The effect of low pH on physiology,stress status and growth performance of turbot (Psetta maxima L.) cultured in recirculating aquaculture systems

We evaluated the effect of low pH and low and high total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) concentrations on the physiology, stress status and the growth performance of turbot in RAS. Two experiments were conducted. In Experiment 1, turbot (466 g) were grown at control (pH 7.5; TAN ~0.5 mg/L) or low pH and high TAN (pH 5.7; TAN ~50 mg/L) for 55 days. In Experiment 2, turbot (376 g) were grown at control (pH 7.5; TAN ~0.5 mg/L), low pH and low TAN (pH 5.7; TAN ~5 mg/L) or low pH and high TAN (pH 5.7; TAN ~50 mg/L) for 59 days. In Experiment 1, final body weight, feed intake and growth were significantly lower and FCR significantly higher in turbot exposed to low pH and high TAN. In Experiment 2, only growth was significantly lower in turbot exposed to treatment low pH and high TAN as compared to fish in the control treatment and low pH and low TAN. Osmoregulation and stress indicators measured were within normal levels. In conclusion, turbot grew equally well in a water pH of 7.5 or 5.7 provided a low TAN. In contrast, low pH combined with a high TAN impaired turbot performance.     

Cage aquaculture in Neotropical waters promotes attraction and aggregation of fish

The influence of cage aquaculture on the attraction and aggregation of wild fish was evaluated with an experimental tilapia farming structure. The structure was installed in the Corvo River, Rosana Reservoir, Paranapanema River basin, for 140 days. Samples were taken before and after farming began. Gillnets on the surface and near the bottom at different distances from the cages (0, 100 and 400 m) were used for fish sampling. The effects of the food supply at two protein levels were also analysed: Phase 1 = 32% PB and Phase 2 = 28% PB. Changes in species richness and abundance were observed, with the number of individuals and the fish biomass increasing significantly just after the farming began. Some species, such as Iheringichthys labrosus, presented increased abundance near the cages, while others, such as Plagioscion squamosissimus, were more abundant far from the cages. Auchenipterus osteomystax was the most abundant species during the experiment, especially when the protein content of the pellets was higher. It was demonstrated that farming tilapia in cages profoundly altered the abundance and composition of the wild ichthyofauna, suggesting the need to propose effective regulations for such activities, including fisheries restrictions in farmed areas or even the prohibition of cage farming.     

Application of immunostimulants in aquaculture: current knowledge and future perspectives

Similar to other industries, aquaculture constantly requires new techniques to increase production yields. Modern technologies and different scientific fields, such as biotechnology and microbiology, provide important tools that could lead to a higher quality and a greater quantity of products. New feeding practices in farming typically play an important role in aquaculture, and the addition of various additives to a balanced feed formula to achieve better growth is a common practice of many fish and shrimp feed manufacturers and farmers. As ‘bio‐friendly agents’, immunostimulants, such as biological factors, probiotics and vitamins, can be introduced into the culture environment to control and kill pathogenic bacteria, as well as to promote growth of the cultured organisms. In addition, immunostimulants are non‐pathogenic and non‐toxic and do not produce undesirable side effects when administered to aquatic organisms. In this review, we summarize previous studies performed with both traditional immunostimulants and the most promising new generation of immunostimulants, such as polysaccharides, nutrients, oligosaccharides, herbs, microorganisms, prebiotics and different biological factors. This review primarily focuses on their protective efficacies and on what is known concerning their effects on the immune systems of aquatic organisms when delivered in vivo.     

Bacteriocins and their applications for the treatment of bacterial diseases in aquaculture: a review

Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing food producing sectors in the world. The increase in the world population requires faster growth in aquaculture for better food availability and to overcome malnutrition. But this worldwide growth of aquaculture is overwhelmed by catastrophic fish diseases and spoilage during cultivation and preservation problems caused by pathogenic bacteria. Various remedies are available for food preservation and also from the bacterial diseases in the fish production. Due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance and adverse effects, an alternative to antibiotic is the need of the hour. The proteins such as bacteriocins, i.e. ribosomally synthesized antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and possess antagonistic against closely related and other bacteria. These proteins are produced by most lineages of bacteria which are playing key roles in recognition and possess a cognate immunity system for self‐protection as well as host protection from infections. These proteins are potent immunomodulators with broad spectrum inhibition properties which are further used as novel therapeutic agents. In this review, we have tried to summarize the bacteriocins on the basis of their classifications, structural and functional attributes, mode of actions, bacteriocins isolated from fish and gut microbiota and presence of beneficiary bacteria in the fish gut. Further, this study highlighted where further research is a prerequisite to increase our basic understanding and search for novel bacteriocins to elucidate the proteins/peptides having antimicrobial properties for disease control in aquaculture as an alternative to antibiotics.     

我国深远海网箱养殖工程与装备技术研究综述

在远离大陆的深远海水域发展大型网箱养殖,已成为缓解近海养殖环境压力、突破资源受限和空间制约问题的重要举措。深远海网箱养殖产业的蓬勃发展,加速促进了养殖方式转型升级和海洋养殖空间大幅拓展,形成了海洋设施养殖新发展格局。本文立足我国网箱养殖产业发展现状,分析深远海网箱养殖产业发展需求、发展前景以及设施装备科技需求,详细介绍国内外深远海网箱养殖工程与有关装备技术的研究应用情况,分析我国深远海网箱养殖工程与装备发展面临的主要问题,并从科学规划、科技引领、规范建设和创新模式等方面,对深远海网箱养殖产业发展提出相关建议。     

The benthic environmental footprint of aquaculture in the Eastern Mediterranean: Organic vs conventional fish farming

A field experiment was carried out in a fish farm of the Eastern Mediterranean in order to evaluate the benthic environmental footprint of the organic versus the conventional fish farming. The highest values of chl α were recorded at the conventional culture during both studied seasons. The organic matter and organic carbon rates recorded at the conventional culture were significantly higher than those observed at the organic culture in both studied seasons (p < .05). Furthermore, in all cases the quality characteristics of benthic community variables were optimum at the organic culture compared to the conventional one and similar to those of the control. SIMPER analysis showed that the maximum average dissimilarity occurred between organic and conventional culture, while the main contributor species for this dissimilarity was the polychaete Capitella capitata. Multidimensional scaling (MDS) ordination plot indicated clearly a separation of the organic and conventional fish farming during both studied seasons. K‐dominance curves revealed a clear difference in elevation, mainly during summer. M‐AMBI index showed a poor to moderate environment for conventional culture, while organic one was good to high and similar to the control site (high). The results indicated the lower environmental footprint of the organic fish farming compared to the conventional, demonstrating its potential as an important management tool, which could play a significant ecological role for the sustainability of aquaculture in the Mediterranean region.     

An understated danger: Antimicrobial resistance in aquaculture and pet fish in Switzerland,a retrospective study from 2000 to 2017

Aquaculture is a rapidly growing field of food production. However, morbidity and mortality are higher in aquaculture species than in domestic animals. Bacterial diseases are a leading cause of farmed fish morbidity and are often treated with antimicrobials. Since most Swiss fish farms release effluents directly into surface water without treatment and since aquaculture fish are consumed by humans, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and multi-resistance in aquaculture fish are important for environmental and public health. In this study, AMR tests for 14 antimicrobials were performed on 1,448 isolates from 1,134 diagnostic laboratory submissions from farmed and ornamental fish submissions for the period from 2000 to 2017. Amoxicillin, gentamycin and norfloxacin had the lowest proportion of resistant samples. However, AMR was highly variable over time. Resistance proportions were higher in: (a) ornamental fish compared with farmed fish, (b) fish from recirculation systems compared with those from other farming systems and (c) isolates originating from skin compared with those originating from inner organs. Multiple resistances were common. The results of this study provide useful data for Swiss fish veterinarians and some interesting hypotheses about risk factors for AMR in aquaculture and pet fish in Switzerland. However, further research is needed to define risk factors.     

阳澄湖网围养殖区水体营养盐的时空变化与水质评价

2008年5月至2009年5月在阳澄湖中湖网围养殖区采集上、下层水样进行水质检测,并采用营养状态指数法对养殖区营养状况进行综合评价。结果显示,（1）养殖区营养盐的分布存在明显的时空变化,除了硝酸盐以外,所测指标均表现为养殖季节高于非养殖季节,高密度养殖区高于低密度养殖区,底层水高于表层水,说明高密度养殖造成氮磷的大量沉积。（2）高密度养殖区呈重度富营养状态,低密度养殖区也达到中度富营养。（3）2008年5月与2009年5月同期的水质监测数据显示,单季养殖的湖泊水质变化不明显。本研究表明,短期养殖对水质影响较小,但长期养殖则影响明显。网围养殖区富营养化日趋严重,目前已接近重度富营养状态,且磷污染较氮污染严重。     

Effect of dietary carbohydrates and lipids on growth in cachama (Piaractus brachypomus)

The effects of diets with three contents of carbohydrates and lipids were evaluated on the growing performance of cachama Piaractus brachypomus juveniles (initial weight 7.8 ± 0.49 g). The experiments were performed a 3 × 3 factorial design (200, 280 and 360 g of carbohydrates and 40, 80 and 120 g of lipids kg^?1). Protein content was kept constant in 320 g kg^?1 and digestible energy between 11.3 and 16.1 MJ kg^?1. Simple effects and interaction of factors on growth performance varied significantly (P < 0.05) indicating dependence among them. The maximum weight gain was observed in fish fed 200 and 280 g kg^?1 carbohydrates and 40 g kg^?1 lipids. Increase of lipids from 80 to 120 g kg^?1 reduced growth significantly. Protein efficiency rate and percentages of protein retention and energy were positively correlated with carbohydrate levels and no significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed with the lipid levels. Results indicate that cachama utilizes carbohydrates as energy source more efficiently than lipids; likewise, lipid levels over 40 g kg^?1 depress growth at any carbohydrates level.     

Temperature modulates liver lipid accumulation in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) fed low dietary levels of long‐chain n‐3 fatty acids

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) were fed five graded levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n‐3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n‐3), from 1.4 to 5.2% of total fatty acids (FA, 5–17 mg kg^?1 feed), and grew from ~160 g to ~3000 g, with the period from 1450 g onwards conducted both at 6 °C and at 12 °C. All fish appeared healthy, and there were no diet‐related differences in haematological or plasma parameters, as well as intestinal histological or gut microbiota analysis. Fish reared at 6 °C had higher accumulation of storage lipids in the liver compared to fish reared at 12 °C. Liver lipids also increased with decreasing dietary EPA + DHA at 6 °C, while there was no such relationship at 12 °C. Gene expression of SREBP1 and 2, LXR, FAS and CPT1 could not explain the differences in liver lipid accumulation. In liver polar lipids, DHA was found to be reduced when dietary EPA + DHA was <2.7% of FAs, while the level of EPA in the membranes was not affected. In conclusion, reducing dietary EPA + DHA from 5.2 to 1.4% of total FAs had a minor impact on fish health. Temperature was the factor that most affected the liver lipid accumulation, but there was also an interaction with dietary components.     

Effects of feeding rate and frequency on growth performance,digestion and nutrients balances of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS)

A 10‐week study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding rate and frequency on growth performance, digestion and nutrients balances of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in replicated recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). Replicated groups of juvenile salmon weighing 90 ± 2.5 g (mean ± SD) were fed a commercial feed (21.63 MJ kg^?1 gross energy) to designed feeding rate (1.4%, 1.6% and 1.8% body weight day^?1, BW day^?1) and feeding frequency (2 and 4 meals day^?1) combinations. Specific growth ratio varied between 1.15 ± 0.02 and 1.37 ± 0.16% day^?1, and feed conversion ratio ranged from 0.96 ± 0.03 to 1.16 ± 0.02. The nitrogen and phosphorus retention rates were from 36.50 ± 1.94 to 47.08 ± 5.23% and from 20.42 ± 1.05 to 38.59 ± 2.80%. Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) in dry matter, protein, lipid and energy showed no significant differences for all groups. However, fish fed at 1.6% BW day^?1 and 4 meal day^?1 groups had relatively better growth and nutrient retention efficiency compared to other groups. In addition, concentrations of nitrogenous and phosphorous compounds were also detected in this study. These results suggested that salmon of 100–200 g in RAS could in practice be fed at 1.6% BW day^?1 and 4 meals day^?1, taking environmental impacts into account.     

循环水及生物絮团系统对大规格罗非鱼种生长及水质的影响

为比较越冬期循环水系统(RAS)与生物絮团系统(BFT)两种模式下大规格罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)鱼种的生长性能与养殖水质的差异。选择RAS组与BFT组,进行为期67 d的养殖,测定养殖过程中罗非鱼种的生长情况以及水质的变化情况。结果显示,RAS组与BFT组增重率和特定增长率分别为(870.69±33.25)%、(3.39±0.05)%/d和(659.47±62.84)%、(3.02±0.13)%/d,RAS组显著高于BFT组;在水质控制方面,RAS组氨氮和亚硝酸盐从养殖初期到实验结束均维持在较低水平,而BFT组在初期氨氮和亚硝酸盐有升高的趋势,峰值分别达到了(4.53±0.72)mg/L和(6.68±1.8)mg/L,分别在第3天和第6天下降到较低水平,硝酸盐两组均呈现不断积累的趋势。结果表明,RAS系统养殖罗非鱼生长速度要高于BFT系统,RAS系统在水质控制方面略优于BFT系统。     

Development of a broodstock diet to improve developmental competence of embryos in European eel,Anguilla anguilla

We examined the effect of dietary arachidonic acid (ARA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on the production of embryos and hatched larvae in the European eel, Anguilla anguilla. Two diets with high and intermediate levels of ARA and low and intermediate levels of EPA (Feed 1: ARA 1.9%, EPA 4.2%; Feed 2: ARA 1.2%, EPA 5.1% of total fatty acids) were tested against a commercial diet (DE: ARA: 0.5%, EPA: 8.2% of total fatty acids). After 24 weeks of feeding, ARA levels in the muscles and ovaries increased to 0.9% and 1.3% of total fatty acids, respectively, in Feed 1 and were significantly higher than in Feed 2 and DE. Female broodstock was not fed during hormonal treatment to induce vitellogenesis and ovulation. EPA levels in females fed the test diets decreased in the both muscle and ovary and were significantly lower in eggs from females fed Feed 1. The highest percentage of stripped females, producing viable eggs and larvae, were those females fed the highest dietary ARA levels (Feed 1). The level of lipid peroxidation products in eggs was similar among treatment, indicating that the lowest dietary levels of vitamin C and vitamin E were sufficient. In the unfertilized eggs, ARA levels were also highest (1.1% of total fatty acids) in the diet with highest ARA levels (Feed 1).     

1,3‐1‐6 ß‐glucans enhance tissue regeneration in zebrafish (Danio rerio): Potential advantages for aquaculture applications

High aquacultural rearing density and handling of fish may frequently result in skin or gills wounds, thereby facilitating the onset of secondary infections. The capacity of the zebrafish to regenerate tissues, as well as fins and other organs, makes it an ideal animal model for studying the mechanisms of tissue regeneration. Since macrophages are involved in tissue regeneration, a diet including ß‐glucans might positively affect the process through activation of macrophages and other immune pathways. Consequently, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the oral administration of 1,3‐1,6 β‐glucans on the regeneration process of the caudal fin after its amputation in zebrafish. One hundred and twenty zebrafish were randomly distributed into four groups with three replicates each: an untreated non‐amputated group (CNA) and an untreated amputated group (CA) fed a control diet; two treated and amputated groups (MI and MII) fed for 14 days the same diet with the addition of two differently extracted 1,3‐1,6 ß‐glucans (MacroGard^® and Experimental MacroGard^®, Biorigin^©). ß‐glucans were added to allowed the administration of 12.5 mg/kg of fish body weight (0.35 g/kg of feed). Results showed that 1,3‐1,6 ß‐glucans decreased fish mortality rate and enhanced both daily and cumulative regenerated fin area, independent of the specific ß‐glucan extraction method used. Based on the mechanisms similarities of the innate immune system and tissue regeneration among different teleost species, these results may likely be extended to species of interest for the aquaculture sector.     

Application of dietary supplements (synbiotics and probiotics in combination with plant products and β‐glucans) in aquaculture

This review addresses the dietary supplements, synbiotics and probiotics in combination with plant products or yeast/β‐glucans in aquaculture. The potential applications of synbiotics have a relatively short history in aquaculture, but have generated interest because of numerous benefits reported in endothermic animals. Since the first study was published by (Aquaculture Science in 2009) the concept has been used in aquaculture to reveal effects on growth performance, gut microbiota, gut histology, immune parameters, haematological and biochemical parameters as well as increased disease resistance. However, a limited number of probiotic bacteria (mainly Bacillus and Enterococcus) and prebiotics (mannan oligosaccharides, fructooligosaccharides, short‐chain fructooligosaccharides, galactooligosaccharides, arabinoxylan–oligosaccharides, isomaltooligosaccharide, chitosan oligosaccharide and inulin) have been used. Additionally, some studies have used plant products or yeast/β‐glucans in combination with probiotics, and these studies suggested that these dietary supplements promote growth performance and boost some immune parameters. The present review identifies evaluations of gut microbiota and gut morphology, and mucosal immune response as significant gaps in existing knowledge and suggests issues that merit further investigations to conclude the potential of dietary supplements in aquaculture.     

对虾抗菌肽转基因水稻抑制饲料腐败和防治罗非鱼细菌病害的初步研究

探讨了以植物生物反应器开发利用抗菌肽类物质防治水产动物病害的效果和机理。以携带中国明对虾抗菌肽—对虾素3-2的转基因水稻米糠制作罗非鱼饲料,研究其对饲料腐败和吉富罗非鱼嗜水气单胞菌肠炎的抑制效果。通过测定米糠和饲料中的霉菌总数、细菌总数,发现水稻中表达的对虾素3-2能有效抑制饲料中的霉菌与细菌的繁殖,对于保持饲料品质具有显著的效果。选取规格一致、体质健壮的吉富罗非鱼,随机分成5组,每组3个重复,分别投喂含20%非转基因米糠的饲料与含不同质量比(10%、20%、30%)的转基因米糠的饲料。通过嗜水气单胞菌攻毒保护实验,结果发现,转基因米糠对罗非鱼嗜水气单胞菌肠炎具有显著的保护效果。对吉富罗非鱼的肠道主要微生物数量、中肠石蜡切片的进一步分析发现,摄食转基因米糠饲料组的罗非鱼肠道内大肠杆菌比例降低,乳酸菌比例提高,肠道微绒毛的结构完整性显著改善。由此推断抗菌肽转基因水稻的防病效果可能与肠道微生物的改变和对肠道结构的保护作用有关。但是石蜡切片发现过量添加转基因米糠(30%)也会导致吉富罗非鱼肠道上皮细胞损伤。     

Photoperiod in recirculation aquaculture systems and timing of seawater transfer affect seawater growth performance of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Production of Atlantic salmon smolts in recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS) is growing, and novel production protocols using continuous light in RAS are being implemented in the industry. In the present study, Atlantic Salmon parr were exposed to either a traditional protocol (short-day winter signal [12:12 L:D] for 6 weeks) or to continuous light. Both photoperiods were applied in freshwater (FW) and brackish water RAS. Salmon from all treatments were transferred to seawater pens at 200 and 600 g and grown until slaughter size. A control group was smoltified with a 6-week short-day winter signal and kept in FW until sea transfer at 100 g. Continuous light gave a higher growth rate in RAS but reduced feed intake and growth and increased feed conversion ratio during the first 8 weeks in seawater. However, at slaughter, fish exposed to continuous light was bigger than fish given a winter signal because of the higher growth rate in RAS. Slaughter weight was lowest in fish transferred to sea at 600 g, despite having the highest day-degree sum during their life span. The best performing group was the control group transferred at 100 g. All treatments handled transfer to seawater and survival and maturation were not affected by the treatments in RAS. The immune status was examined with a multigene expression assay on BioMark HD platform from parr stage to 5–7 months after seawater transfer. Overall, there was no significant effect of photoperiod or salinity on the expression of the selected immune genes. In sum, the results from this study indicate that using continuous light in RAS may have negative effects on performance shortly after transfer in fish transferred to sea at 200 g, whereas at 600 g, all treatments had reduced growth after transfer irrespective of treatment in RAS.