Evaluation of limb autotomy as a promising strategy to improve production performances of mud crab (Scylla olivacea) in the soft‐shell farming system

Soft‐shell crab, a newly moulted crab having non‐calcified and hydrated soft exoskeleton, farming has been increasing tremendously in recent years throughout the world due to its high market price and consumer preferences. However, high aggressiveness and cannibalistic behaviour of mud crab limit its culture to an individual chamber system which ultimately makes the soft‐shell mud crab farming space and labour‐intensive. Therefore, the aim of this study was to improve the efficiency of soft‐shell crab production by autotomy of the claw and/or walking legs to reduce the moulting duration and intensify the culture system through double stocking in the existing individual chamber culture system. To achieve our objectives, a series of experiment were conducted at both indoor and on‐farm levels by removing the claw and/or walking legs of Scylla olivacea for two consecutive moulting cycles. Results showed that both claw ablation significantly (p < .01) shortened the moulting duration and increased the carapace width, weight gain, specific growth rate, feeding efficiency and yield parameter compared to the non‐ablated crabs more prominently at 1st moulting than the 2nd moulting in both indoor and on‐farm trials. Ablation of all walking legs while keeping the claw intact did not significantly influence (p > .05) the moulting duration and carapace width, but significantly (p < .01) improved the specific growth rate, weight gain, feeding efficiency and yield parameters at 1st moulting compared to the non‐ablation and unilateral three walking leg ablation groups. However, ablation of all appendages (both claw and walking legs) showed significant (p < .01) improvements of carapace width, weight gain, specific growth rate, feeding efficiency and yield parameters, and shortened the moulting duration up to 23 days from 34 days during 1st moulting and up to 27 days from 40 days at 2nd moulting. The survivals of different autotomized mud crabs were statistically non‐significant (p > .05) to the non‐autotomized crabs in various indoor and on‐farm trials. Besides improving the production performances, ablation of bilateral claw and all appendages allowed to double the stocking density in the existing individual chamber‐based soft‐shell crab farming that enhanced the production about threefold higher than the existing individual chamber‐based culture system. Finally, our results suggest that autotomy could be a promising technology for the commercial farming of soft‐shell mud crab in near future.     

Phenotypic differences between hatchery-reared and wild mud crabs, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scylla Serrata</Emphasis>, and the effects of conditioning

Hatchery-reared animals for stock enhancement should be competent to survive and grow at rates equivalent to those of wild conspecifics. However, morphological differences are often observed, and pre-conditioning steps may be required to improve the fitness of hatchery-reared juveniles prior to release. In the present study, hatchery-reared Scylla serrata juveniles were reared either individually (HR-solitary) or groups in tanks (HR-communal), the latter group being exposed to intraspecific competition and foraging for food. After 21 days, both groups were compared to similar size wild-caught juveniles in terms of morphometric measurements of carapace spination, abnormalities and carapace colouration. There were some limited significant differences between HR-communal crabs and HR-solitary crabs in terms of length of 8th and 9th lateral spines and in body-weight-carapace width ratio, but both treatments differed from wild crabs, which were heavier and had longer carapace spines for their size. In contrast, both HR treatments exhibited common abnormalities including deformities in the shape of the abdomen, in particular occurrence of an asymmetrical telson or a deeply folded telson. In all cases, abnormalities persisted through moulting. Initially, carapace colour differed in all measures of colour between HR and wild crabs. However, these differences reduced after a period of 4–8 days of conditioning on coloured tank backgrounds or dark sand or mud backgrounds, without moulting. Similarly, hatchery-reared crabs exhibited very limited burying behaviour on first exposure to sediment, but this increased to levels observed in wild crabs within 2–4 days. Thus, short-term conditioning of hatchery-reared crabs on dark sediments may be effective in increasing predator avoidance and survivorship in released animals, and present results suggest that this can be achieved after relatively short periods of 1 week or less.     

Does the wild‐caught Chinese mitten crab megalopae perform better than the hatchery‐produced seed during the juvenile culture?

Although wild Yangtze Eriocheir sinensis juveniles (coin‐sized seed) have better culture performance than the pond‐reared juveniles during the adult crab culture stage, the culture performance of wild‐caught megalopae (WC) remains unknown. Therefore, this study was designed to compare the growth, survival rate, crab yield, feed conversion rate (FCR), precocity, final weight and size distribution between WC and hatchery‐produced megalopae (HP) during the juvenile culture stage. Wild‐caught megalopae had significantly higher body weight, weight gain rate (WGR) and specific growth rate (SGR) during 0–4 weeks but lower WGR and SGR than HP during 4–8 weeks (p < .05). Although WC had a significantly lower survival rate and yield of normal juvenile crabs than HP, total yields of normal juveniles and precocious crabs were similar. Wild‐caught megalopae had a significantly higher precocious rate and yield of precocious crabs than HP (p < .05). Regardless of sex, no significant differences were found in the gonadosomatic index (GSI), hepatosomatic index (HSI) and final weight of normal juveniles and precocious crabs between WC and HP. As for the size distribution of normal crabs, WC had a higher percentage of small female juveniles (<3 g) but a lower proportion of middle size ranges (3–5.99 g and 6–8.99 g) than HP for females (p < .05), and there was no significant difference for males. In conclusion, wild megalopae of the Yangtze E. sinensis had worse culture performance than the hatchery‐produced seeds; therefore, wild megalopae would not be recommended for commercially juvenile culture of E. sinensis.     

Laboratory culture of juvenile stages of the California spiny lobster Panulirus interruptus (Randall) at elevated temperatures

Puerulus stage individuals of Panulirus interruptus from coastal waters off San Diego, California, were cultured through juvenile stages at constant temperatures of 22 and 28 °C in closed-system aquaria. In these laboratory trials juveniles exhibited average growth rates of approx. 3.3 mm increase in carapace length (CL) per month at 22 °C, and approximately 4.5 mm per month at 28 °C. These rates, respectively, are about two and three times greater than estimated growth rates of juveniles in nature at ambient southern California ocean temperatures. Accelerated growth at elevated temperatures was associated with increased moulting rates (reduced intermoult periods) rather than with greater increments per moult. Aquaculture of P. interruptus juveniles at elevated temperatures appears feasible, but currently is dependent on locating areas where puerulus or post-puerulus stages can be obtained in quantity without adversely affecting natural populations.     

Effects of stocking density,ration and temperature on growth,survival and metamorphosis of auricularia larvae of the California sea cucumber,Parastichopus californicus

The combined effects of stocking density (0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 inds/ml) and dietary microalgal ration (20,000 and 40,000 cells/ml) and the sole effect of temperature (10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 22°C) on the specific growth rate (SGR), per cent survival and per cent metamorphosis of auricularia larvae of the California sea cucumber, Parastichopus californicus, were evaluated in two separate experiments. The SGR was not significantly affected by stocking densities in the range of 0.2 to 4 inds/ml, but was significantly reduced at 8 inds/ml. The SGR of larvae fed 20,000 cells/ml was significantly reduced in comparison to those fed 40,000 cells/ml. Larvae had significantly higher per cent survival and per cent metamorphosis when reared at densities of 0.2 and 0.5 inds/ml compared with those reared at 2–8 inds/ml. Microalgal ration level did not significantly impact survival or metamorphosis. Larvae reared at 16 and 18°C had significantly higher SGRs and per cent metamorphosis than those held at all other temperatures, while per cent survival was highest at 16°C. Based on these results, we recommend rearing auricularia larvae of P. californicus at a stocking density at or below 0.5 inds/ml, a dietary ration of 40,000 cells/ml, and a temperature of 16°C.     

Effect of high water temperature on the survival, moulting and food consumption of Penaeus (Marsupenaeus) japonicus (Bate, 1888)

The kuruma shrimp, Penaeus (Marsupenaeus) japonicus (Bate, 1888), is a valuable aquaculture species in Queensland, Australia. The shrimp is supplied live to the Japanese market and must survive emersed transport for up to 36 h. In-transit mortality after harvest from high water temperatures (> 30 °C) has been reported by the industry, and a knowledge of the effects of high water temperature may provide important information for producers on grow-out management, timing of production and farm location. Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of high water temperature on survival, moulting and food consumption in P. japonicus. Replicated groups of 15.6 ± 0.2 g shrimp were acclimated and exposed to five temperatures, between 28 and 36 °C, for up to 28 days. Mortality was highest at 36 °C and equally lowest between 28 °C and 32 °C. Intermoult period was not significantly different for temperatures between 28 and 32 °C (19.8–15.5 days) but was significantly greater above 32 °C (27.4 days at 34 °C and > 104 days at 36 °C). There was evidence of moulting synchrony at 28 °C. Mean daily food consumption was highest at 32 °C at 2.34% of body weight, but decreased to 1.56% at 28 °C and 1.33% at 36 °C. Over the range of water temperatures examined, survival, moulting rate and food consumption were highest at 32 °C.     

Effects of ammonia and nitrite on survival, growth and moulting in juvenile tiger crab, Orithyia sinica (Linnaeus)

The effects of ammonia and nitrite on survival, growth and moulting were investigated in juvenile tiger crab, Orithyia sinica (carapace length 3.91±0.15 mm, carapace width 3.84±0.23 mm, n=440), after 30 days exposure to ammonia‐N (0, 20, 50, 100 and 150 mg L^?1) and nitrite‐N (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 mg L^?1) using a continuous flow system. Survival rates of tiger crab exposed to ammonia and nitrite decreased linearly with the exposure time and concentration. The growth rate of tiger crab exposed to 50, 100 and 150 mg L^?1 ammonia was significantly lower than that of control crabs. The growth rate of tiger crab exposed to nitrite decreased at 150, 200 and 250 mg L^?1 nitrite. During the ammonia and nitrite exposure, the intermoult period of the juveniles of tiger crab O. sinica was shortened between the first and second moult, and the number of moulting of crabs exposed to a higher concentration were significantly higher than that of control crabs.     

Growth and survival of first-feeding spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor Olafsen) at various temperature regimes

In order to define temperature regimes that could benefit successful production of spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor) juveniles, experiments with offspring from two different females were carried out. The larvae were fed a new formulated feed or a commercial start‐feed for marine fish, both of which have given high survival rates. In the first experiment newly hatched larvae were fed at constant 6 °C, 8 °C, 10 °C and 12 °C as well as at ambient seawater temperature (2.9–4.5 °C) during 63 days. High survival, 90% to 96%, was registered at ambient and most constant temperature regimes, whereas in the 12 °C groups survival was reduced to 80%. Growth rate (SGR) was very low, 1.8% day^?1, at the low ambient temperatures. Growth rate was positively correlated with temperature and varied between 3.1% day^?1 to 4.7% day^?1, from 6 °C to 12 °C. In the second experiment, set up to include potential detrimental temperatures and study beneficial effects of a more restricted, elevated first‐feeding temperature regime, the larvae were fed at constant 8 °C, 10 °C, 12 °C, 14 °C and 16 °C until 30 days post hatch, followed by constant 8 °C for the next 33 days. In this experiment, low survival, 25% and 2.0%, was registered at 63 days post hatch when larvae were reared initially at 14 °C and 16 °C respectively. The survival of the larvae at the other temperature regimes varied from 47% to 64%, highest survival rate (64%) was found at 8 °C. The lowest specific growth rate, 2.6% day^?1, was noted in the 16 °C group. At constant 8 °C to 14 °C (regulated to 8 °C), the SGR varied from 4.45% day^?1 to 5.13% day^?1. The larvae grew faster in the experiment when initially comparable temperatures (8 °C, 10 °C and 12 °C) were regulated to constant 8 °C after 30 days compared with the first experiment where feeding was carried out at the same constant temperatures (8 °C, 10 °C and 12 °C) during the whole experimental period.     

Influence of high temperature on cadmium-induced skeletal deformities in juvenile mosquitofish (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gambusia affinis</Emphasis>)

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of high temperature on cadmium (Cd)-induced skeletal deformities in juvenile Mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis. For this purpose, 188 juveniles (1 day old) were equally divided into the control group, which was maintained in Cd-free water at 24°C, and three treated groups exposed either to Cd (0.4 mg/l as Cd Cl₂) at 24°C, to high temperature (32°C), or to Cd at 32°C for 30 days. The results showed that Cd exposure at 24°C significantly increased the Cd accumulation (P < 0.0001) in the whole tissues of juveniles as well as the incidence of skeletal deformities (P < 0.01) compared with control animals. Exposure to high temperature also led to a significant increase in the incidence of skeletal deformities (P < 0.01) with respect to the control group. Interestingly, our results showed that the combined exposure to Cd and high temperature led to a more significant increase in Cd accumulation and in the frequency of spinal deformities than exposure to Cd or high temperature alone. These results confirm that temperature increases Cd toxicity and needs to be taken into account for the accurate prediction and assessment of Cd-induced spinal deformities in fish.     

Limb-loss in pond-reared blue swimmer crabs Portunus pelagicus (L.): effect on growth in an indoor shedding system

Limb‐loss in crustaceans can reduce moult increment and delay or advance the timing of moulting, both aspects that are likely to impact upon soft‐shell crab production. Pond‐reared blue swimmer crabs Portunus pelagicus were harvested and maintained in a crab shedding system. The wet weight, carapace width (CW) and the occurrence of limb‐loss were assessed before stocking in the shedding system and after each of the next three moults. Many of the crabs were initially missing one or two limbs and these did not grow as much as the crabs that were intact at the start of the trial. Despite its strong correlation with wet weight, CW changes proved to be misleading. Limb‐loss reduced the %CW increment but not the per cent weight increment (where the later is calculated from the actual pre‐moult weight). Pre‐moult weight explained much of the variation in post‐moult weight, with crabs moulting to approximately double their weight. Limb‐loss reduced ‘growth’ and production from the pond because it reduced pre‐moult weight but limb‐loss did not alter the weight change on shedding a given weight of crabs, although some of that change now included regeneration of limbs. One can hypothesize that much of the size variation seen in pond‐reared crabs may be due to accumulated effects of repeated limb‐loss, rather than genetic variation.     

Food consumption, moulting and survival of Penaeus semisulcatus during over-wintering

Over‐wintering of Penaeus semisulcatus (20.61 g) at three different temperatures (14, 18 and 22°C) was carried out in a greenhouse in three different closed recirculating systems. Temperature significantly influenced specific growth rate (SGR) and moulting interval (MI) (P<0.05). The SGR was 15‐fold higher and the MI was 2.7‐fold shorter at 22°C in comparison with 14°C. The relationship between SGR and temperature (T) was: Y=?0.053+0.070T (R²=0.97). Shrimps over‐wintered at 14°C consumed almost three times less food (0.43% body weight) than those at 22°C (1.28%) (P<0.05). A positive relationship (FR=0.426T–0.020, R²=0.99) was observed between feeding rate (FR) and temperature. The survival rate achieved at 14, 18 and 22°C over the experimental period of 70 days was 87%, 67% and 73% respectively. Our data indicate that it is possible to over‐winter this shrimp species in the sub‐tropical regions by maintaining water temperature at around 14°C and 39 ppt salinity, in which little energy expenditure is needed, and the shrimp can survive and consume minimum amount of feed.     

Effects of temperature, stocking density and diet on the growth and survival of juvenile Mithraculus forceps (A. Milne Edwards, 1875) (Decapoda: Brachyura: Majidae)

Mithraculus forceps (A. Milne Edwards) has demonstrated a great potential for ornamental aquaculture and the present study tests the effects of temperature, stocking density and diet on the survival and growth of M. forceps juveniles. For 28 days post metamorphosis (DPM), the newly metamorphosed juveniles were reared at two temperatures (25±0.5 or 28±0.5°C), stocked at five densities (1, 5, 15, 30 or 60 crabs ring⁻¹; approximately 226, 1132, 3395, 6791 or 13 581 crabs m² respectively) and fed with commercial pellets (CP), microalgae (Amphora spp.), live newly hatched Artemia nauplii (NHA), frozen Artemia nauplii (FNHA), or combinations of each of these diets with NHA. At the end of the temperature experiment, carapace width of the crabs cultured at 28°C was significantly larger than the crabs reared at 25°C and average intermolt period was significantly shorter. Increased stocking density had a negative effect on survivorship and growth. Survivorship at the end of the diet experiment was significantly different between the crabs not fed, fed with CP and Amphora and the crabs fed with the other diets. Between the diet treatments, the crabs fed with NHA+Amphora were significantly larger than the ones fed with NHA+FNHA, NHA, FNHA and NHA+CP, and these in turn larger than ones fed with Amphora.     

Post-transport recovery of cultured scallop (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pecten maximus</Emphasis>) spat,juveniles and adults

High mortality associated with transport operations in scallop culture has been a major problem faced by European farmers. Simulated transport with Pecten maximus L. spat <2 mm, spat 15–30 mm, juveniles 30–50 mm and adults >100 mm were carried out in Spain, Ireland and Norway. Different time and temperature combinations were studied in order to maximise post-transport survival and establish best practices. Out-of-water transport could result in 100% survival if conditions were right, but the response to emersion stress depended on size, season and location. Post-transport recovery decreased with emersion time and was strongly influenced by temperature. Air exposure was tolerated for a longer time by adult scallops than spat and juveniles, but the results differed among trials in the different countries. The maximum emersion time that gave post-transport survival ≥80% was 12 h for the smallest spat, 18 h for larger spat and 24 h for juvenile and adult scallops. Adults were less affected by transport temperatures that deviated from ambient seawater temperature than spat and juveniles. In general post-transport recovery was high when sea temperature was <10°C, but during warm-water seasons special care should be taken to avoid stressful and lethal transport conditions. A transport temperature <12°C was recommended, though not more than 10°C below ambient culture temperature. A maximum transport time of 9 h was suggested for spat and juveniles to attain post-transport survival close to 100%, but 12–24 h was feasible during the cold-water season or at favourable transport temperatures.     

Effect of dietary lipid levels on growth performance,fatty acid profile and enzymatic activity of juvenile swimming crab,Portunus trituberculatus

The main objective of this investigation was to study the lipid requirements of the early juvenile (C1) swimming crab (Portunus trituberculatus) based on growth performance, survival, moulting and fatty acid profile. Four test diets were formulated with graded lipid levels (3.63%, 6.70%, 10.72% and 13.91%). Each diet was fed to 4 replicates of crabs (30 crabs per replicate initial weight (8.4 ± 0.1 mg). In this study, crabs fed diets with 13.91% lipid had significantly (p < 0.05) higher survival than crabs fed with 3.63% lipid, but no significant (p > 0.05) improvement of survival was observed when dietary lipid increase from 6.70% to 13.91%. Crabs fed diets with 10.72% and 13.91% lipid had significant higher weight gain(WG) than crabs fed with 3.63% lipid. While crabs fed with diets containing 6.70%, 10.72% and 13.91% lipid showed no significant (p > 0.05) difference in weight gain(WG). Moreover, the lowest moulting number was observed in crabs fed diets with 3.63% lipid, but there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) among other groups. The content of LC‐PUFA and DHA in the crabs fed diets with 3.63% lipid was significant (p < 0.05) lower compared to other groups. But there was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in EPA and ARA content among all groups. The activity of lipase increased as dietary lipid level increased (from 6.70% to 10.72%). However, beyond 10.72%, a significant (p < 0.05) decreased in lipase activity was observed. The regression analysis of weight gain data indicated that crab fed diet containing 10.47% lipid level is considered as optimum lipid level for its maximum growth and moulting process.     

First results of embryonic development,spawning and larval rearing of the Mediterranean spider crab Maja squinado (Herbst ) under laboratory conditions,a candidate species for a restocking program

The Mediterranean spider crab, Maja squinado, is depleted due to overfishing. The crab has virtually disappeared from areas where it was abundant, such as the Balearic Islands and the Catalan coast. Maja squinado, is economically and ecologically very valuable, and it is essential to obtain information on its biology and rearing conditions to attempt to repopulate the damaged stocks of the species in the Mediterranean basin. Herein, we describe the first successful rearing of M. squinado under laboratory conditions. Our results show that M. squinado is an excellent candidate for restocking using cultured juveniles. Two consecutive broods with a 1–4 day interbrood period were observed in the laboratory in wild‐caught females, the maximum observed duration of embryonic development of the egg mass being 32 days at 18.4 ± 0.9°C, and went through four different stages. The complete larval and first juvenile development was studied in laboratory cultures fed enriched Artemia metanauplius. At 19.6 ± 0.6°C, development from hatching to first crab moult took 17 days, and it comprised two zoeae stages and one megalopa stage. The survival rate at the different stages was monitored, and 7.13 ± 2.3% was achieved at the first crab instar.     

Stepwise function of natural growth for Scylla serrata in East Africa: a valuable tool for assessing growth of mud crabs in aquaculture

Predicting growth is critical in aquaculture, but models of growth are largely missing for mud crab species. Here, we present the first model of natural growth in juvenile and adult mud crabs Scylla serrata from East Africa using a stepwise growth function based on data on intermoult periods and growth at moult from field mark‐recapture, pond and laboratory studies. The results showed a sigmoid growth pattern in carapace width and suggest that S. serrata in East Africa will reach 300 g and sexual maturity ~9.9 months after settlement, and a commercial size of 500 g after 12.4 months. Analyses of the literature identified several issues with the common praxis to compare standard growth measures between aquaculture studies with different initial size or growing periods. Using the new growth function to estimate the proportional difference between modelled and obtained growth as an alternative method, we show that growth rates of S. serrata cultured in cage systems, which are dominant in East Africa, was <40% of the estimated natural growth and growth obtained in pond systems. The analysis also indicated that growth rates of S. serrata in Southeast Asia was over 50% higher compared with similar culture systems in East Africa, and that different species of mud crabs had large differences in growth rates. This study shows that growth in the present mud crab aquaculture systems in East Africa is below their expected potential. Further work is needed to identify the factors behind this observation.     

Effects of dietary cholesterol levels on moulting performance,lipid accumulation,ecdysteroid concentration and immune enzymes activities of juvenile Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis

Effects of dietary cholesterol levels on moulting performance, lipid accumulation, ecdysteroid concentration and immune enzymes activities of juvenile Eriocheir sinensis were investigated. Crabs were fed with feeds contained various cholesterols of 1100, 2100 and 3200 mg kg^?1 in both paddy fields and laboratory experiments. In paddy fields trial, the crabs fed with diets contained 3200 mg kg^?1 cholesterol achieved higher growth rate than those fed with diets contained no supplemental cholesterol (1100 mg kg^?1). In laboratory trial, moulting frequencies of crabs fed with diets contained 3200 mg kg^?1 cholesterol were higher than those of crabs fed with diets contained no supplemental cholesterol from the 6th to 10th moult. Further laboratory experiment indicated that intermoults of crabs fed with diets contained 3200 mg kg^?1 cholesterol significantly shortened compared with crabs fed with the basal feeds (1100 mg kg^?1 cholesterol). In the intermoult, total lipid content, ecdysterone concentration and three immune enzymes in crabs were increased with the increment of dietary cholesterol levels between the 7th and the 8th moult in laboratory experiments. Taken together, dietary cholesterol not only enhanced moulting performances of growth, survival and moult frequency, but also enhanced total lipid storage, ecdysterone concentration and three immune enzymes activities in the intermoult period.     

Moult cycle of laboratory-raised Penaeus (Litopenaeus) vannamei and P. monodon

This study was carried out to gather quantitative data on the moult cycle and stages in laboratory-raised shrimp, kept at a constant temperature of 27°C. The stages of the moult cycle were differentiated and characterised by microscopic analysis of cuticle, epidermis and moulting processes in the uropods of P. vannamei and P. monodon. Five major moult stages were defined: early- and late post-moult (A and B), inter-moult (C) and early- and late pre-moult (D1 and D2). Total moult cycle duration was around 5 and 6.5 days for 2-g P. vannamei and P. monodon and 11 and 12 days for 15-g P. vannamei and P. monodon, respectively. Overall, the relative duration of the moult stages within the cycle was 5–10% for A, 9–16% for B, 12–20% for C, 28–36% for D1 and 30–38% for D2 stage. It was concluded from this study that the pre-moult stages comprised the dominant phase of the cycle and that P. monodon moulted at a significantly slower rate than P. vannamei, under the given conditions. Without the use of invasive techniques, the moult process was charted in laboratory-raised shrimp in Europe, providing a tool for taking into account this important physiological factor in further experiments.     

Effects of temperature on growth,survival and physiological parameters in juveniles of Lophiosilurus alexandri,a carnivorous neotropical catfish

This study aimed to analyse the effects of different water temperatures on the growth, survival and blood physiological parameters of Lophiosilurus alexandri. Juveniles measuring 12.6 ± 0.5 cm and weighing 30.6 ± 3.6 g were subjected to four water temperature regimes: 23, 26, 29 and 32°C with four replicates. The animals were fed twice daily with formulated diet. The experiment lasted for 35 days. Survival was 100% at all water temperatures, and the best temperature for growth was estimated to be 27.8°C using a quadratic regression model. The estimated temperatures for the best feed conversion and highest feed consumption rates were 26.2 and 28.8°C respectively. The fat visceral‐somatic index was highest at 32°C. The highest haemoglobin and haematocrit values were 29.4 and 32.1°C respectively. For plasma protein and cholesterol, the lowest values estimated were 23.9 and 24.1°C respectively. Glucose and liver nitrogen content increased with rising temperature. Higher values of total ammonia in the water were observed at higher temperatures. No effects of temperature were seen on the amounts of muscle dry matter, nitrogen, energy content and triglycerides or on the hepatosomatic index. Water temperature has an important role in the developmental and blood physiological parameters of juvenile L. alexandri, and the quadratic regression model showed that the appropriate temperature for growth is between 27 and 28°C.     

Dietary phospholipids requirement of the early juvenile (C1) swimming crab,Portunus trituberculatus

A 30‐day experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of phospholipids (PLs) on growth performance, survival, fatty acid profile and gene expression of the early juvenile (C1) swimming crab (Portunus trituberculatus). Five semi‐purified diets were formulated with graded PLs levels (0%, 1%, 2%, 4% and 8%). Each diet was fed to four replicates of crabs (30 crabs per replicate, initial weight: 8.4 ± 0.1 mg). In this study, crabs fed diets with 2%, 4% and 8% PLs had significantly higher survival rates than crabs fed with 0% and 1% PLs. Crabs fed diets with 0% and 1% PLs had significant lower weight gain (WG) than crabs fed with 8% PLs. But crabs fed with diets containing 2%, 4% and 8% PLs showed no significant difference in WG. Besides, the content of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in whole body was higher than that in diets, but the monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) content showed an opposite trend. The EPA and DHA content in whole body increased with the increase in dietary PLs. Moreover, the moulting number increased with the increasing dietary PLs levels, the lowest moulting number was observed in crabs fed diets without supplementation of PLs. The ecdysteroid receptor (EcR) was found to be significantly up‐regulated by PLs levels. This study demonstrated that 2% PLs could meet the requirement of early juvenile (C1) swimming crab based on the growth and survival. And 4%–8% PLs supplemented in diets could reduce the leaching of feed.