黄芪多糖和当归多糖对维氏气单胞菌诱导鲫细胞凋亡的影响

为研究黄芪多糖(astragalus polysacharin,APS)和当归多糖(angelica sinensis polysaccharide,ASP)对维氏气单胞菌诱导的鲫细胞凋亡的影响,实验设阴性对照组、阳性对照组,黄芪多糖组和当归多糖组四个处理组,通过对鲫用维氏气单胞菌攻毒处理,用流式细胞仪测定血细胞的凋亡比例和细胞周期变化,并用荧光显微镜和透射电镜观察凋亡细胞的形态。结果显示,维氏气单胞菌攻毒后阳性对照组鲫血细胞的细胞凋亡率均极显著高于多糖组和阴性对照组(P0.01);多糖组能显著降低鲫的细胞凋亡率且黄芪多糖组效果更显著;攻毒后鲫肝细胞和肾脏淋巴细胞出现染色质凝集,细胞核固缩边集和细胞空泡化及凋亡小体;同阴性对照组相比维氏气单胞菌攻毒可以引起鲫血细胞周期中S/G2+M期细胞比例极显著下降,sub-G1极显著升高,抑制细胞分裂诱发凋亡;多糖组则G0/G1期细胞极显著降低,S/G2+M期细胞极显著升高,sub-G1极显著降低,促进细胞分裂抑制凋亡。黄芪多糖和当归多糖添加量在1%时能抑制维氏气单胞菌攻毒引起的细胞凋亡。     

黄芪多糖和当归多糖对维氏气单胞菌诱导鲫细胞凋亡的影响

为研究黄芪多糖(APS)和当归多糖(ASP)对维氏气单胞菌诱导鲫细胞凋亡的影响,实验设阴性对照组、阳性对照组,黄芪多糖组和当归多糖组,通过对鲫用维氏气单胞菌攻毒处理,用流式细胞仪测定血细胞的凋亡比例和细胞周期变化,并用荧光显微镜和透射电镜观察凋亡细胞的形态。结果显示,维氏气单胞菌攻毒后阳性对照组鲫血细胞的细胞凋亡率均极显著高于多糖组和阴性对照组;多糖组能显著降低鲫的细胞凋亡率且黄芪多糖组效果更显著;攻毒后鲫肝细胞和肾脏淋巴细胞出现染色质凝集、细胞核固缩边集和细胞空泡化及凋亡小体;同阴性对照组相比;维氏气单胞菌攻毒可以引起鲫血细胞周期中S/G2+M期细胞比例极显著下降,sub-G1极显著升高,抑制细胞分裂诱发凋亡;多糖组则G0/G1期细胞极显著降低,S/G2+M期细胞极显著升高,sub-G1极显著降低,促进细胞分裂抑制凋亡。黄芪多糖和当归多糖添加量在1%时能抑制维氏气单胞菌攻毒引起的细胞凋亡。     

酵母免疫多糖对受免斑点叉尾(鮰)免疫应答的增强作用

在饲料中添加定量的酵母免疫多糖,投喂注射接种了福尔马林灭活的嗜水气单胞菌(Aeromonas hydrophila)菌苗的斑点叉尾(鮰)(Ictalurus punctatus),28 d后通过测定供试鱼的增重量、血清中凝集抗体效价、溶菌酶活性、谷丙转氨酶活性(SGPT)、血清总蛋白含量、白细胞吞噬活性以及活菌攻毒后的免疫保护率(RPS),探讨了酵母免疫多糖对受免斑点叉尾(鮰) 免疫应答的增强作用.结果表明,用添加200.0 mg/(kg·d)酵母免疫多糖的饲料投喂受免斑点叉尾(鮰),不仅可以使受免斑点叉尾(鮰) 对灭活嗜水气单胞菌的免疫应答水平提高,增强抵抗嗜水气单胞菌人工感染的能力,而且还具有一定的促进生长和改善肝功能的作用.     

大黄素、维生素C及其配伍对团头鲂感染嗜水气单胞菌后生理生化指标的影响

为综合评价大黄素、高剂量维生素C及其配伍对团头鲂(Megalobrama amblycephala Yih)抗嗜水气单胞菌感染能力的影响,选取1 200尾健康的团头鲂,体质量为(133.44±2.11)g,随机分成4组,其中1组为对照组,投喂基础日粮,另外3组在基础日粮中分别添加60mg/kg大黄素、700 mg/kg维生素C、60mg/kg大黄素+700mg/kg维生素C(配伍组).饲养60 d后,经腹腔注射感染嗜水气单胞菌,并在攻毒前后检测团头鲂血液和肝脏的生化指标以及肝脏2种热休克蛋白70s(HSP70s)mRNA的表达水平;另从各池中取10尾鱼进行同样的攻毒试验,统计攻毒后各时间点鱼的累积死亡率.结果表明,攻毒后,与对照组相比,大黄素、维生素C组不同程度地提高了血清总蛋白(TP)、溶菌酶(LSZ)和碱性磷酸酶(AKP)的水平,肝脏超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)的活性以及HSC70和HSP70 mRNA的表达水平,降低了血清皮质醇(COR)、血糖(GLU)、谷丙转氨酶(GPT)、谷草转氨酶(GOT)、甘油三酯(TG)以及肝脏丙二醛(MDA)的水平;配伍组中,这些指标的变化趋势虽与上述类似,但大多与对照组的差异不显著(P＞0.05),且未表现出协同增效作用.此外,各组鱼血清胆固醇(CHOL)的含量在攻毒前后的差异均不显著(P＞0.05).统计也表明,大黄素和维生素C组鱼的累积死亡率在攻毒后24 h、48 h均显著低于对照组(P＜0.05),而配伍组试验鱼的累积死亡率与对照组差异均不显著(P＞0.05).由此可见,在基础日粮中添加大黄素60 mg/kg或维生素C 700 mg/kg,可提高鱼体的非特异性免疫力、抗氧化能力以及2种HSP70s mRNA的表达水平,增强鱼体抗病原菌感染的能力.二者配伍则效果不佳.     

酵母免疫多糖对受免斑点叉尾免疫应答的增强作用

在饲料中添加定量的酵母免疫多糖,投喂注射接种了福尔马林灭活的嗜水气单胞菌(Aeromonas hydrophila)菌苗的斑点叉尾(Ictalurus punctatus),28 d后通过测定供试鱼的增重量、血清中凝集抗体效价、溶菌酶活性、谷丙转氨酶活性(SGPT)、血清总蛋白含量、白细胞吞噬活性以及活菌攻毒后的免疫保护率(RPS),探讨了酵母免疫多糖对受免斑点叉尾免疫应答的增强作用。结果表明,用添加200.0 mg/(kg.d)酵母免疫多糖的饲料投喂受免斑点叉尾,不仅可以使受免斑点叉尾对灭活嗜水气单胞菌的免疫应答水平提高,增强抵抗嗜水气单胞菌人工感染的能力,而且还具有一定的促进生长和改善肝功能的作用。     

酵母硒和茶多酚对团头鲂幼鱼生长和生长轴基因表达、营养品质及抗病力的影响

为探讨酵母硒和茶多酚对团头鲂幼鱼生长、肌肉营养品质和抗病力的影响,以初始体质量为(1.75±0.01)g的团头鲂为研究对象,采用二因素三水平实验设计在基础饲料(Se含量为0.08 mg/kg)中分别添加酵母硒(按硒计)3个水平(分别为0、0.25和0.50mg/kg),茶多酚3个水平(分别为0、50和100 mg/kg),进行排列组合后得到9组饲料.连续投喂60 d后,检测团头鲂生长、肌肉营养成分、血液和肝脏生化指标以及生长相关基因的表达水平,并统计团头鲂感染嗜水气单胞菌后的成活率,以综合评价酵母硒和茶多酚对团头鲂的作用效果.结果表明:饲料中添加酵母硒和茶多酚均显著提高了团头鲂幼鱼的增重率、特定生长率以及肌肉中粗蛋白含量,降低了饵料系数(P＜0.05),酵母硒和茶多酚交互作用也显著提高增重率和特定生长率,显著降低饵料系数(P＜0.05),表现出协同增效作用.酵母硒和茶多酚均可以通过诱导下丘脑—垂体—生长轴相关基因表达来提高生长性能,不同的是,酵母硒主要上调脑垂体MaGH和肝脏MaIGF-I基因的mRNA表达,茶多酚主要上调脑垂体MaGHR2基因而显著下调肝脏MaIGF-Ⅰ基因的mRNA表达(P＜0.05),结果表明,饲料中添加酵母硒显著提高团头鲂血清中GH和IGF-Ⅰ的含量(P＜0.05),而茶多酚显著降低血清中IGF-Ⅰ的含量(P＜0.05).攻毒实验表明,酵母硒和茶多酚均能提高攻毒后鱼的成活率,且两者交互作用明显.综合生长性能和抗病力分析,团头鲂幼鱼饲料中酵母硒和茶多酚配伍的适宜添加量为0.50 mg/kg酵母硒和50 mg/kg茶多酚.     

饲料中添加谷胱甘肽对草鱼生长、生理指标和抗病力的影响

选用初始体质量约8.50 g的草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idella),在56 d的饲养期中分别投喂添加5种不同剂量谷胱甘肽(GSH)(添加量分别为0 mg/kg、100 mg/kg、200 mg/kg、300 mg/kg和400 mg/kg)的试验饲料,观察GSH对草鱼生长、生理指标和抗病力的影响。结果表明,饲料中添加GSH能够提高草鱼特定生长率、存活率和饲料效率。其中,300 mg/kg GSH组草鱼的特定生长率和400 mg/kg GSH组草鱼的存活率显著高于对照组;添加GSH各组草鱼的饲料效率均显著高于对照组,当添加量为200 mg/kg时草鱼饲料效率达到最高。与对照组相比,饲料中添加GSH的各组草鱼肝胰指数明显升高,其中200 mg/kg组达到显著水平。饲料中添加GSH能够提高血清IGF-1水平,其中300 mg/kg和400 mg/kg组显著高于对照组。与对照组相比,各实验组草鱼血液白细胞数目有不同程度升高,其中300 mg/kg和400 mg/kg组均达到显著水平。饲料中添加GSH可以提高草鱼对嗜水气单胞菌的抵抗能力,其中200 mg/kg GSH组草鱼攻毒后存活率达到最高。以特定生长率为判定指标,GSH在草鱼饲料中的适宜添加量为350 mg/kg。     

饲料中添加重组抗菌肽对吉富罗非鱼生长性能及免疫力的影响

以吉富罗非鱼(genetically improved farmed tilapia,GIFT)幼鱼(体质量10.68 g±0.53 g)为研究对象,在实验饲料中分别添加0、5、10、20、50 mg/kg重组中国明对虾抗菌肽以及100 mg/kg氟苯尼考,并于实验结束时进行注射攻毒(嗜水气单胞菌).通过8周的养殖实验...     

酵母免疫多糖对受免斑点叉尾鲴免疫应答的增强作用

在饲料中添加定量的酵母免疫多糖，投喂注射接种了福尔马林灭活的嗜水气单胞菌（Aeromonas hydrophila）菌苗的斑点叉尾鲴（Ictalurus punctatus），28d后通过测定供试鱼的增重量、血清中凝集抗体效价、溶菌酶活性、谷丙转氨酶活性（SGPT）、血清总蛋白含量、白细胞吞噬活性以及活菌攻毒后的免疫保护率（RPS），探讨了酵母免疫多糖对受免斑点又尾鲴免疫应答的增强作用。结果表明，用添加200．0mg／（kg·d）酵母免疫多糖的饲料投喂受免斑点叉尾鲴，不仅可以使受免斑点叉尾鲴对灭活嗜水气单胞菌的免疫应答水平提高，增强抵抗嗜水气单胞菌人工感染的能力，而且还具有一定的促进生长和改善肝功能的作用。     

肌醇对嗜水气单胞菌致生长期草鱼头肾和脾脏氧化损伤的保护作用

本实验探索了肌醇对嗜水气单胞菌致生长期草鱼头肾和脾脏氧化损伤的保护作用。实验选取平均体质量（221.83±0.84） g的草鱼540尾,随机分为6组,每组3个重复,分别饲喂含不同水平肌醇[27.0（基础饲料组,未添加肌醇）、137.9、286.8、438.6、587.7和737.3 mg/kg]的饲料10周。随后经腹腔注射嗜水气单胞菌进行14 d攻毒实验。结果显示,嗜水气单胞菌注射后,与基础饲料（未添加肌醇）组相比,饲料中适宜水平肌醇组生长期草鱼头肾和脾脏活性氧（ROS）、丙二醛（MDA）和蛋白质羰基（PC）含量显著降低,而超氧化物歧化酶（SOD/CuZn-SOD和MnSOD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GPx/GPx1a、GPx1b、GPx4a和GPx4b）、谷胱甘肽S-转移酶（GST/GSTP1、GSTP2、GSTO1和GSTO2）和谷胱甘肽还原酶（GR）活性及mRNA水平,谷胱甘肽（GSH）含量显著提高。此外,饲料中适宜水平肌醇上调了嗜水气单胞菌注射后生长期草鱼头肾和脾脏核因子E2相关因子2（Nrf2）mRNA和蛋白水平,下调了Kelch样环氧氯丙烷相关蛋白1（Keap1）a和b mRNA水平。研究表明,饲料中适宜水平肌醇可激活鱼类头肾和脾脏Nrf2信号途径,提高其抗氧化能力,增强抵抗嗜水气单胞菌致头肾和脾脏氧化损伤的能力。此外,以嗜水气单胞菌注射后生长期草鱼头肾和脾脏ROS含量为标识,生长期草鱼肌醇需要量分别为452.1和449.0 mg/kg。     

Anguilla huangi Teng, Lin, and Tzeng, 2009, is a junior synonym of Anguilla luzonensis Watanabe, Aoyama, and Tsukamoto, 2009

Anguilla luzonensis and A. huangi were each described in 2009 using eels obtained from northern Luzon Island. We examined the taxonomic status of these two groups of eels using morphological and molecular genetic characters. There were no significant differences in two vertebrae counts between eels of A. luzonensis and A. huangi. Mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA and cytochrome b genes sequences were obtained and compared among 28 specimens of A. luzonensis, the holotypes of A. luzonensis and A. huangi, and one specimen of the other 15 anguillid species. The specimens of A. luzonensis exhibited almost identical sequences, including the holotype, with only a few site differences, and the genetic difference between the holotypes of A. luzonensis and A. huangi was within the range of differences of specimens of A. luzonensis. The other anguillid species were genetically very different from A. luzonensis and A. huangi, although A. interioris is a closely related species. It is clear that A. luzonensis and A. huangi are the same species, and according to the principle of priority in zoological nomenclature, A. luzonensis Watanabe, Aoyama, and Tsukamoto, 2009 is the valid species name, and A. huangi Teng, Lin, and Tzeng, 2009 is a junior synonym of A. luzonensis.     

Effect of Lead on Survival,Osmoregulation, and Histological Changes of the Gills of the White Shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei,Boone, 1931

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acute toxicity of lead for different life stages of shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, and to determine the effect of its sublethal concentrations on osmoregulatory capacity (OC) as well as the possible histological alteration in the gills of juvenile shrimp. The 24‐, 48‐, and 96‐h LC₅₀ values for lead to L. vannamei increased progressively with increasing life stage, from nauplii < zoeae < mysis < postlarvae < juvenile. After 15‐d exposure to 3.25, 6.50, and 9.75 mg Pb/L, the OC values of exposed shrimp were reduced by 39, 73, and 157%, respectively compared to control animals. Compared to controls, the lead concentrations in gill tissues increased significantly by 127,500, 137,500, and 141,000% in shrimps exposed to 3.25, 6.50, and 9.75 mg Pb/L, respectively. After lead exposure, hemocytic congestion in efferent vessels and multiple hyperplasia were observed in gill filaments, resulting in narrowed hemolymphatic lacuna. The histopathological effects increased with increasing Pb concentration.     

Age,growth, maturity and the overfishing of the iconic sciaenid,Argyrosomus japonicus,in south-eastern,Australia

Mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus) occur in estuarine and coastal waters surrounding Australia, Africa, India, Pakistan, China, Korea and Japan, where they are important in fisheries. This study identified that mulloway in south-eastern Australia had similar growth rates, but matured at smaller lengths and younger ages, to those in South Africa and Western Australia. Growth of both sexes was similar to about 5 years, after which females grew faster and attained a greater maximum length than males. Female mulloway matured at 4–5 years of age with a L₅₀ of 68 cm, whereas males matured at 2–3 years of age with a L₅₀ of 51 cm. The commercial fishery in New South Wales was characterised by declining catches and a reduction in the proportion of mulloway of mature lengths in landings. During 2002–2005 commercial landings were dominated (83%) by fish within 15 cm of the current minimum legal total length of 45 cm and aged 2 and 3 years (>80%), even though mulloway can attain lengths of 200 cm and live >30 years. Estimates of the rates of instantaneous total mortality ranged between 0.34 and 0.45, whilst the rate of instantaneous natural mortality (M) was estimated to be approximately 0.12. Yield-per-recruit analyses indicated that mulloway in New South Wales are being growth overfished and substantial increases in yield could be achieved by increasing the length at first harvest. Values of the spawning potential ratio were below 0.2 under a range of mortality estimates, suggesting that mulloway are at risk of recruitment overfishing. These results suggest that the spawning stock of mulloway in south-eastern Australia has been depleted and that remedial management action is required to protect this iconic species.     

Surface disinfection of Pacific threadfin, Polydactylus sexfilis, and amberjack, Seriola rivoliana, eggs

The effects of exposing the eggs of Pacific threadfin and amberjack eggs (AEs) to different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide for 5 min on hatch rate and survival were assessed in a series of experiments using a petri dish model rearing system. Despite significant inter‐batch variation in hatch rate, it was shown that eggs of both species could be safely exposed to up to 11 340 mg L⁻¹ H₂O₂ for 5 min. Exposure to 34 230 mg L⁻¹ H₂O₂ for 5 min was shown to be lethal to AEs at a late stage of development. In two further experiments, it was demonstrated that Pacific threadfin eggs were resistant to all tested concentrations of a range of polyvinylpyrrolidone iodine (PVP‐I) concentrations and contact times (up to 1000 mg L⁻¹ PVP‐I for 10 min). The level of bacteria adhering to the eggs of both species was highly variable. Where eggs were heavily colonized (>10⁴ cfu egg⁻¹), hydrogen peroxide concentrations of at least 11 340 mg L⁻¹, or PVP‐I concentrations higher than 500 mg L⁻¹ for 10 min, were required for effective sterilization. In less colonized batches, rinsing in sterile seawater or exposure to lower (550 mg L⁻¹) concentrations of H₂O₂ was sufficient to result in high apparent levels of surface sterility (<1 cfu egg⁻¹).     

Effects of Mosquitofish,Gambusia affinis,on Channel Catfish,Ictalurus puncatatus,Production Ponds

Mosquitofish, Gambusia sp., have been spread throughout the world to biologically control mosquitoes. However, the fish has gained a reputation as an invasive species and has been implicated in displacing native aquatic species. Gambusia affinis are native to the southeastern United States and commonly occur in commercial channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, production ponds. We investigated effects of mosquitofish presence on zooplankton populations, water quality, disease occurrence, and fish production in experimental ponds. There were no differences between ponds with or without mosquitofish in numbers of calanoid copepods, cyclopoid copepods, total copepods, Bosmina sp., Ceriodaphnia sp., Moina sp., Daphnia sp., or total cladocerans. There were also no differences in copepod and cladoceran sizes. Copepod nauplii were more numerous during the summer months in ponds with mosquitofish. There were no differences in water quality variables (soluble reactive phosphorus, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, pH) or phytoplankton density between ponds stocked with and without mosquitofish. Catfish production and disease occurrence were also similar between ponds with and without mosquitofish. Although mosquitofish may cause problems when stocked outside their native range, there does not appear to be any adverse effects of mosquitofish presence in catfish production ponds.     

驼背鲈(Chromileptes altivelis)的胚胎发育及仔、稚、幼鱼形态观察

对驼背鲈(Chromileptes altivelis)的胚胎发育及仔、稚、幼鱼的形态特征进行了详细的观察与研究,描述了从受精卵到仔、稚、幼鱼各发育期的时间和形态特征变化。结果表明,在水温25-26℃、盐度30的海水中,受精卵历时27 h 25 min完成整个胚胎发育过程,经历从卵裂、囊胚、原肠、神经胚到肌节形成、各器官的逐渐形成、变化、完善等一系列的胚胎发育和变化过程;根据其卵黄囊消长情况、鳞片的覆盖状态、体色发生的不同变化以及第二背鳍和腹鳍的消长,将胚后发育分为仔、稚、幼鱼3个阶段。在水温22-26℃、盐度29-31、DO≥5 mg/L的条件下,2-3 d仔鱼卵黄囊消失,开口摄食;生长发育至31 d,仔鱼已变态进入稚鱼期;培育至57 d,稚鱼完成变态,成为幼鱼。第二背鳍棘和腹鳍棘的生长与收缩等石斑鱼类早期发育的共性生长特征及其体表特性体色变化特征为驼背鲈胚后发育过程中最明显的特征。     

Effect of Temperature on Growth,Energy Budget,and Physiological Performance of Green,White, and Purple Color Morphs of Sea Cucumber,Apostichopus japonicus

As an intertidal species, Apostichopus japonicus is subject to diel and seasonal temperature fluctuations. Color variation is a distinct characteristic of A. japonicus, and a new color morph, purple A. japonicus, was recently found on the coast of Rushan, Weihai City. This study was conducted to compare the performance of green, white, and purple color morphs of A. japonicus at different water temperatures to help improving aquaculture technology and management. In this study, green, white, and purple color morphs of juvenile A. japonicus (1.5 ± 0.1 g) were cultured at 10, 14, 18, 22, and 26 C for 60 d, according to the suitable temperature range for sea cucumber growth. Temperature was shown to have a significant effect on growth, energy budget, and physiology of sea cucumbers (P < 0.05). Specific growth rates, feed conversion efficiencies, and the proportion of energy allocated to growth of all three color morphs were optimal at 18 C. Activities of the enzymes related with oxidative stress, immune response, and digestion were determined. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and trypsin activities generally reached a maximum in all three color morphs at 18 C. The purple color morph of A. japonicus was higher in growth rate, food conversion efficiency, and proportion of energy allocated to growth than green and white color morphs at 18 and 22 C, consistent with its higher trypsin and SOD activity, indicating the mutual effect of growth and physiology. At 18, 22, and 26 C, the green color morph had the highest level of lysozyme activity and purple color morph had the lowest, indicating possible infection by external pathogens of green color morph, which might be caused by high temperature. These results suggested that the optimum temperature for culture of the three color morphs was approximately 18 C, the purple had a better adaption to high temperature, and the green and white color morphs may be more susceptible to thermal stress than the purple color morph.     

Effect of temperature,volume of ova batches,and addition of a diluent,an antibiotic,oxygen and a protein inhibitor on short-term storage capacities of turbot,Psetta maxima,ova

The effect of different parameters on short-term storage capacity of turbot ova was assessed over a 45-h period after ova collection for fertilization rates and over a 9-h period after ova collection for hatching rates. Increasing the volume of ova sampling from 0.5 to 2.5 mL, as well as adding an antibiotic–antimicotic solution or oxygen did not significantly change the storage capacity of ova. Regarding the hatching rates, a higher storage ability was recorded at 8 and 13 °C, compared to 3 °C. The mean composition of the ovarian fluid was determined (n = 57 spawns). Use of a diluent mimicking the ovarian fluid significantly decreased the storage ability as assessed by the fertilization rates but did not modify the hatching rates. Diluting ova in an artificial ovarian fluid deprived of calcium significantly decreased the fertilization and hatching rates during the storage period. Furthermore, addition or not of soybean trypsin inhibitor (Sigma T 9003) to the artificial ovarian fluid deprived of calcium did not significantly change the results. Storage capacity of control batches of ova was low: at 13 °C, without any diluent and when ova were fertilized 3 h after stripping, the hatching rate was lowered to 62.4 ± 29.4 % (mean ± SD) of the initial value.     

Effects of Carbohydrate‐Rich Alternative Feedstuffs on Growth,Survival, Body Composition,Hematology, and Nonspecific Immune Response of Black Pacu,Colossoma macropomum,and Red Pacu,Piaractus brachypomus

To facilitate economical culture of black pacu, Colossoma macropomum, and red pacu, Piaractus brachypomus, in the Amazon region of South America, we assessed locally available alternative energy sources for practical diets. We tested the effects of control diets (containing wheat products) versus diets with different Amazonian feedstuffs (yucca, Manihot sculenta, plantain, Musa paradisiaca, or pijuayo, Bactris gasipaes) on the performance of the pacus in three feeding trials. Black pacu (22.5 ± 0.03 g; Trial 1) or red pacu (2.56 ± 0.01 g; Trial 2) were fed diets containing 30% wheat bran (control) or cooked or uncooked yucca, plantain, or pijuayo for 12 wk. In Trial 3, larger black pacu (86.9 ± 6.4 g) were grown to market size in 24 wk on similar diets. Weight gain, feed conversion, survival, alternative complement activity, and lysozyme were similar among diets. Hepatosomatic index, liver glycogen, and dry matter were affected by diet in Trials 1 and 2, but effects were not consistent among trials. In Trial 3, protein efficiency ratio was lower in fish fed the diet containing wheat middlings. However, relative to wheat bran or wheat middlings, all feedstuffs tested were effective energy sources for juvenile black pacu and red pacu.