Effect of variation in the protein value of the red macroalga Palmaria palmata on the feeding, growth and gonad composition of the sea urchins Psammechinus miliaris and Paracentrotus lividus (Echinodermata)

The sea urchins Psammechinus miliaris and Paracentrotus lividus were fed three macroalgal diets with varying protein content over a 90-day period. These diets were the red alga Palmaria palmata, which had been grown in seawater enriched with two levels of ammonia-N and contained a protein content of either 41% (High-N) or 32% (Low-N) and the brown alga Laminaria saccharina (23% protein). A significantly different response to the macroalgal diets by the two sea urchin species was found in terms of food consumption rate, food conversion efficiency, gonadal growth and gonad nutritional composition. P. miliaris was able to efficiently utilise the High-N P. palmata, whereas P. lividus exhibited a higher food conversion efficiency (FCE) and specific growth rate (SGR) when fed the Low-N compared with the High-N P. palmata. P. miliaris had a significantly higher food consumption rate and higher gonad index (GI) compared with P. lividus, irrespective of diet type. The lowest FCE, SGR and GI were shown by both species fed L. saccharina. No interspecific difference in gonadal nitrogen content was observed, although a positive relationship was shown between dietary and gonadal nitrogen content for both species. All three macroalgal diets produced bright orange or yellow orange gonad colour in P. lividus. High-N and Low-N P. palmata improved gonad colouration in P. miliaris compared with L. saccharina. The results suggest that P. miliaris can efficiently assimilate high protein plant-based diet, whereas P. lividus is less capable of benefiting from high dietary protein levels and this should be taken into consideration when culturing this species either in land-based or sea-based polyculture systems.     

Biofouling as a reservoir of Neoparamoeba pemaquidensis (Page, 1970), the causative agent of amoebic gill disease in Atlantic salmon

Amoebic gill disease (AGD) is currently the most important disease affecting the Tasmanian salmonid industry and is caused by a marine amoeba, Neoparameoba pemaquidensis (Page, 1970). In this study biofouling communities on salmon cages were surveyed for the presence of the disease agent over a period of 4 months. Malt–yeast–seawater (MYS) agar plates were used to culture N. pemaquidensis with its presence confirmed by immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Positive percentages of categorised samples ranged from 0% to 55%. The survey detected the presence of N. pemaquidensis on a number of macrofouling species (in particular bryozoan Scrupocellaria bertholetti and solitary ascidian Ciona intestinalis), and in microfouling and water samples. High percentages of positive IFATs occurred in microfouling aggregates, the solitary ascidian, C. intestinalis, and centrifuged water samples. No positive IFATs occurred from samples of Caprella sp. The presence of N. pemaquidensis was sporadic and varied in species and over sampling month. Experimental exposure of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, to lightly fouled netting was conducted to assess the potential for microfouling to act as a source of infection. No signs of the disease were detected in fish exposed to lightly fouled netting treatments, while 100% of positive control fish were infected and had an average of 4.24±1.79 amoebae per field of view in IFAT of mucus smears. When combined with N. pemaquidensis loads in the water column, the loads of amoebae in biofouling communities may contribute to disease outbreaks. Thus, biofouling should be considered a risk factor for AGD outbreaks.     

Experimental beam-trawling in Lanice conchilega reefs: Impact on the associated fauna

To study fisheries impact at the species level in temperate sandy bottom areas, a controlled field manipulation experiment was designed focusing on areas with high densities of the habitat-structuring, tube-dwelling polychaete Lanice conchilega (i.e. L. conchilega reefs). The hypothesis was that the impact on L. conchilega would be minimal, but that the fauna benefiting from the biogenically structured habitat would be impacted by beam-trawling. In this study, the impact of beam-trawl passage on intertidal L. conchilega reefs and its associated fauna was quantified. A treatment zone was exposed to a one-off experimental trawling. Subsequently, the impact on and recovery of the associated fauna was investigated for a period of 9 days post-impact. Community analysis showed a clear impact followed by a relatively quick recovery as apparent through MDS analysis (stress 0.06), a significant (p < 0.001) IMS of 0.61, through ANOSIM analysis: significant (p = 0.001) dissimilarities between treatment and control and through SIMPER analysis (decreasing dissimilarities over time). This impact and subsequent recovery was largely explained by two species: Eumida sanguinea and Urothoe poseidonis. Species analysis confirmed the beam-trawl passage significantly (p = 0.001) impacted E. sanguinea for the whole period of the experiment. The experiment confirmed that closely associated species of L. conchilega reefs are impacted by beam-trawl fisheries. This small-scale intertidal study provides some pointers which indicate that the tightly associated species will be impacted significantly when beam-trawling L. conchilega reefs in subtidal areas.     

Infection and mortality by the yeast Metschnikowia bicuspidata var. bicuspidata in chinook salmon fed live adult brine shrimp (Artemia franciscana)

First-feeding chinook salmon were fed either live adult Artemia franciscana or commercial feed over a 15-week period. Unexplained mortality began occurring in the Artemia-fed fish after 35 days on the diets, with cumulative mortality reaching 34.5% in the Artemia-fed fish compared with 4.3% in feed-fed fish. Necropsy examinations revealed systemic fungal yeast infections and the causative agent was cultured from kidneys. Fungal cells were observed in the transport water of Artemia shipments and within the Artemia. The Artemia were purchased from a retail supplier, and originated from salt ponds in San Francisco Bay (SFB), California. Artemia infection rates ranged from 0.5% to 37.5% (mean 16.5±3.59%) in shipments received over a 5-week period. The fungus was characterized by morphological and physiological properties and was identified as Metschnikowia sp., a pathogenic yeast of aquatic invertebrates. The yeast grew at 9–27 °C, and 0–180 ppt NaCl, and could tolerate salinity of at least 270 ppt. Sequence analysis of the divergent D1/D2 domain of ascomycetous yeast 26S ribosomal DNA identified the organism as Metschnikowia bicuspidata var. bicuspidata. The organism was found in water from the salt ponds and probably entered from the bay. Mortality due to the fungal infection stopped after changes were made in the handling of incoming Artemia shipments.     

Postlarval growth of the freshwater prawn, Macro-brachium australiense Holthuis, 1950 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Palaemonidae)

Growth of newly metamorphosed Macrobrachium australiense was monitored in individually vidually held and group held laboratory animals over 28 weeks. A breeding population was also established in a farm dam and the growth of young juvenile F₁ progeny was recorded for a similar time. Up to 26 moults were recorded in this period and intermoult periods increased with age. Prawns held in groups grew better than those held individually. Reproductive maturity was attained by some females in group held laboratory and farm dam animals within the observation period. Length—weight regression equations were calculated for laboratory maintained prawns, i.e., log W = 0.44+ 2.44 log L; log W = 0.45 + 2.46 log L for individually held males and females, respectively; log W = 0.27 + 2.70 log L for group held males and females.     

The molecular detection of Taura syndrome virus emerging with White spot syndrome virus in penaeid shrimps of Thailand

This study is to investigate the outbreak of the Taura syndrome (TS) in penaeid shrimps of Thailand. Following the outbreak in 2003, the Taura syndrome virus (TSV) was detected in two closely related penaeids; the Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei, and the black tiger prawn, Penaeus monodon. Multiple viral infections were detected, we found that the TSV-infected P. vannamei also presented evidence of the White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) as evidenced by histological examination and molecular diagnostic methods. Infections of TSV and WSSV were investigated over a period of ten months between October 2003 and July 2004. TSV infection in shrimps was diagnosed by RT-PCR using the OIE recommended 9195/9992 primers. Positive shrimp gave the expected amplicon of 231 bp. We also amplified and sequenced a fragment of the vp1 gene (354 bp). The pairwise comparisons of vp1 revealed that Thai TSV was phylogenetically related to the Taiwanese strains (98.3% identity).     

Comparison of diagnostic techniques for Bonamia exitiosus from flat oysters Ostrea chilensis in New Zealand

Two traditional diagnostic methods, namely ventricular heart imprints and histology, and two molecular-based methods, namely in situ hybridisation (ISH) and PCR amplification of a 304 bp region of 18S rDNA, were compared for detecting Bonamia exitiosus infections in a sample of 28 New Zealand flat oysters (Ostrea chilensis). The apparent prevalence of B. exitiosus determined by pooling the results of the two traditional techniques was 60.7%, while the apparent prevalence obtained using the pooled results of the two molecular techniques was 96.4%. ISH was the most sensitive method examined, followed by PCR, heart imprints and histology. The results suggest that ISH is useful for screening smaller numbers of oysters for B. exitiosus in circumstances where high sensitivity is required and strict control over fixation and processing is possible. Heart imprints appear the most time and cost effective method for screening large numbers of oysters for B. exitiosus in situations where reduced sensitivity may be tolerated, but high specificity is required. Histology appears most useful in epidemiological studies where detection of physiological state, other disease agents or pathological lesions is required. The need for more extensive field studies, and optimisation of PCR for specific detection of B. exitiosus under New Zealand conditions is discussed.     

An assessment of the aquaculture potential of the tropical sponges Rhopaloeides odorabile and Coscinoderma sp.

Sponge aquaculture offers the opportunity to provide a sustainable supply of bath and industrial sponges and mitigate the environmental effects of over-harvesting. The potential to develop sponge aquaculture is diverse given the variety of sponge species. However, amenability to culture and the selection of appropriate culture methods are species specific and need to be determined to provide the platform for commercial success. In this study the survival (in situ and ex situ), growth rates (in situ), and recovery processes (ex situ) were measured for explants of two sponge aquaculture candidates, Rhopaloeides odorabile Thompson et al. and Coscinoderma sp. [Phylum Porifera: Order Dictyoceratida: Family Spongiidae], cultured in the Palm Islands Group of the central Great Barrier Reef. Sponge survival was dependent on the species, experiment duration, and method of culture. For both species the highest mortality occurred within days of excision of sponge material from parent stock, and mortalities were negligible after 78 days. After 78 days, R. odorabile had highest survival ex situ (75%) and lowest in situ (60%). In contrast, Coscinoderma sp. had the lowest survival ex situ (30%) and highest in situ (90%). The total growth of R. odorabile (146.0 ± 40.3%) and Coscinoderma sp. (195.9 ± 39.8%) was not significantly different over the 21 month experimental period, but was highly variable between explants from the same individual. Both species demonstrated initial size dependent growth rates with smaller explants growing fastest over the first 78 days. Explant recovery rates were rapid for both species with a protective layer of collagen forming over the surface within 24 h. This layer was replaced by pinacoderm between 3 and 41 days after excision as the subsurface tissue reorganised to recreate a functional surface for each species, including redevelopment of the aquiferous system within 41 days for R. odorabile. R. odorabile and Coscinoderma sp. both show potential for commercial aquaculture, however, further research is required to reduce initial mortality rates and the high variability in growth rates between explants.     

Content of total and free amino acids in zooplanktonic food of fish larvae

The content of total and free amino acids in freshwater planktonic rotifers (Brachionus sp.), copepods (Eudiaptomus zachariasi) and groups of Daphnia pulex, Ceriodaphnia sp. and copepodites (Cyclops strenuus) of different sizes was determined. The amino acid content of Artemia salina nauplii on hatching and during fasting was also determined.

Amino acid content was lowest in rotifers and highest in stage III–IV copepodites. The major free amino acids in Cyclops strenuus dry matter were 1.43% arginine, 0.22% histidine, 0.20% alanine, 0.15% glutamic acid and 0.11% lysine. Free arginine content decreased in the daphnids as they increased in size. The content of all free amino acids in fasting Artemia nauplii was lower than in the freshwater zooplankters. The major free amino acids in nauplii were 0.55% proline, 0.41% alanine, 0.34% glycine and 0.37% serine. The content of most free amino acids in nauplii decreased during fasting. The significance of the results are discussed in relation to essential amino acid requirements of fish, and nutrition of fish larvae without fully developed gastrointestinal systems.     

A comparison of the biological characteristics of Sarotherodon niloticus (L.) with those of S. aureus (Steindachner) and other tilapia of the delta and lower Nile

The tilapia species occurring in the lower Nile are Sarotherodon niloticus, S. aureus, S. galiaeus and Tilapia zillii. The distinguishing characteristics between the previously confused S. niloticus and S. aureus are summarised; from these there is no evidence of hybridization of the two species in natural populations in Egypt. The scales are used to estimate the growth rates of tilapia species in two coastal lakes and in both, S. niloticus grows faster than S. aureus after the first year. The possible factors causing the growth checks on the scales are considered.

The spawning season of S. niloticus appears to attain a discrete peak in April–May, whilst the spawning season of S. aureus extends from May to September with at least two actual spawnings within this period. Natural spawning cycles are compared with those observed in fish ponds.

A more extended spawning period of S. aureus may explain the reduced growth rate of the species after the first year. The spawning cycle of all species coincides with the temperature regime of the water bodies. The fecundities of S. aureus and S. niloticus are similar and are described by log F = log 1.33 + 2.23 log L, which suggests that small fishes produce more eggs per g body weight than large.

The salinity tolerance of the Nile tilapia can be ranked as T. zillii > S. galilaeus > S. aureus > S. niloticus. Evidence on chronic and acute effects of salinity are reviewed and upper estimates for salinities giving unimpeded growth are deduced as being, T. zillii 29‰, S. galilaeus 15–20‰, S. areus 10–15‰ and S. niloticus 5–10‰.     

Biochemical composition and energy content of six species of phytoplankton used in mariculture of bivalves

Diatoms Thalassiosira pseudonana (Hustedt) Hasle and Heimdal, Chaetoceros calcitrans (Paulsen) Takano and Chaetoceros sp. (Aquaculture Research Corporation), and phytoflagellates Isochrysis galbana Parke, Isochrysis aff. galbana Green (T-Iso) and Tetraselmis suecica (Kylin) Butcher were harvested at exponential and stationary phases of growth and biochemical compositions determined. Moisture content declined in all species at the stationary phase of growth. The siliceous nature of the diatom reduced inherent organic content relative to that of the flagellate. Total pigments were more concentrated in the stationary phases of all species except Tetraselmis. Inclusion of cellular lipid and protein was highest in species of Isochrysis with the carbohydrate constituents of the phytoflagellates presenting a complex mixture of glucose, galactose, mannose, xylose, arabinose, ribose, fucose, and rhamnose. Content of carbohydrates was generally higher in diatoms than phytoflagellates, with glucose the dominant sugar originating from a reserve glucan considered digestible by bivalves. Caloric content of lipid, carbohydrate and protein in phytoplankton allowed for ranking as sources of energy in the following decreasing order: Isochrysis aff. galbana (T-Iso), Isochrysis galbana, Chaetoceros calcitrans, Tetraselmis suecica, Thalassiosira pseudonana, and Chaetoceros sp. (ARC), with all but Thalassiosira exhibiting higher energy levels in the stationary cells.     

Fish feeds from grass clippings

The objective of this research was to develop a quality fish feed that could be produced from simple plant material by way of microbial processing. Silaged grass clippings, applied to shallow ponds, produced floating mats of microbial biomass containing 26% protein and 43% carbohydrate in 7–10 days. The final silage-microbe mat (SMM) showed increases of over 300% in biomass and 100% in protein content over the silage feedstock. Productivity and microbial succession patterns were similar in laboratory ponds and tropical field ponds located in the Dominican Republic. In laboratory experiments SMM-fed tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, showed significant growth increases over controls (fed commercial catfish fish feed), if they were allowed to graze the SMM together with the gelatinous detrital deposited during SMM culture. SMM produced little fish growth if it was harvested and fed separately in clean-bottom ponds without detrital buildup. These data show that the microbial mat produced from processed grass clippings can produce a nutritious natural fish food in the pond. The detrital trophic level in the sediment (stimulated by SMM culture), is a critical component in this diet.     

Prey preference of Carcinus aestuarii: possible implications with the control of an invasive mytilid and Manila clam culture in a northern Adriatic lagoon

The cultivated Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum, and the accidentally introduced Asian date mussel, Musculista senhousia, are nowadays the most abundant bivalve species in the Sacca di Goro (northeastern Italy). M. senhousia, with its sub-surficial extended mats, creates quite a heavy economical impact to clam shellfish culture. Individual Mediterranean shore crabs Carcinus aestuarii were allowed to forage on the two bivalve species to examine the crab's preference in light of the optimal foraging theory. Crabs preferred M. senhousia over R. philippinarum: mortality was higher for the former (34.6%) than for the latter bivalve species (9.5%). It is suggested that the marked preference of C. aestuarii for Asian date mussels over Manila clams could be advantageously exploited to control or to reduce the extension of mats, especially where these create management problems to infaunal, burrowing bivalve cultures.     

Gametogenesis of the European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) and Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) in warm water in Israel

The gametogenic cycle of Ostrea edulis and Crassostrea gigas was studied in the outflow water of fish ponds in Eilat, Israel. Despite relatively high water temperatures (14–28°C) and high salinity (41 ± 2 ppt), both species developed gonads. O. edulis spawned from March to May, when water temperature ranged from 18 to 22°C, with a dormant period during the summer months. C. gigas spawned between May and August, when water temperature ranged between 20 and 26°C, with a dormant period between August and April. Spat never developed in the fish pond system.     

Feeding has the largest effect on the ammonia excretion rate of the southern rock lobster, Jasus edwardsii, and the western rock lobster, Panulirus cygnus

The total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) excretion of spiny lobsters Jasus edwardsii and Panulirus cygnus, was determined in relation to temperature, body weight, emersion, daily rhythm and feeding. Temperature and body weight had large influences on the rate of TAN excretion. Exponential relationships were found between temperature (T) and TAN excretion of both species. These were described by the following equations: J. edwardsii Log₁₀ TAN=0.041T−3.57 (r²=0.979, F=143.2, P=0.001), P. cygnus Log₁₀ TAN=0.057T−3.90 (r²=0.987, F=302.2, P<0.001). TAN excretions of both species were positively correlated to body weight (W), and the relationships were described by the following equations: J. edwardsii Log₁₀ TAN=0.473 log₁₀ W−1.704 (r²=0.42, F=14.05, P=0.001), P. cygnus Log₁₀ TAN=0.499 log₁₀ W−1.346 (r²=0.69, F=44.18, P<0.001). TAN excretion increased significantly when lobsters were re-immersed after a 30 min period of emersion. However, it returned to pre-emersion levels by the second hour of re-immersion. Daily rhythm resulted in a significantly higher nocturnal TAN excretion rate for J. edwardsii; no daily rhythm was observed for P. cygnus. Feeding had the largest influence on TAN excretion, with maximum increases of 6.28 (J. edwardsii) and 5.60 (P. cygnus) times the pre-feeding level. TAN excretion rates remained significantly higher than the pre-feeding levels for an extended period (26 h, J. edwardsii; 30 h, P. cygnus). Implications for the use of purging tanks in lobster holding facilities and for the design of biofiltration systems are discussed.     

Using a macroalgae Ulva pertusa biofilter in a recirculating system for production of juvenile sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus

A simple indoor recirculating system for production of juvenile sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) was operated on a commercial scale for 90 days during winter. The system consists of three 70 m³ sea cucumber rearing tanks and one biofilter tank where macroalgae (Ulva pertusa) was used as a biofilter in order to reduce water requirements. Effluent from the sea cucumber tanks drained into the macroalgae biofilter tank and were then returned to the sea cucumber tanks by a discontinuous-flow recirculation system. Survival and growth rates in the sea cucumber culture tanks were similar to those in the control tank (with one water exchange per day). The survival rate averaged about 87%. The average body weight increased from 3.5 ± 0.3 g to 8.1 ± 0.8 g and total sea cucumber biomass production over the experimental period was 745 g m⁻² after initial stocking densities of 375 g m⁻². The growth rate of U. pertusa was 3.3% day⁻¹. U. pertusa was efficient in removing toxic ammonia and in maintaining the water quality within acceptable levels for sea cucumber culture; there were only small daily variations of temperature, pH and DO. The U. pertusa tank removed 68% of the TAN (total ammonia-nitrogen) and 26% of the orthophosphate from the sea cucumber culture effluent; the macroalgae biofilter removed ammonia at an average rate of 0.459 g N m⁻² day⁻¹. It would be efficient to use the U. pertusa biofilter in a recirculating system for production of A. japonicus juveniles in winter.     

Determining culture strategies in populations of the European flat oyster, Ostrea edulis, affected by bonamiosis

Bonamiosis affects the viability of oyster culture in Galicia (NW Spain). This study shows the effects of the disease on three oyster populations from hatcheries in different culture areas (Cambados and Bueu) and different origin: stock A [F₁]_, stock B [F₂]_, and stock C [F₂]. These stocks were cultured between November 1998 and November 2000 in Cambados and Bueu. In the Cambados area, bonamiosis is considered to be endemic, while the disease does not generally affect Bueu area. Sampling was conducted at 3-month intervals to study prevalence of Bonamia, mortality and growth rates. In the Cambados area, bonamiosis was detected 12 months after beginning culture but in the Bueu area, it was not detected until 24 months after initiating cultures. Our results suggest that there is a relationship between presence of Bonamia ostreae and oyster mortalities, which were observed in the three stocks from Cambados. These mortalities were associated with the culture area (Cambados) and not with stock of oysters. Growth was satisfactory in both areas as oysters reached commercial size (60 mm) 15 months after beginning the cultures. In an area where Bonamia is present, such as Cambados, the oysters should be marketed promptly (after approximately 15–18 months of culture) but in areas where Bonamia is not present, such as Bueu, the oyster farmer can culture oysters over a long period of time, prior to harvest, if necessary.     

Effects of temperature change rate on nitrogen effluxes of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (DeMan)

Ammonia-N (NH4⁺ + NH³) and total nitrogen (TN) efflux rates of Macrobrachium rosenbergii were measured during stepwise temperature changes (26 °C → 22 °C → 18 °C → 22 °C → 26 °C) at different rates. Sudden temperature reductions did not affect efflux rates, but sudden temperature rises evoked rapid and high increases in the efflux rates. A direct relationship between ammonia-N excretion and water temperature was observed when gradual temperature changes were effected over a 5 h period. When the animals were acclimated to a new temperature for 72 h, no clear effects of temperature on the efflux rates were found. Sudden temperature changes resulted in an increased proportion of ammonia-N in the total nitrogen excreted. It is suggested that temperature changes during the shipment of M. rosenbergii should be avoided or made gradually.     

Using modified length–weight relationships to assess the condition of fish

This paper develops a model to replace classical fish models used to assess weight and condition. Results from two classical models (M=KL³ and M=aL^b) were compared to results from the proposed model (M=BL²H) to find which one could be most accurately applied over the widest range of genetic, morphological and physiological states. A large database of physical measurements was analyzed. The newly proposed model decreased the variability in calculating weight by between 38 and 44% as compared to the conventional fisheries model M=KL³ and was consistently more accurate than M=aL^b. Condition factor K of the two salmon species studied increased with fish weight, while the B factor was generally invariant. With regards to the salmonids, the B factor indicates a type of bodily streamlining, important for swimming functions. A low B factor indicates a fish has less cross sectional area per unit length than a high B value fish has. As well, the B factor can be used to calculate girth. The new model can, therefore, be used to more accurately predict weight and physical state than other conventional models can.     

Protein, carbohydrate, lipid and chlorophyll a content in Isochrysis aff. galbana (clone T-Iso) cultured with a low cost alternative to the f/2 medium

Growth, proximate composition and chlorophyll a content was estimated in static cultures of Isochrysis aff. galbana (clone T-Iso) to compare the quality and quantity of the biomass produced with an agricultural fertilizer medium versus f/2 medium. Culture of microalgae was done with controlled temperature, air flux of 4.5 l min⁻¹, salinity of 33‰ and an irradiance of 110±3 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹. Daily samples from the cultures were taken to estimate cellular density, proximate composition and chlorophyll a content during 7 days. Mean cellular density from samples with f/2 medium and with agricultural fertilizer were similar (no significance at P≤0.05), and mean growth rates of 0.62 and 0.61 doubling per day, respectively. Maximum similar values of protein content of 7.3 and 7.6 pg per cell were estimated on the 5th day in f/2 and agricultural fertilizer medium, respectively. Carbohydrate and lipid content decreased during the first 5 days corresponding to the exponential growth in both experiments. Higher content of carbohydrate (no significance at P≤0.05) was found in both media during the first 2 days, after 4 days the carbohydrates reduced three times theirs concentrations. Generally lipid contents in the cultures with agricultural fertilizer were significantly higher (P≤0.05) than f/2 medium. The chlorophyll a content increased exponentially during the culture, and its concentration was similar in both experiments. In conclusion, the cellular density and the biochemical constituents were similar when using either media. This fertilizer can be used in the production of I. galbana (T-Iso) employed in aquaculture.