This study supports the idea of using mantle for metabolic needs of starved O . vulgaris suggesting that the degradation pathway of amino acids to pyruvate and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates was favoured contrary to the degradation pathway of ketogenic amino acids. Special considerations should be taken concerning Thr, Ile, Ser, Ala, Asx (Asp, Asn), Glx (Glu, Gln) (because of their fast intake) and Lys and His (due to their stable contents) during a prolonged period of fasting.     

Nitrogenous waste excretion and accumulation of urea and ammonia inChalcalburnus tarichi (Cyprinidae), endemic to the extremely alkaline Lake Van (Eastern Turkey)

The endemic, anadromous cyprinidChalcalburnus tarichi is the only fish species known to occur in alkaline Lake Van (Eastern Anatolia, Turkey). EightC. tarichi were maintained individually in Lake Van water (17 – 19°C; pH 9.8; 153 mEq·I^–1 total alkalinity; 22 total salinity) and tank water samples analyzed for 24 h in 2 to 4 h intervals. At zero time, < 1µM ammonia was present and urea was undetectable in the tank water; at 24 h, total ammonia and urea made up 114±32 and 35±25µM, respectively. Over the experimental period, ammonia-N and urea-N excretion averaged 1041±494 and 607±169moles·kg^–1 fish·h^–1, respectively. The extent of urea excretion was highly variable between specimens. Uric acid excretion was not detectable.Urea was present at high concentrations in all tissues and plasma (25 – 35moles·g^–1·ml^–1) of freshly caughtC. tarichi; total ammonia content of the tissues was by a factor of 1.9 (liver) to 3.0 (brain) lower. High arginase activity (2.4±0.2 U·min^–1·g^–1) was detected in the liver ofC. tarichi but ornithine carbamoylphosphate transferase, a key enzyme of the ornithine-urea-cycle, was absent. Ureagenesis is likely through degradation of arginine and/or uricolysis. High glutamine synthetase activity (11±0.6 U·min^–1·g^–1) and low ammonia content in brain suggest that, like other teleosts,C. tarichi has an efficient ammonia detoxification in the brain, but in no other tissue.Nitrogenous waste excretion at alkaline pH is discussed. The ability ofC. tarichi to excrete high levels of ammonia at extremely alkaline pH is unique among teleosts studied so far. The mechanism of ammonia excretion under Lake Van conditions remains to be elucidated.     

Imported ornamental fish are colonized with antibiotic‐resistant bacteria

There has been growing concern about the overuse of antibiotics in the ornamental fish industry and its possible effect on the increasing drug resistance in both commensal and pathogenic organisms in these fish. The aim of this study was to carry out an assessment of the diversity of bacteria, including pathogens, in ornamental fish species imported into North America and to assess their antibiotic resistance. Kidney samples were collected from 32 freshwater ornamental fish of various species, which arrived to an importing facility in Portland, Oregon from Colombia, Singapore and Florida. Sixty‐four unique bacterial colonies were isolated and identified by PCR using bacterial 16S primers and DNA sequencing. Multiple isolates were identified as bacteria with potential to cause disease in both fish and humans. The antibiotic resistance profile of each isolate was performed for nine different antibiotics. Among them, cefotaxime (16% resistance among isolates) was the antibiotic associated with more activity, while the least active was tetracycline (77% resistant). Knowing information about the diversity of bacteria in imported ornamental fish, as well as the resistance profiles for the bacteria will be useful in more effectively treating clinical infected fish, and also potential zoonoses in the future.