A survey of the fish fauna of Transkei estuaries Part Two: The Mbashe Estuary

The species composition, seasonal abundance and spatial distribution of the fish fauna of the Mbashe estuary (8 km long) was determined by means of gill nets. During the 37 month survey period, 2908 fish (2319,8 kg), comprising 27 species, were caught. The family Mugilidae, representing 58,8% of the numbers and 57,4% of the biomass, predominated the catches. In terms of biomass M. cephalus, A. hololepidotus and P. commersonnii were the most important species. Seasonal patterns for 10 of the 27 species were observed. M. cephalus, A. hololepidotus and L. amia were more abundant in spring/summer, E machnata and V. buchanani in spring, P. commersonnii and L. tricuspidens increased numerically in winter and M. capensis in autumn, Johnius dussumieri and Valamugil cunnesius were rare in winter and summer, respectively. Largest catches were made in the middle reaches of the estuary followed by the upper and lower reaches, respectively.     

A survey of the fish fauna of Transkei estuaries Part Four: The Mntafufu and Mzamba River estuaries

The Mntafufu and Mzamba Rivers have small catchment areas (178 and 505 km², respectively) in the forested coastal belt of Transkei and have relatively small estuaries (5 and 2 km long, respectively). Although the annual rainfall is in excess of 1000 mm in this area, the mean annual runoff was less than 70 Mm³ in both cases. Serious floods were not observed during the survey period, while turbidity and sediment loads were usually very low. Salinities were usually high (x? = 30,0-38,0‰) in the bottom water and temperatures in the upper reaches were usually higher than in the lower reaches. The species composition, and seasonal and spatial abundance of the fish fauna of the two estuaries were determined by means of gill nets. A total of 1043 fish (385,8 kg) representing 42 species were caught in the Mntafufu estuary. The orangemouth glassnose Thryssa vitrirostris and V. cunnesius were the most abundant fish in the estuary. Numerically 42% of the catch (46% gravimetrically) belonged to the family Mugilidae (11 species) of which Mugil cephalus, Valamugil buchanani and V. cunnesius were the most important. A total of 389 fish (241,1 kg) were caught in the Mzamba estuary. Twenty-five species were obtained with Hilsa kelee dominating numerically. Seven species of mullet contributed 38,3% of the numbers or 54,2% of the fish biomass. The diamond mullet (Liza alata) and the flathead mullet (Mugil cephalus) were the most abundant in terms of biomass. The highest catches in the two estuaries were taken in the lower reaches. Mean number and biomass of fish taken per net was 20,5 fish and 7,2 kg, and 16,2 fish and 10,1 kg in the Mntafufu and Mzamba estuaries, respectively.     

A survey of the fish fauna of Transkei estuaries. Part 1. The Kei River estuary

During the period of survey the 8 km long Kei estuary was subjected to periodic floods which reduced salinities to 0%o and decreased light penetration to a few centimetres. Species composition, and temporal and spatial abundance were determined for fish samples collected by means of gill nets. Twenty-six species of fish were caught with Mugil cephalus, Liza tricuspidens and Argyrosomus hololepidotus predominating, in that order. The family Mugilidae comprised 67,8% of the numbers and 66,6% of the fish biomass caught. Definite seasonal patterns could not be determined for many of the fish although M. cephalus, L. richardsoni and A. hololepidotus were more abundant in summer. The effect of river flooding had unpredictable results on Mugilidae catches which either decreased or increased after floods while catches of P. commersonii and A. hololepidotus usually increased. Largest catches were made in the middle reaches although species diversity was greatest in the lower reaches of the estuary.     

Seasonal Abundance Distribution and Catch Per Unit Effort of Fishes in the Swartkops Estuary

Catch per unit effort was obtained for the nekton of the Swartkops estuary near Port Elizabeth by means of gill netting. Fifty gill net catches were made in which 1 269 fish were caught in areas representative of the mouth, middle and upper reaches of the estuary. Pomadasys commersonni, already shown to be the most abundant angling species in the estuary, dominated gill net catches both in terms of mass (29%) and numbers (17%). The family Mugilidae (five species) comprised 25% of the mass and 42% of the numbers caught. Environmental factors and availability of food that might determine distribution offish in the estuary are discussed. The largest mean mass per individual was found in Chanos chanos (4 473 g), Elops machnata (1 656 g) and Valamugil buchanani (1 580 g). Lowest mean masses were recorded for Monodactylus falciformis (63 g), Rhabdosargus holubi (88 g) and Liza dumerili (94 g).     

Seasonal abundance,distribution, and catch per unit effort using gill-nets,of fishes in the Sundays estuary

Catch per unit effort was obtained for the fish of the Sundays estuary by means of gill-netting. Fifty-five gill-net catches were made in which 1258 fish were caught in the mouth, middle and upper reaches of the estuary. Sea catfish, Tachysurus feliceps dominated catches numerically and kob Argyrosomus hololepidotus In terms of weight (31% of total). CPUE was 21 kg/standard net. Mean body weight of fish was 894 g. It seems that the food web in the Sundays estuary is based largely upon phytoplankton and dependent zooplankton grazers.     

Communications: Isolation of Several Mycobacterium Species from Fish

Abstract

Several species of marine fish caught in the wild and of freshwater ornamental fish were used in this study. Infected organs (liver, spleen, and kidney) were sampled for mycobacteria. Decontaminated tissue samples were plated onto selective media for mycobacterial recovery. After initial isolation, fluorescent and acid-fast staining techniques identified bacterial colonies to genus. Profiles of biochemical growth characteristics were used to further identify the isolates to species. Five species of Mycobacterium were identified: M. simiae, M. scrofulaceum, M. marinum, M. chelonae, and M. fortuitum. Of these, M. simiae and M. scrofulaceum have not been previously reported from fish. Tissue samples containing focal granulomatous lesions were prepared for electron microscopic examination.     

Invasive alien freshwater fishes in the Wilderness Lakes System,a wetland of international importance in the Western Cape Province,South Africa

The Wilderness Lakes System incorporates a RAMSAR listed wetland. Previous ichthyological surveys reported three invasive freshwater fishes; Oreochromis mossambicus (Mozambique tilapia), Gambusia affinis (mosquitofish) and Micropterus salmoides (largemouth bass) from this system. To assess the status of these alien fishes, the fish assemblages in the lakes system were sampled with seine nets and fyke nets in 2009 and 2010. A total of 87 893 fish comprising 16 species were caught. In addition to confirming the persistence of O. mossambicus and G. affinis in the system, the current study also reports the presence of a new invader, Cyprinus carpio (common carp). M. salmoides were absent from 2009 and 2010 samples.     

Effects of Dietary Zinc and Calcium on Select Immune Functions of Channel Catfish

Abstract

The effects of dietary zinc and calcium on immunocompetence of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus (mean initial weight = 3.1 g/fish) were determined after a 10-week feeding trial. Fish were fed daily amounts equal to 3% of their body weight of one of six purified diets that were deficient in zinc (2 mg/kg of diet), calcium (0.02% of diet), or both; replete with zinc (20 mg/kg of diet) and calcium (0.5% of diet); or excessive in zinc (200 mg/kg of diet) or calcium (2.5% of diet). Immunocompetence of immunized and nonimmunized fish fed the various diets was assessed by measuring serum immunoglobulin M levels and mortality after an intraperitoneal injection of live Aeromonas hydrophila. Channel catfish fed diets deficient in zinc, calcium, or both had significantly (P ≤ 0.05) less weight gain and survival as compared with those fed diets replete with or excessive in zinc or calcium. Tissue mineral concentrations of fish indicated that various levels of zinc and calcium nutriture existed when immune functions were tested. Diet affected mortality of only nonimmunized fish in the bacterial-challenge test; zinc deficiency and calcium excess decreased mortality. Whereas growth and survival of fish were reduced by dietary zinc or calcium deficiency, the measured immunological characteristics were not equally impaired by these mineral deficiencies.     

Preliminary estimates of population size and capture rates of mature Acanthopagrus berda in the Kosi lakes system,South Africa,using mark-recapture methods

Population size estimates and capture rates by various fishing techniques of mature estuarine bream, Acanthopagrus berda, were determined in the Kosi lakes system using mark-recapture methods. The total population size of mature A. berda was estimated to be 45 257 (95% confidence interval: 31 589-74 429) based on fish recaptured in fish traps and 56 112 (95% confidence interval: 25 505-374 080) using recaptures from recreational anglers. Fish traps were estimated to catch about 5% of the mature population of A. berda annually, while recreational rod and line angling and traditional spearfishing accounted for about 1% and 0.2% of the mature population respectively. Limited mark-recapture data for other species of fishes in the lakes yielded annual capture rates by fish traps ranging from 2.4% to 5.8%. These levels of fishing appear low enough to be sustainable, but evidence from a long-term monitoring programme indicates an increase in overall fishing effort in the Kosi lakes between 1984 and 1996 and a three-fold increase in the proportion of the A, berda population caught annually. However, there is no evidence from available catch per unit effort (CPUE) data that current levels of harvesting of A. berda are unsustainable. This needs to be confirmed through modelling of the A. berda stocks and continued monitoring of CPUE in all components of the Kosi lakes fishery. In the meantime, an increase in fishing effort directed at this species is not recommended.     

Intake and digestibility in sheep and chemical composition during different seasons of some West African browse species

Foliage of Afzelia africana, Pterocarpus erinaceus and Khaya senegalensis, from 10 trees per species, was collected every two weeks during the late dry, rainy and cool season to determine the seasonal effects on chemical composition. Fifteen rams of the Djallonké breed, weighing on average 20.0 kg, were used to evaluate the voluntary intake and digestibility of hay of A. gayanus, foliage of A. africana (as a sole feed), and A. africana, P. erinaceus and K. senegalensis offered with 30% of the diet as A. gayanus hay. The crude protein (CP) content of A. africana, and P. erinaceus decreased significantly from the late dry season to the cool season when that of K. senegalensis tended to increase. The mean CP of A. africana, P. erinaceus and K. senegalensis differed significantly (173 g, 139 g and 114 g/kg DM, respectively). The DM intake of A. africana offered with hay (571 g/d) or as a sole feed (598 g/d) were not significantly different, but was higher than that of P. erinaceus (428 g/d) and K. senegalensis (298 g/d). The digestibility calculated by difference of DM and CP of A. africana (582 g/kg DM and 795 g/kg CP, respectively) did not differ significantly from A. africana as a sole feed, but were higher than for the other species. The nutritive value of A. africana seems to justify the high preference of herders for this species.     

Stomach content analysis of the leervis,Lichia amia (L.), from the Swartvlei system,southern Cape

A total of 222 specimens (TL 17,3 to 73,4 cm) of the leervis, Lichia amia, were collected at three localities in the Swartvlei estuarine system over the period July 1978 to April 1980. The stomachs of 150 of these contained food. Those from fish collected in the lower reaches of the system contained mostly sand-shrimp and fish, those from the middle reaches predominantly fish, and those from the upper reaches exclusively fish. The most important prey species overall were the estuarine round-herring, GUchristella aestuarius, and the sand-shrimp, Paiaemon pacificus.     

Stomach contents of some shore-caught teleosts of Natal,South Africa

Stomach contents of shore-caught teleosts feeding on the Natal nearshore substratum were visually analysed for percentage composition. Commonly caught fish, namely Rhabdosargus sarta, R. holubi, Pomadasys commersonni, Trachinotus africanus and T. botta, were opportunistic omnivorous predators and fed largely on sand mussels and benthic crustacea. Less frequently caught predatory fish (15 species) fed mainly on benthic crustacea and other teleosts. The results are discussed briefly and will provide an input to a current ecosystem study on the environment in which these fish feed.     

Dose Titration of Sarafloxacin (A-56620) against Edwardsiella ictaluri Infection in Channel Catfish

Abstract

Two dose-titration studies were performed with sarafloxacin (A-56620) on channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus infected with Edwardsiella ictaluri. Fish were infected with E. ictaluri by water-bath exposure and subsequently fed rations for 5 d to equal 0, 2, 6, 10, or 14 mg sarafloxacin/kg body weight per day. In trial I, mortality was significantly reduced from 69% for fish receiving no medication to 17% for those receiving 10 or 14 mg sarafloxacin/kg per day (P ≤ 0.01). In trial II, mortality was reduced from 33% of the nonmedicated infected group to 5 and 10% offish receiving 10 and 14 mg sarafloxacin/kg per day, respectively. Fish receiving 2 or 6 mg sarafloxacin/kg per day had intermediate mortality rates.     

Quantitative studies of the in vitro production of pipecolic acid by rumen protozoa and its degradation by rumen bacteria

An in vitro study was conducted to quantitatively investigate the metabolism of pipecolic acid (Pip), a neuromodulator, by mixed rumen bacteria (B), mixed rumen protozoa (P), a combination of B and P (BP), species‐enriched rumen protozoal suspension (Polyplastron sp., Diploplastron sp., entodinia and Entodinium caudatum) and pure cultures of several isolates of rumen bacteria (Prevetolla bryantii, Prevetolla albensis, Streptococcus bovis, Veillonella parvula, Megasphaera elsdenii and Ruminococcus albus). Only P produced Pip from L‐lysine (1.0 mmol/L L‐Lys) at a rate of 83.5 ± 1.6 µmol/L/h and even in BP, Pip was produced from L‐Lys by P and increased at a rate of 31.2 ± 3.8 µmol/L/h. Pip production by P was highest when the substrate (L‐Lys) concentration was 6 mmol/L and then the rate was 580 ± 36 µmol/L/h. Pipecolic acid production by P suspension enriched with different species of protozoa showed that Polyplastron sp. had the highest Pip production rate of 0.907 ± 0.092 µmol/L/mg protozoal protein per h, and Diploplastron sp. had the lowest rate of 0.55 ± 0.13 µmol/L/mg protozoal protein per h. The addition of D‐Lys (1.0 mmol/L) as a substrate to the P suspension revealed that P were also able to produce Pip from D‐Lys, though at a lower rate (1/3) compared with L‐Lys (1.0 mmol/L), suggesting the presence of epimerases in P. It was confirmed that B were unable to produce Pip from L‐ or D‐Lys. Only B degraded Pip (1.0 mmol/L) after a lag phase at a rate of 56.0 ± 1.5 µmol/L/h. The B suspension was able to degrade D‐Lys, though the products were not identified. Pip degradation by pure culture of some species of rumen bacteria showed that P. bryantii and R. albus had the highest rate followed by P. albensis, S. bovis and M. elsdenii with a low rate of Pip degradation. Veillonella parvula showed no ability to degrade Pip. The results suggest that a fairly large proportion of rumen‐produced Pip is likely to be absorbed by the host animal before degradation by rumen bacteria.     

Pharmacokinetics of florfenicol in the plasma of Japanese quail

Abstract

AIM: To determine the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of florfenicol in the plasma of healthy Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica).

METHODS: Sixty-five quail were given an I/V and I/M dose of florfenicol at 30 mg/kg bodyweight (BW). A two-period sequential design was used, with a wash-out period of 2 weeks between the different routes of administration. Concentrations of florfenicol in plasma were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

RESULTS: A naíve pooled data analysis approach for the plasma concentration-time profile of florfenicol was found to fit a non-compartmental open model. After I/V administration, the mean residence time (MRT), mean volume of distribution at steady state (V_ss), and total body clearance of florfenicol were 12.0 (SD 0.37) h, 8.7 (SD 0.22) L/kg, and 1.3 (SD 0.08) L/h/kg, respectively. After I/M injection, the MRT, mean absorption time (MAT), and bioavailability were 12.3 (SD 0.37) h, 0.2 (SD 0.02) h, and 79.1 (SD 1.79)%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: The time for the concentration of florfenicol to fall below the probable effective concentration of 1 µg/ml of approximately 10 h is sufficient for the minimum inhibitory concentration needed for many bacterial isolates. Further pharm acodynamic studies in quail are needed to evaluate a suitable dosage regimen.     

UV‐light and dietary vitamin D and their effects on ionized calcium and 25‐OH‐D plasma concentrations in captive gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua)

In this study, the effect of ultraviolet (UV) light and dietary vitamin D on calcium metabolism in permanently indoor‐housed gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua ) was investigated. The study consisted of three periods, each completed with blood samples to analyse plasma concentrations of 25‐OH‐D, 1,25‐(OH)₂‐D, ionized (iCa) and total calcium (tCa). During the first study period (D), animals were housed under routine conditions without UV‐light and fed a diet of different fish species, supplemented with 1,000 IU vitamin D per animal and day. The following study period (Baseline) of 28‐day duration consisted of the same diet without any vitamin D supplementation and without UV‐light. During the study period (UVB) artificial UV‐light was added for 3 weeks. The vitamin D content of fish was measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography. It varied between fish species and between facilities, ranging from no measurable content in capelin (Mallotus villosus ) to 7,340 IU vitamin D/kg original matter (OM) in herring (Clupea spp). The average dietary vitamin D content was 311 IU/kg OM at facility 1 and 6,325 IU/kg OM at facility 2, resulting in a vitamin D intake per animal and day without supplementation of 130 IU (25.5 IU/kg body weight BW) and 2,454 IU (438.2 IU/kg BW) respectively. The supplementation of vitamin D elevated significantly the plasma concentrations of 25‐OH‐D by an intraindividual difference of 15 (range ?2 to 59) nmol/L and tCa by 0.1 (0.0–0.3) mmol/L only at facility 2. The exposure to UV‐light raised the blood concentrations of tCa at facility 2 by 0.15 (0.1–0.2) mmol/L, and of iCa and tCa for females at facility 1 by 0.23 (0.13–0.41) mmol/L and 1.8 (1.1–2.5) mmol/L respectively. No significant influence of the study periods (D) and (UVB) was found for the concentrations of 1,25‐(OH)₂‐D at both facilities.     

Journal of Aquatic Animal Health: Guide for Authors 2014

Abstract

Brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis were treated with single 60-min static baths of 250 mg formalin/L, 3% NaCl, and 15 mg Chloramine-T/L to evaluate the efficacy of these compounds against external infections of Aeromonas salmonicida. Prevalence of A. salmonicida was significantly lower in brook trout treated with Chloramine-T than among those treated with formalin or salt. Further laboratory tests substantiated the therapeutic value of a single treatment of ChloramineT (15 mg/L) against A. salmonicida. In two experiments, viable counts of A. salmonicida in mucus did not vary among replicate groups of treated brook trout, but the counts for treated fish were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those for untreated controls. In vitro tube dilution assays indicated that mean minimum inhibitory concentrations of Chloramine-T for 10 isolates of A. salmonicida were 9.0 mg/L for 1 h and 2.25 mg/L, for 24 h. In field trials at the White River National Fish Hatchery (Bethel, Vermont), the pathogen was detected principally as an external infection of juvenile Atlantic salmon Salmo solar maintained in two culture ponds. In one pond, the bacterium accounted for 100% of the total distribution of tnicroflora isolated from mucus. Seven days after treatment with Chloramine-T, A. sahnonicida accounted for 11% of the total bacterial counts identified from these fish. In the second pond, A. salmonicida composed 3% of the counts of bacteria isolated from the mucus of fish before treatment but was not isolated after treatment.     

Susceptibility of Selected Inland Salmonids to Experimentally Induced Infections with Myxobolus cerebralis,the Causative Agent of Whirling Disease

Abstract

Laboratory exposures to the infectious stages (triactinomyxons) of Myxobolus cerebralis demonstrated a range of susceptibility to whirling disease among four species of inland salmonids. Replicate groups of each species were exposed to two concentrations of triactinomyxons, a low dose (100–200 per fish) and a high dose (1,000–2,000 per fish). Exposed fish were evaluated for clinical signs, for severity of microscopic lesions at 35 d, 2 and 5 months, and for spore concentrations in the head cartilage at 5 months. A standard strain of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss matched for age served as a susceptible species control. Rainbow trout, westslope cutthroat trout O. clarki lewisi, Yellowstone cutthroat trout O. clarki bouvieri, and bull trout Salvelinus confluentus were susceptible to M. cerebralis infections. Clinical signs, including radical swimming (“whirling”) and black tails, were observed at 7 weeks postexposure among rainbow and cutthroat trout challenged at 3 weeks of age. Clinical signs were rare among bull trout exposed at an age of 4 weeks and absent among rainbow and cutthroat trout exposed at 3 months posthatch. Most rainbow, cutthroat, and bull trout were found to be infected when examined at 5 months postexposure. The most severe microscopic lesions among infected fish at 5 months postexposure were found among rainbow trout. Cutthroat trout had less severe lesions, bull trout had mild infections, and no evidence of infection was found among Arctic grayling Thymallus arcticus. Mean spore concentrations among infected fish correlated with the severity of microscopic lesion scores. Rainbow trout had mean concentrations of spores in head cartilage reaching 10⁶, whereas more resistant species such as bull trout had 10⁴ spores; no spores were found among Arctic grayling at 5 months postexposure.