Influence of sea ranching on hatchery-reared anadromous Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.)

Anadromous Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), from the River Halselva in Finnmark, northern Norway, were used as broodstock for the production of smolts. During the smolting period the fish were either shielded from normal working routines, subjected to normal work routines, or exposed to excessive work routines (stress) within the hatchery. None of the handling routines affected the gill-Na-K-ATPase activity, or the hypoosmoregulatory capacity of the charr. Compared with normal handling, neither stress nor shielding caused any significant difference in the migratory behaviour of the charr, in the duration of the sea residence, or in homing success. However, the stressed group did show a lymphocytopenia at end of the rearing period.     

Comparison of the growth performance of offspring from cultured versus wild populations of arctic charr,Salvelinus alpinus (L.), kept at three different temperatures

The effects of three different temperatures on the growth and maturation of the offspring of cultured versus wild populations of juvenile arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus L.) were investigated. The fish (start weight 17 g) were reared for 5 months at constant temperatures of 12, 14 and 16°C under a continuous light regime (LD24:0). Growth performance was significantly influenced by both temperature and source population. The offspring from the farmed fish displayed significantly higher mean weights at all temperatures compared with the offspring from the wild fish. The results indicate that the optimal temperature for growth (T_opt) decreases with increasing fish size in the offspring of both cultivated and wild fish. Significant differences in length–weight relationship were found, with the offspring of wild fish displaying higher condition factor throughout the experiment. The results demonstrate that the offspring from multiple generation farmed population of arctic charr are better adapted to high temperatures compared with the offspring (F₁ generation) from a wild population of arctic charr, and the former are also able to maintain growth at higher temperatures. There was a significant difference in maturation between the two populations, as the offspring from cultured fish displayed significantly lower level of maturation: 0%, 4% and 2% mature compared with 24%, 40% and 42% in the offspring from wild fish at temperatures of 12, 14 and 16°C respectively. The offspring from farmed strains of arctic charr thus appear to be the most suitable population for aquaculture.     

Ageing and growth of charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), from three habitat types in Scotland

Abstract. Growth was studied in Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus L., from three differing loch habitats in Scotland. Otoliths were more reliable for age determination than scales. Growth rates were variable both among and within populations. Growth in weight was more variable and appeared to be related to richness of the habitat.     

The potential of Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), for mariculture

There would appear to be considerable potential for Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), to be cultured in marine conditions in countries where coastal winter salinity is below oceanic, and temperatures remain above freezing. Sea lochs on the west coast of Scotland represent one such environment where freshwater run-off leads to depressed salinities (20-30 practical salinity units) and the North Atlantic Drift leads to winter sea water temperatures typically around 6-8^oC.     

Feed intake and growth of Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), fed diets supplemented with oxytetracycline and squid extract

This study examined the long-term effects of a potential feeding deterrent, oxytetracycline (OTC), and a putative feeding stimulant, squid extract, on feed intake, growth and dry matter (DM) digestibility in Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.). Fish were fed one of four diets for 9 weeks: 1. commercial feed formulation (basic); 2. BM (basic plus 20 g kg⁻¹ OTC); 3. BMS (BM plus 10 g kg⁻¹ squid extract); 4. BS (basic plus 10 g kg⁻¹ squid extract). The feed intake of Arctic charr was not reduced by the addition of OTC to the basic feed, and addition of squid extract to the medicated feed did not enhance feed consumption. DM digestibility and growth tended to be reduced in groups of fish fed diets supplemented with the antibiotic (BM and BMS). This suggests that OTC may have interfered with nutrient digestion and absorption. OTC does not seem to be a feeding deterrent for Arctic charr, possibly indicating that the charr is a rather unselective feeder. Because the medicated feeds were readily accepted, there may be little to be gained by addition of feeding stimulants to these types of feeds for charr.     

Muscle colour development in Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), monitored by fibre-optics and electrical impedance

Farmed Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), (n = 2 70) with a wide range of carotenoid muscle pigmentation were produced by feeding astaxanthin at different levels (0-120 mg kg^?1 feed). Steaks were scored subjectively for pigment concentration (dark = high score). Internal reflectance spectra were measured with a relatively non-destructive 1-mm-diameter fibre-optic probe. Colour scores were only moderately correlated with reflectance (R = 0.66 and P< 0.01, using data at 500, 610 and 520 nm) because the small-diameter probe had a short light-path through the tissue and was highly responsive to scattering. However, in fish without astaxanthin in their diet, this sensitivity to microstructural causes of scattering revealed that fibre-optic reflectance increased (P < 0.01) with age from 400 nm (r = 0.68) to 440 nm (r = 0.40), and from 530 nm (r = 0.30) to 700 nm (r = 0.56). In agreement with these results, colour scores decreased with age (r = -0.52; P < 0.001; n = 85), as did electrical resistance 24 h post-mortem (r = -0.42 at 120 Hz, r = -0.39 at 1 kHz and r = -0.54 at 10 kHz; P < 0.001). Resistance was correlated with colour score (r = 0.40 and P < 0.001 for resistance at 10 kHz) and with fibre-optic reflectance (R = 0.42 and P < 0.01 for resistance at 120 Hz and 1 kHz versus reflectance from 420 to 680 nm). Thus, without astaxanthin in the diet, muscle colour and tissue integrity at 24 h deteriorated with the age of the fish.     

Divergent, genetically based feeding behaviour of two sympatric Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), morphs

Abstract –  Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), is one of the several northern fishes that show resource polymorphisms in postglacial lakes. Two reproductively isolated morphs of Arctic charr coexist in distinct ecological niches in the subarctic lake Fjellfrøsvatn, North Norway. Offspring of the two morphs (termed littoral charr and profundal charr) were reared separately but under identical conditions. Their feeding behaviour was compared experimentally using different kinds of live prey. The fishes had no experience with natural prey before the experiments. The littoral morph were more effective in eating live plankton ( Daphnia ) and littoral benthos ( Gammarus ), and had a higher attack rate against pleuston (surface prey, Gerris ) compared with the profundal morph. The two morphs behaved in accordance with expectations from their in situ niche utilisation towards the three prey types. This indicates a case of incipient ecological speciation where divergence in resource utilisation in contrasting niches has evolved adaptations in feeding behaviour by natural selection.     

Survival, growth, sexual maturation and reproduction of brook charr, Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill), Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus L., and their hybrids

Survival of hybrids (FA, AF) between brook charr, Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill), (FF) and Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus L., (AA) were compared at three fish farms. Survival of hybrids and Arctic charr was impaired in warm water. In cold water, brook charr and hybrids showed similar survival percentages until the spawning period. Each spawning period was followed by an increase of mortality, but to a much higher degree in brook charr. Growth was studied in the best (cold water) fish farm. During the first 2 years of rearing, brook charr had the highest relative weight. The weight of the two hybrids approached that of brook charr in the third year because of the drastic decrease of growth rate in brook charr after the spawning period. No differences between genotypes of either females or males could be detected in the eviscerated weights, the dressing percentages, or the gonado-somatic indexes. The two hybrids matured sexually, but their sperm quality was inferior to that of the pure species. Crosses between the 4-year-old breeders from the F1 population (FF, FA, AF and AA) were achieved. Survival from the eyed stage to 6 weeks post-hatching was significantly lower in F2 progeny than in back-crosses or pure species crosses. Even though the survival following spawning periods and the total biomass produced were better in hybrids than in brook charr raised in cold water, we believe the farming of this hybrid should not be carried out. The full development of sexually mature hybrids does not resolve problems linked with precocious sexual maturation in brook charr farming carried out in eastern Canada.     

Cryopreservation of Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), semen in various extenders and in three sizes of straw

Cryopreservation of Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus (L.) semen was investigated using three diluents, three cryoprotectants [10% dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), 10% dimethylacetamide (DMA) or 20% glycerol] and three sizes of straw. The three diluents and three cryoprotectants were combined, resulting in nine extenders. One part semen was added to three parts extender, and motility was evaluated to assess the toxicity of six of the extenders. Semen in nine extenders was frozen in 0.5‐mL straws using liquid nitrogen vapour. Semen extended in 0.3 m glucose and each of the cryoprotectants was also frozen in 0.5‐mL, 1.7‐mL (flat) or 2.5‐mL straws. The freezing rate in each size of straw was measured. Fertility trials were conducted to determine the post‐thaw viability of the frozen semen. The motility of activated spermatozoa was higher in the DMA and DMSO extenders than in the glycerol extender. For the trial using 0.5‐mL straws, post‐thaw fertility results were higher for all extenders containing DMSO, or 0.3 m glucose and DMA, than for all other combinations of diluent and cryoprotectant. For the straw size comparison, the highest fertility was obtained for the 1.7‐mL straw using either DMSO or DMA and for the 2.5‐mL straw using DMSO. For all cryopreservation trials, fertility was low for extenders containing glycerol.     

Carotenoid pigmentation in relation to feed intake, growth and social interactions in Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), from two anadromous strains

Feed intake, growth and carotenoid pigmentation in 1 + Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), of the Hammerfest and Svalbard strains were studied in fish reared in either separate or mixed groups for 11 weeks.
Hammerfest charr grew faster than charr from the Svalbard strain at the group level. The slower overall growth in the Svalbard strain was accompanied by greater variability in feed intake and growth rates than observed amongst the fish of the Hammerfest strain. The higher incidence of bite marks amongst the Svalbard chart suggested that aggressive encounters were more frequent amongst fish of this strain. No significant differences were observed in muscle carotenoid concentration. There was, however, a highly significant positive correlation between muscle carotenoid concentration and weight gain for individual fish of both strains, irrespective of whether the fish were reared separately or in mixed groups. Estimates of muscle carotenoid retention varied from 78 to 96 mg g⁻¹, but there were no differences between strains or between fish reared in single or mixed-strain groups.
There were no differences in muscle carotenoid composition between strains or between fish reared in separate or mixed groups. Astaxanthin and idoxanthin, a metabolite of astaxanthin, were present in approximately equal proportions, and made up about 99% of the muscle carotenoid content.
The results of this study suggest that flesh pigmentation and its variability may be profoundly influenced by the level of social interactions, mediated through effects on feed intake and growth. These effects may mask genetic variations in the capacity to deposit carotenoids.     

Influence of feeding frequency on growth and size dispersion in Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus (L.)

Abstract Dominance hierarchy formation in groups of fish is thought to be a major reason for the development of size heterogeneity. The objective of the current experiment was to examine the influence of different feeding frequencies on growth and changes in size distribution in groups of Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus (L.). The fish were fed equivalent excess rations continuously for 24 h a day, for 2 h twice a day (early morning and evening), for 2 h once a day in the morning or for 2 h once every other day also in the morning. Growth was measured by individual weighing of fish four times during the 130‐day experiment. Coefficient of variation in size within rearing groups was used to assess size dispersion and the possible development of hierarchies within the groups. Feeding frequency did not influence variation in size within groups, and there were no signs of hierarchy formation.     

Effect of sorting on size-frequency distributions and growth of Arctic charr,Salvelinus alpinus L.

Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus, were reared in either unsorted groups or in groups that had been sorted into ‘small’ and ‘large’ fish. At the start of the experiment the size-frequency distributions of unsorted and pooled ‘small’ and ‘large’ fish were similar, but after 5 months' rearing distributions were markedly different. There was evidence that growth of ‘small’ fish improved in the absence of larger conspecifics, but size-sorting also led to reduced growth of some large fish, with the consequence that size-sorting did not lead to overall increases in biomass gain and rates of production.     

Lipids of arctic charr,Salvelinus alpinus (L.) I. Dietary induced changes in lipid class and fatty acid composition

Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus L.) were fed either a commercial diet or six experimental test diets containing coconut oil and different polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) at a level of 1% by dry weight. Best growth rates were observed with the commercial diet, worst with diet containing coconut oil with no PUFA. An increase in hepatic lipid, hepatic sterol esters and muscular moisture content, and a decrease in muscular lipid was generally found in fish fed the test diets compared to those maintained on the commercial diet.Phosphatidylcholine was the dominant polar lipid (PL) class in all tissues examined. Extensive modification of dietary saturated fatty acids into 18:1 (n-9) was observed in tissue triacylglycerols (TAG) of fish fed test diets. No changes occurred with the commercial diet.Dietary PUFA were essentially incorporated unchanged into tissue TAG of all fish in the present study. PUFA composition of hepatic phospholipids was significantly influenced by that contained in the diets. However both 18:2 (n-6) and 18:3 (n-3) in the test diets were extensively elongated and desaturated prior to incorporation into PL. The (n-9) PUFA content was always higher in liver of fish fed the test diets. When 18:2 (n-6) and 18:3 (n-3) were supplied together, the level of (n-3) PUFA exceeded those of (n-6) PUFA. Muscle PL were less influenced by diet than liver. In muscle (n-3) PUFA were always the predominant PUFA irrespective of diet. Only low amounts of (n-9) PUFA were found. It is suggested that (n-3) PUFA are the prime essential fatty acids for Arctic charr, and that they are used in preference to (n-6) PUFA for elongation, desaturation and incorporation into PL. The results suggest that the quantitative requirement of Arctic charr for EFA is may be higher than that of other salmonids.     

Survival of salmon lice, Lepeophtheirus salmonis Krøyer, on Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), in fresh water

The survival of salmon lice. Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer) on Arctic charr. Salvelinus alpinus (L.). in fresh water was studied. The results showed that salmon lice were able to survive for up to 3 weeks, in contrast with previous published information that the parasite is quickly shed when the fish enters fresh water.     

Effect of rearing density on the early growth and variation in growth of juvenile Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.)

Abstract. Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), from the same full-sib family were reared under two different densities for 97days at 10°C. In one treatment density was adjusted every 2 weeks by means of a tank enclosure to a density of 50kg/m³. In the other treatment the density was allowed to increase as fish biomass increased to 50kg/m³. Density had no significant effect on the variation observed in individual fish weights over the course of the growth trial. Density had a significant effect on the relationship between fish weight and specific growth rate. The increasing density treatment had an overall higher mean specific growth rate of 0·1%/day.     

Muscle carotenoid concentrations in sexually maturing and immature Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.)

Muscle carotenoid concentrations were measured in immature and maturing 2+ Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), sampled from April until ovulation started in November. In immature fish, muscle carotenoid concentration increased steadily and had reached about 10 mg kg^?1 by the end of the experiment. In mature fish of both sexes, pigment concentrations decreased during the autumn and muscle carotenoid concentrations were significantly lower than in the immature fish during the latter stages of the trial. No significant difference in muscle pigmentation was observed between sexes. Carotenoid concentrations were lowest in the cranial region of the fillet, but decreased in all parts of the fillet when the charr became mature. In females, the decrease seemed to be most marked in the caudal region. At the termination of the experiment, fillets accounted for about one-half of the carotenoid content in mature fish of both sexes. High concentrations of pigment were recorded in the skin and fins of mature males. In mature female charr, pigment was almost equally distributed among skin, fins and ovaries