Intestinal morphology and histology of the striped catfish Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum (Linnaeus, 1766) fed dry diets

This study unveils histological features of the intestinal tract of juvenile striped catfish Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum (Linnaeus, 1776) in three size classes (weight, standard length): I – 36.84 ± 10.19 g, 14.52 ± 1.54 cm; II – 59.03 ± 11.47 g, 17.17 ± 1.06 cm; III – 89.72 ± 18.70 g, 20.79 ± 1.55 cm, respectively. Histological organization of the juvenile speckled catfish intestine bears features common to the carnivorous fish, but the organ presents some convolutions that indicate a certain degree of dietary flexibility, a surprising trend, common only to omnivorous Siluriforms. The architecture of the mucosa of the speckled catfish intestine indicates that the species concentrates digestion and absorption of nutrients in the medium intestine, a common feature among carnivorous Teleosts.     

Induced breeding and larval rearing of Surubí, Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum (Linnaeus, 1766), from the Bolivian Amazon

Brooders of Surubí (Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum) were caught in the Ichillo River (Bolivian Amazon) and adapted to captivity conditions for 1 year in the facilities of the experimental aquaculture station of ‘El Prado’ (Santa Cruz de la Sierra) under natural temperature and photoperiod conditions. Induced reproduction was obtained by means of Ovaprim^® (Syndel, Canada) injections and artificial fertilization. Sperm and ova were obtained by gentle stripping of male and female brooders. Fertilized eggs were incubated in 60 L Zug jars. A mean hatching rate of 73.7±19.0% was obtained after 24 h at 26.5 °C. For larval rearing, several protocols were tested with different settings of photoperiod, light intensity, food type and period of distribution, and stocking density. The best survival rates were obtained with Artemia nauplii feeding in total darkness. A high level of aggressiveness between larvae and precocious appearance of jumpers was observed, but these can be controlled with appropriate rearing conditions.     

Logit models for evaluating spawning performance of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque)

Broodstock evaluations are often measured by variables such as spawning success, fecundity, fertilization and hatching rates, usually expressed as percentage values. Outcomes are generally analysed as continuous random variables, assuming that they follow a normal distribution. Ordinary linear regression models (e.g. analysis of variance) as well as χ² analysis are typically applied. However, these models may not be the most appropriate as a number of test criteria may not be met. For example, spawning success outcomes are inherently discrete and non‐negative data and hence their distribution is not likely to be normal. As these models may not be the most appropriate, a case study using logit analysis as an alternative method for the evaluation of this type of data is presented by considering the response as binary data (spawned versus did not spawn). An exact version of logit analysis was performed due to the sparseness of the data. The results demonstrate that appropriate statistical models provide better insight into the cause–effect relationships that exist between control variables and the dependent variable (likelihood of spawning in this case). As would be expected, each strain of fish responded somewhat differently to the test variables. Changing the protein level of the diet from 32% to 42% or increasing the feeding frequency from three to six times per week either did not influence spawning or negatively affected spawning respectively. Additionally, older fish performed better than younger fish and the early spawning period was better than the later spawning period, regardless of strain. These responses, however, were only detected using logit analysis, which is a more sensitive test and would thus be recommended for this type of data.     

Early out-of-season induced spawning of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque) conditioned in heated earthen ponds

This study documents early out-of-season induced spawning of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. During the early spring (February–April) of 1999, 2000 and 2001, ponds containing (1) male and female channel catfish (mixed-sex ponds) or (2) male channel and blue catfish I. furcatus only, or female channel catfish only (single-sex ponds) were heated to 24–30°C to encourage gonadal maturation and spawning. Unheated ponds were stocked with males and females and were monitored during the duration of heating. When natural spawning occurred in the heated ponds, the fish were captured by seining and unspawned females were injected with 100 μg kg⁻¹ of synthetic leutenizing hormone-releasing hormone. Injected females were either paired with males or held in communal all-female groups, and monitored for ovulation. Eggs were collected and fertilized with sperm of channel catfish or blue catfish. Females paired with males were induced to spawn 44 days (mixed-sex ponds) and 50 days (single-sex ponds) before natural spawning occurred in unheated ponds. Spawning latency (the time between injection and ovulation) and the percentage of neurulated embryos from eggs fertilized using channel catfish sperm was not different between spawning before the natural season (P=0.68) and during the natural season in fish from mixed-sex ponds (P=0.57). Females held in all-female groups produced eggs 34 days before the onset of spawning in unheated ponds. Spawning latency was not different between spawns before and during the natural season (P=0.16), and the percentages of neurulated embryos from eggs fertilized with channel catfish sperm (P=0.76) or blue catfish sperm (P=0.77) before or during the natural season were not different. This study demonstrates the feasibility of conditioning of channel catfish females for early out-of-season induced spawning in the laboratory.     

Effects of exogenous neurohormone, gonadotropin (GtH) and dopaminergic drugs on the serum GtH content and ovulatory responsiveness of wild catfish, Silurus asotus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Wild female catfish Silurus asotus (Linnaeus, 1758) were injected with domperidone (DOM) alone, [d ‐Ala⁶, Pro⁹ Net]‐luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone (LHRH‐A) alone once or twice, LHRH‐A plus DOM once or twice simultaneously at 6‐h intervals, LHRH‐A plus carp pituitary extract (CPE) twice simultaneously at 6‐h intervals and LHRH‐A plus human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) twice simultaneously 6 h apart respectively. The results indicated that injection of LHRH‐A at a dosage of 0.01–0.02 μg g^?1 body weight (BWt) alone induced a low but significant increase in serum gonadotropin (GtH) (P<0.05) and resulted in a very low ovulation rate, while DOM at a dosage of 5 μg g^?1 BWt alone did not induce an increase in the serum GtH levels and ovulation; in contrast, LHRH‐A at a dosage of 0.01 μg g^?1 BWt plus DOM at a dosage of 5 μg g^?1 BWt (termed the Linpe technique) increased the serum GtH (P<0.05) significantly and induced an ovulatory rate of 100%, while LHRH‐A plus CPE or HCG resulted in an increase in the serum GtH (P<0.05) and high ovulatory rate, although the latency period was longer when fish were given LHRH‐A plus HCG or CPE.     

Rearing of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and vundu catfish (Heterobranchus longifilis) in traditional fish ponds (whedos): Effect of stocking density on growth, production and body composition

African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) (initial body weight: 34.8 ± 4.8 g) and vundu catfish (Heterobranchus longifilis) (initial body weight: 39.1 ± 8.2 g) fingerlings were stocked at densities of 4, 6 or 8 fish m^− 3 in traditional fish ponds (whedos) constructed in the floodplain of the Oueme River (South Benin, West Africa), for 70 days from March to June 2005. Fish were fed twice a day with 34% crude protein feed formulated with locally available ingredients. The effects of stocking density were evaluated in growth responses, gross production and body composition. Water quality variables were similar (p > 0.05) in all compartments. Temperature and pH were at the optimum level for fish. Dissolved oxygen ranged from 0.9 to 1.2 mg l^− 1 during the experiment and secchi disc transparency was low (< 14 cm). In both species, growth responses increased with the increasing density, significantly in African catfish stocked at density of 8 fish m^− 3 compared to the other densities (4 and 6 fish m^− 3) but not significantly in vundu catfish. Production data ranged from 3.1 ± 0.5 to 22.8 ± 4.5 t ha^− 1 year^− 1 in African catfish and from 6.1 ± 1.2 to 15.1 ± 3.1 t ha^− 1 year^− 1 in vundu catfish. Production increased with increasing stocking densities but only significantly (p < 0.05) between the density of 8 fish m^− 3 and the other densities. In both species, carcass fat increased with increasing density (p < 0.05) while carcass protein and moisture decreased (p > 0.05). These results are important because they indicate that, as far as growth rate and production are concerned, African catfish is more profitable than vundu catfish for culture at high density in whedo.     

斑点叉尾鲖BPI1基因的原核表达及生物信息学分析

为探究斑点叉尾鲖BPI1抗菌肽基因编码蛋白的结构特征,实验提取斑点叉尾鲖肾脏RNA,根据BPI1基因序列设计引物,利用PCR方法克隆BPI1基因并构建至原核表达载体p TWIN1中。构建成功的重组质粒p TWIN1-BPI1经原核表达,SDS-PAGE检测显示得到约为50 ku的融合蛋白,与预期结果相一致。通过生物信息学软件对BPI1基因编码的蛋白序列进行分析,结果显示,克隆所得斑点叉尾鲖BPI1基因编码一条由223个氨基酸残基组成的多肽,等电点为9.07,属于BPI超家族,是稳定的亲水蛋白。亚细胞定位BPI1分布在线粒体(43.5%)、细胞质(30.4%)和细胞核(26.1%)中,表明BPI1可能在嘌呤和嘧啶合成以及能量代谢等过程中发挥信号转导、促进生长等重要作用。二级结构以α-螺旋和β-折叠为主,三级结构呈棒状。同源性及进化树分析表明,实验所得BPI1基因序列与斑点叉尾鲖BPI抗菌肽基因的同源性最高,序列一致性为99.1%,进化树聚为一支,表明BPI1基因编码的蛋白序列在相同物种中的突变率较低,保守性较高,相同物种中其生物活性与个体间的差异关系较小。     

Dietary levamisole modulates the immune response and disease resistance of Asian catfish Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus)

In order to determine the immunomodulatory effect of dietary levamisole in Asian catfish (Clarias batrachus), fish were fed four different diets for 10 days: a formulated diet as control and the same diet supplemented with 50, 150 or 450 mg levamisole kg^?1 feed. The serum bacterial agglutination titre against Aeromonas hydrophila as a measure of specific immunity, serum haemagglutination titre, natural haemolytic complement activity (ACH₅₀), myeloperoxidase and lysozyme activities, total protein level and oxidative radical production by neutrophils as a measure of non‐specific immunity as well as disease resistance against A. hydrophila challenge to separate vaccinated and non‐vaccinated groups were evaluated at 0, 1, 2 and 3 weeks after last administration of levamisole. Levamisole supplement at the lowest level (50 mg kg^?1) significantly enhanced oxidative radical production and serum myeloperoxidase (MPO) content immediately after 10 days of feeding, which reached peak values after 3 and 2 weeks of feeding respectively. Haemolytic complement and haemagglutination titre were significantly enhanced after 3 and 1 weeks respectively. Haemolytic complement activity and MPO activities were significantly raised to 150 mg kg^?1 after 3 and 2 weeks, respectively. At the highest level of levamisole feeding (450 mg kg^?1) significant decreases in superoxide production and complement activity were measured immediately after levamisole feeding, which returned to the normal level after 1 week post‐ feeding. Fish were challenged with a virulent strain of A. hydrophila at 0, 1, 2 and 3 weeks after levamisole feeding, and the cumulative per cent survival was recorded over 10 days. Feeding levamisole at 50, 150 or 450 mg kg^?1 increased per cent survival in vaccinated fish immediately after levamisole feeding, and survival was significantly higher at 450 mg kg^?1. There was no difference in mortality patterns in non‐vaccinated fish. The results support the use of levamisole at 50 mg kg^?1 feed for 10 days as an immunostimulant in Asian catfish farming.     

Effects of common carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758) and the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822) on growth and reproductive performance of native tilapia Oreochromis shiranus (Boulenger, 1896)

A study was conducted to assess the effects of common carp and the African catfish on growth and reproduction of the native tilapia Oreochromis shiranus in Malawi. The study was done from 1 May to 1 October 2018 at the National Aquaculture Centre (NAC), Zomba. Four triplicated treatments were used: O. shiranus + carp (T1), O. shiranus + catfish (T2), O. shiranus + carp + catfish polyculture (T3) and O. shiranus monoculture (T4). Fish were stocked at uniform density of 0.8 fish/m². Data collection was done once every month. Results showed that O. shiranus mean weight gain (%), specific growth rate (% body weight/day), average daily gain (g fish^?1 day^?1) and condition factor (g/cm³) were highest in T3 and lowest in T1 and T4 treatments. T3 had better water quality regime and higher tilapia biomass than T1 and T4 treatments. Tilapia fry production (no. fry pond^?1 day^?1) was highest in T4 but did not significantly differ (p > .05) between T2 and T3 treatments. It is concluded that the farming of common carp in aquatic ecosystems containing the African catfish may not adversely affect growth and reproduction of O. shiranus and that the polyculture of the African catfish, common carp and tilapia can be adopted to mitigate the potential adverse effects of carp on the environment and improve tilapia growth.     

Long photoperiod delayed spawning and increased somatic growth in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata)

The effects of extended photoperiods, mimicking the longest day of the year, were studied in 1- and 2-year seabream. The photoperiod regimes started in late July, 36 and 39 days after the summer solstice and continued for 11 months, well beyond the natural reproductive season of December–March. Regime 1 (long day, 15.5L:8.5D), which used natural and fluorescent light, reduced the incidence of maturity in both year classes and females did not spawn although some gonadal development was observed. Among all 1-year sampled fish of regime 1, a maximum of 5% became spermiating males (March) and 5% reached the yolk granule stage of vitellogenesis (VO3; 250–400 μm diameter) by May. Among 2-year sampled fish of regime 1, 45% became spermiating males and 25% were females, which reached the advanced vitellogenesis stage (VO4; 400–600 μm) by April. Regime 2 (skeleton photoperiod), consisting of natural light and a 1.5-h pulse of fluorescent light during the period 14–15.5 h after sunrise, postponed gonadal development and spawning for up to 3 months. In this regime, a maximum of 80% of 1-year sampled fish were spermiating males in February and a maximum of 10% were VO3 stage females in March. In the sampled 2-year fish, the maximum levels were 50% spermiating males in February and 25% VO3 stage females in March. Control fish, which were exposed to the natural photoperiod (29°34′N), spawned during their natural season. The maximum levels for 1-year sampled control fish were 95% spermiating males and no females in December, while among 2-year sampled fish, maxima of 75% males in February and 45% VO4 stage females in November. Final average weights of photoperiod treated fish (1-year=430 g—regime 1, 400 g—regime 2; 2-year=582 g—regime 1, 518 g—regime 2) were significantly greater (p<0.05) than control fish (1-year=341 g; 2-year=476 g). Daily feed consumption (g/100 g fish) dropped from an average of 1.83 to 0.93 g for 1-year fish during August–December and from 0.88 to 0.54 g for 2-year fish during the same period. This was correlated with reduced autumn and winter water temperatures (26–20°C summer to winter change) and increased fish weight in all treatments. Daily feed consumption was also affected by the onset of spawning in the control and regime 2 (skeleton photoperiod) treatments of both 1- and 2-year fish. The efficiency of feed utilization (FCR) and protein and energy retention were all affected by the photoperiod regimes and followed the same pattern of decrease as weight gain, regime 1 (long day)>regime 2 (skeleton photoperiod)>control.     

The economic feasibility of adoption of a new in-pond mechanical grader for food-sized channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

An economic analysis of an in-pond horizontal floating bar grader for food-sized channel catfish was performed. Data from previously reported field trials were used to determine whether farmer adoption of this grader is economically feasible. Scenarios for four farm sizes (65, 130, 259, and 478 ha) were evaluated. Partial budget, payback period, net present value, internal rate of return, and Taguchi quality loss function analyses were used to quantify and compare economic losses due to deviation from the target fish size. Partial budget results indicated positive net revenue for all farm sizes. Net revenue increased with farm size, market price, and increased dockage penalties. Payback periods ranged from 0.1 to 2.0 years depending on the scenario. Net present values were positive and increased with increasing farm size. Estimated internal rates of return were higher than the current opportunity cost of capital and increased with increasing farm size. The value of the gain in quality from reducing size variation from use of the UAPB grader was estimated to range from $770 to $5575/year, depending on farm size. Producer adoption of the UAPB grader is economically feasible for the scenarios analyzed.     

A comparison of new in-pond grading technology to live-car grading for food-sized channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

Grading trials were performed in experimental and commercial catfish ponds to compare an in-pond horizontal floating bar grader to current live-car grading. Three replicate trials were conducted in experimental ponds at three different temperature ranges (warm, >26 °C; cool, 13–26 °C; cold, <13 °C) with catfish size groups stocked in ratios of either 75:25, 50:50, or 25:75 sub-marketable (<0.57 kg) to marketable fish (≥0.57 kg). Commercial pond trials were replicated three times at each temperature range with a fish size range typical of ponds ready to harvest. Stress experienced by fish during harvest and grading was measured by mean serum glucose and cortisol levels. Grading speed was greater (P < 0.05) with the UAPB grader (105–449 kg/min) than the traditional live-car grader (0.5–0.6 kg/min). The UAPB grader decreased (P < 0.05) the proportion of sub-marketable fish during all trials. In contrast, the live car did not reduce the proportion of sub-marketable fish with the experimental methods used in this study during commercial trials or in the 25:75 distributions during warm and cold temperature trials in experimental ponds. The UAPB grader returned an average two to four times (range of 2–52) more sub-marketable fish by weight to the pond than the traditional live car method. Glucose and cortisol levels in fish graded with the two technologies were not significantly different. The UAPB grader sorted fish more accurately, consistently, and quickly than the live car at all temperatures in both experimental and commercial trials.     

Ammonia and pH effects on some metabolic parameters and gill histology of silver catfish, Rhamdia quelen (Heptapteridae)

The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of ammonia exposure at different pH on survivorship and metabolic parameters in the liver, muscle and gill histology of silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen). The 96 h-LC50 of un-ionized ammonia (mg L^− 1) at pH 6.0, 7.5 and 8.2 were: 0.44 (C.I. 0.38–0.49), 1.45 (C.I. 1.25–1.65) and 2.09 (C.I. 1.85–2.36), respectively. Survival of juveniles exposed to different ammonia levels was altered by pH, and fish exposed to all ammonia levels and different pH showed muscle glucose, muscle and liver glycogen reduction. Liver glucose and muscle and liver lactate levels increased in all fish exposed to ammonia as compared to the control. Exposure to waterborne ammonia increased total ammonia levels in both tissues and also induced gill epithelium damages such as lamellar fusion and edema as compared with controls at different pH. Silver catfish exposed to pH 6.0 and different NH₃ levels presented significantly higher hepatic glucose and protein levels when compared to those maintained at low NH₃ levels. Juveniles exposed to NH₃ levels at pH 7.5 and 8.2 showed lower hepatic protein levels compared to those maintained at low NH₃ levels. These parameters are indicative of pH dependence on ammonia toxicity in silver catfish. The metabolic parameters and gill histology may be used as early indicators of ammonia toxicity in silver catfish.     

日粮中鱼蛋白水解物对黄颡鱼生长、体成分和血清生理指标的影响

为了探讨鱼蛋白水解物对黄颡鱼生产性能的影响,以日本鳀粉为对照,以实用型黄颡鱼饲料配方模式为基础开展实验:1以30.5%鱼粉为对照(FM),在相同配方模式下,以6%鱼蛋白水解物(MPH6)替代20%的鱼粉;2以30.5%鱼粉为对照(FM),在无鱼粉日粮中分别添加3%(FPH3)、6%(FPH6)、12%(FPH12)鱼蛋白水解物;共设计5组等氮等能实验日粮,在池塘网箱中养殖黄颡鱼[初始体质量(30.08±0.35)g]60 d。结果显示:与FM相比,FPH12在SGR、FCR、PRR和FRR方面均无显著差异,而MPH6、FPH3、FPH6组SGR降低了15.45%~24.39%,FCR升高了32.14%~42.86%,MPH6、FPH6差异显著,在PRR和FRR方面,MPH6、FPH3、FPH6组PRR降低了21.11%~27.78%,MPH6组FRR降低了41.51%;全鱼水分、粗蛋白、粗脂肪和灰分各组间差异不显著,FPH3、FPH6、FPH12肌肉多种游离氨基酸水平显著高于FM,其中Thr、Val、His与其在日粮中的水平显著相关;FPH6组HSI显著低于FM,鱼蛋白水解物对CP、VSI、肠体比的影响不显著;血清AST、ALT、HDL、LDL、TP、CHOL、TG无显著差异,FPH3组ALB显著低于FM。研究表明:黄颡鱼日粮中,12%鱼蛋白水解物(干物质)与30.5%鱼粉在生长速度、饲料效率、血清生理指标等方面具有一定的等效性;过高的植物蛋白日粮影响了黄颡鱼的生产性能;饲喂鱼蛋白水解物日粮使黄颡鱼肌肉游离氨基酸的含量升高,特别是呈味氨基酸的含量增加。     

富硒酵母对斑点叉尾鮰肝脏的毒性作用及蛋白质组学的影响

实验探讨了富硒酵母对斑点叉尾鮰肝脏的毒性作用及蛋白质组学的影响,结果表明,饲养56 d后正常组和有机硒组采用原子荧光法检测硒含量均值为0.15和0.81 mg/kg。H.E染色显示有机硒组肝细胞有明显的疏松化,部分发生脂肪变。通过二维凝胶电泳结合ImageMaster软件分析,鉴定出8个表达差异蛋白质点,其中3个在有机硒组表达上调,5个在有机硒组特异表达,经液相色谱串联质谱分析鉴定,这些蛋白质分别是伴侣蛋白TCP1-亚基8、甘油醛-3-磷酸脱氢酶、4SNcTudor蛋白、腺苷激酶、酮糖移转酶、丙氨酰-tRNA合成酶。富硒酵母饲料对斑点叉尾鮰肝具有明显的毒性效应,有机硒调控4SNc-Tudor蛋白,通过信号传导通道加强机体免疫。     

The effects of density, light and shelter on the growth and survival of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822) fingerlings

The effects of stocking density, light and shelter on the growth and survival of Clarias gariepinus fingerings was evaluated. In this experiment African catfish with initial individual mean weight 0.79±0.1 g were reared at two different stocking densities—5 fish l⁻¹ and 10 fish l⁻¹ in either sheltered or unsheltered tanks with reduced and normal light condition. In all conditions growth rate was significantly affected by stocking density. The growth rate was significantly higher at low densities and in reduced light conditions where shelter was provided. Survival rate was in excess of 79% in all treatments and was not affected by treatment.     

饲料中添加雨生红球藻对黄颡鱼生长、抗氧化酶活性、免疫应答及氨氮耐受的影响

为探讨饲料中添加雨生红球藻对黄颡鱼生长、抗氧化酶活性、免疫应答及氨氮耐受的影响。以平均体质量为（5.00±0.85）g的黄颡鱼为研究对象,随机分成4个组,每组3个重复,每个重复30尾鱼,分别投喂添加0.00 %（对照）、0.30 %、0.50 %及1.00 %雨生红球藻的饲料,每天2次表观饱食投喂,实验进行10周。结果显示,饲料中雨生红球藻的添加量大于0.30 %能够显著提高黄颡鱼的增重率和血红蛋白含量,降低饲料系数和白细胞数;饲料中添加0.50 %雨生红球藻能够显著降低黄颡鱼血清超氧化物歧化酶和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性及丙二醛含量,显著提高血清溶菌酶活性;96 h急性氨氮暴露实验表明,摄食0.50 %-1.00 %雨生红球藻饲料的黄颡鱼累积死亡率和血氨含量显著低于对照组;饲料中添加雨生红球藻显著提高了氨氮暴露下黄颡鱼肝脏中氨代谢相关酶含量,其中,氨甲酰磷酸合成酶和精氨酸酶含量随着雨生红球藻含量的升高显著提高。研究表明,饲料中添加大于0.30 %雨生红球藻能够显著提高黄颡鱼的生长性能,改善血液健康状况、氧化损伤及免疫应答能力;饲料中雨生红球藻的添加量超过0.50 %能够显著提高黄颡鱼在氨氮暴露下的存活率。