The effect of low temperatures and photoperiods on growth and vertebra morphometry in Atlantic salmon

The aim of this study was to reveal possible interactive effects of temperature and photoperiod on somatic and skeletal growth, feed conversion, organ indexes and blood chemistry in Atlantic salmon postsmolts. A total of 1140 (initial mean weight 96.0 g ± 3.1 SEM) juvenile Atlantic salmon reared in seawater were in duplicates exposed to six different combinations of temperatures (4.3, 6.5 or 9.3 °C) and photoperiods (continuous light, LL or simulated natural photoperiod (69ºN), LDN) for 124 days. An interactive effect of photoperiod and temperature on somatic growth was found as the fish exposed to low temperature and continuous light regime (4LL) had a significantly higher growth (30 % gain in overall SGR) than the 4LDN group, corresponding to the effect of approx. 1.2 °C temperature increase. Fish in the 6 and 9 °C groups did not show any significant growth benefit of continuous light. Compared to the 4LDN group, the 4LL group showed higher total feed conversion efficiency, lower levels of blood Na⁺ and lower hepato-somatic and cardio-somatic indexes. In the skeleton, cervical vertebra were largest in the 4LL group, while the length of the head was largest in the 4LDN group, continuous light promotes growth at lower temperatures while supporting a normal development. It is suggested that a considerable growth benefit may be achieved by exposing juvenile Atlantic salmon to continuous light when reared at low (in this trial 4.3 °C) water temperature during winter.     

Interactive effect of photoperiod and temperature on the growth rates,muscle growth and feed intake in juvenile Atlantic halibut

To investigate the interactive effects of temperature and photoperiod on the growth performance, feeding parameters and muscle growth dynamics in juvenile Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.), a total of 1212 juvenile halibut, including 383 tagged fish (mean initial weight of tagged individuals: 17.6 ± 0.3 g SE), were reared under a simulated natural light regime for Bergen (60°25′N) or continuous light at 9, 12 and 15 °C from 3 December 2007 until 11 March 2008. The mean weight and growth rate were significantly higher at 12 and 15 °C than at 9 °C. In addition, significantly higher mean weight and growth rate were observed in halibut reared under continuous light at a low temperature, indicating an interactive effect of temperature and photoperiod on growth performance. No effect of temperature or photoperiod was found with respect to feed conversion efficiency, whereas a higher feed consumption at increasing temperature and a higher overall daily feeding rate at continuous light at a low temperature were observed. Indications of continuous light having a stronger effect at low temperatures on muscle growth dynamics were found. A difference in the size class distribution of fibre diameter was found between photoperiod treatments at 9 °C, suggesting that continuous light resulted in elevated hypertrophic growth at low temperature. This may suggest that the increased growth rate found at continuous light at 9 °C may be a result of hypertrophic growth in juvenile halibut.     

Growth and age at first maturity in turbot and halibut reared under different photoperiods

The effect of extended photoperiods on growth and age at first maturity was investigated in 166 (79 females and 87 males) individually tagged Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus and in 114 (50 females and 64 males) individually tagged turbot Scophthalmus maximus. The halibut were reared at 11 °C on four different light regimes from 10 February to 6 July 1996: simulated natural photoperiod, (LDN), continuous light (LD24:0), constant 8 h light and 16 h darkness (LD8:16) and LD8:16 switched to continuous light 4 May 1996 (LD8:16–24:0). From 6 July 1996 to 9 February 1998 the LD24:0 and LD8:16–24:0 were reared together under continuous light and the LDN and LD8:16 together under natural photoperiod. The turbot were reared at 16 °C on three different light regimes: constant light (LD24:0), 16 h light:8 h darkness (LD16:8), or simulated natural photoperiod (LDN). After 6 months on the different photoperiods, the turbot was reared together on LDN for approximately 12 months until first maturation. Juveniles subjected to continuous light (halibut) or extended photoperiods (halibut and turbot) exhibited faster growth than those experiencing a natural photoperiod or a constant short day. Moreover, when the photoperiod increased naturally with day-length or when fish were abruptly switched from being reared on short-day conditions to continuous light, a subsequent increase in growth rate was observed. This growth enhancing effect of extended photoperiods was more apparent on a short time scale in Atlantic halibut than in turbot, but both species show significant long-term effects of extended photoperiods in the form of enhanced growth. In both species lower maturation of males was seen in groups exposed to extended or continuous light compared to LDN and this could be used to reduce precocious maturation in males leading to overall increase in somatic growth. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of decreases in photoperiod on growth and bimodality in Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L.

Two experiments were performed to study the relative significance of the absolute daylength and the change in photoperiod on the growth and development of bimodality in juvenile Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. In Experiment A juveniles were reared on 24 h daily light until they were seven months old (65–82 mm in length after size grading). They were then divided into six groups and subjected to six photoperiods (6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 24 h of light). In Experiment B the decrease in photoperiod was made in two steps. First, the day length was reduced to 18 and 21 hours, three months after first feeding when the weight of the juveniles averaged 2.5 g and one group was kept under 24 hour daily light. Two months later, each of these treatment groups was subdivided to produce new groups of juveniles (65–82 mm in length) under 6, 9 and 12 h of daily light. Irrespective of whether the photoperiods were reduced in one or two steps, groups held under short-day photoperiods, 6–12 h, grew significantly slower (Exp. A) and showed higher proportions of lower modal group fish (Exp. B) than groups treated with long-day photoperiods, greater than 12 h. There were low proportions of lower modal group fish among juveniles larger than 75 mm at the dates of decreases in daylength irrespective of photoperiod (Exp. B, 0–16%), and high or variable proportions among fish smaller than 75 mm, depending on photoperiod (Exp B. 32–71%). It is concluded that the growth response of juvenile Atlantic salmon changes in the range of 12–15 hours of daily light. This mechanism is probably linked to the size of the parr and is one important reason for the development of bimodal length-frequency distributions.     

Effect of temperature and photoperiod on the reproductive condition and performance of a tropical damselfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chrysiptera cyanea</Emphasis> during different phases of the reproductive season

Effects of temperature and photoperiod on the reproductive activity of a reef associated tropical damselfish Chrysiptera cyanea were evaluated under three phases with different environmental patterns, phase I (April–May; increasing water temperature and photoperiod), phase II (June–July; increasing water temperature and peak/decreasing photoperiod), and phase III (August–September; peak/decreasing water temperature and decreasing photoperiod). When the fish were reared at 20, 25, or 30°C under natural photoperiod, the reproductive conditions differed within and among the phases depending on experimental temperature and environmental patterns. From phases I through III, ovaries with vitellogenic oocytes were notable only at 25°C, whereas regressing and immature oocytes were noticed at 20 and 30°C. The fish underwent active spawning at 25°C, whereas no or few spawnings were observed at other temperatures. In phase III, there was a resultant prevention of decrease in the gonadosomatic index and disappearance of vitellogenic oocytes in the ovaries of fish under a long photoperiod (LD14:10) compared to those under a short photoperiod (LD10:14). These results indicate that a long photoperiod with a suitable range of water temperature is a principal determinant in continuity of reproductive activity and performance, and that a high temperature has a negative impact on their ovarian development.     

Flesh quality of Atlantic salmon smolts reared at different temperatures and photoperiods

Possible interactive effects of temperature and photoperiod on flesh quality in Atlantic salmon post‐smolts were studied. Juvenile (initial mean weight 96.0 g ± 3.1 SEM) Atlantic salmon were reared at six different combinations of temperatures (4.3, 6.5 or 9.3°C) and photoperiods (continuous light or simulated natural photoperiod). At termination of the trial, the fish were slaughtered and flesh samples taken to investigate quality and textural properties in the different experimental groups. Final weight in the six experimental groups varied between 174 and 345 g. Softer texture was seen in the fast growing groups. Photoperiod has only minor effect on flesh quality and textural properties, whereas temperature had significant impact on most of the measured variables. Although positive for growth, higher temperatures might be less favourable in relation to softer muscle tissue.     

Effects of a superoptimal temperature on aquacultured yellowtail <Emphasis Type="Italic">Seriola quinqueradiata</Emphasis>

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a superoptimal temperature on growth, body composition, body size heterogeneity, and relationships among these factors in juvenile yellowtail. Fish (mean body weight?=?24 g) were tagged individually and reared for 70 days under two different water temperature regimes [optimal (25 °C) and superoptimal (30 °C)]. After rearing, fish reared at 30 °C showed lower survival, less food, feed and protein utilization, significantly lower growth performance, and a lower hepatosomatic index than fish raised at 25 °C. Variations in body indices among individuals were larger for fish reared at 30 °C than for fish reared at 25 °C. Mean whole body protein content was significantly lower in fish reared at 30 °C than fish reared at 25 °C. In addition, several glucogenic and/or aromatic amino acids were lower in fish reared at 30 °C than in fish reared at 25 °C. Whole body lipid levels tended to be lower in fish with lower body weight reared at 30 °C. These results suggest that fish raised at 30 °C will have lower growth performance, and lower concentrations of specific amino acids. Moreover, heterogeneity in body size and body lipid content is expanded by a superoptimal temperature.     

Effect of rearing temperatures on the growth and maturation of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) during juvenile and on‐growing periods

The effect of rearing temperature on the growth and maturation of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) was investigated. Arctic charr juveniles were reared for 6 months (phase I, October–April, size range 20–500 g) at constant temperatures of 9, 12 and 15 °C and according to two temperature‐step groups (T_step) i.e. fish transferred from 15 to 12 °C or from 12 to 9 °C. All the previous treatments were then reared either at 7 °C or at 12 °C for an additional 4 months (phase II, size range 300–1000 g) and then slaughtered in August 2008. The overall growth rate was the highest at a constant temperature of 15 °C for the first 6 months of the trial, with the fish in this group being 44% and 78% heavier than the fish reared at a constant temperature of 12 or 9 °C respectively. Arctic charr showed a negative response in terms of the growth rate when transferred from higher to lower temperatures, especially for groups previously reared at 15 °C. There was a trend for higher gonadosomatic index values at the end of the experiment for groups of fish that were exposed to higher rearing temperatures during the juvenile phase i.e. 4.18% (±0.79) and 7.29% (±0.89), for the temperature groups of 12 and 15 °C, respectively, compared with 2.49% (±0.74) for the 9 °C group. Our results suggest that for the production of fish >1000 g, moderate or low temperatures (here 9 °C) should be applied during the juvenile phase in order to reduce the negative effects arising from maturation. Farmers with access to heat sources should accordingly choose more moderate rearing temperatures during the juvenile stage, especially if the fish is to be moved down in the temperature regime during the on‐growing period.     

Photoperiod and temperature effects on growth and maturation of pre- and post-smolt Atlantic salmon

The present study was undertaken to examine the long-term effect of continuous light and constant temperature and their interaction on growth, feed intake, gill Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase (NKA) activity and early sexual maturation in Atlantic salmon pre- and post-smolts. The fish (mean initial weight = 15.9 g ± 0.4 SE) were reared on two photoperiods (continuous light, LL and simulated natural photoperiod, LDN, 60°25′N) and on two constant temperatures (average 8.3 and 12.7 °C) from June to July the following year. This resulted in four experimental groups abbreviated as LL8, LL12, LDN8 and LDN12. Growth in freshwater was highest in the LL12 group and final weight of this group was 70–330 % higher than in the other experimental groups, and our findings further demonstrate that the growth-enhancing effect of continuous light alone corresponds to a 4.5° increase in temperature. Overall, the highest feed intake was registered in the LL12 group, whereas no differences in feed intake or growth were observed between the LL8 and LDN12 groups, and the lowest feed intake and growth in the LDN8 group. Both temperature groups on LL developed peak levels in gill NKA activity in October–November, 4–5 months prior to the natural season for the parr–smolt transformation. Fish at 12 °C showed peak levels in NKA activity 4–6 weeks before the fish on 8 °C. The proportion of mature males was higher at 12.7 °C (66 %) compared to 8.3 °C (11 %). Highest maturation was seen at LL12 (82 %). For the salmon industry, this means that long-term rearing at LL and 12.7 °C will improve growth but also leads to higher maturation proportion. By rearing fish at LL8, it is, however, possible to achieve high growth and low maturation simultaneously.     

Antibody response in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) in relation to water temperature and oxygenation

The influence of water temperature and water oxygenation on the specific antibody response was evaluated by indirect ELISA in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) immunized against human‐γ‐ globulins emulsified in Freund's complete adjuvant. A higher antibody response was observed in fish reared at 24 and 30 °C, than at 12 and 18 °C. For the fish group reared at 24 °C, the immunological observation was carried out until 300 days after immunization. At the end of this period, fish kept at 24 °C still showed immunological competence, although the antibody response began to decrease significantly from 120 days after the immunization. Fish reared under mild hyperoxia and normoxia conditions had higher antibody responses than fish reared under mild hypoxia conditions. Moreover, at the end of the experimental period of 56 days the antibody response of fish reared under hyperoxia conditions was significantly higher than the immune response detected in fish reared under normoxia and hypoxia conditions.     

The effects of temperature and photoperiod on ovarian development in captive grey mullet (Mugil cephalus L)

A series of sixteen environmental experiments, conducted under controlled laboratory conditions during the refractory period in the reproductive cycle of the grey mullet, determined the effect of photoperiod and temperature on the vitellogenesis of intraovarian oocytes. Fish subjected to the natural light cycle and ambient water temperatures (24–26°C) served as controls. A classification of stages of vitellogenesis (I–V) is used to determine the percentage composition of oocytes for each fish at intervals throughout the experiment following sampling in vivo.Onset of vitellogenesis is timed by the environmental conditions. A retarded photoperiod, irrespective of preconditioning photoperiod, plays a dominant role in stimulating oocyte growth. Temperature regulates vitellogenesis towards functional maturity. The combination of retarded photoperiod (6L/18D) and constant temperature of 21°C is the most effective for the completion of vitellogenesis of oocytes to functional maturity.Regular injections of pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) at 1 IU/g body weight are effective in initiating vitellogenesis.     

Effects of short‐chain fructooligosaccharides on growth performance and hepatic intermediary metabolism in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) reared at winter and summer temperatures

The effect of short‐chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS) incorporation on growth, feed utilization, body composition, plasmatic metabolites and selected liver enzyme activities of turbot juveniles reared at winter (15 °C) and summer (20 °C) temperatures was studied. Four comparable diets were formulated to contain circa 50 : 50 fish meal and plant ingredients as protein sources. Experimental diets included increasing levels of scFOS (0, 5, 10 and 20 g kg^?1). Final weight was higher at 20 °C, but thermal growth unit, feed efficiency, nitrogen and energy retention were better at 15 °C. scFOS supplementation did not affect fish growth performance. Fish reared at 15 °C had higher liver glycogen, visceral and hepatosomatic indices. Liver lipids, plasma triglycerides, total lipids, cholesterol HDL and LDL were higher in turbot reared at 20 °C. Malic enzyme, fatty acid synthetase, alanine aminotransferase and glutamate dehydrogenase activities were higher in fish reared at 15 °C. Malic enzyme was lower in turbot fed with 20 g kg^?1 scFOS compared to control diet; however, fatty acid synthetase presented an increasing trend as dietary scFOS increased up to 10 g kg^?1. Glutamate dehydrogenase activity was higher in fish fed the control diet. Results seem to indicate no benefits of scFOS incorporation to diets on growth performance of turbot.     

The relation between age at first maturity and growth in Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) reared at four different light regimes

The effect of extended photoperiods on growth and age at first maturity was investigated in 166 (79 females and 87 males) individually tagged Atlantic halibut. The halibut were reared at 11°C on four different light regimes from 10 February to 6 July 1996: simulated natural photoperiod, (LDN), continuous light (LD24:0), constant 8 h light and 16 h darkness (LD8:16) and LD8:16 switched to continuous light on 4 May 1996 (LD8:16–24:0). From 6 July 1996 to 9 February 1998 the LD24:0 and LD8:16–24:0 were reared together under continuous light and the LDN and LD8:16 together under natural photoperiod. Juveniles subjected to continuous light exhibited faster growth than those experiencing a natural photoperiod or a constant short day. Moreover, the results suggest an overall growth enhancing effect of continuous light in females, but not in males. No females matured during the trial, but the proportion of mature males differed between the photoperiod groups, with significantly fewer males maturing in groups reared at continuous light. Independent of photoperiod regime and maturation status, females were significantly bigger than males from 14 April 1997 onwards. Immature males were bigger than maturing males from 23 March 1996 onwards. As continuous light reduced maturation at age 2+ in males, this could be used to reduce precocious maturation in males.     

The effect of water temperature on growth parameters of intensively reared juvenile peled Coregonus peled

The effect of water temperature on growth and food intake of juvenile peled Coregonus peled was tested with specimens of initial age 75 days and 230 days posthatching (dph). The 75‐day group (initial body weight 0.6 ± 0.04 g) were reared for 63 days and 230‐day group (initial body weight 13.75 ± 2.93 g) for 42 days at temperatures of 13, 16, 19, 22 and 25°C under 12:12 L:D photoperiod. The optimal temperature range for the 75 dph fish was found to be 19–22°C. The fish reached final mean weight of 9.7 ± 2.5 g at 19°C and 9.0 ± 2.7 g at 22°C. Final mean weight of 230 dph fish did not differ significantly among temperature groups. Mortality increased at higher temperatures, with the critical temperature of 25°C for both age groups. Maximum food intake (19.0 ± 4.7, 18.8 ± 5.2, 18.6 ± 4.6 g kg^?1biomass) was observed in groups reared at temperatures of 19, 22 and 25°C with no significant differences among groups.     

Prolonged photoperiod improves the growth performance for a hatchery reared right-eyed flatfish

Rearing winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) in captivity for aquaculture and stock enhancement is a viable option to relieve fishing pressure and aid in ongoing recovery strategies. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of photoperiod on growth and survival of young-of-the-year juvenile winter flounder. Juveniles were reared for 12 weeks at three photoperiods: 24 light/0 dark, 18 light/6 dark, and 12 light/12 dark. Twenty fish were stocked into each of 18 enclosures with six enclosures per treatment. Fish in all treatments were fed to satiation every four hours. All fish were imaged at stocking and at three-week intervals. Growth was measured as changes in standard length (SL) and body area (BA). As early as Week 3, fish in all treatments were significantly different in terms of SL and BA. In general, fish grown under continuous 24 light were the largest and fish in the 12 light/12 dark regime were the smallest. Maximum specific growth rates of 0.41 % per day for SL and 0.83 % per day for BA were achieved in the 24 light/0 dark photoperiod. Average mortality rate over the course of the experiment was 9.17 % and there were no significant differences in the number of dead fish among the treatments. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that a longer day coupled with available food will increase growth rate for winter flounder juveniles, without affecting survival. By extending the photoperiod, growth in young-of-the year winter flounder is accelerated, bringing the growth rate of winter flounder close to that of other commercially produced flatfish.     

Control of reproduction in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (L.) by photoperiod manipulation

A major problem in tilapia aquaculture is the frequent reproduction of female fish, leading to increased competition for supplemented food and stunted somatic growth. The feasibility of using photoperiod manipulation to arrest the reproductive performance of tilapia Oreochromis niloticus was therefore examined. Newly hatched O. niloticus were reared in the laboratory under 12L:12D photoperiod at 28 °C. Fish (230–340 g) were maintained under 6L:6D, 12L:12D and 14L:10D photoperiod at 28 °C during the course of this study. Effect of photoperiod manipulation on reproductive parameters of fecundity, gamete quality, offspring viability and overall reproductive success were evaluated. Steroid levels (estradiol-17β, E₂; testosterone, T) during the spawning cycles of fish were analyzed on days 1 and 3 postspawning and at 3-day intervals thereafter. A total of 72 female fish from each photoperiod treatment were investigated the changing pattern of E₂, T and GSI with fish that have spawned once, twice and three times. Fish exposed to 12L:12D and 14L:10D photoperiod spawned successfully throughout the study. Whereas the spawning of fish exposed to 6L:6D photoperiod was arrested after three to four spawning cycles. The arrestment of spawning in fish exposed to 6L:6D photoperiod was paralleled by a significant decrease in plasma levels of E₂ (P<0.05). By contrast, there was no major difference in T levels among the treatments. These findings suggest that photoperiod manipulation can be used to arrest the spawning in tilapia O. niloticus. The utility of this in controlling the problem of overcrowding due to excess offspring in tilapia aquaculture is applicable.     

Effects of light and temperature conditions on the expression of GnRH and GtH genes and levels of plasma steroids in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Odontesthes bonariensis</Emphasis> females

In this study we examined the endocrine mediation between environmental factors (temperature and photoperiod) and the brain–pituitary–gonadal axis in females of pejerrey Odontesthes bonariensis. Changes in the expression of brain gonadotropin-releasing hormones (GnRHs) and gonadotropin (GtH) subunit [follicle stimulating-β (FSH-β), luteinizing hormone-β (LH-β), glycoprotein hormone-α (GPH-α)] genes, plasma gonadal steroids [estradiol (E₂) and testosterone (T)], gonadal histology, and gonadosomatic index (GSI) in adult females exposed to combinations of short-day (8 h) or long-day (16 h) photoperiods and low (12°C) or high (20°C) temperatures after winter conditions (8 h light, 12°C) were analyzed. Pejerrey females kept under the short photoperiod had low GSIs, and their ovaries contained only previtellogenic oocytes regardless of the experimental temperature. In contrast, females exposed to the long photoperiod had high GSIs and ovaries with vitellogenic oocytes at both temperatures. These fish also showed a significantly higher expression of sGnRH, pjGnRH, cGnRH-II (the three different GnRH variants found to date in the pejerrey brain), FSH-β, LH-β and GPH-α genes and plasma E₂ levels than those at the shorter photoperiod. No significant changes were observed in plasma T levels. Based on these results, we concluded that the increase in day length but not that of temperature triggers the maturation of pejerrey females after the winter period of gonadal rest and that this occurs by an integrated stimulation of the various components of the brain–pituitary–gonad axis.     

Food ingestion,prey selectivity,feeding incidence,and performance of yellowtail kingfish Seriola lalandi larvae under constant and varying temperatures

This study tested the effects of constant and varying temperatures on newly hatched yellowtail kingfish Seriola lalandi larvae in two experiments. In Experiment I, four constant temperatures (21, 23, 25, and 27 °C) were tested under fed or unfed conditions with the fish age from the day of hatch to 24 days post hatch (DPH). Temperatures at 25 and 27 °C reduced the time of fish to reach irreversible starvation, but did not affect the percentage of fish that were able to ingest food. Fish survivals at 21 and 23 °C were significantly higher than those at 25 °C by 24 DPH, but all fish died at 27 °C by 24 DPH in the treatment with food. In Experiment II, three constant temperatures (21, 23, and 25 °C) and two varying temperatures (21–23 and 21–25 °C) were compared using fish from hatch to 28 DPH. On 4 DPH, fish ingested more rotifers, but from 6 to 9 DPH, fish ingested fewer rotifers at 25 °C than at other temperatures. On 19 and 23 DPH, fish ingested more Artemia at 25 °C than at other temperatures. At 25 °C, fish selected for Artemia nauplii earlier than at other temperatures. Fish length and survival between constant temperatures (21 and 23 °C) were not significantly different, but fish survival at the constant 21 °C or at the 21–25 °C varying temperature was significantly higher than that at the constant 23 °C or at the 21–23 °C varying temperature. This study indicates that within the range of temperature tested, the optimal temperature for the first feeding larvae is 21–23 °C after hatch and mortality is likely to occur at ≥25 °C in the first 10 DPH, but fish grew faster at 25 °C after they adapted to the increasing temperature.     

Effect of Phosphatidylcholine and Beta-Carotene Supplementation on Growth and Immune Response of Nile Tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus,in Cool Water

The effects of nutraceuticals in improving growth and immune response of Nile tilapia in cool water were investigated. Fish were reared in two different environments: warm water (28°C) and cool water (16°C). Fish reared in warm water (control) were provided with a basal commercial diet, while fish reared in cool water were provided with either the basal commercial diet (cool water control) or diets supplemented with nutraceuticals (either phosphatidylcholine or β-carotene). Experiments were conducted over an 8-week period. Fish held in warm water had significantly higher growth (p < 0.05), but condition factor, blood hematocrit, plasma glucose, and phagocytic capacity of macrophage cells were similar to fish held in cool water. Within the cool water groups (basal vs. supplemented diet), fish did not show any significant difference in condition factor, blood hematocrit, and phagocytic capacity of macrophage cells. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in glucose levels until the eighth week. Collectively these data indicate that a nutraceutical supplementation to the basal diet was not significantly beneficial. Despite slower growth, fish reared in cool water remained generally healthy. The observation that phagocytic capacity of macrophage cells was not significantly different suggests that disease resistance of tilapia grown in cool water may be comparable to those reared in warm water. Thus, our experiments suggest the feasibility of stocking or rearing tilapia in water temperatures as low as 16°C during cool weather, without need for supplementation to basal commercial feed.     

The Validation of Effect of Neutraceuticals on Growth and Immune Response of Nile Tilapia in Cool Water Using a Cluster-Based Approach

This interdisciplinary study investigated computational analytic methods used for biological hypothesis testing and applied the methods for the validation of the effects of nutraceuticals on growth and immune response of Nile tilapia in cool water. Farmers in cooler regions face problems with cultivating tilapia, one of the most popular cultivated fish species, due to poor survival rates at suboptimal temperatures. We hypothesized that two nutraceuticals, phosphatidylcholine and β-carotene, help tilapia adapt to cooler water temperatures and benefit tilapia's growth and immune response. Fish were reared in two different environments: warm water (28°C) and cool water (16°C). Fish reared in warm water (control) were provided with a basal commercial diet, while fish reared in cool water were provided with either the basal commercial diet (cool water control) or diets supplemented with nutraceuticals (either phosphatidylcholine or β-carotene). Experiments were conducted over an eight-week period. The effects of the nutraceuticals were tested using an unsupervised learning technique in data mining and statistics called cluster analysis. An external index used for cluster validation was adopted for testing our hypothesis by formulating the level of agreement between two different partitions of samples: experimental groups and clusters based on the similarity of their features. Contrary to the findings of previous studies, which showed the beneficial effects of phosphatidylcholine and β-carotene supplementation in a range of fish including tilapias, our test results show no significant difference among the fish reared in cool water and fed with either the basal diet or diets supplemented with the nutraceutical. Despite slower growth compared with fish held in warm waters, our study suggests the feasibility of stocking or rearing tilapia in water temperatures as low as 16°C during cool weather, without need for supplementation to basal commercial feed.