Dietary myo‐inositol requirements of juvenile hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser baerii ♀ × A. schrenckii ♂)

This study was conducted to determine the optimal dietary myo‐inositol (MI) requirement of juvenile hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser baerii ♀ × A. schrenckii ♂). Fish with an initial average body weight of 28.28 ± 0.41 g were randomly divided into six groups with three repetitions in each group and fed the experimental diets with different graded MI concentrations (70.2, 130.0, 270.2, 443.0, 1,096.6 and 1997.3 mg/kg) three times per day for 12 weeks. The results showed that with the increase in dietary MI level from 70.2 mg/kg to 443.0 mg/kg, weight gain (WG) was increased significantly (p < .05); however, when the MI level was further increased, there was no significant difference in weight gain rate (WG) over time (p > .05). Specific growth rate (SGR) showed a similar trend. The feed conversion ratio (FCR), survival rate (SR), hepatosomatic index (HSI), viscerasomatic index (VSI) and condition factor (CF) were not affected by dietary MI supplementation (p > .05). Dietary MI did not affect whole‐body and muscle crude protein and ash content (p > .05), while dietary MI significantly affected the muscle and whole‐body crude lipid and moisture content (p < .05). Moreover, serum triglyceride (TG), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were decreased by increasing dietary MI levels. Total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC), malonic dialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in the liver were also affected by the dietary MI (p < .05). In summary, this study indicated that the optimal dietary MI requirement for juvenile hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser baerii ♀ × A. schrenckii ♂) was 335.84 mg/kg and 590.65 mg/kg based on the maximum WG and liver MI accumulation indices respectively.     

Responses of hybrid sturgeon (Huso dauricus ♀ × Acipenser schrenckii ♂) to oral administration of phosphorus

To better understand the phosphorus (P) utilization in hybrid sturgeon (Huso dauricus ♀ × Acipenser schrenckii ♂), a combined technique with oesophageal intubation, dorsal aorta cannulation and urinary catheterization was used in the present study. Groups of five hybrid sturgeon were orally administrated with graded doses of P (0, 50, 100 and 200 mg P/kg BW) in the form of monocalcium phosphate. The high dose of P (200 mg P/kg BW) caused a significant increase in plasma P concentration. Plasma calcium (Ca) concentrations were significantly increased in the fish treated with 0 and 100 mg P/kg BW. Both P and urea excretion showed increased changing pattern with increasing P intubation level and exhibited significant higher value in 200 mg P/kg BW group. A significant increase in Ca excretion was found in the group without P supplementation (0 mg P/kg BW). ALP and SOD activity in plasma was inhibited in fish at P‐deficient groups (0 and 50 mg P/kg BW). The data in the current study showed that hybrid sturgeon at 100 mg P/kg BW treatment exhibited better P and Ca utilizations with lower waste excretion, as well as favourable status of anti‐oxidation.     

Dietary arginine requirement of juvenile hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii♀ × Acipenser baerii♂)

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the dietary arginine requirement of juvenile hybrid sturgeon. Seven isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated to contain graded levels of dietary arginine ranging from 1.74% to 3.54% (dry weight). The results indicated that the fish fed with 1.76% arginine diet had lower specific growth rate (SGR) and feed efficiency ratio (FER) than the fish fed the 2.64% to 3.24% arginine diets (p < .05), and the fish fed the 2.64% arginine diet presented the highest SGR. The fish fed with 1.76% arginine diet had lower whole‐body crude protein content than the fish fed the 2.64% or 2.93% arginine diets (p < .05). Compared with the 1.76% arginine diet, 2.36% to 2.93% arginine diets significantly increased the total amino acid (TAA) concentration and total nonessential amino acid (TNEAA) of carcasses. The fish fed with 1.76% arginine diet had lower activity of nitric oxide synthase (T‐NOS) and content of nitric oxide (NO) than the fish fed the 2.05% to 2.93% arginine diets in the liver. The fish fed with 1.76%, 2.05% or 2.36% arginine diets had lower gene expression of growth hormone (GH) and insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) in the liver than the fish fed the 2.64% to 3.53% arginine diets in the liver (p < .05). A broken‐line analysis between SGR against the dietary arginine levels provided estimates for the optimal dietary arginine requirement of 2.47% corresponding to 6.18% of the dietary protein on a dry weight basis.     

Effects of alternative dietary lipid sources on growth performance,health status and fillet fatty acid composition of hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser baeri Brandt ♀ × Acipenser schrenckii Brandt ♂)

An 8‐week trial was conducted to determine the effects of total replacement of 12.9% fish oil (FO) with soybean oil (SBO), peanut oil (PNO), sunflower seed oil (SFSO), corn oil (CO) and canola oil (CNO) on growth performance, health status and fillet fatty acid composition of hybrid sturgeon (194.28 ± 0.14 g). Compared to the FO group, dietary SBO decreased growth performance (p < .05), increased serum glucose and hepatic lipid content (p < .05). No obvious adverse effects on growth performance and health status were observed in PNO, SFSO and CO groups (p > 0.05). The fish fed with CNO had increased growth performance (p < .05), reduced serum ALT, AST, LDL‐C (p < .05) and enhanced serum GSH‐Px, T‐AOC, and LZM, MPO, C4 (p < .05). The contents of C18:1n9, C18:2n6, and ∑n‐3 PUFA and ∑n‐6 PUFA in fillets showed a positive linear correlation with the diets (p < .05). In summary, PNO, SFSO and CO are probable alternative lipid sources to fully replace FO. Hybrid sturgeon prefers to use CNO as a lipid source with improved growth performance and health status. The fillet fatty acid composition mirrors the dietary fatty acid composition.     

Effects of totally replacing dietary fish oil by linseed oil or soybean oil on juvenile hybrid sturgeon,Acipenser baeri Brandt♀×A. schrenckii Brandt♂

The growth performance, body composition, fillet fatty acid content, serum hepatic enzymes and postprandial changes in serum lipid metabolism of hybrid sturgeon (70.8 ± 0.5 g) were investigated to determine the effects of total replacement of 80 g kg^‐1 fish oil (diet A) with linseed oil (diet B) and soybean oil (diet C), respectively. No significant differences in weight gain rate and specific growth ratio were observed among all fish groups (p > .05). Diet A fish group had the highest, but diet B fish group had the lowest feed intake (p < .05). Feed efficiency of fish fed diet A was significantly lower than the other two fish groups (p < .05). Fish fed diet A had the lowest fillet and liver lipid contents (p < .05). Serum lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities of fish fed diet A were significantly lower than those of fish fed diets B and C (p < .05). The contents of linoleic acid (C18:2n6) and linolenic acid (C18:3n3) in fillets showed a significantly positive linear correlation with the diets. Serum glucose and non‐esterified fatty acid were just affected by the time point (p < .05). The lipid source, time point and interaction of both factors had significant effects on serum triglyceride, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < .05). Serum total cholesterol was only affected by interaction of time point and lipid source (p < .05), and ketone body was not affected by lipid source, time point or interaction of both factors (p > .05). In summary, total replacement of fish oil with linseed oil or soybean oil had no significant adverse effects on hybrid sturgeon growth during 84‐day period, and linoleic acid and linolenic acid in fillet were modified by dietary treatments.     

Fishmeal can be totally replaced by plant protein blend at two protein levels in diets of juvenile Siberian sturgeon,Acipenser baerii Brandt

An 8‐week growth trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of a plant protein blend (PPB, comprised of soybean meal and wheat gluten meal) as fishmeal (FM) substitute on growth, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) balance in Siberian sturgeon, Acipenser baerii Brandt. Two control diets were formulated to contain two protein levels (400 and 360 g kg^?1). At each protein level, FM was totally replaced by PPB with supplement of crystalline essential amino acids and mono‐calcium phosphate. Growth performance was not affected by dietary protein sources and protein levels. Fish fed the low‐protein diets had higher FI than that of the high protein groups, while fish fed the FM‐based diets had higher FI than that of fish fed the PPB‐based diets. N/P intake of fish showed linear relationship with total N/P loss. The productive P value was significantly affected by dietary protein sources, but no significant effects were shown on productive N value. The results suggest that Siberian sturgeon fed total plant‐based diets with balance of EAA could maintain normal growth performance and reduce total P excretion both at 360 and 400 g kg^?1 protein levels.     

Effects of dietary α‐ketoglutarate supplementation on the antioxidant defense system and HSP 70 and HSP 90 gene expression of hybrid sturgeon Acipenser schrenckii ♀ × A. baerii ♂ exposed to ammonia‐N stress

This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary α‐ketoglutarate (AKG) supplementation on the antioxidant defense system and gene expression of heat shock protein (HSP) 70 and HSP 90 in hybrid sturgeons Acipenser schrenckii ♀ × A. baerii ♂ exposed to ammonia‐N stress. A 2 × 3 factorial experiment was arranged, in which each diet (0%, 1% AKG) was randomly assigned to 0.25 (control) 5 and 10 mg L^?1 ammonia‐N groups with three replicate aquaria for each 72 h. The 10 mg L^?1 ammonia‐N significantly increased serum ammonia concentrations and intestinal Gln concentrations and GS activity compared with the 0.25 or 5 mg L^?1 ammonia‐N groups. The intestinal Gln concentration and GS activity increased, and the serum ammonia concentration decreased, in fish given dietary supplementation of 1.0% AKG compared with fish given diets without AKG. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in serum, gills and intestines decreased when fish were exposed to 5 or 10 mg L^?1 ammonia‐N, and their activity increased in fish given diets with 1% AKG. Catalase in the serum and gills decreased when fish were exposed to 5 or 10 mg L^?1 ammonia‐N and increased in fish given diets with 1% AKG. The 10 mg L^?1 ammonia‐N or 1% AKG supplementation increased HSP 70 and HSP 90 gene expression in the liver. The increased activity of antioxidant enzymes, and increased HSP 70 and HSP 90 gene expression in fish fed diets containing 1% AKG suggested higher tolerance to ammonia‐N stress.     

The effects of different fishmeal level diets with or without phytase supplementation on growth performance,body composition,digestibility, immunological and biochemical parameters of juvenile hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser baeri Brandt ♀ × A. schrenckii Brandt ♂)

A 12‐week growth trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of low fishmeal and phytase replacing inorganic phosphorus on juvenile hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser baeri Brandt ♀ × A. schrenckii Brandt ♂). Four experimental diets were designed as FM100p, FM100, FM250p and FM250, which represented 10% and 25% fishmeal with or without phytase, respectively. The results showed that although growth parameters had no significant difference in all treatments, low fishmeal obviously decreased the culture cost of hybrid sturgeon. Lipid content of body composition was obviously increased in low fishmeal treatments (p < .05). The interaction of low fishmeal and phytase significantly enhanced apparent digestibility coefficients of crude protein (p < .05). Two‐way ANOVA analysis showed that input and output of phosphorus were significantly affected by fishmeal level, phytase and interaction of both factors (p < .05). For the immunological and hepatic function parameters, fishmeal level and phytase had significant effects on the activities of lysozyme, myeloperoxidase, malondialdehyde, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase (p < .05). The present study potentially justifies that a diet containing 10% fishmeal can be used for hybrid sturgeon. Moreover, replacement of monocalcium phosphate by phytase not only has no adverse effect on the growth of hybrid sturgeon, but also reduces phosphorus emission and protects aquaculture environment.     

Effects of dietary green tea (Camellia sinensis L) on acute stress responses in sturgeon hybrid (Huso huso ♂ × Acipenser ruthenus ♀)

In aquaculture practices, fish commonly confront environmental alterations and unavoidable stresses. Thus, any substance that could attenuate stress responses could be potentially used in aquaculture. A total number of 90 hybrid sturgeons (Huso huso ♂ × Acipenser ruthenus ♀) with an average weight of 212.6 ± 0.7 g were fed experimental diets containing 0, 50 and 100 mg kg^?1 green tea (Camellia sinensis L) for 6 weeks. Subsequently 15 fish from each treatment were exposed to air for 5 min prior to transfer to the recovery tank. Followed by blood sampling after 1, 2, 5 and 12 h, Serum cortisol increased in all treatments, but the intensity was significantly lower in fish fed green tea compared to the control group. Similarly, the green tea diet attenuated the increase in serum levels of glucose and lactate in comparison to the control. Our results showed that green tea could be added to fish diet to attenuate stress responses in Sturgeon hybrid (Huso huso ♂ × Acipenser ruthenus ♀).     

The optimum dietary isoleucine requirement of juvenile hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂)

A six‐week growth trial was conducted to evaluate the optimum dietary isoleucine requirement of juvenile hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂). Seven isoenergetic (3,400 kcal/kg of dry matter), isoproteic (496 g/kg of dry matter) and isolipidic (70 g/kg of dry matter) diets were formulated to contain graded Ile levels (7.3, 11.3, 15.7, 19.6, 23.5, 26.8 and 30.8 g/kg, dry‐matter basis). Each experimental diet was fed to triplicate groups of 12 hybrid grouper juveniles (average initial body weight: 6.00 ± 0.01 g/fish). Experimental fish were randomly distributed into 21 glass tanks (L 60 × W 45 × H 50 cm) connected to mechanical and biological water filters as a recycling system. Fish were fed twice daily (08:00 and 16:00) to apparent satiation. After the sampling of the growth trial, the remaining fish in each group were fed their corresponding diets for 2 d and then exposed to 4 mg Cu²⁺ · L^?1 water for 24 hr. Results showed that growth performance and feed utilization were significantly affected by different dietary Ile levels (p < .05). Weight gain percentage (WG%), protein productive value (PPV), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and feed efficiency (FE) were increased as dietary Ile level increased, reaching a peak value at 19.6 g/kg dietary Ile, and thereafter, these four parameters declined as dietary Ile level continued to increase. Daily feed intake (DFI) showed an opposite tendency of variations as FE. The quadratic regression analysis of WG%, PPV, PER and FE against dietary Ile levels indicated that the optimum dietary Ile requirement for hybrid grouper was estimated to be 19.8, 20.8, 19.4 and 19.1 g/kg dry matter, respectively. Among all experimental treatments, fish fed 19.6 g/kg dietary Ile had the highest expression of growth and protein synthesis‐related genes, including growth hormone (GH) in pituitary, insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1), growth hormone receptor 1 (GHR1), target of rapamycin (TOR) and S6‐kinase 1 (S6K1) in liver. Gut micromorphology was significantly influenced by dietary Ile levels. After the exposure to 4 mg Cu²⁺ · L^?1 water for 24 hr, fish fed 19.6 g/kg dietary Ile had the highest survival and the best immunologic manifestation among all experimental treatments. Generally, the optimum dietary Ile requirement for maximum growth of hybrid grouper was estimated to be 19.8 g/kg dry matter, corresponding to 39.9 g/kg dietary protein.     

Effects of fishmeal replacement with cottonseed protein concentrate on growth,digestive proteinase,intestinal morphology and microflora in pearl gentian grouper (♀Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × ♂Epinephelus lanceolatu)

A 56‐day feeding trial was conducted to study the effects of cottonseed protein concentrate (CPC) as fishmeal (FM) replacement on growth, digestive proteinase, intestinal morphology and microflora in pearl gentian grouper (♀Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × ♂Epinephelus lanceolatu). FM of 0% (FM), 12.00% (R12), 24.00% (R24), 36.00% (R36), 48.00% (R48) and 60.00% (R60) was replaced with CPC, to prepare six diets and feed groupers. Weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) were highest in the R24 group, and the lowest feed coefficient rate (FCR) was observed in this group compared with the other groups (p < .05). Pepsin activity of the R12 group and chymotrypsin activity of the R36 group reached significant maximum (p < .05). With increasing CPC replacement, the plica height and width and the lamina propria thickness of intestine decreased significantly (p < .05). 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing suggested dominant intestinal microflora of grouper subjected to different treatments was similar. At the phylum level, the abundance of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Verrucomicrobia, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria was high, while Photobacterium, Pseudoxanthomonas, Romboutsia, Akkermansia, Vibrio and Bifidobacterium were the dominant taxa at the genus level. The abundance of probiotics (Bifidobacterium) decreased, whereas the abundance of opportunistic pathogen (Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Vibrio) increased. These results suggested that CPC replacement affected growth, digestive proteinase activity, intestinal morphology and microflora structure in grouper. Under the conditions of this experiment, the fishmeal replacement with CPC (24% level) yielded the most satisfactory results, providing reference for sustainable aquaculture.     

Apparent digestibility of Asian carp‐ and common carp‐derived fish meals in feeds for hybrid striped bass Morone saxatilis ♀ × M. chrysops ♂ and rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of nutrients (crude protein, amino acids, crude lipid, fatty acids, and minerals) were determined for fish meals derived from menhaden, Asian carp (combination of silver and bighead carps), and common carp in feeds for hybrid striped bass and rainbow trout. Extruded test diets were formulated to contain a 70 : 30 mixture of reference diet and test ingredient with yttrium oxide (1 g kg^?1) serving as the inert marker. Diets were randomly assigned to triplicate tanks and fish were fed once per day at 2% body weight. Fecal samples were collected by manual stripping. The ADCs were calculated according to standard procedures. The composition and digestibility of Asian carp and common carp meals was broadly similar to menhaden meal. Protein digestibility ranged from 86.5% (Asian carp meal) to 93.1% (common carp meal). Lipid was highly digestible with ADCs >100% for all ingredients. Although the Asian carp meal was less digestible than the other two fish meals, it was still a highly digestible ingredient. Our data suggest that fish meals derived from Asian or common carp would be valuable feedstuffs in diets for hybrid striped bass, rainbow trout, and possibly other cultured fishes.     

Characterization of triploid hybrid groupers from interspecies hybridization (Epinephelus coioides ♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂)

Interspecies hybridization is widely used in aquaculture as a beneficial strategy. Diploid and triploid hybrids have been detected from the interspecies hybridization of Epinephelus coioides ♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂. This is the first report of triploidization through hybridization in grouper. Confirmation has been obtained through flow cytometry, karyotyping and erythrocyte nuclei measurement. The chromosome numbers of E. coioides, E. lanceolatus, diploid hybrid grouper are 48 and triploid hybrid grouper are 72. Measurements of erythrocyte nuclei indicate that triploid fish have a larger nuclear surface than the diploid groupers, and the average ratio of triploid to diploid surface area is 1.59. During the first 1.5 years, triploid hybrid groupers grow faster than diploid hybrid groupers or either parent species. The average growth rate of triploid hybrids is 1.61 times greater than that of diploid hybrids at 6 months of age and 1.43 times greater at 18 months of age. The triploid hybrid groupers are inferior in gonadal development, with no primary‐growth‐stage oocytes appearing in the gonads at 18 months of age. Morphological studies indicate that triploid hybrid groupers have distinctive differences in snout length, eye diameter, body trunk shape, and tail shape development compared with diploid hybrid groupers. Triploid hybrid groupers have an advantage in growth ability, and artificial breeding of triploid groupers might be of great potential use in the grouper aquaculture industry.     

Low levels of Aflatoxin B1 could cause mortalities in juvenile hybrid sturgeon,Acipenser ruthenus ♂×A. baeri♀

Toxicity of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) was investigated in juvenile hybrid sturgeon Acipenser ruthenus ♂ × A. baeri♀, an important coldwater finfish farmed in China and other countries. Seven experimental diets (Diet A–G) containing different levels of AFB₁ (0, 1, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 μg kg^?1 diet) were fed to juvenile sturgeon weighing 10.53 ± 0.17 g kg^?1 to determine its effect on survival, growth, feed consumption, hematocrit, liver histology as well as muscular and hepatic toxin accumulation. The experiment lasted for 35 days and was conducted in two periods of 25 and 10 days each. No external changes or unusual behaviour was observed in the fish fed diets with AFB₁. Mortality was observed in fish fed with highest levels of AFB₁ (80 μg kg^?1– Diet G) from day 12 onwards. After 25 days, fish fed the diet of 80 μg AFB₁ kg^?1 showed significant lower survival (50 ± 5.77%) followed by those fed 40 μg AFB₁ kg^?1 diet (80 ± 5.77%) and 20 μg AFB₁ kg^?1 diet (86.66 ± 3.33%). No significant difference was observed in specific growth rate (SGR) or hepatosomatic index (HSI) between groups. Hematocrit was significantly higher in the fish fed the diet of highest AFB₁. The fish were weighed at day 25 in some treatments (Diets F and G) because of high mortality. However, feeding was continued for another 10 days to observe mortality or behavioural changes if any in the other groups. After 35 days, survival in the fish fed Diet F (40 μg AFB₁ kg^?1) was 40% and those fed Diet E (20 μg AFB₁ kg^?1) was 36.2%. Significant histopathological changes including nuclear hypertrophy, hyperchromasia, extensive biliary hyperplasia, focal hepatocyte necrosis and presence of inflammatory cells were observed in the liver of fish fed high levels of aflatoxin (40 and 80 μg kg^?1). AFB₁ accumulation in fish muscle and liver increased with increased dietary AFB₁ levels. It could be confirmed that 10 μg AFB₁ kg^?1 diet was the maximum allowable level in hybrid sturgeon diet.     

Hybrid sturgeon ‘AL’ (Acipenser naccarii×Acipenser baeri) diets: the use of alternative plant protein sources

In this experimentation, corn gluten (CG) and pea meal (PM) were tested as potential protein sources in hybrid sturgeon ‘AL’. One hundred and twenty‐eight hybrid sturgeons ‘AL’ (Acipenser naccarii × Acipenser baeri) (initial body weight 364.8 ± 4.5 g) were utilized with four experimental diets and four replicates each; the experimental design was 4 × 4. Four isonitrogenous [crude protein=40% dry matter (DM)] and isoenergetic (gross energy=20 MJ kg^?1 DM) diets were formulated containing different levels of CG with or without PM and tested against a control diet that was fish meal (FM) based. Diets were as follows: CG55 contained 55% of corn gluten; diet CG55PM25 contained 55% CG and 25% PM; diet CG45PM25 contained 45% of corn meal and 25% of PM; and diet FM was control, based on FM. Fish fed with the PM diet showed lower values of feed conversion ratio (FCR) and specific growth rate (SGR) (FCR=4.53 ± 2.51 in the CG55PM25 diet; FCR=4.09 ± 1.45 in the CG45PM25 diet; SGR=0.20 ± 0.07 in the CG55PM25 diet; SGR=0.19 ± 0.11 in the CG55PM25 diet). The results of tissue proximate composition confirmed the results obtained from productive traits. This study indicates that CG meal but not PM could be utilized as a substitute of FM in hybrid sturgeon ‘AL’ nutrition.     

Replacing Soybean Meal with Alternative Protein Sources in Diets for Pond‐raised Hybrid Catfish, ♀ Ictalurus punctatus × ♂ Ictalurus furcatus

The present study investigated the replacement of soybean meal with combinations of two or three alternative protein sources in diets for pond‐raised hybrid catfish, ♀ Ictalurus punctatus × ♂ Ictalurus furcatus. Alternative protein sources evaluated included cottonseed meal, distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), peanut meal, and porcine meat and bone meal (PMBM). Hybrid catfish fingerlings with a mean initial weight of 35 g/fish were stocked into 25 earthen ponds (0.04 ha) at a density of 14,826 fish/ha. Fish were fed once daily to apparent satiation for 166 d. No significant differences were observed for total diet fed, net yield, weight gain, survival, carcass yield, fillet yield, or fillet proximate composition among dietary treatments. Results show soybean meal may be completely replaced by combinations of cottonseed meal and one or two other alternative protein sources including DDGS, peanut meal, and PMBM in the diet without markedly affecting production and processing characteristics and fillet proximate composition of pond‐raised hybrid catfish. These alternative diets may be used during foodfish production when prices are favorable.     

Effects of live and artificial feeds on the growth,digestion, immunity and intestinal microflora of mandarin fish hybrid (Siniperca chuatsi ♀ × Siniperca scherzeri ♂)

How to acclimate mandarin fish to eat artificial feeds has been always a challenge for researchers. The mandarin fish after hybridization (Siniperca chuatsi ♀ × Siniperca scherzeri ♂) could be fed artificial feeds which solved the problem to some extent. However, the growth performance, digestibility, immunity and intestinal microflora of mandarin fish hybrid fed artificial feeds need further study. One hundred and twenty fish of similar size (average weight, 19.5 ± 0.9 g) were randomly stocked into six 250‐L aquariums and separately fed live baits (the control) or artificial feeds in triplicate for 70 days. The weight gain and special growth rate of fish fed artificial feeds were significantly lower than those of fish fed live baits (P < 0.05). The protease activities of stomach, liver and intestine in fish fed live baits were all significantly higher than those in fish fed artificial feeds. The activities of catalase and lysozyme, the content of glutathione in serum of fish fed live baits were all significantly higher than those in fish fed artificial feeds. However, the content of malondialdehyde in liver of fish fed artificial feeds was significantly higher than that in fish fed live baits. The dominant bacteria in both groups were Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Planctomycetes, Cyanobacteria, Verrucomicrobia. However, live baits greatly affected the amount of beneficial and harmful bacteria of intestine in mandarin fish hybrid and broke the balance of intestinal flora.     

Effects of rhythmic temperature change on the growth,body composition and energy budget of hybrid grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus♂ × Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀)

Effects of rhythmic temperature change on the growth, body composition and energy budget of hybrid grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂ × E. fuscoguttatus ♀) were investigated. Nine groups of fish received repeating cycles of low‐temperature manipulation (22°C) for 1, 2 and 4 days followed by recovery temperature (28°C) for (3, 7 and 11 days), (6, 14 and 22 days) and (12, 28 and 44 days) respectively, designated as L1R3, L1R7, L1R11, L2R6, L2R14, L2R22, L4R12, L4R28 and L4R44 respectively. In the control group (C), fish were reared at 28°C throughout the whole experiment. After 96‐day feeding trail, the final weight, relative weight gain rate, specific growth rate, food conversion efficiency and apparent digestibility coefficient of fish in L4R28 were significantly higher than those of control (p < .05). The crude protein contents of fish in L2R14, L2R22, L4R12, L4R28 and L4R44 were significantly higher compared to the control (p < .05). According to energy budget, fish in L4R28 exhibited significantly higher proportion of food energy assimilated into growth and lower proportion consumed for excretion than the control fish (p < .05). These results indicated the occurrence of complete or over growth compensation in hybrid grouper, and the use of repeated cycles of low temperature (22°C) for 4 days followed by recovery temperature (28°C) for 28 days could obtain enhanced growth, that is overcompensation, with improved apparent digestibility coefficient, food conversion efficiency and energetic efficiency into growth. This technique would be more practically applicable in indoor culture for this species.