Effect of meal size modulation on growth performance and feeding rhythms in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax, L.)

The combined effect of feeding time and meal size on the growth performance and feeding rhythms were studied in European sea bass maintained under natural summer–autumn conditions. Three feeding strategies were compared: a modulated automatic-feeding (MF), a fixed automatic-feeding (FF) and a free access to self-feeders (SF). Under MF, feed was supplied in meals of different size, three times a day (morning, afternoon and evening, 33.33:16.67:50% of daily feed ration, respectively) during the first (31 days) and second (35 days) period of the experiment, and twice a day (morning and evening, 33.33:66.67% of daily feed ration, respectively) during the third period (27 days). In FF feed was supplied in equally-sized meals, three times a day (morning, afternoon and evening, 33.33:33.33:33.33% of daily feed ration) in all three periods of the experiment. Under SF, fish showed a diurnal self-feeding pattern, with the greatest percentage of self-feeding activity concentrated in the evening. In MF and FF, although feed was delivered automatically, the trigger was left in the tank to register activations as an indicator of feeding activity. The trigger activation of both treatments MF and FF was associated with the time of feed delivery. Feeding strategies affected biomass increase, specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion ratio (FCR), the greatest biomass increase and highest SGR being obtained with MF and the poorest FCR with FF. The results demonstrate that automatic-feeding systems, in which the quantity of feed supplied is modulated in accordance with the natural feeding rhythms of sea bass, may improve growth and feed efficiency.     

Nocturnal feeding reduces sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax, L.) pellet-catching ability

European sea bass exhibits a feeding rhythm with seasonal phase inversions: nocturnal feeding is predominant in winter, and diurnal feeding during the rest of the year. This explains the increased growth of sea bass fed at night during the winter months, but to fully assess such feeding practices, it is important to monitor food-catching efficiency in the dark. To evaluate the influence of nocturnal feeding on pellet-capture efficiency under laboratory conditions, we developed an infrared pellet detector linked to on-line recording with a microcomputer. Feed waste was recorded for eight groups of four sea bass (54.6±15.8 g body weight) fed either diurnal or nocturnal meals with long (>60 s) or short (<20 s) feed availability times. With short feed availability times, food-catching efficiency in complete darkness (0 lx) was reduced to 78.6%, compared to 93.5% in diurnally fed fish. This was confirmed in a second experiment, performed during winter, involving 4000 sea bass in four sea cages (1000 per cage) provided with self-feeders and pellets detectors. Feed waste amounted to less than 13% of the food distributed, but nocturnal demands (29% of total feed demands) were accompanied by higher levels of uneaten pellets (68% of the total feed waste) than diurnal demand. This suggests that if the aim is to reduce feed waste, nocturnal feeding should be restricted in sea cages.     

Abnormalities in the juvenile stage of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) reared at different temperatures: types, prevalence and effect on growth

Osteological malformations are always considered an important problem in intensive aquaculture. This work studies the effect of rearing temperature on malformations in sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax. To this end, two batches of the species were subjected to the following incubation/cultivation temperatures: 15 °C/natural and 19/19 °C, from fertilization until 190 days after hatching. The different malformations were studied in 1643 juveniles at 190 days and classified by categories. The Chi-square statistic was calculated to verify the relationship between the presence of anomalies and the application of different temperatures. The percentage of anomalies observed in individuals reared at a high temperature (19/19 °C) was 66.44%. In both temperature systems, opercular malformations were those which caused a greater delay in growth. The results found indicated that temperature played a very important role in the development of deformations, which may be of interest from the viewpoint of aquaculture.     

Production of meiotic gynogenetic and triploid sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax L.: 1. Performances, maturation and carcass quality

Meiotic gynogenetic and triploid sea bass were produced by pressure shocks according to a previously published protocol. Pressure-treated groups did not survive as well as controls during early development and larval rearing. Performances, sexual maturation and carcass quality were examined over a period of 34–45 months. At the age of 34 months, growth of the gynogenetic fish was comparable to that of the control but inferior in the triploid fish. A predominance of male fish was found within the triploid groups, while diploid and meiotic gynogenetic fish showed equal proportions of the sexes. Gonadal maturation in triploid fish was significantly impaired, particularly in the females that showed rudimentary ovaries. Triploid males exhibited primary maturation but proved to be gametically sterile. Pressure-induced triploids did not grow as well as diploids, but these results might be ascribed to specific on-growing conditions (communal rearing). The performance of gynogenetic sea bass was comparable to that of control. The superiority of diploid fish over their triploid counterparts was confirmed during the final growing period and more clearly so in females. Performances of triploids varied according to their maternal origin. Overall, striking qualitative differences between diploid and triploid fish were found at the age of 34 and 45 months, although the results varied in a gender-specific manner. A strong maternal effect was also observed. The potential advantages of triploid sea bass for aquaculture purposes are discussed.     

Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of oxytetracycline in sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, at two water temperatures

A pharmacokinetic study of oxytetracycline (OTC) following an intravascular administration (40 mg/kg) was carried out in sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax (110 g), at 13.5 and 22 °C water temperature. Blood, muscle and liver samples were taken at 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 and 128 h post-injection. The plasma data were conformed to a two-compartment model. The kinetic profile of the drug was found to be temperature dependent. The absorption half-life (t_1/2) of OTC was 0.98 and 0.192 h at 13.5 and 22 °C, respectively, whereas the elimination half-time (t_1/2β) of the drug was 69 h at 13.5 °C and 9.65 h at 22 °C. The apparent volume of distribution of the drug at steady state [V_d(ss)] was 5.62 l/kg at 13.5 °C and 2.59 l/kg at 22 °C. The mean residence time (MRT) of OTC was found to be 37.7 h at 22 °C and 71 h at 13.5 °C. The total clearance of the drug (CL_T) was calculated to be 73.5 and 68.7 ml/kg/h at 13.5 and 22 °C, respectively.

Liver levels indicated higher OTC values than respective muscle levels at all time points and for both temperatures. The elimination of OTC from tissues tested was faster at the high temperature, whereas the drug was eliminated faster from liver compared to muscle when comparisons are made at the same temperature.     

LED光谱对舌齿鲈幼鱼摄食、生长和能量分配的影响

在海水循环水养殖系统中,分别设置白光(λ_(400～780 nm))、红光(λ_(630 nm))、黄光(λ_(595 nm))、绿光(λ_(530 nm))、蓝光(λ_(455 nm))5组不同LED光谱处理组,研究5种不同LED光谱对舌齿鲈幼鱼[(29.91±0.39) g、(13.78±0.35) cm)]摄食、生长和能量分配的影响。结果显示,不同LED光谱对舌齿鲈幼鱼摄食、生长和能量分配具有显著性影响。红光谱下舌齿鲈幼鱼生长较好(41.09±5.70) g,蓝光谱下舌齿鲈幼鱼生长较差(36.02±4.18) g;蓝光谱下舌齿鲈幼鱼DGC(daily growth coefficient)显著低于其他各组,其他各组之间差异不显著;5组LED光谱处理组舌齿鲈幼鱼摄食率存在显著性差异,其中红光谱摄食率最高。类胰岛素生长因子IGF-1和IGF-2测定结果表明,白光谱下IGF-1的mRNA表达量最高;黄光谱下IGF-2的mRNA表达量最高。能量分配方面,红光谱下舌齿鲈幼鱼排粪能和代谢能较低,摄食能和生长能较高;蓝光谱下舌齿鲈幼鱼排粪能较高,摄食能和代谢能较低,生长能最低。对舌齿鲈幼鱼肌肉和肝脏RNA/DNA比值测定结果表明,蓝光谱下,舌齿鲈幼鱼肝脏RNA/DNA比值显著高于其他各组;蓝光谱和白光谱下舌齿鲈幼鱼肌肉中RNA/DNA比值存在显著性差异,其他各组之间不具有显著性差异。研究表明,红光谱下舌齿鲈幼鱼摄食、生长均表现较好,且红光谱下舌齿鲈幼鱼具有较高的摄食能和生长能;蓝光谱下舌齿鲈幼鱼摄食、生长表现较差,排粪能较高,生长能较低。因此,红光谱对舌齿鲈幼鱼摄食、生长具有积极影响;蓝光谱对舌齿鲈幼鱼摄食、生长具有不利影响。     

Early temperature effects on muscle growth dynamics and histochemical profile of muscle fibres of sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax L., during larval and juvenile stages

Recently, it has been found that the thermal experience during the earliest phases of development could determine the larval and postlarval growth characteristics of teleosts. In order to investigate the effects of the early temperature regime on the advanced stages of growth of sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax L., this species was reared during the vitelline phase at two temperatures: natural temperature (15 °C) and 17.7±0.1 °C, and then larvae transferred to common temperature (natural temperature). Muscle growth was studied by morphometric and histochemical techniques (mATPase and NADH-TR). Body length and body mass were also measured. During the vitelline phase, muscle growth was similar in both experimental groups, but at 25 days, both hypertrophy and hyperplasia of white muscle fibres were greater in the prewarmed group (p<0.05). At the end of metamorphosis (80 days) and at 120 days, the average diameter of white muscle fibres, as well as the body length, were greater in the prewarmed group (p<0.05), but the number of white fibres did not differ significantly between groups. The morphological mosaic of white muscle fibres was observed at the end of metamorphosis, and the histochemical mosaic appeared gradually since the early postlarval stages. Thus, at 120 days, some specimens in both experimental groups showed three or four different mATPase staining white fibres: low (L), moderate (M), high (H) and/or very high (vH), whereas in other specimens, only L or M mATPase activity fibres were observed. Early T influenced the histochemical maturity of the white muscle. By 120 days, the proportion of H and vH fibres was greater in the prewarmed group (p=0.027; p=0.051, respectively). By 154 days, the four mATPase staining profiles (L, M, H, vH) were observed in all specimens of both groups, but the proportion of vH fibres was still higher in the prewarmed group. By 188 days, 3774 °C-day for the prewarmed group and 3759 °C-day for the natural temperature group, only slight differences between groups were observed in the histochemical properties and no differences were found in the number and size of white muscle fibres, neither in the body length and body mass of specimens.

In conclusion, a slight increase of temperature during the vitelline phase of sea bass increased the muscle growth and body length of fish in subsequent larval and postlarval stages, and advanced the histochemical maturity of the white muscle.     

Requirement of n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids for European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles: growth and fatty acid composition

European sea bass juveniles (14.4±0.1 g mean weight) were fed diets containing different levels of fish oil then of n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (n-3 HUFA) for 12 weeks. The fish performance as well as fatty acid (FA) composition of neutral and polar lipids from whole body after 7 and 12 weeks feeding were studied. The requirements of juvenile sea bass for n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (n-3 HUFA) were studied by feeding fish diets containing six different levels of n-3 HUFA ranging from 0.2% to 1.9% of the diet, with approximately the same DHA/EPA ratio (1.5:1).

The growth rate at the end of the trial showed significant differences. Fish fed low dietary n-3 HUFA (0.2% DM of the diet) showed significantly lower growth than the diet 3 (0.7%), then no further improvement (P>0.05) of growth performance was seen by elevating the n-3 HUFA level in the diet up to 1.9% (diet 6). No difference in feed efficiency, protein efficiency ratio or protein retention was observed among treatments, nor in protein and total lipid content. However, the n-3 HUFA levels in diets highly influenced fish fatty acid composition in neutral lipid, while polar lipid composition was less affected. Comparison of polar lipid content after 7 or 12 weeks indicated that DHA remained stable at the requirement level, while arachidonic acid decreased with time. Results of this experiment suggest that the requirement for growth of n-3 HUFA of juvenile sea bass of 14 g weight is at least 0.7% of the dry diet.     

Effects of different dietary oils in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) nutrition

Five diets having the same proximate composition but containingdifferent types of supplemental oils, singly or in combination, were used forgrowing sea bass from 95 g to about 200 g in smallseacages. The oils tested were olive oil, soybean oil and fish oil. The dietsformulated contained EPA and DHA levels ranging from 0.88 to 1.35% of the diet.Growth parameters and fish body composition were not significantly affected bythe type of oil used. The same was generally apparent for liver andhematological characteristics. The content of phospholipids in EPA and DHA washighest in the livers of fish fed diets supplemented with fish oil. A positivecorrelation was found between dietary and liver n-6 PUFA. Histological sectionsindicated extended pathological symptoms (intensive liver degeneration andhemorrhages, changes in the gill structure) in the fish receiving dietssupplemented only with plant oils. These symptoms existed but to a smallerfrequency and degree in livers of fish fed diets supplemented with plant andfish oil, while were not apparent in those fed the fish oil diet.     

Effects of successive size grading on the growth of juvenile European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) at three temperatures

Juvenile European sea bass from the same fish stock were selected by successive size grading processes using 2, 3 and 4 mm bar graders at 79, 96 and 99 days post hatching, thus forming three groups (n=300) consisting of similar‐sized fish that differed by time of each group formation. The growth patterns of fish groups were studied at three temperatures during 5 weeks of rearing. Three‐way anova followed by the Tukey multiple comparison test (P<0.05) showed a high dependence of growth on the temperature applied. The smallest size and weight of fish were detected in all groups reared at 19 °C compared with fish held at 21 and 23 °C respectively. Differences in coefficients of variation of lengths were small and insignificant between groups and temperatures. Growth in the length of sea bass juveniles during the test period was a linear function of time and no differences were observed in growth rate among groups at a particular temperature. Growth rates of fish were 0.71 ± 0.02, 0.62 ± 0.01 and 0.52 ± 0.02 mm day^?1 at 23, 21 and 19 °C respectively. These results indicated that the variations in body size of juveniles in the test period were not the result of differences in the growth potential of individuals.     

Influence of temperature on the hatching of eggs of Diplectanum aequans,a parasite of sea bass

This study deals with the influence of temperature on the hatching of eggs of Diplectanum aequans, a branchial ectoparasite of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). At temperatures of 20 °C, 25 C and 30 °C hatching takes place within a few days of laying, whereas at 15 C and 10 C it occurs respectively between the 7th and the 12th day and between the 11th and the 19th day. No hatching has been observed at 5 C. Development is not completely inhibited at 5 C as the eggs can, at least partially, go on maturing and will subsequently hatch as soon as higher temperatures are encountered.     

Demand-feeding behaviour of sea bass kept in ponds: diel and seasonal patterns,and influences of environmental factors

Feeding activity was investigated from June to October in a group of 60 sea bass, Dicentrachus labrax. The fish were kept in an earthen pond in a maritime wetland subject to the fluctuations of the natural environment. The fish fed by operating a demand feeder connected to a data logger which recorded each feeding act with a time reference. Meteorological and hydrological data were also recorded. Diurnal rhythms in feeding activity changed as the months progressed. Fish fed during daylight, preferentially at dawn in June, but in the middle of the day from August to October. Most feeding took place during subdued light. Feeding was closely and positively correlated to both daylength and water temperature; daylength being the most related factor associated with rainfall and East-West wind direction.     

Interleukin-10 expression by real-time PCR and homology modelling analysis in the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus Labrax L.)

In this paper we investigate the interleukin-10 (IL-10) expression and 3D modelling of the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.). IL-10 is a regulatory cytokine that has been intensively studied in mammals and has been found mainly involved in the suppression or deactivation of activated immune responses. The full-length sea bass IL-10 cDNA consists of 1015 bp and is translated in a predicted molecule of 187 amino acids. A multiple alignment of this peptide with other known sequences showed the conservation of fundamental IL-10 family characteristics. Expression analysis by real-time PCR in control fish showed a high basal expression in the head kidney (HK), followed by gut and brain. In vitro treatment of HK leucocytes with LPS showed an intense increase of IL-10 expression at 4 h and a significant decrease at 24 h, with PHA-L no differences were evidenced. A 3D model for sea bass IL-10 was obtained by accurate homology procedures and putative interaction residues with the IL-10 receptor described. The results suggested that sea bass IL-10 could be involved in anti-inflammatory responses, but further experiments are needed to assess its importance in response to pathogenic agents, vaccinations and immunostimulants.     

Effects of the partial substitution of dietary fish meal by differently processed soybean meals on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and activity of intestinal brush border enzymes in the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

This study evaluated the effects of replacing fish meal (FM) in the diet of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) with differently processed soybean meals on growth performance; apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs); the activity of alkaline phosphatase and the brush border digestive enzymes: leucine amino peptidase, maltase and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase; and the fish morphometric and flesh quality. European sea bass with an initial average body weight of 187.8 ± 1.4 g, were fed either a FM based (control) diet or a soy replacement isoproteic, isolipidic and isocaloric diet. The treatments consisted replacing FM protein by: 25% toasted, dehulled and solvent-extracted soybean meal (SE25); 50% dehulled and toasted soy seeds subjected to dry extrusion and mechanical oil extraction (ME50); 50% enzyme-treated soybean meal (ET50) and an inclusion of 60% composed of 30% toasted, dehulled and solvent-extracted soybean meal and 30% enzyme-treated soybean meal (SE + ET/60). ADCs values of dry matter, crude protein, crude lipid and gross energy did not significantly differ between ME50 and SE + ET/60 but both of them were inferior to the other treatments (P < 0.05). Compared with the control FM-based diet, only the group that consumed the ME50 diet had lower specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio and gross protein retention efficiency values (P < 0.05). The protein efficiency ratio did not differ between the FM-based control group and all other soy derivate groups (P > 0.05). In order to gain more insight on the effects of the diet on fish growth, activity of the brush border enzymes was measured. No significant differences were found in leucine amino peptidase and maltase activities, between the control group and the other soy derivate groups. The activity of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase was significantly higher in the upper section in fish that consumed the control diet compared with fish that consumed the soy derivate diets. Yet, the main activity of this enzyme was found in the lower intestinal section. In all the soy derivate diets except for the SE25 diet, the activity of alkaline phosphatase was significantly lower than its activity in the control diet. Feeding diets that include various types and levels of soybean derivatives did not affect the whole body composition and slaughter yield but significantly reduced liver weight. The results show that in methionine supplemented diets, FM can be replaced in terms of protein by 25% SE, 50% ET or 60% soy composed of 30% SE and 30% ET without hampering fish performance. The inclusion of 50% protein from ME resulted in significantly lower growth performance and feed utilization.     

Bacterial disease of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax (L.)) reared in the laboratory: An approach to treatment

Two nitrofuran derivatives and one antiseptic were tested on the control of a bacterial disease in laboratory reared sea bass. Best results were obtained with 20-min bath treatments of Furanace at 12 mg/l.     

Biosensors applied to biochemical fish qualityindicators in refrigerated and frozen sea bass reared in aerated or hyperoxic conditions

Biosensors in the detection of K₁ value (a ratiobased on the changes in ATP catabolites contentoccurring in the muscle after death) and biogenicamines for evaluation of fish quality were tested. TheK₁ value was determined, every 24 h, from 24 to168 h after death, by HPLC and by a xanthine oxidasebiosensor on 36 sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)stored at 1°C with ice covering. TheK₁ value by biosensor and the biogenic amines byHPLC and by a diamine-oxidase biosensor were evaluatedevery 24 h after death or thawing until spoilage on150 sea bass, reared under aeration or atsupersaturated oxygen level and stored at 4°C,1°C with ice covering, –20°C × 30 d and–80°C × 90 d. Refrigerated fish were evaluatedby the EU sensory scheme. A close relation betweenHPLC and biosensor-values emerged for K₁ value.Reliable estimates by biosensor K₁% of both EUfreshness classes and the quality of frozen bass werefound. Biogenic amine levels remained fairly lowwithin the edibility period but putrescine showed moreevident changes, making it promising as a spoilageindicator in frozen fish. Storage conditions markedlyinfluenced changes after death or thawing in K₁value or, even less, in biogenic amine levels,putrescine particularly, while dissolved oxygen inwater of rearing did not.     

Effects of different diets on juvenile tench, Tinca tinca (L.) reared under controlled conditions

In a laboratory experiment at 28 °C, four commercial starters (Carp Starter, Uni Starter, Perla Plus, Asta) were fed intensively to 11-month-old juvenile tench Tinca tinca of initially 41 mm TL and 0.70 g BW, over a period of 120 days. Frozen chironomid larvae were fed to fish below satiation as a reference diet for comparison of the fish body chemical composition. Final survival rates of 99–100% and satisfactory growth were attained with all dry diets, ranging from 73.3 (Carp Starter) to 84.8 mm TL (Asta) and from 5.39 (Carp Starter) to 8.09 g BW (Perla Plus). External body deformities of up to 96.4% specimens appeared in those fed Uni Starter, Carp Starter and Perla Plus, whereas 0% were recorded for Asta and chironomids. Fish in groups with deformities showed significantly elevated lipid content in their bodies, lower ash content and higher condition coefficient values. Juveniles in groups without deformities did not substantially change lipid content, but the ash content increased. Thus, among four dry diets studied, only Asta starter can be fed effectively and safely to juvenile tench reared intensively under controlled conditions.     

Molecular evidence for the lack of transmission of the monogenean Sparicotyle chrysophrii (Monogenea, Polyopisthocotylea) and isopod Ceratothoa oestroides (Crustacea, Cymothoidae) between wild bogue (Boops boops) and cage-reared sea bream (Sparus aurata) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

In the Mediterranean area, wild fish have often been suggested as either the reservoirs of the causative agents or at least the carriers of the pathogens responsible for disease outbreaks in cultured fish. However, no epidemiological investigations on actual pathogen/disease interactions between farmed and wild fish have been conducted even for the most important fish pathogens. Only sporadic isolations and identifications of various pathogens in wild fish have been done and real associations with the pathological conditions that exist within the farm environment and vice versa have not been established. Monogenean ectoparasite Sparicotyle chrysophrii and isopod Ceratothoa oestroides are commonly found in the Mediterranean cage-reared sea bream and sea bass and in the surrounding wild fish population. Both species were recognized as pathogens that seasonally inflict serious losses in fingerlings and juveniles of sea bream and sea bass, being potentially propagated and exchanged during wild and caged fish interaction. In order to evaluate the degree of pathogens transfer between wild and farmed fish, we investigated genetic population structures of these two important parasitic pathogens inferred by mtDNA cytochrome oxidase I locus. Parasites isolated from wild and farmed fish on the two most productive Adriatic fish farms showed genetic heterogeneity, contradicting widely accepted hypothesis of cross-contamination, at least in case of S. chrysophrii and C. oestroides. As far as we know, this is the first report that in a study of pathogen transfer molecular evidence was employed to asses the genetic population structure of shared parasites.     

Effects on mortality and stress response in European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax (L.), fed mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) after Vibrio anguillarum exposure

The effects of dietary mannan oligosaccharides (MOS; 4 g kg^?1; Bio‐Mos, Alltech Inc, USA) in diets for European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax (L.), juveniles in relation to disease and stress resistance, combining intestinal infection with Vibrio anguillarum and stress challenge by confinement, were assessed in this study. After 8 weeks of MOS supplementation, fish were exposed to a pathogen challenge test against V. anguillarum by direct gut inoculation combined with a confinement stressor panel. Cumulative mortality of fish fed MOS caused by anally inoculated V. anguillarum decreased from 66% to 12.5% and from 54.1% to 25% in infected and infected + stressed fish, respectively, compared to fish fed control diet. Results for European sea bass revealed a positive effect of MOS dietary inclusion on disease resistance, in terms of cumulative mortality, against gut inoculated V. anguillarum, as well as reduced effects of stress on microbiota diversity. Both of these findings, together with the enhanced innate immune response and the higher gut mucus production and density of eosinophil granulocytes in gut mucosa obtained in previous studies after MOS supplementation ( Torrecillas et al. 2007, 2011a,b ) suggest that general reinforcement of the innate immune system, and particularly of the intestinal barrier efficiency, is the main defence mechanism of European sea bass fed MOS against pathogenic microorganisms.     

Lactobacillus spp. bacteria as probiotics in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata, L.) larvae: Effects on growth performance and digestive enzyme activities

In this study, the influence of commercial probiotic, Lactobacillus spp., supplementation was investigated on growth parameters and digestive enzyme activities in gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata, during larval development. All experiments were triplicated and designed in three different administrations of probiotic from 3 days after hatching (DAH) concurrently with starting of exogenous feeding. In the first group, probiotic was added to live food (rotifer and Artemia). In the second group, probiotic was supplemented directly to both live food and water. In the third group, probiotic was added directly to water. Also, no probiotic treatment was maintained in control group. Total bacterial counts among probiotic probiotic-supplemented groups were significantly different from total bacterial counts in controls in water and digestive tract of larvae (p < 0.05). The mean of total bacterial counts in control was approximately 4 × 10⁴-fold increased from the experimental groups in the sea water (p < 0.05). Besides, mean digestive enzyme activities of all probiotics treatment groups were significantly different (p < 0.05) with that of the control. Except probiotic water supplementation group, in all treatments, the specific activities of pancreatic and intestinal enzymes were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in larvae to which probiotic had been supplemented by live food and live food with water. Also, S. aurata larvae that had probiotic administered by live food with water demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) increases in both survival (13–105% higher) and specific growth rate (2–9% higher) as compared to controls. As a result, supplementation of probiotic to directly tank water could not significantly increase growth parameters and digestive enzyme activities and therefore, administration of probiotics by this method would not be effective in terms of husbandry parameters and nutritional condition.