The Effects of Live and Artificial Diets on Feeding Performance of Cultured Winter Flounder,Pseudopleuronectes americanus,in the Wild: Survival,Feeding, Growth,and Nucleic Acid Analyses

This research, which is part of a larger study designed to assess the feasibility of winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus, stock enhancement in New Hampshire, identifies hatchery feeds that optimize feeding‐related performance of fish once released in the wild. Fish reared on post‐nauplii of brine shrimp, Artemia sp., white worms, Enchytraeus albidus, common burrower amphipods, Leptocheirus plumulosus, and formulated pellets were evaluated post‐release from in situ cages using survival, growth rate, feeding onset and incidence, stomach fullness, diet composition, and nucleic acid‐based condition as indicators of hatchery diet suitability. Amphipod‐reared fish had the highest mean stomach content index of all feed types, including wild fish. Wild and worm‐reared fish exhibited the most similar survival, overall stomach fullness, and diet composition profiles over time. Amphipod‐reared fish ranked highest in overall performance; however, if wild fish performance is viewed as the ideal for a stocked fish, worm‐reared fish performed optimally. This study describes hatchery feeding strategies that may ease the transition of flatfish released into the wild for stock enhancement.     

Diet and Light Intensity Effects on Survival, Growth and Pigmentation of Southern Flounder Paralichthys lethostigma

Interest in the culture of flatfishes has increased globally due to high consumer demand and decreased commercial landings. The Southern flounder Paralichthys lethostigma inhabit South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico waters and support important commercial and recreational fisheries. In spring, 1996, a two-part larval rearing study was performed with Southern flounder to examine the effects of three larval diets and two light intensities on survival, growth, and pigmentation. The first part of the study consisted of feeding 6 d post-hatch (dph) (3.0 ± 0.1 mm TL) larvae three diets: 1) rotifers Brachionus plicatilis at a rate of 10/mL from day 1–9 and Artemia nauplii (3/mL) from day 7 through metamorphosis; 2) rotifers fed day 1 through metamorphosis and Artemia fed day 7 through metamorphosis; or 3) same diet as treatment 1 plus a commercial larval diet added day 13 through metamorphosis. The second part of the study examined the effects of two light levels: low-light (mean 457 lux) and high-light (mean 1362 lux). At 24 C, metamorphosis began on day 23 (mean fish size 8.2 ± 0.6 mm TL) in all treatments and was completed by day 30. Analysis of survival, size, and pigmentation data indicated there were no significant differences among feed treatments or between light treatments. Overall survival was 33.4% (±15.9) and mean length was 11.5 mm TL ± 1.3. Only 35% of the larvae were normally pigmented. Reexamination of the pigmentation on day 37 indicated fish reared at the low light intensity through metamorphosis (day 30) but exposed to high light intensity for 1 wk post-metamorphosis had become significantly more pigmented.     

Genetic characterization, morphometrics and gonad development of induced interspecific hybrids between yellowtail flounder, Pleuronectes ferrugineus (Storer) and winter flounder, Pleuronectes americanus (Walbaum)

Viable interspecific hybrids between yellowtail flounder (Pleuronectes ferrugineus, Storer) and winter flounder (Pleuronectes americanus, Walbaum) were produced by artificial insemination of yellowtail flounder eggs with winter flounder sperm. However, mean fertilization rate, hatching success and early survival up to 3 weeks post hatch were significantly lower than those of parental pure cross controls (P < 0.01). Overall, cytogenetic traits (karyological analysis and estimation of cellular DNA contents using flow cytometry) of hybrid flounder were intermediate between the two parental species. Microsatellite assay was used to distinguish the parental genomes in the hybrids; in most cases, one allele was specific to each of the parents. Morphometrics assessed by body proportions indicated that hybrids generally displayed a morphology intermediate between the maternal and paternal species. Interspecific hybrids exhibited abnormal and retarded gonad development in both sexes based on histological analysis of gonads from adult fish. The sterility of the hybrids presents a significant advantage for their use in aquaculture, as potential escapees would not be capable of reproducing in the wild and contaminating natural stocks.     

Pilot Production of Hatchery-Reared Summer Flounder Paralichthys dentatus in a Marine Recirculating Aquaculture System: The Effects of Ration Level on Growth, Feed Conversion, and Survival

Pilot‐scale trials were conducted to evaluate growout performance of hatchery‐reared summer flounder fingerlings in a state‐of‐the‐art recirculating aquaculture system (RAS). The outdoor RAS consisted of four 4.57‐m dia × 0.69‐m deep (vol. =11.3 m³) covered, insulated tanks and associated water treatment components. Fingerlings (85.1 g mean initial weight) supplied by a commercial hatchery were stocked into two tanks at a density of 1,014 fish/tank (7.63 kg/m³). Fish were fed an extruded dry floating diet consisting of 50% protein and 12% lipid. The temperature was maintained between 20 C and 23 C and the salinity was 34 ppt. Under these conditions, growth, growth variation (CV_wt), feed utilization, and survival of fish fed to 100% and 82% of a satiation rate were compared. Due to clear changes in growth patterns during the study, data was analyzed in three phases. During phase 1 (d 1–d 196), fish showed rapid growth, reaching a mean weight of 288 g ± 105 and 316 g ± 102, with a CV_wt of 0.36 and 0.32 and FCR's of 1.38 and 1.36 in the subsatiation and satiation groups, respectively. During phase 2 (d 196–d 454), fish displayed slower growth reaching mean weights of 392 g ± 144 and 436 g ± 121, with a CV_wt of 0.37 and 0.28, and increasing FCR's of 3.45 and 3.12 in the subsatiation and satiation groups, respectively. During phase 3 (d 454–d 614), fish showed little growth reaching mean weights of 399 g ± 153 and 440 g ± 129, with a CV_wt of 0.38 and 0.29 in the subsatiation and satiation groups, respectively. Over the entire growout period (d 1–d 614), feed conversion ratios were 2.39 and 2.37 and survival was 75% and 81 % in the subsatiation and satiation treatments, respectively. The maximum biomass density reached during the study was 32.3 kg/m³. The satiation feed rate was superior to the 82% satiation rate, since it maximized growth rates, with no effect on FCR. The higher CV_wt in the subsatiation group suggests increased competition for a restricted ration led to a slower growth with more growth variation. The decrease in growth in phases 2 and 3 was probably related to a high percentage of slower growing male fish in the population and the onset of sexual maturity. This study demonstrated that under commercial scale conditions, summer flounder can be successfully grown to a marketable size in a recirculating aquaculture system. Based on these results, it is recommended that a farmer feed at a satiation rate to minimize growout time. More research is needed to maintain high growth rates through marketable sizes through all‐female production and/or inhibition of sexual maturity.     

Effects of Feed Application Rates on Growth, Survival, and Feed Conversion of Juvenile Snakehead Channa striatus

Growth, survival and feed conversion ratio of juvenile snakehead Channa striatus were evaluated when fed a dry, formulated feed (50% crude protein) at 24 ± 1 C. Six daily feed application rates were used (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 30%), as a percentage of fish body weight, with three replicates per treatment. After 29 d, final weights were all significantly greater ( P < 0.01) than initial weights, except for the 0% application. Feed applications higher than 5% did not result in increased growth ( P > 0.05). Feed conversion ratio was 0.99 at 5% feed application, and 6.3 at 30% feed application. Fish survival was increased by providing formulated diet, but no further improvement was found when feed applications exceeded 5%. Cannibalism was reduced by providing formulated feed, but it was unavoidable when substantial differences in fish size existed, even when feeding ad libitum . Our results indicate that the optimal feed application rate is close to 5% body weight/d for juvenile snakehead.     

不同饲料形态对牙鲆摄食的影响

比较了软颗粒饲料、沉性干颗粒饲料、膨化颗粒饲料等三种不同的饲料形态对牙鲆摄食反应、摄食率的影响,结果表明,牙鲆对软颗粒饲料适口性较好,摄食率明显高于其它两种颗粒饲料.膨化颗粒饲料的摄食率最低.     

盐度对漠斑牙鲆幼鱼存活、生长及摄食的影响

盐度对漠斑牙鲆幼鱼的存活的影响较小,将漠斑牙鲆幼鱼从盐度为32的海水直接放入盐度为24、16、8、0的水中观察48 h存活情况,仅盐度0组成活率为75%,其他盐度组均为100%.在盐度为32、24、16、8、0各试验组中,经1个月饲养,生长速度和饵料系数均无显著差异.盐度越低越有利于漠斑牙鲆白化个体康复正常体色.     

Combined Effects of Turbulence and Salinity on Growth, Survival, and Whole-body Osmolality of Larval Southern Flounder

The southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) is a commercially important marine flatfish from the southeastern Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of the USA and an attractive candidate for aquaculture. Hatchery methods are relatively well developed for southern flounder; however, knowledge of the optimum environmental conditions for culturing the larval stages is needed to make these technologies more cost effective. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of water turbulence (as controlled by varying rates of diffused aeration) on growth, survival, and whole‐body osmolality of larval southern flounder from hatching through day 16 posthatching (d16ph). Embryos were stocked into black 15‐L cylindrical tanks under four turbulence levels (20, 90, 170, and 250 mL/min of diffused aeration) and two salinities (24 and 35 ppt) in a 4 × 2 factorial design. Larvae were provided with enriched s‐type rotifers from d2ph at a density of 10 individuals/mL. Temperature was 19 C, light intensity was 390 lx, and photoperiod was 18 L:6 D. Significant (P < 0.05) effects of turbulence on growth (notochord length [NL], wet weight, and dry weight) were observed. On d16ph, NL (μm) increased with decreasing turbulence level and was significantly greater at 20 mL/min (64.2) and 90 mL/min (58.2) than at 170 mL/min (56.3) and 250 mL/min (57.2). Survival declined primarily during the prefeeding and first‐feeding stages from d0 to d8ph, then stabilized from d8 to d16ph. In contrast to growth trends, survival (%) on d16ph increased with increasing turbulence levels and was significantly greater at 170 mL/min (57.9) and 250 mL/min (54.0) than at 20 and 90 mL/min (21.4 and 26.2, respectively). Mean rotifer concentrations (individuals/mL) at 24 h postfeeding were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the low‐turbulence treatments of 20 mL/min (4.48) and 90 mL/min (4.23) than in the high‐turbulence treatments of 170 and 250 mL/min (2.28 and 2.45, respectively). Under both salinities, larval whole‐body osmolality (mOsm/kg) increased with increasing turbulence levels and was significantly higher at 250 mL/min (427) than at 20 mL/min (381), indicating osmoregulatory stress at the higher turbulence levels. On d14ph, larvae in all treatments were positively buoyant in 35 ppt and negatively buoyant in 24 ppt. Results showed that growth of southern flounder larvae in 15‐L tanks was maximized under low turbulence levels of 20 and 90 mL/min, while survival was maximized at high turbulence levels of 170 and 250 mL/min. The data suggested that, in prefeeding‐ and early‐feeding‐stage larvae (which have weak swimming ability), higher turbulence levels improved buoyancy and prevented sinking. In feeding‐stage larvae (which are relatively strong swimmers), higher turbulence levels caused excessive swimming, osmoregulatory stress, and slower growth. Based on these results, we recommend that turbulence levels be maintained relatively high during prefeeding (yolk sac) and first‐feeding stages to maintain buoyancy and survival and then decreased for mid‐ to late‐feeding‐ and premetamorphic stage larvae to optimize prey encounters and feeding efficiency.     

Effect of Two Novel Experimental Microdiet Types on Growth,Survival, and Pigmentation during the Weaning Period of the Fine Flounder,Paralichthys adspersus,Larvae

The aim of this study was to evaluate two new types of experimental weaning microdiets for fish larvae, using the same formulation, but with different manufacturing processes, microextrusion marumerization (MEM) and particle‐assisted rotational agglomeration (PARA). Both microdiets were compared to a commercial microdiet, Otohime? (OTO), during the weaning of the fine flounder, Paralichthys adspersus . Weaning was achieved by cofeeding with live food from 40 to 50 d after hatch (d.a.h.). Thereafter, only the microdiets were fed to the end of the study (60 d.a.h.), where the total length, dry weight, and survival rates were 15.9 ± 3.20, 14.3 ± 1.72, and 14.4 ± 2.28 mm; 8.83 ± 3.40, 5.53 ± 2.85, and 7.10 ± 3.56 mg; 18.1, 16.3, and 15.2%, for OTO, MEM, and PARA, respectively. The dry weight and total length were significantly higher (P < 0.05) for larvae fed OTO compared with those fed MEM. There were no differences between the other comparisons. Based on these results, any of the two experimental microdiets can be used for future investigations. However, we recommend the PARA microdiets because the manufacturing process produces less‐dense and smaller particle size diets, reducing sinking rates and increasing the probability of the larvae in detecting and ingesting the diet.     

不同饵料对方格星虫存活和生长的影响

在室内养殖箱中(31cm×20cm×30cm)开展4种不同饵料对方格星虫生长和存活影响的研究。试验共分4个处理组,分别为配合饲料组、马尾藻组、发酵马尾藻组和附着物质组,各设5个重复。在每个养殖箱底部铺设相同厚度(10cm)的细沙,投放5条方格星虫(0.95±0.13)g,养殖时间共60d。试验结果显示,附着物质组中方格星虫的存活率和特定生长率最高(1.10%),显著高于其他3组(P0.05)。马尾藻组方格星虫的成活率显著高于配合饲料中组和发酵马尾藻组(P0.05),但是其特定生长率较低。试验结束时,各处理组沉积物中氧化还原电位值均降低,且配合饲料组、马尾藻组和发酵马尾藻组显著低于附着物质组(P0.05)。试验结果表明,采用配合饲料粉、马尾藻粉、发酵马尾藻粉直接饲喂方格星虫的生长效果较差,而附着物质有利于方格星虫的生长和存活。同时,附着物质的应用有利于保持沉积物氧化状态。因此,在方格星虫饵料中添加附着物质可以促进其生长,而在其饵料配制过程中大型藻粉、配合饲料粉的添加和加工方式仍需进一步开展研究。     

Effects of Stocking Density, Salinity, and Light Intensity on Growth and Survival of Southern Flounder Paralichthys lethostigma Larvae

Four separate studies were done on Southern flounder Paralichthys lethostigma larvae during first feeding and metamorphosis to determine the effects of stocking density, salinity, and light intensity on growth and survival. One study used stocking densities of 10, 20, 40, and 80 fish/L during first feeding; the second study compared the growth and survival of larvae stocked at 20 and 33 ppt; and a third experiment evaluated stocking densities of 1/L and 3/L under two different light intensities (1,600 lux vs 340 lux) during metamorphosis. The fourth experiment tested the effects of different salinities (0, 10, 20 and 30 ppt) on larval growth and survival during metamorphosis. Growth and survival (overall 6.9%) were not significantly different ( P > 0.05) for stocking rates up to 80/L. Larvae placed into 20 ppt salinity had survival through first feeding similar to that of larvae raised at 33 ppt. During metamorphosis, light intensity had no effect ( P > 0.05) on growth or survival, but fish stocked at 3/L had significantly lower ( P < 0.05) survival than fish at 1/L. Complete mortality of larvae occurred at 0 ppt. Growth and survival past metamorphosis were not significantly different ( P > 0.05) at 10, 20 and 30 ppt, but unmetamorphosed fish did not survive to day 60 at 10 ppt. Based on these results, practical larviculture of Southern flounder may require a two-step process with high stocking rates (80 fish/L) through first feeding and lower densities (1/L) through metamorphosis. Fingerling production in fertilized nursery ponds might he possible at salinity as low as 20 ppt.     

Early weaning of winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus Walbaum) larvae on a commercial microencapsulated diet

Like most small marine fish larvae, the stomachs of winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus are undeveloped at first feeding and have relatively reduced digestive capacity. This work was undertaken to test whether larvae at the onset of stomach differentiation (larval size about 5.5 mm) could be early weaned onto a commercial microencapsulated diet. We assessed the effect of early weaning by first comparing growth performance (standard length, total protein content and age at metamorphosis) of larvae fed enriched live prey from first feeding to a size of 5.5 mm and then reared on three different feeding regimes until metamorphosis: (1) live prey (LP) as a control group; (2) mixed feeding of live prey and microencapsulated diet (LP‐ME); (3) exclusively microencapsulated diet (ME) after fast weaning over 4 days (to a larval size of 6.2 mm). No differences were observed between larval development in the two first groups, which began metamorphosis at 40 days old. The larvae of the third group showed significantly slower growth that resulted in a delay of 4 days in the onset of metamorphosis. Differences in live prey availability between the treatments and the short transition period to allow the larvae to adapt to the new diet were identified as possible contributing factors to the slower growth and to the delay in metamorphosis of early weaned larvae. In a second experiment, the transitional weaning period was increased until the larvae were 6.6 mm in length. Weaning at that size resulted in no slowing of growth or delay in metamorphosis, suggesting that the feeding schedule was adequate.     

饲料中添加凹土对凡纳滨对虾存活和生长的影响

研究了饲料中添加凹土(0.0%、0.5%、1.0%、2.0%、4.0%和8.0%)对凡纳滨对虾(1.04～1.06 g)存活和生长的影响.实验在淮海工学院江苏省海洋生物技术重点建设实验室进行,凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)幼虾购白海南某育苗场;实验采用单因子6水平设计,每个水族箱放养10尾对虾,每个水平设3个重复.实验前停食24 h,称其初始体重.日投饵2次,过量投饵;投饵2.5 h后从每个水族箱收集残饵、粪便和虾壳.实验周期30 d.所得数据用单因素方差分析和Turkey's多重比较进行处理.结果表明,饲料中添加凹土显著地影响对虾的特定生长率,而对存活率、摄食量、饲料系数和吸收效率的影响不显著;在2.0%凹土水平,凡纳滨对虾的特定生长率显著高于0.0%凹土水平,但与其它处理差异不显著;总的看来,2.0%凹土添加组对虾的饲料系数低于其它处理,而摄食量高于其它处理.     

Effects of Rotifer and Artemia Fatty-Acid Enrichment on Survival, Growth and Pigmentation of Summer Flounder Paralichthys dentatus Larvae

Abstract— Enrichment of live food for marine fish larvae with highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) has been shown to improve survival, growth and stress resistance in many species and to decrease pigmentation abnormalities in flatfish. In order to aid the developing summer flounder industry, we conducted an experiment in which summer flounder larvae were fed diets differing in HUFA composition to determine whether enrichment with a commercially available product would increase survival and growth and reduce the incidence of abnormal pigmentation. We also examined whether growing unenriched rotifers on different species of algae would affect the survival, growth and pigmentation of the flounder larvae to which they were fed. Growth of summer flounder larvae was significantly better when they were fed HUFA-enriched Mtifers and Artemia rather than unenriched and, among the unenriched treatments, was significantly better when the larvae were fed rotifers raised on Isochrysis galbana rather than on Tetraselmis suecica . The percentage of larvae that failed to complete metamorphosis during the experiment was significantly higher in the unenriched treatments than in the enriched treatments. Neither survival nor percentage of individuals with pigmentation abnormalities were significantly different among the treatments.     

饲料中添加凹土对凡纳滨对虾存活和生长的影响

研究了饲料中添加凹土（０．０％、０．５％、１．０％、２．０％、４．０％和８．０％）对凡纳滨对虾（１．０４～１．０６ｇ）存活和生长的影响。实验在淮海工学院江苏省海洋生物技术重点建设实验室进行,凡纳滨对虾（Ｌｉｔｏｐｅｎａｅｕｓｖａｎｎａｍｅｉ）幼虾购自海南某育苗场;实验采用单因子６水平设计,每个水族箱放养１０尾对虾,每个水平设３个重复。实验前停食２４ｈ,称其初始体重。日投饵２次,过量投饵;投饵２．５ｈ后从每个水族箱收集残饵、粪便和虾壳。实验周期３０ｄ。所得数据用单因素方差分析和Ｔｕｒｋｅｙ′ｓ多重比较进行处理。结果表明,饲料中添加凹土显著地影响对虾的特定生长率,而对存活率、摄食量、饲料系数和吸收效率的影响不显著;在２．０％凹土水平,凡纳滨对虾的特定生长率显著高于０．０％凹土水平,但与其它处理差异不显著;总的看来,２．０％凹土添加组对虾的饲料系数低于其它处理,而摄食量高于其它处理。     

Effects of Light Intensity and Salinity on Growth, Survival, and Whole-Body Osmolality of Larval Southern Flounder Paralichthys lethostigma

The southern flounder Paralichthys lethosligma is a high‐valued flatfish found in estuarine and shelf waters of the south Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. Wide temperature and salinity tolerances exhibited by juveniles and adults make it a versatile new candidate for commercial culture, and studies are underway in the southeastern U.S. to develop hatchery methods for this species. The objectives of this study were to establish illumination and salinity conditions that optimize growth and survival of larval southern flounder reared through the yolk‐sac and first feeding stages to 15‐d post‐hatching (15 dph). Early embryos were stocked into black 15‐L tanks under light intensities of 5, 50, 100, and 1,000 Ix and at salinities of 24 and 34 ppt in a 4 ± 2 factorial design. Significant (P 0.05) effects of both light intensity and salinity on growth and survival were obtained, with no interaction between these effects. On 11 dph and 15 dph, growth was generally maximized at the intermediate light intensities (50 and 100 Ix) and minimized at the extremes (5 and 1,000 Ix). By 15 dph, growth was higher at 34 ppt than at 24 ppt. Survival to 15 dph showed trends similar to those of growth. Survival was higher at 100 Ix (avg. = 46%, range = 41–54%) than at 5 Ix (avg. = 11%, range = 6–17%) and higher at 34 ppt (avg. = 43%, range = 3145%) than at 24 ppt (avg. = 17%, range = 8–38%). Whole‐body osmolality (mOsmol/kg) was significantly lower in larvae reared at 24 ppt (avg. = 304, range = 285–325) through 11 dph than in larvae reared at 34 ppt (avg. = 343, range = 296–405). Larvae reared under the extreme light intensity treatments (5 and 1,000 Ix) at 34 ppt appeared to exhibit osmoregulatory stress, particularly on 11 dph, when a marked increase in whole‐body osmolality was observed. The mid‐intensity treatments (50 and 100 Ix) at 34 ppt optimized growth and survival of larval southern flounder in this study; and elicited the most stable osmotic response. These conditions appear to be consistent with those that southern flounder larvae encounter in nature during this early developmental period.     

Onion Powder in the Diet of the Olive Flounder,Paralichthys olivaceus: Effects on the Growth,Body Composition,and Lysozyme Activity

This study tested the onion powder (OP) supplementation in the diet of the olive flounder on the growth, body composition, and lysozyme activity. Thirty‐five fish averaging 5.1 g were randomly stocked into 18 individual 180‐L flow‐through tanks. A commercially available OP was used as a dietary additive. Six experimental diets were prepared to contain OP at the concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 5% for diets OP‐0, OP‐0.5, OP‐1, OP‐2, OP‐3, and OP‐5, respectively. After the 8‐wk feeding trial, 20 fish from each tank were infected with Edwardsiella tarda and mortality was monitored for the following 96 h. No distinctive improvement in survival, weight gain, or feed efficiency of fish was observed at the end of the 8‐wk feeding trial. Lysozyme activity in fish fed the OP‐0.5 diet was higher than that of fish fed the OP‐0, OP‐1, OP‐2, OP‐3, and OP‐5 diets. The cumulative mortality of fish fed the OP‐0.5, OP‐1, OP‐2, OP‐3, and OP‐5 diets was lower than that of fish fed the OP‐0 diet at 72 h after E. tarda infection. Dietary inclusion of 0.5% OP was effective at improving lysozyme activity of fish, and OP seemed to be an effective immunostimulant to lower mortality upon E. tarda infection.