Effects of dietary protein and energy levels on spawning performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) broodstock in a recycling system

The effects of dietary protein and energy level on spawning performance of Nile tilapia broodstock and hatchability of their eggs were studied. Nine diets containing three protein (30, 35 and 40%) and three energy (14.6, 16.7 and 18.8 MJ GE/kg) levels were prepared. The diets were fed to duplicate groups of broodfish (average weight of 60.5 ± 4.6 g for males and 39.4 ± 3.1 g for females) at 2–3% of their body weight, twice a day, for 150 days. At low protein level (30%), time to first spawning was significantly longer than at 35 and 40% protein levels, and increased with increasing dietary energy (decreasing protein-to-energy (P/E) ratio). At 35 and 40% protein levels, time to first spawning was not affected by dietary energy. Inter-spawning intervals (ISI) showed irregular patterns in relation to dietary protein and energy, however, at 40% protein the females tended to spawn at shorter intervals, regardless of dietary energy. Spawning performances, including total number of spawnings per tank, number of spawnings per female, absolute fecundity and average number of eggs per spawn, were all significantly lower (P < 0.05) at 30% CP than at higher protein levels. At all protein levels, increasing dietary energy from 14.6 to 18.8 MJ GE/kg (and decreasing P:E ratio) resulted in a significant decrease in fish fecundity. Egg size was not significantly affected by dietary protein and energy. At all energy levels, egg hatchability increased with increasing dietary protein levels (P < 0.05). Eggs produced from broodstock fed 30 and 35% CP, exhibited significantly lower hatchability (P < 0.05) and needed less time for hatching and yolk-sac absorption, and resulted in lower larval length than those fed a 40% protein diet. However, increasing energy level at each dietary protein level did not significantly affect these parameters. These results revealed that the best spawning performance of Nile tilapia broodstock reared in a recycling system was achieved at 40% dietary protein and 16.7 MJ GE/kg, with a P/E ratio of 23.6 g/MJ.     

The Effects of Salinity on Reproductive Performance of Florida Red Tilapia

The reproductive performance of yearling Florida red tilapia broodstock was studied in laboratory aquaria at salinities of 1 (freshwater), 9, 18, 27 and 36 ppt under controlled photoperiod (14 L:10 D) and temperature (28 C).
Spawning was observed at all salinities, although egg production per unit female weight at each spawn was significantly higher at 1 ppt than at higher salinities. An inhibitory effect of salinity on reproductive performance was evidenced by a trend toward lower fertilization, hatching, and survival of prejuveniles with increasing salinity. Fry production per unit female weight declined at salinities above 18 ppt. The results suggest that Florida red tilapia broodstock may be maintained under salinities as high as 18 ppt without impairing fry production, suggesting that hatchery production in brackishwater would be practical in areas where freshwater resources are limiting.     

Salinity tolerance of cultured Eurasian perch, Perca fluviatilis L.: Effects on growth and on survival as a function of temperature

Eurasian perch is generally only considered to be a candidate for freshwater aquaculture even though wild populations are found in estuarine and brackish water habitats. Little knowledge exists on two issues a) the effect of temperature on the salinity tolerance of perch and b) the long-term effects of brackish water on their overall growth performance. The present study addresses these two questions.

Firstly, the effect of temperature (12, 15, 20 and 25°C) on perch survival of a salinity challenge at either 13 or 18‰ was determined. Survival was unaffected by 13‰ at the two lowest temperatures whereas higher temperature and higher salinities had a dramatic detrimental effect (at 25°C, 50% mortality was reach at 62h and 39h for 13‰ and 18‰, respectively). Secondly, we examined the effect of salinity on growth, which was assessed by measuring standard length and body weight at regular intervals for 130days. In addition, Specific growth rate (SGR), Fulton's condition factor (K) and food conversion ratio (FCR) were also calculated as was the effect of salinity on plasma osmolality, blood ion content (Na⁺, Cl⁻, K⁺) and muscle water content at the termination of the experiment. The optimum growth for this study was seen in the lowest salinities at 0 and 4‰. Surprisingly, even small increases in salinity were detrimental to perch growth. At 10‰, growth in terms of body weight was reduced by about 50% after 130days compared to perch reared in freshwater.

Interest in brackish water production of perch would be most likely served best by selecting a strain of perch that is adapted to saline conditions, as found in the lower Baltic region. Further studies are required to understand the potential for brackish water perch production.     

Salinity tolerance of Nile tilapia fry (Oreochromis niloticus), spawned and hatched at various salinities

Fertilized eggs of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) spawned in freshwater, were removed from mouthbrooding females, 1 day post-spawning and artificially incubated at elevated salinities. At 6 days post-hatching, mean survivals of 85.5, 84.4, 82.5, 56.3, 37.9, 20.0 and 0% were recorded for broods incubated at salinities of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 32 ppt, respectively. Fertilized eggs exhibited a 96-h median lethal salinity (MLS-96) of 18.9 ppt, a value identical to that of 7- to 120-day-old fry and fingerlings. Fertilized eggs exhibited a higher median survival time (ST₅₀ = 978 min) than 7- to 395-day-old fry and fingerlings (ST₅₀ = 28.8–179.0 min).The salinity tolerances of fry spawned at various salinities and fry spawned in freshwater but hatched at various salinities, were determined using the median survival time (ST₅₀), mean survival time (MST) and 96 h-median lethal salinity (MLS-96) indices. For comparative purposes, fry spawned and hatched in freshwater were acclimatized to various salinities and their salinity tolerance determined. Fry salinity tolerance progressively increased with increasing salinity of spawning, hatching, or acclimatization. However, at equivalent salinity, early exposure (spawning) produced progeny of comparatively higher salinity tolerance than those spawned in freshwater and hatched at elevated salinity. Similarly, at equivalent salinity, progeny spawned in freshwater but hatched at elevated salinity exhibited higher salinity tolerance than those spawned and hatched in freshwater, then acclimatized to an elevated salinity.The utility of these methods of early salinity exposure toward the saltwater culture of tilapias is discussed.     

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‰.     

Dietary taurine improves reproductive performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) broodstock

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplemental taurine on reproductive performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) broodstock fed soybean meal‐based diets. Four isonitrogenous (350 g kg^?1 protein), isocaloric (18 MJ kg^?1) diets were formulated to contain 0, 5, 10 and 15 g kg^?1 taurine. The diets were fed to triplicate groups of juvenile Nile tilapia (10–15 g average body weight) at a female: male ratio of 3 : 1, to apparent satiation, three times per day for 130 days. The size at first maturation decreased with increasing dietary taurine to 10 g kg^?1 and levelled off with further taurine supplementation. The time to first spawning was also significantly shorter at 10 g kg^?1 taurine level. Spawning performances, including spawning frequencies, total number of spawnings per tank, number of spawnings per female and absolute fecundity, were all significantly improved with increasing dietary taurine up to 10 g kg^?1. However, the quadratic regression analyses indicated that the maximum spawning performance occurred at 8 g kg^?1 of supplemental taurine. Eggs produced from broodstock fed 10 g kg^?1 taurine exhibited significantly higher hatchability and required shorter time for hatching and yolk‐sac absorption and also resulted in higher larval weight than at other dietary taurine levels. The highest egg protein, total amino acids and taurine were also obtained at 10 g kg^?1 taurine. These results suggest that 8 g kg^?1 dietary taurine is required for optimum reproductive outputs of Nile tilapia broodstock.     

Effect of Salinity on Larval Rearing of Pacu,Piaractus mesopotamicus,a Freshwater Species

The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth and survival of pacu, Piaractus mesopotamicus, larvae reared in different salinities and to determine the Artemia nauplii life span in freshwater and in saline water. First feeding 5‐d‐old pacu larvae were reared in freshwater or at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 ppt salinities. The larvae were reared in 1.5‐L aquaria at a density of 10 larvae/L with three replicates per treatment. After 10 d of rearing, significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed for growth and survival. Larval growth was higher at 2 and 4 ppt, and survival at 2 ppt was 100%. In freshwater and at 4, 6 and 8 ppt, the survival was 91.1, 93.3, 73.3, and 39.9%, respectively. At higher salinities, there was 100% mortality after 2 h (12 and 14 ppt) and 8 h (10 ppt) of exposure. The slightly saline water of at least 2 ppt increased the Artemia nauplii life span compared to the life span in freshwater. Later, in a second trial, 5‐d‐old pacu larvae were reared in freshwater and at 2 and 4 ppt salinities during the first 5 or 10 d of active feeding, and then the fish were transferred to freshwater. At the end of 15 d, larval growth was lower in freshwater (42 mg) than in treatments 2 and 4 ppt (59–63 mg). The abrupt transfer of fish from freshwater to slightly saline water and the return to freshwater did not affect the survival rates (89–97%). The larvae were able to adapt to these saline environments and handle abrupt changes in salt concentration. We concluded that salinity concentration of 2 ppt can be used for pacu larval rearing, allowing the Artemia nauplii lifetime to last longer and cause faster fish growth.     

Effects of Dietary Protein Levels on Gonad Maturation, Size and Age at First Maturity, Fecundity and Growth of Nile Tilapia

Six-week-old Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fry with an average weight (SD) of 0.51(0.2) g were reared for 140 days on five formulated, isocaloric diets of different protein levels (25, 30, 40 and 45% by dry weight). Fish fed diets of higher protein levels (40 and 45%) showed better growth and feed conversion ratio than those on lower protein levels. Fast-growing fish matured earlier. Maturation rate was affected by the dietary protein levels. Males matured earlier than females: the first mature males were recorded when they were 14 weeks old, whereas the females matured after 18 weeks. In both sexes, mean percentage of mature fish rose with increasing dietary protein level, the percentage of mature males being higher than that of the females. Similarly, the percentage of mature fish rose with the increasing age of fish, with more than 50% males and females mature at the age of 22 and 24 weeks, respectively, the exception being the 25% protein diet fed fish, where the percentage of mature fish was below 50%. In all treatments, spawning was initiated when the fish were 22 weeks old. Smallest size at spawning of males and females was 9.2 cm (13.1 g) and 8.1 cm (8.9 g), respectively, and dietary protein levels influenced the size of fish at first maturity. For both sexes, no difference was found in the gonado-somatic index (GSI) among different treatments. Fecundity increased with increasing dietary protein levels, but significant differences were found only between 40–45% and 25–35% dietary protein levels. The relative fecundity (eggs g^–1 female) was higher at the lower dietary protein levels (25–35%) than at the higher dietary protein levels (40–45%). The dietary protein levels did not have any significant influence on the size and weight of mature eggs. The chemical composition of fish and mature ovaries was significantly influenced by the dietary protein level.     

Influence of lipid level and supplemental lecithin in diet on growth,feed utilization and body composition of juvenile flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) in suboptimal water temperatures

This study was conducted to investigate the influence of dietary lipid level and supplemental soy lecithin on growth, feed utilization and body composition of juvenile flounder reared at two suboptimal water temperatures, 12 and 17 °C. Three isonitrogenous (CP 50%) diets containing 1% squid liver oil (S7), 7% squid liver oil (S14), and a mixture of 2% soy lecithin and 5% squid liver oil (SL14) were formulated to obtain 7% and 14% of crude lipid. Triplicate groups of fish (6.3 ± 0.2 g) were fed to apparent satiation twice a day for 60 days. Weight gain, daily feed intake, feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio were significantly higher for fish reared at 17 °C than at 12 °C. Daily feed intake was significantly decreased with the increase of dietary lipid level at the same water temperature, but weight gain was not affected by dietary lipid composition. At 12 °C, feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio were significantly higher for fish fed the S14 and SL14 diets than those of fish fed the S7 diet, while at 17 °C feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio of fish fed the S14 diet, which were not significantly different from those of fish fed the SL14 diet, were significantly higher than those of fish fed the S7 diet. There were no significant effects of dietary lipid composition or temperature range on the whole body contents of moisture, crude protein, lipid or ash. Dietary lipid composition and temperature affected the fatty acid content of the polar lipid from the liver; and the n-3HUFA contents such as 20:5n-3 and 20:6n-3 were higher at 12 °C than at 17 °C. The results of this study indicate that an increase of dietary lipid level from 7% to 14% has beneficial effects on feed utilization of flounder when reared in suboptimal water temperatures. The increase of water temperature from 12 to 17 °C improved growth and feed utilization, but 2% soy lecithin had no substantial effect on growth and feed efficiency of juvenile flounder.     

Effects of protein and lipid concentrations in broodstock diets on growth, spawning performance and egg quality of yellowfin sea bream (Acanthopagrus latus)

A study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary protein and lipid concentrations on growth, spawning performance and egg quality of yellowfin sea bream, Acanthopagrus latus. Nine diets representing a combination of three protein concentrations (40, 50 and 60%) and three lipid concentrations (15, 20 and 25%) were tested with three replicates. Each replicate was stocked with 10 fish with a sex ratio of 1:1 and the average weights were 415 g and 236 g for females and males, respectively. Fish were fed to satiation twice daily. The weight gain of A. latus broodstock was not significantly (P > 0.05) different among fish fed diets with the various protein and lipid concentrations. Except for relative fecundity and survival rate of 3-day-post-hatch (3DPH) larvae, spawning performance of A. latus was not significantly affected by different concentrations of dietary protein or lipid. Relative fecundity was found to be significantly elevated by dietary lipid at 20% concentration. However, survival rate of 3DPH larvae was highest from broodstock fed diets with 40% protein and 25% lipid, 50% protein and 15% lipid and 60% protein and 15% lipid concentrations. Egg diameter generally increased with increasing dietary protein from 40 to 60% at each lipid concentration. Total length of hatchlings followed an inverse relationship with dietary protein regardless of the lipid concentration. The oil globule diameter (OGD) of hatchlings significantly increased with decreasing dietary protein from 60 to 40%. Yolk sac length (YSL) and OGD of hatchlings was generally greatest at 15% dietary lipid concentration irrespective of protein concentrations. Total length of 3DPH larvae was greatest from broodstock fed diets with 50% protein and 20% lipid, respectively. Body protein content of broodstock was not significantly affected by dietary protein and lipid concentrations. However, increasing dietary lipid generally resulted in increasing body lipid content regardless of the dietary protein concentration. Protein and lipid contents of eggs, hatchlings and 3DPH larvae were significantly affected by dietary protein and lipid concentrations of the broodstock diets. The present study revealed that the best reproductive performance of A. latus broodstock was achieved at 40% dietary protein and 20% dietary lipid concentrations based on relative fecundity, fertilization rate, hatchability and survival of 3DPH larvae.     

Effects of dietary protein to energy ratios on growth and body composition of juvenile Japanese seabass, Lateolabrax japonicus

A growth experiment was conducted to determine the optimal dietary protein to energy (P/E) ratio for juvenile Japanese seabass (initial average weight 6.26±0.10 g). Nine practical diets were formulated to contain three protein levels (36%, 41% and 46%), each with three lipid levels (8%, 12% and 16%), in order to produce a range of P/E ratios (from 19.8 to 28.6 mg protein kJ⁻¹). Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 60 fish in sea floating cages (1.5×1.5×2.0 m). Fish were fed twice daily (06:30 and 16:30) to apparent satiation for 8 weeks. The water temperature fluctuated from 26.5 to 32.5 °C, the salinity from 32‰ to 36‰ and dissolved oxygen content was approximately 7 mg l⁻¹ during the experimental period. The results showed that the growth was significantly affected by dietary P/E ratio (P<0.05). Fish fed the diets with 46% protein (12% and 16% lipid, P/E ratio of 26.7 and 25.7 mg protein kJ⁻¹) had the highest specific growth rates (SGR) (4.26 and 4.24% day⁻¹). However, fish fed the diet with 41% protein and 12% lipid showed comparable growth (4.20% day⁻¹), and had higher protein efficiency ratio (PER), protein productive value (PPV) and energy retention than other groups (P<0.05). No significant differences in survival were found among dietary treatments. Carcass lipid content positively correlated with dietary lipid level irrespective of protein level and inversely correlated with carcass moisture content. Carcass protein and ash contents increased with increasing dietary lipid at each protein level. These results suggest that the diet containing 41% protein and 12% lipid with P/E of 25.9 mg protein kJ⁻¹ is optimal for Japanese seabass.     

Protein requirements of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fry cultured at different salinities

Effect of isolipidic (62.7 ± 5.0 g kg^?1) diets with protein levels of 204.6 (T20), 302.3 (T30), 424.6 (T40) or 511.0 g kg^?1 (T50) on growth and survival in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus Linnaeus 1758) fry cultured for 70 days at one of four salinities (0, 15, 20 and 25 g L^?1) was evaluated. A bifactorial (4 × 4) design was used with 16 treatments run in triplicate and 20 fry (0.25 ± 0.04 g) per replicate under semi‐controlled conditions. Four independent, recirculating systems (one per salinity level) were used, each one with 12 circular tanks (70 L capacity), filters and constant aeration. The different salinities had no significant effect on growth. Weight gain improved significantly as dietary protein content increased, although organisms fed the T50 diet had a lower growth rate. Survival was highest (98.33%) in the T50/15 (protein/salinity levels) treatment and lowest (71.0%) in the T20/20 treatment, with no pattern caused by the variables. The T40/25, T40/20 and T50/0 treatments produced the most efficient growth and feed utilization values while the T20 treatments at all the salinities resulted with the lowest performance. With the exception of the T50 treatments, a non‐significant tendency to increased weight gain was observed as water salinity increased, suggesting that the salinity of the culture environment does not influence dietary protein requirements in Nile tilapia O. niloticus fry.     

Effects of dietary protein on growth and body composition of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L.

The effects of dietary protein (25%, 30%, 35%, 40% and 45%) on growth, survival, feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and body composition were investigated for four sizes (0.51, 45, 96 and 264 g) of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L. In all four experiments, there was a progressive increase in growth with increasing dietary protein. In fry (0.51 g), significantly higher growth, survival and feed conversion were recorded for fish fed 40–45% rather than 25–35% protein diets. Similar trends for growth and FCR were also noted in 45 g fish. For larger (96 and 264 g) tilapia, significant differences in growth and FCR were found only between fish fed 25% and 30–45% protein diets. FCR and PER decreased with increasing weight of fish, and both were found to be negatively correlated with dietary protein level. Whole-body composition of the smallest fish was significantly influenced by dietary protein content. Percentage body protein of the fish fed 40–45% protein was higher than that of fish fed 25–35% protein diets, whereas lipid content decreased with increasing dietary protein level. In 45 g fish, both protein and lipid contents were higher in fish fed 25% and 30% protein diets than in those fed 35–45% protein diets. In larger tilapia, no significant influence of dietary protein level on body protein content was found. Percentage lipid decreased with increasing dietary protein level, and no definite trends in ash content were found. The results of these studies indicate that O. niloticus fry (0.51 g) should be reared on a practical diet containing 40% protein, and larger tilapia (96–264 g) on a diet containing 30% protein.     

Nutrient budgets in tanks with different stocking densities of hybrid tilapia

Nitrogen and phosphorus budgets were estimated in 12 indoor fiberglass tanks stocked with hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus×O. aureus) at densities of 1 kg, 5 kg, 10 kg and 15 kg/m³ and reared for 14 days. Each density was replicated three times, and the experiment was repeated five times. The water in each tank was changed daily. Fish were fed a 34% protein tilapia feed to satiation twice daily. Feed consumption rate significantly decreased (P<0.05) with increasing density, but the FCR did not vary significantly (P>0.05) among the treatments. The production of one kilogram of fish required 2.0–2.2 kg of feed in different stocking density treatments, while 87.1–95.6 g nitrogen and 12.6–13.8 g phosphorus were released into the water, as metabolic waste. Of the feed input, 21.4% of the nitrogen and 18.8% of the phosphorus were incorporated in the fish harvested.     

Some effects of temperature and salinity on laboratory-reared eggs and larvae of Polydactylus sexfilis (Pisces: Polynemidae)

Effects of temperature and salinity on eggs and yolksac larvae of Polydactylus sexfilis (Cuvier and Valenciennes) were examined in laboratory experiments. Data on developmental rates as influenced by temperature are presented. Larval length at 95% yolksac absorption was maximized between 23.8 and 28.6°C. Based on the development of functional eyes and jaws, larvae were judged capable of feeding before the yolk was completely absorbed. Larvae incubated at intermediate temperatures also had larger amounts of yolk remaining when eyes and jaws were judged functional. Temperature and salinity effects on hatching success, survival at the end of the yolksac stage, and morphological abnormalities were studied in a 10 × 5 (temperature × salinity) array of treatments. In 34‰ sea water, normalized larval survival at the end of the yolksac stage was greater than 50% between temperatures of 21.9 and 28.0°C. Larval survival decreased at lower temperatures and salinities. Proportions of abnormal larvae increased at temperature and salinity extremes, and normal development was maximized between 26 and 34‰. Larvae (74 h after fertilization) were more tolerant to extreme high temperatures than were newly fertilized eggs. Upper salinity tolerance limits of 42-h larvae were greater at 26.2°C than at 23.5 or 29.2°C, and lower salinity was less tolerated at the two extreme temperatures. Based on the results, recommended temperatures and salinities for rearing P. sexfilis eggs and early larvae are 24–28°C and 26–34‰.     

Dietary vitamin C and E supplementation and reproduction of milkfish Chanos chanos Forsskal

Milkfish Chanos chanos Forsskal broodstock (11 years old, average body weight 5.23–5.73 kg) reared in 10‐m‐diameter by 3‐m‐deep floating net cages (31–36 fish per cage) at SEAFDEC AQD's Igang Marine Substation in Guimaras Island, central Philippines, were fed daily at 3% of total body weight formulated diets (36% protein, 7–8% lipid) supplemented with 0.1% vitamin C, 0.05% vitamin E, both vitamin C and E or no vitamin supplementation (control) for 3 years. Reproductive performance was assessed in an attempt to determine the optimum nutrition for successful spawning of milkfish. The total egg production, mean number of eggs per spawning, number of spawns and mean egg diameter were not affected by dietary vitamin C and E supplementation. However, broodstock given dietary supplementation of vitamin C alone or in combination with vitamin E had a higher percentage of spawns with higher (> 90%) percentage egg viability, hatching and cumulative survival rate than those of the control. Broodstock given dietary vitamin E supplementation alone had few spawns, which made the results difficult to analyse. The results confirm the essentiality of vitamin C supplementation in producing more spawns with good egg and larval quality. The production of an adequate volume of good quality eggs and larvae to support hatchery operation is necessary to offset the huge investment in broodstock development, as it takes at least 5 years for milkfish to attain sexual maturation and spawning.     

Survival and Growth of White Bass Morone chrysops Reared at Different Salinities

Abstract.— Juvenile white bass Morone chrysops (age 158 d, 110.4 mm total length) were reared at salinity levels of 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 parts per thousand (ppt). Fish (10/tank) were stocked in 64-L tanks with four replicates/treatment ( N = 40heatment) and fed a pelleted feed daily. Fish were sampled semimonthly for 70 d. Fish reared at salinities of 12 ppt and below were significantly ( P ≤ 0.05) larger (mean = 151.5 mm total length; range 146.8–155.7 mm) than fish reared at salinities of 16 and 20 ppt (mean 133.7 mm total length; range 131.5–135.8 mm) after 70 d. Survival was also higher ( P ≤ 0.05) among fish reared at salinities of 12 ppt or lower (mean 85.6%; range 77.5%–92.5%) compared to those reared at the two highest salinities (42.5% survival at 16 ppt; 5.0% survival at 20 ppt). Thus, although typically found in freshwater habitats, white bass can survive and grow in brackish water.     

Investigation of the Effects of Salinity and Dietary Protein Level on Growth and Survival of Pacific White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei

It is presumed that in hypo‐ and hypersaline environments, shrimp’s requirements for some specific nutrients, such as protein, may differ from those known in the marine habitat; however, few investigations have been conducted in this area of study. In the present investigation, the effects of salinity and dietary protein level on the biological performance, tissue protein, and water content of Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, were evaluated. In a 3 × 4 factorial experiment, juvenile shrimp with an average initial weight of 0.36 ± 0.02 g were exposed for 32 d to salinities of 2, 35, and 50 ppt and fed experimental diets with crude protein contents of 25, 30, 35, and 40%. A significant effect of salinity on growth of shrimp was detected, with the growth responses (final weight, weight gain) ranked in the order 2 ppt (3.87, 3.50 g) > 35 ppt (3.40, 3.04 g) > 50 ppt (2.84, 2.47 g). No effects of dietary protein level or an interaction between salinity and protein on growth of shrimp were observed under the experimental conditions of this study. Percent survival of shrimp fed the highest protein content (40%, survival of 74%) was, however, significantly lower than those of shrimp fed the other feeds (25, 30 and 35% protein, survival of 99, 91, and 94%, respectively), a result likely associated with the concentration of total ammonia nitrogen, which increased significantly at increasing protein levels. Final water content of whole shrimp was significantly lower in animals exposed to 50 ppt (70.8%) than in shrimp held at 2 (73.7%) and 35 ppt (72.3%). No effect of salinity, protein, or their interaction was observed on the protein content of whole shrimp. The results of the present study are in agreement with reports of superior and inferior growth of L. vannamei reared in hypo‐ and hypersaline environments, respectively, as compared to what is generally observed in seawater.     

Effect of dietary sodium chloride acclimation on growth and plasma thyroid hormones in tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (L.) in relation to sex

This trial was conducted in order to test the effect of supplemental dietary sodium chloride on growth and plasma thyroid hormone levels of male and female monosex groups of tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (L.) reared in fresh water and 10‰ brackish water. At the end of the experiment. the gonadal development of females was observed. A high‐salt diet (8% NaCl) was fed to female and male tilapia for a period of 3 weeks. After this time. both groups were transferred directly to fresh water and 10‰ brackish water, and a growth trial was conducted over 90 days. The results indicate that dietary supplementation with NaCl improved the growth of females and males at 30 days, except for females maintained in fresh water. Females reared in 10‰ brackish water showed an increase in growth rates that was accompanied by the highest plasma T3 levels. In contrast, males did not exhibit the same relationship in 10‰ brackish water, showing lower plasma T3 levels than in fresh water. Histological sections of O. niloticus ovaries revealed that female groups contained oocytes at different stages of development. At 90 days, females reared in 10‰ brackish water showed oocytes in maturation, while in fresh water, they showed the highest proportion of vitellogenic oocytes and no mature oocytes. The highest proportion of mature oocytes observed in brackish water was associated with the better growth rate in relation to fresh water. These results confirm that tilapia breed freely in low‐salinity brackish water as well as in fresh water.     

Spontaneous maturation and spawning of milkfish in floating net cages

Milkfish (Chanos chanos Forsskal) reared from wild-caught fry and from hatchery-bred fry matured at 3.5–5.5 years (2.3–4.9 kg). Maturation and spawning of the hatcherybred fish marks the first time the milkfish life-cycle has been completed in captivity.Milkfish at various stages of gonadal development were obtained in July–October 1980 and March–June 1981 derived from wild-caught fry, and in February–June 1983 from the hatchery-bred fish. The fish were held in floating net cages 9 m and 10 m diameter by 3 m deep, located in 7 m deep water off Igang, Guimaras Island, Philippines. Annual ranges of temperature and salinity were 25–33°C and 25–38 ppt, respectively. The fish were fed commercial feed pellet (42% protein) at 1.5–2% of body weight twice daily.Sexual maturation occurred during the natural breeding season of wild milkfish in the nearby waters. Gonadosomatic index (GSI) of mature males was 0.32–3.95 (wild-caught, 0.32–3.95; hatchery-bred, 1.71–3.85). For mature females it was 1.24–8.12 (wildcaught, 1.56–7.62; hatchery-bred, 1.24–8.12). Two spawnings were recorded in August 1980 and eight in May–July 1981 from the broodstock derived from wild-caught fry, with 342–6293 eggs collected from each spawning, while 14 spawnings were observed in May–June 1983 from the hatchery-bred fish, with 770–114 000 eggs collected. The time of spawning was between 23.00 and 02.00 h. Fertilization rate was 55–99% for the broodstock from wild-caught fry and 47–100% for the hatchery-bred fish. Hatch rate varied from 9 to 80%.Factors affecting spontaneous maturation, spawning and rematuration are discussed. Although slight improvements in egg collection were obtained, further innovations in egg collecting techniques will have to be developed. The results indicate the potential for hatchery production of milkfish fry from captive broodstock and for restocking of waters deprived of naturally occurring fry.