Effects of tank colour and feed colour on growth and feed utilization of thinlip mullet (Liza ramada) larvae

The effects of aquarium background colour and feed colour on survival, growth rates and feed utilization efficiency of thinlip mullet (Liza ramada) larvae (0.035 g) were investigated in two experiments. In the aquarium background colour trial, 50 larvae were stocked in duplicates in 120 L glass aquaria filled with dechlorinated tap water. The outside walls and bottoms of each pair of the aquaria were covered with coloured paper sheets to achieve one of six colours (white, black, red, green, yellow and blue), while noncoloured aquaria served as a control. The fish were fed an experimental diet (35% crude protein) at a daily rate of 5% of their body weight (BW), twice a day for 8 weeks. The best growth rates, feed efficiency and survival were achieved in larvae reared in light‐coloured aquaria (white, noncoloured and yellow). Fish performance was significantly retarded in larvae reared in dark‐coloured aquaria (red, green, black and blue). Body composition was not significantly affected by aquarium colour. In a feed colour trial, duplicate groups of larvae (0.035 g) were stocked at 50 fish per 120 L aquarium and fed a test diet (35% crude protein) with six different colours [dark blue, red, yellow, light brown (control), light green and dark brown] at a daily rate of 5% BW, twice a day for 8 weeks. The best performance and survival were achieved in fish fed on dark‐coloured diets (red, dark blue and dark brown). Light‐coloured diets (yellow, light green and light brown) resulted in inferior performance. Body composition was not significantly affected by feed colour. These results suggest that light‐coloured tanks should be used for rearing thinlip mullet, L. ramada larvae, while dark‐coloured diets are more preferable to light‐coloured diets.     

Effect of Delayed Icing on the Microbiological,Chemical, and Sensory Properties of Caspian Sea Golden Grey Mullet (Liza aurata)

Research has shown that fresh fish is an extremely perishable food as compared to other food commodities. In this study, quality deterioration during storage of golden grey mullet (GGM) iced for 0, 6, and 12 h after landing was monitored. Microbiological indices (total viable count, TVC; psychrophilic counts, PTC; lactic acid bacteria, LAB; and Enterobacteriaceae counts, EBC), chemical parameters (pH; total volatile basic nitrogen, TVB-N; peroxide value, PV; thiobarbituric acid, TBA; and free fatty acids, FFA) values increased over the preicing duration. Delayed icing did not lead to significant increases (p > 0.05) in TVC, PTC, LAB, and EBC throughout the period of storage. All chemical indices increased during storage (p < 0.05). This study showed that sensorial analysis of GGM correlated well with microbiological analysis. Results of this study based on the microbiological and raw fish sensorial data indicated that the shelf life of GGM stored in ice immediately after catch was approximately 10–11 days, while the 6- and 12-h delays in icing shortened the shelf life to approximately 6–7 and 2–3 days, respectively.     

Growth and mortality of Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis Lam., 1819, in relation to size on longline in Mersin Bay, Izmir (Turkey – Aegean Sea)

The growth and mortality rate of different size of mussels, Mytilus galloprovincialis, were compared in Mersin bay, Izmir. Mussel sampling was performed on a monthly basis over 1 year, together with hyrobiological parameters. Water temperature, salinity, chlorophyll a, total particulate matter (TPM) and particulate organic carbon (POC) were determined. Average chlorophyll a, TPM and POC values were 3.88±1.62 μg L⁻¹, 13.12±3.68 mg L⁻¹ and 252±121.89 μg L⁻¹ respectively. Initial mean lengths of mussels for each size group were 10 mm (9.91±0.25 mm), 20 mm (20.14±0.29 mm), 30 mm (30.66±0.21 mm), 40 mm (40.14±0.21 mm), 50 mm (50.62±0.21 mm), 60 mm (59.77±0.21 mm) and 70 mm (69.47±0.62 mm). Maximum growth in length occurred during the spring–summer months. The annual length increments of mussel size groups were 46.22, 41.42, 30.3, 28.03, 20.63, 16.34 and 12.03 mm from small to large size groups respectively. Small mussels grew faster than large mussels and reached commercial size at the same time. Mortality was <5% for all groups at the end of the experiment.     

Fatty Acids Profile,Atherogenic, Thrombogenic,and Polyene Lipid Indices in Golden Grey Mullet (Liza aurata) and Gold Band Goatfish (Upeneus moluccensis) from Mediterranean Sea

ABSTRACT

The aim of this work was to study the seasonal variations of the proximate compositions, fatty acids contents, and related lipid indices (atherogenic index [AI], thrombogenic index [TI], and polyene index [PI]) of golden grey mullet (Liza aurata) and gold band goatfish (Upeneus moluccensis) caught from the northeastern Mediterranean Sea. Proximate compositions and fatty acid contents of both fish species showed statistically significant seasonal variations (p < 0.05). The lipid contents were highest in autumn and lowest in winter in golden grey mullet and gold band goatfish. The main saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), palmiteoleic acid (C16:1n-7), oleic acid (18:1n-9c), arachidonic acid (C20:4n-6), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n-3), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n-3). The total polyunsaturated fatty acids in gold band goatfish did not show any differences among the seasons, whereas that in golden grey mullet was highest in winter. Levels of EPA, DHA, and n-3/n-6 ratios, as well as AI, TI, and PI, were significantly changed among seasons. The results show that golden grey mullet and gold band goatfish, which are among the important fish in Turkey and of commercial value, are a good source for human consumption in terms of their nutritional quality.     

Granulomatous lesions in a wild mullet population from the eastern Ligurian Sea (Italy): mycobacteriosis vs. pseudotuberculosis

Mycobacterium spp. and Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida are recognized as the most frequent causative agents of granulomatous lesions in fish. Although frequent episodes of mycobacterial infections have been reported in wild fish worldwide, only sporadic cases have been documented to date in Italy. To investigate for the presence of lesions referable to mycobacteriosis and to identify the mycobacterial species involved, a total of 159 wild mullets were fished from the eastern coast of the Ligurian Sea, killed and necropsied. Liver and spleen samples were collected from all fish for histopathological and microbiological analyses. Molecular investigations for identification of Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida were performed. Gross examination revealed granulomatous lesions in one animal; microscopically, 42.14% of fish displayed granulomas with various histological features, 19.50% resulted positive at Ziehl–Neelsen staining, and were confirmed as mycobacterial lesions by culture. The identified colonies were characterized as M. fortuitum, M. abscessus, M. flavescens, M. chelonae, M. septicum and M. nonchromogenicum. In all, 35% of animals resulted positive for Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida. These data suggest widespread mycobacterial infection also by Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida infections in wild fish. Moreover, the pathogenicity of some mycobacterial species, previously considered as saprophytic, was demonstrated.     

Reproductive biology of pink dentex Dentex gibbosus (Rafinesque) from the Adriatic Sea, Croatia

A 4‐year study (May 1997–December 2000) of the reproductive biology of pink dentex Dentex gibbosus (Rafinesque) from the Adriatic Sea revealed that this species is a rudimentary hermaphrodite. The smallest mature males and females captured were 38.70 cm in total length (T_L) and 39.80 cm in total length (T_L) respectively. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters estimated for the entire population were: L_∞=107.24, K=0.12 and t₀=−0.90. Fifty per cent of the population were sexually mature at 41.50 cm T_L, while 100% of the specimens were sexually mature at 57.00 cm T_L. Both monthly gonadosomatic index and macroscopically determined gonad stages strongly indicate that the pink dentex from the Adriatic Sea spawn partially in August, September and October. The mean value of absolute fecundity (F) was 1672 × 10⁶ eggs. The results of great fertility of the pink dentex, partial spawning and relatively late sexual maturation suggest that the pink dentex has a high potential for commercial culture.     

Otolith elemental characteristics of whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) from brackish waters of the Gulf of Bothnia,Baltic Sea

To investigate whether European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) groups in the brackish (≤7%) Gulf of Bothnia (Baltic Sea) express specific otolith elemental characteristics, concentrations of elements (Ca, Ba, Sr, Zn, Mn, Fe) in whole otoliths were studied by inductively coupled plasma‐optical emission spectrometry. Whitefish (N = 67) were sampled from six different latitudinal sites; four in the sea and two in rivers along the west coast of Finland, and from a fresh water lake for comparison. The concentration of several elements showed significant differences among sampling sites. Otolith Ba concentrations were higher at the northern sampling sites compared to the southern ones, thereby showing negative association to capture‐habitat salinity. In contrast, otolith Sr and Zn concentrations were lower at the northern sampling sites, thereby associating positively to capture‐habitat salinity. Otolith Mn concentrations did not associate with latitude or salinity but markedly varied between sampling sites. Elevated Fe concentrations occurred in fish otoliths from the two northernmost sites. Ca concentrations were at the same levels in otoliths from all whitefish samples. Otoliths of whitefish from the lake had very high Ba and low Sr concentrations compared to concentrations in otoliths from whitefish in the sea and rivers. Our results show that otolith elemental characteristics of whitefish vary considerably at various geographic scales showing high potential for population identification using elemental fingerprints. Analysis of otolith elemental characteristics may therefore provide an efficient tool for the identification of main areas of residence, spawning locations, and migration routes, thus contributing towards the sustainable management of whitefish stocks.     

New data on the ecology of kutum, Rutilus frisii (Nordmann, 1840) from the Caspian Sea

Abstract– In the anadromous cyprinid kutum, Rutilus frisii (Nordmann, 1840) from the Anzali Lagoon, Iran, the following hitherto unrecorded characters were found. The complex life-style of juvenile kutum is reflected directly in their body size and preferred habitat, and indirectly in their growth rate and the formation of scale annuli. The early juveniles did not move downstream to the feeding grounds in the sea as they are supposed to do in populations inhabiting the Caucasian coast of the Caspian sea, but most of them spend one or two years in fresh or brackish water. Moreover, most kutum scales carried one or two juvenile marks. It appears that the time spent in fresh water is inversely proportional to the age of the kutum. On average about 43% of fish 2 years old and older, spent their first year in fresh or brackish water, while 57% spent two years there. The rate of growth in length is substantially different in both groups. Fish that enter the sea in their second year of life grew faster but their life span seems to be shorter than those which spent two years in fresh or brackish water.     

澜沧江多鳞荷马条鳅种群间形态差异的比较

为探讨澜沧江水系不同采集地的多鳞荷马条鳅(Homatula pycnolepis)形态差异,将168尾多鳞荷马条鳅标本按采集地分为5组;将9尾拟鳗荷马条鳅(Homatula anguillioides)和19尾无量荷马条鳅(Homatula wuliangensis)作为对照组,共计196尾荷马条鳅标本做多变量形态度量学研究。测量了13个框架特征和23个常规特征,经3次主成分分析,澜沧江多鳞荷马条鳅不同地理种群间的形态差异超出了多鳞荷马条鳅分别与拟鳗荷马条鳅和无量荷马条鳅之间的形态差异;除多鳞荷马条鳅地模标本以外,仍有3个与同属鱼类形态特征不同的种群。经进一步对比,该3个种群应是荷马条鳅属未被描记的新种。     

南海介螅水母属二新种(刺胞动物门、花水母亚纲、介螅水母科)

在分析南海浮游生物样品时,发现了花水母亚纲(Anthomedusae Haeckel,1879)丝螅水母目(Filifera Kühn,1913)介螅水母科(Hydractiniidae L.Agassiz,1862)介螅水母属(Hydractinia van Beneden,1841)2新种:缢介螅水母(H.constrictura sp.nov.)和叶状介螅水母(H.phyllosoma sp.nov.)。缢介螅水母的主要鉴别特征为伞近球形,无顶突;垂管长,其中部有一圈凹缢,把垂管分为2个部分,上端为泡状组织,下端为胃部,上有水母芽,口有4个口腕,口腕末端为刺胞球;生殖腺位于垂管间辐位;4条短的缘触手,触手基球球状,无眼点,触手上具环状刺胞,末端具刺胞球。叶状介螅水母的主要鉴别特征为伞钟形,胶质薄,无顶突;垂管短,无胃柄,口方形,有4个叶片状口唇,口唇上长满刺细胞;生殖腺分布在垂管上,间辐位,无水母芽;4条单生触手。模式标本保存于国家海洋局第三海洋研究所。     

Positive phototaxis as the cause of jaw malformations in larval greater amberjack,Seriola dumerili (Risso, 1810): Mitigation by rearing in tanks with low‐brightness walls

Jaw malformations are a serious problem in fingerlings of the greater amberjack, Seriola dumerili. To establish a countermeasure against these malformations, we conducted a larval behavioural test to identify their root cause, and we investigated the ability of low‐brightness rearing tank walls to control their occurrence. Larval distribution was examined in a horizontally illuminated rectangular transparent aquarium (20 cm × 100 cm × 25 cm), and their distribution was biased towards the light source after this lighting was provided from 3 to 13 days post hatching (dph), indicating positive phototaxis; this response disappeared on 22 dph (there are no data between 13 and 22 dph). Larvae were observed to swim phototactically towards the light source and repeatedly collided with the tank wall (walling behaviour). To investigate the ability of wall brightness to control the incidence of jaw malformations, we compared their incidence in a rearing trial with different Munsell colour values for the tank walls: 2.11 (black), 5.85 (grey) and 9.52 (white). The incidence rate of jaw malformations at 25 dph was significantly lower in the tanks with lower‐brightness walls, that is, 5.8%, 22.5% and 26.8% for black, grey and white respectively. Larval walling behaviour was most intense for white, followed in order by grey and black. These results indicate that positive phototaxis elicits larval walling behaviour, causing jaw malformations, and that low‐brightness tank walls control this process.     

Mapping of benthic habitats in northern Safaga Bay (Red Sea,Egypt): a tool for proactive management

1. The spatial distribution of the most important subtidal habitats (coral reefs, coral carpets, seagrass meadows, sand with corals, macroids, mud, hardgrounds) and mangroves was mapped in northern Safaga Bay, Red Sea, Egypt. Coral communities were analysed separately for their ecological and spatial patterns. This, coupled with information about major current patterns in the bay, provides a framework on which to base impact predictions for planned developments or for those already underway. 2. Because the entire shoreline of northern Safaga Bay is earmarked for tourism development, the following impacts have already been observed and can be expected to worsen: dredging, coastal infilling, marina construction, alteration of inshore current patterns as a result of breakwater construction and eutrophication. 3. The maps of habitats could be used by management authorities to either license or forbid these activities in specific areas, thus avoiding damage to sensitive environments. Properly used, resource mapping is a powerful proactive management tool that allows resource managers to anticipate and avoid impacts at an early stage in the process. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development and characterization of a fibroblastic‐like cell line from caudal fin of the red‐line torpedo,Puntius denisonii (Day) (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)

A fibroblastic‐like cell line was established from the ornamental fish, red‐line torpedo (Puntius denisonii). The red‐line torpedo fin (RTF) cell line is being maintained in Leibovitz's L‐15 medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) for over 1 year at 28 °C on a continuous basis in normal atmosphere. The growth rate of RTF cells increased as the FBS proportion increased from 5% to 20% at 28 °C with optimum growth at the concentrations of 10% FBS. The morphology of RTF cell was predominantly fibroblastic like. Propagation of these cell lines was serum dependent, with a low plating efficiency (<15%). Karyotyping analysis of RTF cells at the 25th passage indicated that the modal chromosome number was 2n=50. The cell line was cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen at ?196 °C and could be recovered from storage after 6 months with good cell viability. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of a fragment of two mitochondrial genes, 16S rRNA and CO1, confirmed the identity of these cell lines with those reported from this animal species, confirming that the cell lines originated from P. denisonii. The bacterial extracellular products from Vibrio cholerae MTCC3904 and Aeromonas hydrophila were found to be toxic to RTF. The cell lines were not susceptible to viral nervous necrosis virus, a marine fish virus.     

Diving behavior of immature, feeding Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus orientalis) in relation to season and area: the East China Sea and the Kuroshio–Oyashio transition region

Twenty‐four archival tags were recovered from Pacific bluefin tuna previously released off Tsushima Island in the East China Sea. By analysis of the time‐series data of the pressure and the ambient and internal temperature from the 24 tags, we examined the relationship between the tuna's pattern of diving and the thermocline depth. In the East China Sea, diving and feeding events occurred throughout almost the entire day in both winter and summer, suggesting that the purpose of diving is for feeding. In summer, the feeding frequency was greater than that in winter, which corresponds to the fact that growth is more rapid in summer than in winter. During summer in the Kuroshio–Oyashio transition region, on the other hand, feeding events were much more frequent than those in the East China Sea, in spite of a lower diving frequency. The mean horizontal distance traveled was also significantly higher and it seems that in this area they may move horizontally to feed on prey accumulated at the surface. We conclude that, in addition to the ambient temperature structure, the vertical and horizontal distribution of prey species plays an important role in the feeding behavior of Pacific bluefin tuna. One bluefin tuna migrated to the Oyashio frontal area, where both the horizontal and the vertical thermal gradients are much steeper. The fish spent most of the time on the warmer side of the front and often traveled horizontally to the colder side during the day, perhaps to feed. This implies that there is a thermal barrier effect, in this case from the Oyashio front, on their behavior. The frequency of feeding events was low, although all the monitored fish dived every dawn and dusk, irrespective of the seasons or location. It is possible that these twice‐daily diving patterns occurred in response to the change in ambient light at sunrise and sunset.