Antiparasitic efficacy of dietary administration of trichlorfon (Masoten®) in the control of Neoechinorhynchus buttnerae (Neochinorhynchidae) in Colossoma macropomum (Serrasalmidae)

Aquaculture International - This study investigated the efficacy of trichlorfon against Neoechinorhynchus buttnerae, as well as its palatability, residue analysis, and the blood parameters of...     

Thyroid hormones down-regulate thyrotropin β mRNA level in vivo in the turbot (Psetta maxima)

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is a vertebrate pituitary heterodimeric hormone that stimulates the thyroid gland to produce the thyroid hormones, T3 and T4. We report here the cloning, by PCR on reverse-transcribed pituitary RNAs, of a 180 bp fragment of the cDNA encoding TSH subunit in the turbot (Psetta maxima). The deduced amino acid sequence displayed 66 and 75% identity with the corresponding sequence from the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) and the rainbow trout (Oncorchyncus mykiss), respectively. This cDNA was then used as a probe for densitometric analysis of individual pituitary Northern blots. TSH mRNA levels were quantified in turbot where circulating thyroid hormones were modified by dietary treatments or hormone supplementation. Recombinant rainbow trout growth hormone had no effect on circulating thyroid hormone levels or on pituitary TSH mRNA level. In turbot fed heat-treated rapeseed meal, plasma T4 levels were lowered and TSH mRNA increased more than two fold. In contrast, when turbot were fed a standard fish-meal supplemented with T3, circulating T3 levels were elevated and there was a dramatic decrease in TSH mRNA level. It is concluded that both thyroid hormones are able to down-regulate TSH mRNA level in vivo in the turbot. These results are discussed in the context of the evolution of the TH feed-back on TSH production.     

Dead-end (dnd) protein in fish—a review

Fish Physiology and Biochemistry - Dead end (dnd) is a germ plasm-specific maternal RNA discovered in zebrafish and then in other vertebrates. Dnd protein is essential for migration and motility of...     

Is batch variability in hatching time related to size heterogeneity and cannibalism in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca)?

Larval size heterogeneity is known to induce cannibalism, and procedures to avoid larval size differences are consequently implemented already during egg incubation and hatching. We investigated the relation between larval development variability, size heterogeneity and cannibalism in pikeperch. Larvae were sorted into five groups according to the time of hatching during a 65‐h period. The larvae with different times of hatch were then reared separately or together during an 18‐day period. Late hatched larvae were longer (P=0.003) and had less yolk remaining (P<0.001) than early hatched individuals at the time of hatching. However, on 11 days post fertilization, the late‐hatching larvae tended to have larger yolk reserves than earlier hatched individuals (P=0.07). Furthermore, the next day, a lower proportion in the late fraction had switched to exogenous feeding (P=0.024). That larvae with a late hatching time developed slower suggests a positive relationship between the hatching time and the embryonic developmental rate. However, differences in the length and available yolk reserves at hatching between larval fractions with different hatching times suggest that hatching is not strictly associated with a specific developmental stage, and that factors other than the development rate of the embryo are involved in the timing of hatching.     

Vagococcus salmoninarum I—A chronic coldwater streptococcosis in broodstock brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in Wisconsin,USA

In 2018, Vagococcus salmoninarum was isolated from two lots of broodstock “coaster” brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) containing ~1,500 fish at the Iron River National Fish Hatchery, at which time it was identified as the causative agent of a chronic coldwater streptococcosis epizootic. Clinical signs included exophthalmia, lethargy, erratic swimming and loss of equilibrium. Female fish experienced disproportionately higher morbidity and mortality than male co-inhabitants, and routinely retained eggs following spawning. The most consistent gross clinical sign was heart pallor and turbid pericardial effusion. An attempted treatment using florfenicol was ineffective at halting the epizootic, which spanned more than a year and resulted in >50% mortality before remaining fish were culled. As there is no previous documentation of V. salmoninarum at this hatchery or in this species, it is still unclear what circumstances led to this epizootic. The inability to treat this chronic disease led to the loss of valuable broodstock, hampering ongoing fishery conservation efforts in the Great Lakes Basin.     

Did volcanic ash from Mt. Kasatoshi in 2008 contribute to a phenomenal increase in Fraser River sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) in 2010?

The effect of a widely distributed phytoplankton bloom triggered by volcanic ash from Alaska (Hamme et al., 2010. Geophys. Res. Lett. 37) on juvenile Fraser River sockeye is discussed in terms of the timing of ocean migration and trophic structure of the Gulf of Alaska. Our hypothesis is that the occurrence of a massive diatom bloom in the Gulf greatly enhanced energy ascendancy in the ocean at a time of year when adolescent sockeye migrated from the coast in 2008. We contend this increase in food availability was an important factor for the survival and growth of juvenile sockeye which led to one of the strongest sockeye returns on record in 2010 of 34 million, compared with perhaps the weakest return on record of 1.7 million the previous year.     

Dynamics of Caligus rogercresseyi (Boxshall & Bravo, 2000) in farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in southern Chile: Are we controlling sea lice?

Caligus rogercresseyi generates the greatest losses in the salmon industry in Chile. The relationship between salmon farming and sea lice is made up of various components: the parasite, host, environment and farming practices, which make it difficult to identify patterns in parasite population dynamics to define prevention and control strategies. The objectives of this study were to analyse and compare the effect of farming, sanitary practices and environmental variables on the abundance of gravid females (GF) and juveniles (JUV) of C. rogercresseyi on Salmo salar in three Salmon Neighborhood Areas (SNAs) in Region 10, south of Chile. Linear mixed‐effects models of the negative binomial distribution were used to evaluate the effect of the different explanatory variables on GF and JUV. Productive variables were the key drivers explaining the abundance of GF and JUV. Results suggest that C. rogercresseyi is not controlled and JUV are persistent in the three SNAs, and sanitary practices do not control the dissemination of the parasite among sites. Environmental variables had a low impact on sea lice abundance. There is a need to perform analysis for modelling of parasite population dynamics to improve Integrated Pest Management, including changes in the governance to achieve an effective prevention and control.     

Comparative cost of production of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus l.) fry in recirculating and flow‐through systems in Kuwait

Abstract

This study tested the Kuwaiti new indoor tilapia hatchery using the recirculating system, and compared its production costs with those in the flow‐through system. Breeders were stocked at 4 fish/m² at 1: 3 male: female sex ratio. Seeds were harvested every two weeks for a period of 1.5 years. Seed production ranged from 45–52 seed/m²/d and 105–130 seed/kg female/d. Water quality parameters in the different components stayed below lethal concentration.

Analysis of the capital and operating expenses revealed that the new recirculating system cost 9.4 cents per fry compared with 11.0 cents in the flow‐through system. Operating expenses accounted for 67.14% of the total annual costs. Salary and wages were the major cost item (74.87%) of the operating expenses.

The cost of producing 0.5‐g fry was 6.2 cents per fry. With the use of more spawning and fry rearing tanks, production can be increased from 630,000 to 735,000 1.0‐g fry or 950,000 0.5‐g with a corresponding decrease in the costs per fry to 7.3 cents and 5.7 cents, respectively.     

Distinct expression of three estrogen receptors in response to bisphenol A and nonylphenol in male Nile tilapias (Oreochromis niloticus)

Environmental estrogens, such as bisphenol A (BisA) and nonylphenol (NP), have been shown to affect the estrogen receptor (ER) expression and induce male reproductive abnormalities. To elucidate molecular mechanisms of action of xenoestrogenic chemicals on the expression of estrogen receptors in the testes of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), three full-length cDNAs respectively encoding ntERα, ntERβ1 and ntERβ2 were cloned from testes. The amino acid sequences of ntERα, ntERβ1 and ntERβ2 showed a high degree of similarity to the relevant fish species. Tissue-specific expression study showed that three receptors were highly expressed in pituitary, liver, testis, kidney and intestine tissues. The ntERα, ntERβ1 and ntERβ2 mRNA expressions were significantly higher at the sexual early recrudescing stage than at other recrudesced stages. After being exposed to xenoestrogens from weeks 2 to 4, the ntERα mRNA levels were increased significantly in testes after NP treatment at all sampling times or after 4 weeks of exposure to BPA. The ntERβ1 mRNA levels remained unchanged, while a significant decrease of the ntERβ2 mRNA level was observed in testes after exposure to NP and BPA. The present study demonstrates that the regulation of all three ntER subtypes in testes may act via different molecular mechanisms of exposure to NP and BPA.     

Changes in the distribution of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in the southern Gulf of St Lawrence — effects of environmental change or change in environmental preferences?

Density-independent redistribution in response to changing temperature conditions and density-dependent redistribution in response to changing temperature preferences are two contrasting hypotheses to explain changes in the distribution of cod populations. I tested these hypotheses using survey data on the distribution of cod during the feeding season in the southern Gulf of St Lawrence. These tests used indices of cod distribution as the dependent variable and indices of cod abundance and bottom temperature as explanatory variables. Both hypotheses were often supported in univariate tests that ignored confounding between the two explanatory variables. Tests that accounted for this confounding indicated an effect of cod abundance on distribution for ages 4–8⁺ years, and 3⁺, but provided no support for an effect of environmental conditions on distribution except for age 3. Variation in the temperature distribution of cod was consistent with an effect of abundance on interannual variation in distribution and with no effect of environment except for age 3 cod. Age 3 cod were consistently under-represented in areas of very cold bottom water but older cod were not. As predicted by bioenergetic considerations, cod tended to occupy colder water at high levels of abundance, suggesting a mechanism for density-dependent shifts in distribution. Shifts in cod distribution during the feeding season in the southern Gulf appear to be more closely linked to density-dependent changes in environmental preferences than to density-independent responses to changing environmental conditions.     

Species and size selectivity in a ‘red’ sea bream longline ‘métier’ in the Algarve (southern Portugal)

A longline ‘metier’ using small hooks for ‘red’ sea breams (Pagellus acarne and Pagellus erythrinus) in the Algarve (south of Portugal) was studied. Experimental longlining was carried out with three sizes of “Mustad” round bend, flatted, spade end Quality 2316 DT hooks (numbers 11, 13 and 15) and two types of bait: razor shell (Ensis siliqua) and mud shrimp (Upogebia pusilla). A total of 3 328 fish and at least 36 species were caught with 33 600 hooks fished in 28 longline sets. Five species of sea breams (Sparidae) accounted for 79% of the catch: Pagellus acarne, Pagellus erythrinus, Diplodus vulgaris, Spondyliosoma cantharus, and Boops boops. High catch rates of 20–30 fish per 100 hooks were made in a number of 1 200 hook longline sets, with total catch weights of 40 to more than 60 kg per set. In general, the smallest hook (number 15) had the highest catch rate. Bait type did not significantly affect the catch size distributions. Although more fish were caught with the razor shell bait, higher catch rates of ‘red’ sea breams were obtained with mud shrimp. Catch rates were also affected by the location of the fishing grounds and the time of the set, with the highest catch rates obtained when the longline was set within two hours before sunrise. A wide size range was caught for each species, with highly overlapped catch size frequency distributions for the three hook sizes used. Except for Spondyliosoma cantharus, few illegal-sized fish were caught, even with the smallest hook. The logistic model fitted by maximum likelihood was used to describe hook selectivity for Diplodus vulgaris, Pagellus acarne, Pagellus erythrinus, and Spondyliosoma cantharus.     

Day–night change in fish community structure in a seagrass bed in subarctic waters

The day–night change in fish community structure over a year was examined in a seagrass bed in Lake Notoro, Hokkaido, northern Japan, to examine nocturnal increases in predation risk. This seagrass bed has previously been considered a predation refuge for juvenile and small-sized fishes. Species richness, abundance and biomass of piscivorous fishes during nighttime were higher than those during daytime on all sample dates surveyed (May, August and November 2013), indicating an increase in predation risk for juvenile and small-sized fishes during nighttime. The mean biomass-weighted trophic level of fish communities in the seagrass bed was also higher at night than in the day. The piscivorous fishes collected in the seagrass bed during the night included important fishery species. These may obtain energy through nocturnal feeding in the seagrass bed. Therefore, the function of seagrass beds as fish habitats should be re-evaluated by considering two possible characteristics contributing to fishery production: as a daytime predation refuge for juvenile and small-sized fishes, and as a nighttime foraging ground for piscivorous fishes.     

Role of thyroid hormones in tilapia larvae (Oreochromis mossambicus): II. Changes in the hormones and 5′-monodeiodinase activity during development

Thyroid hormone profiles and 5-monodeiodinase activity were determined in tilapia at different stages of early development. The results showed that both T₄ and T₃ were present in significant amounts in fertilized eggs. There was a steady decrease in both T₄ and T₃ levels during embryonic development. The levels continued to decline after hatching until around 7 days later when most of the yolk had been absorbed. The T₄ level started to rise then, suggesting that the larval thyroid had begun to produce T₄ at this time, which coincided with the period of faster growth of the larvae. The T₃ level remained fairly constant until around 20 days after which it rose significantly. In vitro determination of 5-monodeiodinase activity (5-D activity) in the whole-body homogenates of larvae showed that the enzymatic conversion of T₄ to T₃ was not detectable in eggs and 3-day-old larvae but detected in 5-day-old and older larvae. There was a gradual increase in the V_max as development proceeded indicating increasing 5-D activity during larval development. The K_m values did not differ significantly in the different stages of development. These results are discussed in relation to the growth and development of the larvae.     

Impact of environmental deviations on the larval and year-class abundances in the spring spawning herring (Clupea harengus membras L.) of the Gulf of Riga (Baltic Sea) in 1947–2004

Regular weekly sampling of larvae with a Hensen net in the stationary stations on the main spawning grounds of the brackishwater herring population in the Gulf of Riga was carried out in 1947–2004. Probably due to the rapidly increasing anthropogenic eutrophication and the rising winter temperature the yearly abundance of herring larvae has significantly increased with a shift in the average abundance in 1972/1973. Correlation of the average number of herring larvae with the year-class strength was significant for the intermediate (10–16 mm, P < 0.05) and large (≥17 mm, P < 0.001) larval size groups. The monthly average air temperature in the period from January to March was the main environmental variable regulating the abundance of the year classes (P < 0.001). The dependence between the spawning stock biomass (SSB) and year-class abundance differed by climate periods. In the period of cold winters environmental conditions dominated in determination of the year-class abundance whereas the role of the SSB was nonsignificant (P > 0.05). In the period of milder winters the importance of the SSB in determination of the abundance of year classes considerably increased and it significantly correlated with the abundance of year classes (P < 0.05). The winter–spring temperatures and other climatic variables presumably control the abundance of the forming year-class during the period of the highest larval mortality mainly via the production of their food.     

Changes in arterial PO₂, physiological blood parameters and intracellular antioxidants in free-swimming Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) exposed to varying levels of hyperoxia

Free-swimming Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) were exposed to water oxygen pressures (P _wO₂) ranging from 18.1 to 41.5 kPa and sampled for blood using an indwelling caudal artery cannula. Arterial blood oxygen pressure (P _aO₂) increased with increasing P _wO₂, from 12.0 kPa in normoxia (18.1 kPa) to 34.2 kPa in the highest hyperoxic level tested (41.5 kPa). Blood CO₂ pressure and plasma bicarbonate concentration increased with P _wO₂, indicating reduced ventilation with increased P _wO₂. Plasma glucose, sodium and potassium were not affected by water oxygen level. Blood oxidative stress biomarkers, reduced glutathione, oxidized glutathione and the oxidative stress index (ratio between oxidized and total glutathione) differed intermittently between normoxia and hyperoxia. The oxidative stress index was higher in the blood of exposed compared to unexposed control cod. Together with elevated P _aO₂, these findings suggest increased production of reactive oxygen species and increased oxidative stress in Atlantic cod exposed to hyperoxia.     

Do habitat measurements in the vicinity of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr matter?

Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., parr habitat characterisation is usually performed by in situ measures of key environmental variables taken at the exact fish location if the fishing gear allows precise pinpointing of this location, or in large sampling sections covering a river reach or mesohabitat, often ignoring variability in the immediate vicinity around individual fish. These data may be critically important in the development and validation of habitat preference models. The influences of seven increasing distances of measures, the variation of the number of considered measures and the depth of velocity measurement (bottom or 0.6 of the depth) in the calculations of HSI (Habitat Suitability Index) from a multiple‐experts fuzzy model of Atlantic salmon parr habitat were tested. When a parr was present, six measures collected in a 50‐cm radius around the fish to provide an average measure as input data and velocity measured at 60% of the depth gave the highest HSI values. These results show some potential for the use of an intermediate study scale, between micro‐ and mesohabitat, and questions how fish habitat conditions are currently measured.     

Smoltification induced by a ‘skeleton’ photoperiod in underyearling coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)

Underyearling coho salmon fry were subjected to three initial photoperiod treatments (6L18D, 10L14D, 14L10D) for two months and subsequently to three final treatments (16L8D, 9L6D1L8D, 10L14D) in a factorial design. Growth rates and seawater adaptability were monitored regularly. The groups that were exposed initially to 6L18D or 10L14D and then to 16L8D grew faster and had lower plasma sodium ion levels after seawater challenge tests than any of the other groups. Fish which were initially exposed to 6 L or 10 L daylength and then to a 9L6D1L8D skeleton photoperiod, showed a slightly lower growth rate and seawater adaptability than those given the corresponding complete 16L8D photoperiod. However fish maintained on skeleton photoperiods had significantly greater growth rates and seawater adaptability than those kept on the 10L14D photoperiod. This indicates that it is not the accumulated number of hours of exposure to light that initiates smolting, but rather the time during the day when light is experienced. Fish exposed initially to 14L10D showed little or no response to subsequent changes in photoperiod, suggesting that responsiveness to inductive photoperiods depends on the initial photoperiod treatment.     

New species in aquaculture: are the striped venus clam Chamelea gallina (Linnaeus, 1758) and the surf clam Spisula solida (Linnaeus 1758) potential candidates for diversification in shellfish aquaculture?

The surf Spisula solida and the striped venus Chamelea gallina clams support important fisheries in Europe. These fisheries have been affected by inter‐annual fluctuations in stock abundance and recruitment failures. Aquaculture could contribute to address these problems through the production of larvae or juveniles for stock‐enhancement programmes. In the present study, the prerequisites to produce these species in hatchery were established. Of the different methods used to obtain gametes (thermal stimulation, scarification and flow through), C. gallina spawned in the flow through only. By its turn, the best method for obtaining gametes for S. solida was stripping. Higher survivals of D‐larvae were found at 15 and 17°C. The greatest larval survival and growth rates were obtained from larvae fed Isochrysis aff. galbana (T‐iso). First C. gallina and S. solida pediveliger larvae were found at day 8 and day 26 respectively. The presence of metamorphosed larvae found even in the unfed treatment for C. gallina and for S. solida is an advantage for aquaculture production. After metamorphosis, the S. solida juveniles' survival was quite low, whereas there was no mortality for C. gallina juveniles reared without substrate regardless the diet provided. Juveniles fed the binary diet (Chaetoceros calcitrans ‐ C. cal + T.iso) and the monodiet T‐iso showed relatively higher growth in shell length and weight than C. cal. The hatchery production of these two species was possible, however the results of this study showed that C. gallina can be more attractive for aquaculture than S. solida.     

Intestinal absorption of amino acids in the Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis): in vitro lysine–arginine interaction using the everted intestine system

The interaction between lysine (Lys) and arginine (Arg) in the proximal intestinal region of Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) was evaluated using the everted intestine method. This in vitro intestinal system has been shown to be an effective tool for studying the nutrient absorption without the need to handle the tuna fish in marine cages as needed for digestibility and amino acid (AA) absorption. We used a factorial design with two sets of variables: low and high Lys concentration (10 and 75 mM) and four different Arg concentrations (3, 10, 20, and 30 mM). Both amino acids were dissolved in marine Ringer solution with a basal amino acidic composition consisting of a tryptone solution (9 mg mL^?1). No interaction was observed between the absorption of Lys and Arg during the first 10 min of the experiment when low concentration of Lys and Arg was used in the hydrolyzate solution. However, there seemed to be a positive effect on Lys absorption when both amino acids were at high concentrations (30 and 75 mM, respectively). This type of studies will led us to test different formulations and/or additives to better understand the efficiency of AA supplementation as an alternative to in situ studies that are difficult to follow to design with the Pacific Bluefin Tuna.     

Seasoned Sprat Products’ Acceptance in Estonia and in Thailand

The aim of the study was to describe and evaluate competitiveness of Estonian spice-cured sprat products in Estonia and Thailand. Sample A was saltiest, Sample B had lowest overall spiciness, and Sample C had highest pepper flavor and sour taste intensity. The main drivers of consumer acceptance for the spice-cured sprat products were different: flavor and appearance in Estonia and appearance and odor in Thailand. In Estonia, one cluster of consumers liked the traditional (Sample A) and lightly spiced (Sample B) sprat products, while the other cluster liked the traditional (Sample A) and the marinated (Sample C) sprat products. In Thailand, all samples scored low, but manual clustering indicated that marinated (Sample C) sprat products are most acceptable. The current study showed that spice-cured sprat products in general can be accepted by Thai consumers, especially as part of meals, if further flavor development is carried out with the products.