European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) ability to discriminate between diets made with different dietary fat sources

The aim of this work was to determine whether juvenile and adult European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.), fed ad libitum manually and with self‐feeding demand feeders, respectively, were able to discriminate between a fish oil‐based diet and a series of diets made with vegetable oils (soybean, linseed, rapeseed and sunflower oil), as well as a fat‐free diet. Adult D. labrax (443.6 ± 108.8 g) selected diets made from soybean (SYO) and rapeseed (RO) in proportions similar to fish oil (FO). Demand levels for the other two diets, sunflower (SUO) and linseed (LO) oils, were significantly lower than FO, whilst juveniles (56.4 ± 11.2 g) displayed a preference for SYO and FO. The lowest demand levels were associated with a fat‐free diet (FF). Selection percentages of the diets for adult and juvenile fish were, respectively, FF—22.96% and 39.76%, SYO—43.02% and 53.26%, LO—36.48% and 36.19%, SUO—39.87% and 37.32%, and RO—46.38% and 40.94%. The animals’ size and feeding method did not significantly affect dietary selection. However, a statistical difference in specific growth rate (1.37% ± 0.26% day^?1) for juveniles was only observed for FO+FF combination. For juveniles, no differences were observed in the conversion index. The juvenile group (FO + FF) had the highest food intake (2.00 ± 0.35 g 100 g^?1 body weight). Moreover, the groups fed FO + SUO and FO + RO consumed the least. In conclusion, this study shows D. labrax can discriminate between diets where the only difference is the lipid source. These findings should be used to understand the acceptance or rejection of different source oils, which are increasingly being used in aquaculture such as aquafeeds for European seabass.     

Improved digestibility of plant ingredient‐based diets for European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) with exogenous enzyme supplementation

This study evaluated the effect of supplementation of a plant ingredients‐based diet with two levels of commercially digestive enzyme products: Synergen? and Natugrain^® on the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of nutrients and on digestive enzyme activities in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles. A control diet was formulated with 450 g/kg CP (200 g/kg from fish meal + 800 g/kg from plant protein) and 180 g/kg CL (fish oil), and four other diets were made similar to the control but supplemented with 0.2 g/kg or 0.4 g/kg of Synergen? and Natugrain^®. Digestive enzyme activities were not affected by dietary treatments. Nevertheless, chyme pH along the intestine of fish fed the Natugrain^®‐supplemented diets was reduced. The ADC of nutrients increased with exogenous digestive enzyme supplementation, with the highest ADC values being observed for the 0.4 g/kg Natugrain^® diet. The ADC of dry matter, protein, lipids, energy and phosphorus in this diet were 26%, 6%, 4%, 16% and 63% higher, respectively, than in the control diet. Overall, diet supplementation with exogenous enzyme complexes seems to have high potential for improving the utilization of plant feedstuff‐rich diets for seabass juveniles. This study revealed that Natugrain^® was more effective than Synergen? in improving the ADC of nutrients and energy in European seabass juveniles.     

Apparent digestibility coefficients of processed agro‐food by‐products in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles

Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of processed agro‐food by‐products were assessed in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Each experimental diet was obtained by replacing 300 g/kg of a commercial‐based diet used as reference (REF) with a test ingredient: wheat germ (GERM), okara meal (OKA), poultry by‐product meal (POULT), steam hydrolysed (FeHY) and enzyme‐treated feather meal (FeENZ), beta‐lactoglobulin (β‐Lg) and peptide fractions >3,000 Da obtained from brewer's yeast (YeastP) and fish by‐products (FishP). Dry matter ADC was highest in β‐Lg (95%) and lowest in OKA (40%). Protein ADCs were high in β‐Lg, FishP, GERM and POULT (>93%); intermediate in FeHY and FeENZ (85%–88%); and moderate in OKA and YeastP (70%–78%). The essential amino acids' ADC mean was above 91% in POULT, β‐Lg, GERM and FishP, 84%–89% in FeHY and FeENZ and 73%–76% in YeastP and OKA. Energy ADC was highest in POULT and β‐Lg (89%–95%) and lowest in YeastP and OKA (61%–64%). Lipid ADC was highest for POULT and GERM (100%). Phosphorus ADC was lowest in GERM (19%) and highest in β‐Lg (88%). FeHY, FeENZ, POULT, GERM, FishP and β‐Lg are highlighted as protein sources for European seabass.     

Effect of dietary protein and lipid level on metabolic utilization of diets by european sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles

Two trials were performed with sea bass juveniles to study the effect of dietary protein (trial I) and lipid (trial II) levels on the metabolic utilization of diets at 25 °C. The effect of water temperature (18 and 25 °C) on metabolism was also tested in trial I. For that purpose, oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion were measured both in fed and in 9-days starved fish. In trial I, diets were formulated to be isoenergetic (GE: 19.4 kJ g^–1) and to have 36, 42, 48 and 56% protein; in trial II, diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous (48% protein) and to have 12, 18, 24 and 30% lipid. In trial I, feed intake (g kg^–1 day^–1), and daily ammonia excretion and oxygen consumption significantly increased with water temperature. However, when expressed relatively to intake there was no significant effect of temperature on ammonia excretion (% N intake) or heat production (% GE intake). Heat increment of feeding (% GE intake) was neither affected by diet composition nor by water temperature. The relative contribution of protein catabolism to total energy expenditure significantly increased with dietary protein level, but was not affected by water temperature. In trial II, both daily ammonia excretion and oxygen consumption were inversely correlated to dietary lipid levels. Nitrogen excretion, heat production, heat increment of feeding, non-fecal losses (% intake) and the relative contribution of protein to total energy expenditure were also inversely related to dietary lipid levels. Results of this study indicate that the main effect of water temperature was to modify feed intake, not the metabolic utilization of diets. Indeed, expressed relatively to nitrogen or energy intakes, both nitrogen and energy budgets were not significantly affected by water temperature. A decrease of dietary protein to energy ratio, by modifying either dietary protein or lipid levels, spared protein utilization for metabolism, and this effect was essentially due to a decrease of non-fecal nitrogen excretion and of the heat increment of feeding.     

Blood chemistry profile as indicator of nutritional status in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

This study was carried out to establish biochemical parameters with potential diagnostic value to assess the nutritional status of healthy seabass. For that purpose, triplicate groups of seabass juveniles were submitted to different feeding protocols: fed for 14 days; fed for 7 days followed by 7 days of fasting or fasted for 14 days. At the end of the trial, body, liver and viscera were randomly sampled for proximate composition analysis. Blood was also collected and the following plasma parameters were analyzed by standard clinical methods: glucose; cholesterol; triglycerides; protein; inorganic phosphorus; calcium; magnesium; alkaline phosphatase (ALP); aspartate aminotransferase; lactate dehydrogenase; creatine phosphokinase and lipase. No major effect of feed deprivation on body composition, visceral index, perivisceral and hepatic lipid content were observed, whereas hepatosomatic index and hepatic glycogen were reduced. Previous feeding conditions strongly influenced the plasma parameters in seabass. Comparatively to the fed group, plasma glucose, cholesterol and calcium levels were reduced after 2 weeks of fasting while plasma triglycerides, protein, inorganic phosphorus and ALP attained minimum levels after 1 week of fasting. Overall, enzymatic activity parameters showed higher variability than biochemistry parameters. In conclusion, during short-term starvation (<14 days) hepatic energy depots were extensively mobilized while perivisceral and body lipids reserves were preserved. Among measured parameters, plasma protein, triglycerides, inorganic phosphorus and ALP seem to have potential as predicative diagnostic tools to assess the nutritional status of seabass and may be useful to monitor feeding practices in aquaculture. Further studies are, however, required to extend results of this study to other fish size classes.     

经验对欧洲舌齿鲈幼鱼行为及其关联性指标的影响

学习和信息传递是鱼类认知过程中的重要内容.本研究设计了特定实验装置,通过2个实验测定了欧洲舌齿鲈(Dicentrarchus labrax)幼鱼在有/无有经验个体条件下完成任务的时间和行为表现.实验装置呈"L"型,有3个PVC材质构建的60cmx60cm的实验区域,2个相邻区域之间用内径为12 cm的圆柱体通道连通(即...     

Growth parameters,innate immune response and resistance to Listonella (Vibrio) anguillarum of Dicentrarchus labrax fed carvacrol supplemented diets

The research was aimed to assess the effect of dietary carvacrol (0.025% and 0.05%) on sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) growth, immune response and resistance to Listonella anguillarum. Fish (69.2 ± 0.22 g) were fed the experimental diets for 9 weeks. Dietary carvacrol did not negatively affect fish survival, growth performance, feed intake and feed conversion ratio (P > 0.05) nor carcass yield and viscerosomatic, hepatosomatic and mesenteric fat index (P > 0.05). Serum and head kidney leucocytes were collected after 1, 4 and 8 weeks of feeding. Carvacrol significantly reduced serum proteins, immunoglobulins and lysozyme activity (P < 0.01) and moderately increased phagocytosis and pinocytosis of head kidney macrophages. The release of reactive oxygen species by leucocytes was reduced in carvacrol‐fed fish, even if significantly (P < 0.05) only in those fed 0.05% carvacrol for 1 week. Dietary carvacrol did not significantly affect the aspecific immune response, although a potential antioxidant activity might be speculated. Moreover, feeding carvacrol provided an appreciable resistance to a challenge with L. anguillarum, when a bacterial dose lower than the Lethal Dose₅₀ was used. Cumulative mortality in fish fed 0.025% carvacrol was significantly lower than that of untreated controls (75% Relative Per cent Survival).     

Methionine- and cystine-supplemented diets for juvenile sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

Growth studies indicated that methionine-deficient diets can be supplemented with the free sulphur amino acids, methionine and cystine. The best growth rate was obtained with the diets for which the supplemented methionine:cystine ratio was 20:80. No significant effect on body composition of the methionine:cystine ratio could be detected. The serum free methionine increased with the supplemented methionine content in the diet. The serum free cystine did not exhibit such a relationship. The best growth rate and food conversion were obtained with the diet containing 0.91% methionine, 1.29% cystine and a methionine:cystine ratio of 36:64 on a sulphur molar basis.     

Partial replacement of dietary soybean meal by high‐protein distiller's dried grains (HPDDG) supplemented with protease enzyme for European seabass,Dicentrarchus labrax fingerlings

High‐protein distillers dried grains (HPDDG) is a co‐product of ethanol production that uses prefractionation technology. A 70‐day growth trial was conducted to investigate the effect of partial replacement of dietary soybean meal by high‐protein distiller's dried grains (HPDDG) with protease enzyme supplementation (PROXYM ULTRA^®) on growth performance, physiological parameters and histological changes of the intestine of European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax fingerlings. The results indicated that increased dietary HPDDG levels up to 50% of HPDDG supplemented with protease significantly increases growth performance and feed utilization and improved FCR of sea bass. In addition, replacement of SBM by HPDDG supplemented with protease enhanced feed intake efficiency and the health status of fish. Haematology and serum biochemistry (haemoglobin (Hb)), red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs) and humeral immune parameters including total protein, globulin, cholesterol, lysozyme activity and total antioxidant capacity significantly increased with increase in HPDDG supplemented with protease in the diets. Results of this study indicated that HPDDG supplemented with protease is a good alternative protein source for aquaculture feed and can be included up to 50% as a replacement of SBM without compromising growth performance and physiological parameters of sea bass.     

Phosphorus requirement of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) juveniles

A growth trial was conducted to estimate the phosphorus requirement of European sea bass juveniles. Six experimental isonitrogenous and isoenergetic semi‐purified diets (casein based) were formulated to contain 0.48%, 0.65%, 0.77%, 0.86%, 1.05% and 1.25% phosphorus (diets D1, D2, D3, D4, D5 and D6 respectively). Dicalcium phosphate was used as dietary phosphorus source. Twelve groups of 25 fish of 10 g initial body weight were allocated to 55‐L tanks in a thermoregulated water recirculating system. Each experimental diet was assigned to duplicate groups of these fish. The trial lasted for 10 weeks and fish were fed two times a day, 6 days a week, to apparent visual satiation. At the end of the trial, final weight of fish fed diet D1 was significantly lower than that of the other groups, except of fish fed diet D4. Mortality of fish fed diet D1 was significantly higher than that of fish fed the other diets, except for diet D6. Feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratios were significantly lower with diet D1 than with the other diets. Nitrogen retention (% nitrogen intake) of fish fed diet D1 was significantly lower than in the other groups, except that of fish fed diet D4. Energy retention (% energy intake) was not significantly different among groups. At the end of the trial there were no differences in whole body composition among groups. Whole body phosphorus content averaged 0.72% (on a fresh weight basis) and was not significantly affected by dietary phosphorus content. Phosphorus retention averaged 6.1 g kg^?1 weight gain and was not significantly different among groups. Phosphorus retention (% phosphorus intake) was significantly higher in fish fed diets D2 and D3 than in fish fed higher dietary phosphorus levels. Expressed per unit body weight per day, phosphorus retention was not significantly different among groups fed diets D2 to D6, while phosphorus losses linearly increased with dietary phosphorus intake. Results of this trial indicate that the phosphorus requirement of sea bass juveniles was satisfied with a diet containing 0.65% of phosphorus.     

Evaluation of zinc supplementation in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juvenile diets

This study aimed to investigate the effect of increased zinc dietary levels on the growth performance, feed utilization, immune status and induced wound healing in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Fish weighing 10 g were fed five diets containing organic zinc at 30, 70, 110 and 150 mg kg^?1 diet and one inorganic zinc source (zinc oxide) at 150 mg kg^?1 diet for a period of 12 weeks. No significant (P>0.05) differences were found in the growth performance parameters (final weight, specific growth rate), immunological indices tested (respiratory burst activity in whole blood) and the wound‐healing process. Zinc accumulation in the skin, vertebrae and liver increased significantly (P<0.01) with increased dietary zinc levels but not in muscle. The highest zinc concentrations were obtained in skin tissue, followed by vertebrae, liver and muscle tissue. Using the concentration of zinc in skin as a response criterion, broken‐line analysis showed that the supplementation of 148 mg organic Zn kg^?1 diet seemed to be the optimum dietary zinc supplementation level for sea bass juveniles.     

Effects of dissolved carbon dioxide on energy metabolism and stress responses in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

Elevated carbon dioxide concentrations reduce feed intake and growth in several fish species and induce stress responses. In this study, the effects of moderately elevated CO₂ levels on performance, energy partitioning, swimming activity and stress response in European seabass were assessed. European seabass (140.0 g) were reared under two levels of CO₂ (1.6 and 7.0 mg L^?1) and two feeding levels (FLs) (maintenance and satiation) for 60 days, and fish swimming speed was recorded. At the end of the experiment, fish were subjected to an acute stress test. Blood cortisol, glucose and lactate were analysed. Energy and nitrogen balances were quantified based on measurements of body composition and digestibility coefficients. Moderately elevated chronic CO₂ level did neither affect energy requirements for maintenance nor the utilization of digestible energy for growth. However, swimming activity data suggests that FL dependent alterations in energy partitioning took place. Blood cortisol values after the acute stress were affected by additional CO₂ exposure and this effect was also dependent on FL. The elevated CO₂ exposure of 7.0 mg L^?1 appears to act as a chronic stressor as adaptive responses took place, however, this CO₂ exposure seems to be still within the allostatic load of the fish.     

Saponins and phytosterols in diets for European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles: effects on growth,intestinal morphology and physiology

This study aimed to elucidate the effects of two soy antinutrients, saponins and phytosterols, on growth, intestinal health and function of European sea bass juveniles. Seven fishmeal‐based diets were formulated: a control diet without antinutrients and six experimental diets containing low or high levels of soyasaponins (SapL and SapH, respectively), low or high levels of phytosterols (PhytL and PhytH, respectively) and low or high levels of soyasaponins + phytosterols (SapPhytL and SapPhytH, respectively). A feeding trial was conducted for 59 days after which blood was collected for plasmatic cholesterol quantification and intestinal samples were collected for histology, digestive enzymes activity and gene expression analysis. Histology was also performed at day 15. PhytL resulted in high distal intestine (DI) relative weight and decreased plasma cholesterol, while PhytH caused inflammatory changes in the DI. SapH depressed maltase and alkaline phosphatase activity in DI and the histological evaluation indicated some inflammatory changes. The SapPhytH resulted in decreased maltase activity in the DI and indications of inflammatory changes that were supported by the results on gene expression profiles. The antinutrients tested did not compromise growth, however, caused some gastrointestinal disturbance that may affect fish in the long term.     

Ability of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) to digest rendered animal fats from fish,poultry and mammals

This study evaluates the in vivo apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of rendered animal by‐product fats in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles. Diets contained fish oil (FOd), poultry fat (PFd) or mammal fat (MFd), from rendering animal by‐products, at 140 g/kg. Macronutrient and fatty acids ADCs were evaluated in quadruplicate tanks with fifteen 100 g fish. While total lipids ADCs (88%–90%) were unaffected, individual fatty acids ADC varied significantly among diets. Monounsaturated fatty acids ADCs were similar (94%–95%), saturated fatty acids ADCs were lowest in MFd (85% vs. 91% in PFd and FOd), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) ADCs were lowest in PFd (96 vs. 97%–98%). Total n‐3 PUFA were better digested in FOd than in the other diets (98 vs. 96%–97%), while MFd had the highest total n‐6 PUFA ADC. FOd showed significantly higher EPA (20:5n‐3) and DHA (22:6n‐3) ADCs compared to the other test diets. The obtained results suggest that rendered animal fats can be considered feasible alternatives to fish oil in seabass. Nevertheless, that lack of EPA and DHA in land animal fats, combined with the reduced digestibility of these fatty acids, may compromise its dietary inclusion at high levels.     

The effect of dietary ribonucleic acid incorporation in performance of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary ribonucleic acid (RNA) on the performance of European sea bass juveniles. Two diets containing fish meal as the only nitrogen source were formulated with 39% or 50% of crude protein (LP and HP diet, respectively). Two other diets were formulated similarly to LP diet, but included yeast-RNA extract at 6.2% and 12.4% levels (LP6 and LP12 diets, respectively) by replacing dextrin. Total nitrogen content of the LP12 diet was equivalent to that of the HP diet. The four experimental diets were isoenergetic (22 kJ GE g⁻¹ DM). Triplicate groups of 25 fish (IBW=13 g) were fed the test diets for 10 weeks. The reduction of dietary protein level did not significantly affect growth rate but significantly increased feed intake and decreased feed efficiency. However, nitrogen retention (%N intake) was significantly improved with the decrease in dietary protein level. Dietary RNA incorporation did not affect feed intake or feed efficiency, although it reduced growth rate of fish fed the highest dietary RNA level. Nitrogen retention (%N intake) significantly decreased with the dietary supplementation of RNA. Dry matter, nitrogen and energy digestibilities were not significantly affected by dietary treatments. Final whole-body composition was also unaffected by dietary treatments, except for ash content which was significantly higher in the LP12 group. Hepatosomatic index was significantly increased by the dietary incorporation of RNA. The dietary supplementation of RNA had no protein sparing effect and significantly reduced energy retention. It may be concluded that dietary RNA supplementation had no nutritive value for European sea bass.     

Influence of dietary bulk agents (silica,cellulose and a natural zeolite) on protein digestibility,growth, feed intake and feed transit time in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles

The incorporation of various bulk agents by substitution of an equivalent amount of the basal mixture was studied in terms of protein digestibility, growth performance and body composition in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles. During the growth trial, triplicate groups of 40 seabass (mean initial weight: 7.0 g) were grown in seawater (salinity: 35; temperature: 18 °C) over 60 days. Fish were hand-fed, three times a day, one of seven experimental diets. Bulk agents tested at 10 or 20 % level of incorporation were silica, cellulose and a natural zeolite (chabamin). Feeding rates were adjusted in proportion to the percent dilution of the control diet without bulk incorporation. The incorporation of the bulk agents, at a 10 and 20 % level, did not affect protein digestibility or growth performance. Dietary bulk incorporation reduced feed efficiency values, particularly at the 20 % incorporation level. However, this reduction was mostly caused by the dietary nutrient dilution of the bulk-incorporated diets, rather than by a negative effect of the bulk agents as dietary ingredients. In comparison to the control treatment, bulk incorporation at 10 and 20 % level did not affect protein retention values. When compared with the control diet, 20 % bulk agent incorporation changed the evacuation profile of faeces and increased faecal egestion time.     

Monitoring of oxygen fluctuations in seabass cages (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) in a commercial fish farm in Greece

Dissolved oxygen and temperature were monitored in cages stocked seabass at a commercial fish farm in Greece during summer and autumn. During the first part of the study, October–November 2012, current velocity monitoring outside the cages supported the sampling program. The latter sampling took place during May–July 2014. Including both periods, temperature fluctuated within the range 18–26°C while the current velocity, dominated by the tidal flow, varied from 0 to 28 cm/s in autumn. During sampling, seabass of 400–550 g individual weight was stocked at a density of 10–15 kg/m³. Within the cages, dissolved oxygen (DO) saturation decreased by 10% to 50% compared with outside levels. In‐cage oxygen concentrations seemed to be affected by current speed, temperature and diurnal fluctuations due to the fish stock's activity and the day‐night rhythm of algae. Hypoxia within the range 40%–70% of oxygen saturation was shown in several cases, despite the fact that the feeding intensity was quite low in the farm. The diurnal pattern of DO saturation showed that minimum levels coincided with feeding of the fish, while photosynthesis played a minor role in this case. This level of DO saturation although does not result in any mortalities may have other severe implications, especially at high temperature, such as lower feed utilization, increased metabolic expenses due to osmo‐respiratory compromise, increased stress level, lower disease resistance and diminished fish welfare.     

A simple way of avoiding feed wastage in European seabass,Dicentrarchus labrax,under self-feeding conditions

Self-feeding systems allow fish to freely express feeding activity. A simple rod at the water surface can act as a trigger and provide fish with a way of obtaining pellets from a feeder. Such a rod presented to experienced European seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax, may lead to feed wastage, probably as a result of unintentional fish contacts with the trigger. Trigger protection screens have been designed to prevent fish contacting the trigger by chance, and the efficacy of such screens was tested. Nocturnal and diurnal feed delivery and feed wasted were compared under conditions where the rod was unprotected or protected by semi-cylindrical or cylindrical screens. Tests were conducted using an unrestricted self-feeding regime (reward: 0.2 g pellet per kg of body weight and per fish contact) in juvenile seabass (57 g body weight) fed for 28 days at 21.3 °C. Fish were subjected to a 4-h L:20-h D (light:dark) photoperiod. The daily feed demand pattern and the nocturnal and diurnal feed wastage were recorded. Fish activated the trigger predominantly at night, except in the case of one group exposed to a trigger protected by a semi-cylindrical screen. In the latter, triggering activity was progressively distributed throughout the light:dark cycle. The cylindrical screens markedly reduced feed wastage and seabass were able to locate and activate the trigger (even in total darkness) to obtain a reward.