Growth performance of bath sponge (Spongia officinalis Linnaeus, 1759) farmed on suspended ropes in the Dardanelles (Turkey)

Commercial bath sponge population in the Mediterranean has been recently reduced due to diseases and the depletion of natural banks. The commercial supply is far below the demand on the last 10–15 years. In this study, we aimed to investigate the farming performance of Spongia officinalis in the Dardanelles. Sponges collected from the Dardanelles cut into pieces of different weight. They were divided into two groups depending on the wet weight ranging from 50 to 150 g (mean weight 102.6 ± 4.81 g) and from 160 to 360 g (mean weight 235.8 ± 8.56 g). Three rope systems located parallel to each other with 6–7 m inter‐distance were constructed for the cultivation of sponges. At the end of the study, while small‐sized sponges could reach mean wet weight of 120.7 ± 14.8 g, large‐sized sponges reached mean wet weight of 247.6 ± 22.4 g. Growth rates were estimated 5–17% at 21st month. The survival rates were found 82% and 88%.     

The effect of dietary protein and total energy content on digestive enzyme activities, growth and survival of Litopenaeus setiferus (Linnaeus 1767) postlarvae

The effect of dietary protein and energy content on the activity of digestive enzymes (total proteinases, trypsin, chymotrypsin α‐amylase and lipase), and growth and survival of Litopenaeus setiferus postlarvae was investigated under controlled conditions. There was a clear relationship between the diet fed to the postlarvae, growth and survival. Highest weight gain (2110 ± 96.7%) was obtained with a 400 g kg^?1 protein and low energy diet (13.9 kJ g^?1) (P < 0.05). The optimal protein to energy ratio (P/E) estimated was 28.8 mg of protein kJ^?1. Good survival was obtained with low energy diets containing between 200 and 400 g kg^?1 protein and with high energy diets containing 300–500 g kg^?1 protein. Higher values for total proteinases, trypsin and α‐amylase were obtained with the low energy, 400 g kg^?1 protein diet. Chymotryptic activity was considerably lower than that of other proteinases and lipase activity was too low to be reliably measured with the turbidimetric method employed. Total proteinase activity was significantly lower than in experimentally grown postlarvae. The α‐amylase activity was at least two orders of magnitude higher in wild postlarvae than in animals fed with the best experimental diet. Protein requirement was related to total energy content of the diet: best growth and digestive enzyme activity coincide with the low energy, 400 g kg^?1 protein diet. These results suggest that dietary carbohydrates cannot spare protein because growth rates obtained with diets containing 200–300 g kg^?1 protein (337 and 226 g kg^?1 dextrin content, respectively) were significantly lowered.     

Effects of Using Live Grass Shrimp (Palaemonetes varians) as the only Source of Food for the Culture of Cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis (Linnaeus, 1758)

The life cycle of cuttlefish fed ad libitum exclusively on live grass shrimp (Palaemonetes varians) was studied during 5 consecutive generations. Different culture temperatures promoted different (P < 0.05) exponential growth for each life cycle, being summer generations shorter than those of winter. Higher temperatures promoted higher IGR’s and mortality, while lower temperatures promoted increased life span, reproduction stages, total fecundity and total egg biomass. Increased generations also seemed to increase fertility. A “hybrid” generation promoted the best results in terms of hatchling weight, individual fecundity and fertility. Mean egg weight was related to female size and embryonic development took longer at lower temperatures. Brood stock sex ratios seemed to be temperature related. All of these culture aspects were also compared between themselves in order to establish future brood stock methodologies. Grass shrimp proved to be a good diet for the culture of cuttlefish throughout the life cycle. The use of only one species reduces costs and labor associated to cuttlefish culture.     

Effects of Hatching Time Interval on Growth Performance,Survival Rate,Sedimentation Behavior,and Exogenous Feeding Onset of Great Sturgeon (Huso huso Linnaeus, 1758)

We examined the influence of different hatching times on growth and survival of beluga, Huso huso, over a 28-day period. Larvae from a single pair of beluga, Huso huso, were divided according to hatching time into four groups: early, mid (between 6–9 h after the first group), late (23–26 h after the first group), and a mixture of first to last hatched larvae. At hatching time, there was no statistical difference (P > 0.05) in size and length among the four groups. Prior to the onset of exogenous feeding, groups A and D exhibited slightly earlier onset of aggregation behavior and began exogenous feeding 18 h sooner than the other groups (P < 0.05). Mortality after the onset of the endogenous feeding phase was not significantly different among groups (A: 8.15% ± 0.47%; B: 8.55% ± 0.41%; C: 6.63% ± 0.53% and C: 8.23% ± 0.43%) (P > 0.05). Results showed that hatching time has no effect on the growth and overall mortality of larval beluga.     

Early Development of the Mandarinfish, Synchiropus splendidus (Callionymidae), with notes on its Fishery and Potential for Culture

The mandarinfish, Synchiropus splendidus, is a small, pelagic-spawning enthic dragonet of the western Pacific. Although popular in the marine aquarium trade, little is known of its fishery or biology. All aquarium-trade animals are currently taken from the wild and the impact of heavy collecting is unknown. The specialized and selective nature of the fishery for mandarinfish is described and its potential to disrupt the mating system identified. As a possible alternative to wild capture and as an aid to sustainable exploitation, egg production and early development relevant to mariculture are described, including egg output, embryo, larva and post-settlement development to 30 days, based on live material. Egg output was determined for 40 females and ranged from 12 to 205 eggs. Embryo and larva development were rapid, with settlement occurring within 14 days at 24–26 °C, and at 3.5 mm TL. The swimbladder is retained in adults. Our limited attempts at raising the mandarinfish to settlement were encouraging and suggest an excellent potential for mariculture with implications for both conservation and improved maintenance of fish in captivity. At present, given that this species is difficult to maintain in captivity, it is only suitable for experienced aquarists. Preliminary diet information is provided. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of prey nutritional quality on the growth and survival of juvenile cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis (Linnaeus, 1758)

This investigation examined the effect of prey condition on the growth and survival of juvenile cuttlefish ( Sepia officinalis ). In the first group, cuttlefish were fed with daily captured live Palaeomonetes varians from the wild [daily prey (DP)], the second group was fed 5 days stocked and starved P. varians [starved prey (SP)], while in the third group, cuttlefish were fed 8 days stocked P. varians fed with an artificial diet [fed prey (FP)]. Mean instantaneous growth rate (IGR) was 2.8±1% body weight day⁻¹ (bw day⁻¹), 3.3±1.1% bw day⁻¹ and 4.9±0.5% bw day⁻¹ for SP, DP and FP respectively. At the end of the experiment, final weight gain ( W _g) was 121±21.6%, 153.8±17.3% and 295±29.8% for SP, DP and FP respectively. No significant differences were found ( P >0.05) between growth curves for every group tested, or for the food conversions between those same groups ( P >0.05), but statistical differences ( P <0.05) were found in IGR between DP vs. FP and SP vs. FP. Mortality was 2 and 1 for SP and DP respectively. Results indicate that prey starvation should not be considered when feeding juvenile cuttlefish, as prey can only be stocked if proper artificial diets are provided, to obtain optimal growth.     

杂交鳢和乌鳢池塘养殖对比试验

对杂交鳢和乌鳢进行池塘养殖对比试验.前者投喂人工饲料,后者投喂冰鲜鱼,结合水质调控和病害防治等技术,杂交鳢成活率80.9%,乌鳢53.9%;杂交鳢平均单产为5.2 kg/m~2,饵料系数1.367;乌鳢1.8 kg/m~2,饵料系数4.29.整个养殖过程杂交鳢塘换水2次,乌鳢塘换水6次.     

盐度对透明溞存活、生长和繁殖的影响

采用试验生态学方法,在恒温(20±1)℃条件下,研究盐度变化对透明溞存活、生长和繁殖的影响。试验结果显示,透明溞的24 h和48 h半致死盐度分别为4.16和2.67,安全盐度为0.36。透明溞的产前发育期和有效积温随盐度上升而增加;体长增长率随盐度的升高先升后降,存活时间和内禀增长率随盐度的升高而下降。盐度对透明溞生存、生长及繁殖的影响显著(P<0.05),0.5盐度组的透明溞壳刺长显著大于对照组。研究结果表明,透明溞为嫌盐种,对盐度耐受性低。透明溞可作为水产经济动物开口饵料、水体盐碱变化的指示生物,对水环境监测具有重要意义。     

Culture of the blue mussel Mytilus edulis (Linnaeus, 1758) fed both phytoplankton and zooplankton: a microcosm experiment

With a 10‐week microcosm experiment, we demonstrated that the mussel Mytilus edulis could feed and grow upon zooplankton, phytoplankton and mixture of them. The group supplied with the mixture showed the highest shell growth rate, egestion rate and largest size of faecal pellets. Individuals feeding on seawater (the control group) had the lowest growth rate, egestion rate and smallest size of faecal pellets. Egestion rates and faecal sizes of all the groups decreased with experimental time. Therefore, the mussel M. edulis could derive energy from many kinds of diet particles. Most of these particles within the water column may play an important role in bivalve nutrition, feeding and aquaculture. A mixed diet of phytoplankton and zooplankton yielded better growth performance and metabolism than diets of each fed separately.     

The effects of tank colours on the growth and survival of cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis,Linnaeus 1758) hatchlings and juveniles

The effects of different tank colours (white, yellow sandy and black) on the growth, mortality and biomass production were studied for hatchling and early juvenile cuttlefish. For hatchlings, the use of different colour tanks did not promote differences in growth due to the higher variability (standard deviation) found in the white‐ and sand‐coloured tanks. Black tanks promoted the lowest and highest values for total mortality and biomass respectively. For juveniles, the use of different tank colours promoted different growth (P<0.05), but not mortality. Black tanks promoted the best results in terms of growth and biomass. The results obtained in the present study advise the use of black (or dark colour) tanks in the hatchling and early juvenile stages to reduce the standard deviations associated with growth, mortality and biomass production. This will contribute to minimize problems associated with slow and fast growers and competition.     

Effect of Stocking Density on the Growth,Survival, and Behavior of Postpuerulus Western Rock Lobster,Panulirus cygnus (George) (Decapoda: Palinuridae)

The effect of four stocking densities (30, 60, 100, and 150 lobsters/m²) on the growth and survival of Panulirus cygnus postpueruli was determined over a 112‐d grow‐out trial. Agonistic behavior at each experimental density was recorded using infrared filming. Survival and growth decreased with increasing density, although this trend was only significant between the lowest (30/m²) and the highest densities (150/m²) (P < 0.05) at the conclusion of the grow‐out trial. Density had no significant effect on apparent feed intake but significantly affected food conversion ratios (FCR) across all four densities, with FCR being best at 30/m² and worst at 150/m². The number and frequency of agonistic encounters per tank differed significantly with density, with agonistic encounters being highest at 150/m² and lowest at 30/m². Agonistic encounters coincided with the crepuscular foraging pattern of postpueruli. The reduction in survival and growth of postpueruli at the highest density (150/m²) can be attributed to the significant increase in the number of agonistic encounters. This study supports that P. cygnus postpueruli should be stocked at densities less than 100/m² in order to minimize the negative effect of density on growth and survival.     

The Effect of Low Salinity Water with Different Ionic Composition on the Growth and Survival of Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) in Intensive Culture

The effects of four different ionic composition low salinity water (T₁, T₂, T₃, and T₄), on growth and survival of Litopenaeus vannamei marine shrimp juveniles were investigated. Shrimp culture in seawater (T_m) was used as control treatment. The results indicated that there were no significant difference (P < 0.05) in growth, survival, production, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of L. vannamei juveniles reared in the different treatments, but significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed between each of them when compared with seawater (T_m). After 84 days, culture shrimp grew from 0.02 to 7.58 g in T₁. The lowest growth rate was attained in T₃ (0.57 g/week), in which potassium and calcium ions concentrations were the lowest (0.58 and 28.00 mg/L, respectively). The recorded survival rate (76.35% to 79.55%) is considered well for the 84 days growout period, although it was 7.6% lower than that recorded in the control treatment. Although there were no significant differences (P < 0.05) in growth with respect to the ionic composition of the four treatments, there was a trend of increasing growth in relation with the ionic ratio found in the seawater (T_m). This aspect should be evaluated more closely in future research.     

Effect of Density on Growth and Feeding of the Crayfish Cambarellus montezumae (Saussure, 1857)

The acocil C. montezumae is a freshwater crayfish endemic to the Central Plateau of Mexico, but, in recent years, the natural population of this species has diminished considerably. In this work was investigated growth performance and feeding of this crayfish reared at high densities. A random block experimental design with two repetitions and three treatments (77, 154 and 231 crayfish/m²) was carried out. Organisms were fed every third day with 15% of their total biomass of shrimp commercial food with 25% of crude protein, and individual food consumption (IFC) was calculated. Significant differences (ANOVA, P < 0.05) were detected in final weight, absolute increase, relative rate of increase, instantaneous rate of increase, yield and survival rate between the densities, with those reared at a density of 77 organisms/m² reaching the largest sizes. There were no-significant differences (P > 0.05) among treatments in terms of initial weight, specific growth rate and feed conversion l rate.     

Survival,growth and biomass of mud polychaete Marphysa iloiloensis (Annelida: Eunicidae) under different culture techniques

Polychaetes are commercially exploited as fishing bait and supplemental diet to crustacean and finfish broodstock. However, scarcity of supply and biosecurity issues limits its use. Polychaete aquaculture has become the best alternative to wild resources. In this study, two different culture techniques (1‐sediment tank throughout the culture period and 2‐nursery tank with bioflocs for 30 days; thereafter, juveniles were transferred to sediment tank until harvest) using two diets [bioflocs (BF) and feed mill sweepings (FS)] were tested to determine the survival, growth and biomass of polychaete Marphysa iloiloensis (Glasby et al., Zootaxa, 2019, 4674) in the grow‐out. The 180‐day trial was conducted in 16 tanks (0.20 m²) stocked with 5,066 ± 575 M. iloiloensis trochophore larvae/tank which were assigned randomly into four culture treatments with four replicates each. The treatments were labelled as: (a) BFS – fed BF in sediment tank for 180 days; (b) BF + BFS – fed BF in nursery tank for 30 days, juveniles were transferred in sediment tank and fed BF for another 150 days; (c) FSS – fed FS in sediment tank for 180 days; and (d) BF + FSS – fed BF in nursery tank for 30 days, juveniles are transferred in sediment tank and fed FS for another 150 days. Results showed that polychaetes in BF + FSS had significantly higher survival than BFS. Polychaetes in both BF + FSS and FSS had significantly higher body weight than BF + BFS and BFS, while biomass in BF + FSS (175.73 ± 42.25 g/tank) was significantly higher compared to other treatments (p < .05). Polychaetes fed with FS had 61%–64% protein and 12%–13% fat, while those fed with BF exclusively had 66%–70% protein and 3.50%–4.50% fat. The findings indicate that FS whether or not BF is included in the diet can improve both survival and growth of polychaetes but significantly higher biomass can be achieved with the combination of BF and FS. Additionally, polychaetes in BF + FSS contained 64% protein and 13% fat. Therefore, BF can be used as an alternative diet to FS in the early life stages of M. iloiloensis and nursery rearing using BF is imperative to increase its biomass in the grow‐out production.     

Weaning of Wild Young-of-the-Year Winter Flounder Pleuronectes americanus (Walbaum) on a Dry Diet: Effects on Growth, Survival, and Feed Efficiency Ratios

Winter flounder Pleuronectes americanus is being developed for aquaculture in Atlantic Canada. Weaning, the switch from a live diet to formulated feed, is a critical stage in the culture of any fish species. In this study, we used wild young-of-the-year stock to determine whether juvenile winter flounder can be weaned from live, cultured Artemia onto dry feed. The dry feed used was originally formulated for turbot Scophthalmus maximus and cod Gadus morhua by BP Nutrition, Stavanger, Norway. The performance of live feed and dry pellets was compared in terms of survival, growth and feed efficiency over three months. We were able to wean wild juvenile winter flounder onto dry feed after one week. Increased specific growth rates and feed efficiency ratios in weaned juveniles indicated that prepared diet was a better food source than Anemia . Survival was not influenced by food type.     

Effects of Dietary Digestible Protein and Energy Levels on Growth Performance,Feed Utilization,and Body Composition of Juvenile Permit,Trachinotus falcatus (Linnaeus, 1758)

A 9‐wk study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary protein and energy on growth performance of juvenile permit, Trachinotus falcatus, growing from approximately 30 to 150 g. Nine experimental diets were formulated to contain three levels of crude protein (400, 450, and 500 g/kg dry matter [DM]); and three levels of crude lipid (100, 200, and 300 g/kg DM) in a 3 × 3 factorial design. Growth rate and feed efficiency were significantly improved with increasing dietary protein levels from 400 to 500 g/kg and with dietary lipid levels from 100 to 200 g/kg. Fish body protein content was positively correlated with dietary ratio of digestible protein (DP) to digestible energy (DE) (P < 0.01, R² = 0.83), while body lipid was negatively correlated with dietary DP/DE (R² = 0.55, P < 0.05) but positively correlated with dietary DE levels (R² = 0.66, P < 0.01). Results showed a protein‐sparing effect, as protein retention was significantly increased by increasing dietary lipid level. In conclusion, the diet containing DP of 392.7 g/kg and DE of 18.8 MJ/kg (DM), corresponding to a DP/DE of 20.9 g/MJ, is suggested as an optimal feed for growth and feed efficiency in juvenile permit.     

大口黑鲈生长性状相关标记的聚合效果分析

为摸清生态基养殖池塘系统的能量流动规律,以放置生态基的大口黑鲈 (Micropterus salmoides) 池塘为研究对象,采用原位实验方法,研究了生态基对大口黑鲈池塘养殖系统的水质及能量收支的影响。实验期间,生态基可显著降低池塘水体中氨氮、硝态氮、总氮及总磷含量(P<0.05),但对亚硝态氮、磷酸盐、底泥总氮和总磷含量无显著影响(P>0.05);饵料投入是系统能量输入的主要来源,分别占对照组和实验组总输入能的53.26%和55.02%,其次为浮游生物生产,两组分别为45.92%和44.22%;浮游生物呼吸是能量输出的主要途径,分别占对照组和实验组总输出能的60.01%和56.68%,其次为养殖生物收获,两组分别为28.78%和31.99%;生态基实验组生物净产出能、光合能转化效率、饲料能转化效率及总能量转化效率均显著高于对照组(P<0.05),而单位净产量耗饲料能和单位净产量耗总能则显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。结果表明,在大口黑鲈池塘放置生态基能改善池塘环境,有效提高系统产出量及能量利用效率。     

Effect of Trachelobdella lubrica (Hirudinea: Piscicolidae) on biochemical and haematological characteristics of black scorpion fish (Scorpaena porcus, Linnaeus 1758)

Black Scorpion fish (Scorpaena porcus Linnaeus 1758) caught during monthly sampling carried out in 2003 in the Dardanelles, Turkey, were examined for the parasite. Trachelobdella lubrica. Infested fish were caught only during December 2003, and the clinical conditions of the 12 fish naturally infested with T. lubrica included fin rot, swollen foci of skin and haemorrhages of the gill and abdominal skin. The prevalence, intensity and abundance of infestation in December 2003 were 40%, 1.75 and 0.70, respectively. The average hepatosomatic index of the infested fish was lower than that of noninfested fish, while the means of the kidney index, splenosomatic index, condition factor, body weight and length were not significantly different between the infested and noninfested fish groups. Blood analysis was conducted on 12 naturally infested and 12 healthy (noninfested) Black Scorpion fish to determine the possible characteristic changes in blood parameters of the fish in response to natural infestation with T. lubrica. Blood leucocyte counts, haematocrit levels, serum total protein, albumin phosphorus, urea, glucose, globulin, cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in naturally infested Black Scorpion fish were significantly less than those of the noninfested fish (p < 0.05). No significant decreases were observed in the serum sodium, iron, calcium, potassium, chlorine, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine values of the naturally infested fish. Blood haemoglobin values, erythrocyte counts and serum glutamate aspartate aminotransferase (glutamate oxalacetate transaminase), alanine aminotransferase (glutamate pyruvate transaminase), uric acid and very low-density lipids levels of infested fish were insignificantly greater than those in healthy fish.     

Short Communication: Stocking Density-Dependant Growth and Survival of Asian Sun Catfish,Horabagrus brachysoma (Gunther 1864) Fry During Hatchery Rearing

The present study was conducted to determine the optimum stocking density of Horabagrus brachysoma fry during fingerling production in the hatchery. For this purpose, four density levels (400, 800, 1200 and 1600 fry/0.6 m³) were considered. The experiment of fry rearing continued for a period of six weeks. The total length and wet weight of fry were significantly highest (P < 0.05) at 400 fry/0.6 m³ density compared to the other three density treatments during the entire rearing period. At harvesting, the length and weight of fry stocked at 1200 and 1600 numbers/0.6 m³ were similar to each other, and both were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those of fish stocked at 800/0.6 m³. The decreased SGR, percent weight gain, and survival were also observed at the two highest density treatments. But the total biomass was observed to be highest (P < 0.05) at 1600/0.6 m³ density compared to those of the other three densities. If individual size and number of individuals for stocking are not constraints, the maximum number of surviving fry from a minimum rearing space was achieved at a stocking density of 1600 fry/0.6 m³ tank.