Shipping studies with juvenile and adult Malaysian prawns Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man)

Four studies examined shipping factors of packing technique, density, duration, type of water and use of habitat material for shipping juvenile and adult prawns Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Prawns were shipped in double polyethylene lined 38 × 38 × 20 cm deep styrofoam boxes containing oxygenated water. At temperatures of 19–20°C, 17 g prawns could be shipped safely for 42 h at a density of 10–12 prawns per box (12–15 g liter⁻¹ shipping water). Juveniles, mean size about 6 g, could be shipped at a density of 40 per box (18 g liter⁻¹) for 24 h or 20–25 per box (9–11 g liter⁻¹) for 48 h. Use of mesh material to increase surface area in the box did not appear beneficial nor did shipping in brackish water (salinity8‰). Adults packed unrestricted resulted in survival rates substantially higher than those obtained from immobilized prawns wrapped in mesh.

During the shipment, pH and dissolved oxygen concentrations decreased whereas ammonia concentrations increased. The decreased pH levels may have reduced the ammonia toxicity by decreasing the amount of toxic unionized ammonia (NH₃) in solution. In general, dissolved oxygen concentrations appeared more closely related to survival rates than did other water quality parameters which were measured.     

Effects of dissolved oxygen on hemolymph parameters of freshwater giant prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man)

Profiles of changes in physiological parameters of freshwater giant prawns, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, exposed to various dissolved oxygen (DO) levels of 7.75, 4.75, 2.75, and 1.75 mg l⁻¹ are reported. The parameters involved in osmoregulation and oxygen transport were monitored for a 6-day period. Notable depressions in hemolymph osmolality, Na⁺, K⁺, and Cl⁻ contents were observed within 24 h after exposure to hypoxia at 2.75 and 1.75 mg O₂ l⁻¹, and thereafter remained at rather steady levels, which were significantly lower than those under normoxic conditions (4.75–7.75 mg O₂ l⁻¹). The extent of depression of osmotic-related constituents, hemolymph osmolality and Cl⁻ in particular, increased with decreased DO.

Oxyhemocyanin constituted 65.46–65.84% of total hemolymph proteins under the various DO levels examined; both hemolymph oxyhemocyanin and proteins showed notable elevations 24 h after exposure to hypoxic conditions, and reached the highest and constant level by 48 h after exposure. The compensatory responses of prawns to reduced O₂ were manifested by increased O₂ uptake through augmentation of hemocyanin, which results in enhancement of oxygen binding capacity of the hemolymph. In the same period, a significant surge of the respiratory products, PCO₂ and HCO₃⁻, was also demonstrated 6 h after exposure to hypoxic conditions which resulted in hemolymph alkalosis. These processes likely resulted in an increase in water influx and consequent declines in hemolymph osmolality and ion composition. Furthermore, hyperventilation and respiratory alkalosis, indicated by increased oxyhemocyanin and pH, respectively, were found to be predominant responses of M. rosenbergii to hypoxic stress.     

Serotonin induces ovarian maturation in giant freshwater prawn broodstock, Macrobrachium rosenbergii de Man

This study investigated the effects of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5HT) on ovarian development in Macrobrachium rosenbergii de Man. Adult female prawns at the ovarian stage I (spent) were injected with 5HT at 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 μg g^− 1 body weight (BW) intramuscularly on days 0, 5 and 10, and sacrificed on day 15. The doses as related to the effect could be categorized into three levels: low (1 and 5 μg g^− 1 BW of 5HT), medium (10 and 20 μg g^− 1 BW of 5HT) and high (50 μg g^− 1 BW of 5HT). The low-dose, especially at 1 μg g^− 1 BW, caused prawns to exhibit a significant increase in ovarian index (ovarian weight/body weight × 100) (5.79 ± 0.09%) as compared to the control (1.49%). The ovaries of most of these prawns could develop to stage IV (mature) and contained synchronously mature oocytes while most of the control ovaries remained at stage I and II (proliferative), and contained only oogonia to previtellogenic (Oc1, Oc2) and early vitellogenic oocytes (Oc3). The medium- and high-dose treated prawns exhibited ovaries that could reach stages III and IV and contained various types of oocytes of different maturity. Pretreatment with 5HT receptor antagonist, cyproheptadine (CYP), at 10 μg g^− 1 BW before 5HT injection significantly suppressed the effect of 5HT. Intramuscular injection of the 5HT-primed thoracic ganglion culture medium into CYP-pretreated prawns resulted in the increase of ovarian index about 5–6 times more than in the control, and in the groups injected with 5HT-primed media from muscle strip, eyestalk and brain. The ovaries of most prawn could develop up to stage IV and contained synchronously developed vitellogenic (Oc4) and mature oocytes (Oc5). These findings suggest that 5HT indirectly induces ovarian development and oocytes maturation in M. rosenbergii, probably via a putative ovarian stimulating factor released from the thoracic ganglia.     

Hemagglutinating activity and electrophoretic pattern of hemolymph serum proteins of Penaeus monodon and Macrobrachium rosenbergii to white spot syndrome virus injections

The giant fresh water prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii is known to be highly tolerant to white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infections when compared to the widely cultured marine tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon. At present, the exact mechanism of tolerance by M. rosenbergii to WSSV is not known. In this study, we attempt to study the effect of WSSV injections on the hemagglutination activity of the hemolymph serum of both P. monodon and M. rosenbergii and look for changes if any, on their hemolymph serum protein electrophoretic patterns. Our results show that M. rosenbergii had significantly (p < 0.05) higher hemagglutinating activity against mouse erythrocytes when compared to P. monodon. As the infection progressed to 48 h there was a further increase (p < 0.05) in the hemagglutination activity in M. rosenbergii, while it decreased in P. monodon. 12% SDS-PAGE analysis of the hemolymph serum of M. rosenbergii infected with WSSV did not show any new protein bands, whereas few bands with decreased intensity was observed in moribund P. monodon where the hemagglutinating activity was also observed to be decreased. The results indicate that hemolymph hemagglutinin levels are modulated in crustaceans as a response to viral infections.     

Social control of growth in Macrobrachium rosenbergii: I. The effect of claw ablation on survival and growth of communally raised prawns

The effect of claw ablation on the growth and survival of juvenile Macrobrachium rosenbergii was tested; two sets of controls were used consisting of a group of intact prawns, and an additional group whose first pair of walking legs had been ablated so as to serve as controls for injury and regeneration. Survival among claw-ablated prawns was twice as high as that for the two control groups. Intact prawns weighed more than those with ablated appendages. During the experiment the coefficient of variation of mean weight decreased in the claw-ablated group. It increased in the intact prawns and was relatively stable in the group with ablated first pair of walking legs. The biomass of the claw-ablated group doubled within the test period while that of the controls was stable because the gain in mean weight and the mortalities counterbalanced each other.     

Effects of pond preparation and feeding rate on production of Penaeus monodon Fabricius, water quality, bacteria and benthos in model farming ponds

Fibreglass pools with sediment were used as model farming ponds to investigate the interactive effects of pond preparation and feeding rate on prawn production, water quality, bacterial dynamics, abundance of benthos and prawn feeding behaviour. Pools were either fertilised 1 month (prepared) or 2 days (unprepared) prior to stocking and either ‘high’ or ‘low’ feeding rates were used. The ‘high’ rate was 5.0% (range 4–8%) wet prawn biomass/day and was similar to that recommended for commercial farms. The ‘low’ rate was 2.5% (range 2–4%) wet prawn biomass/day. Juvenile Penaeus monodon (2.0–7.5 g) were stocked at 15 prawns/m² and were cultured for 71 days. With the exception of one prepared, high feeding-rate pool where mass mortality (> 80%) of prawns occurred following an interruption to aeration, prawn survival was high (> 86%) and was unaffected by preparation, feeding rate or their interaction. Pond preparation improved growth and biomass gain by about 20%. Growth was 4% higher with the higher feeding rate but biomass gain was not affected and, as food conversion ratio was much worse, use of the lower feeding rate offers considerable scope to reduce production costs, especially during cooler periods. There was no interaction in relation to growth between pond preparation and feeding rate. Meiofauna were more abundant, and prawns grew faster, in prepared pools than unprepared pools at the start of the experiment. However, changes in bacterial dynamics or meiofauna abundance over time did not explain reductions in prawn growth over time. In general, water quality was reduced in pools receiving the high feeding rate compared with low feeding rate pools. Other interactive effects of pond preparation and feeding rate on water quality, bacteria, benthos and prawn feeding behaviour are discussed.     

Effects of temperature change rate on nitrogen effluxes of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (DeMan)

Ammonia-N (NH4⁺ + NH³) and total nitrogen (TN) efflux rates of Macrobrachium rosenbergii were measured during stepwise temperature changes (26 °C → 22 °C → 18 °C → 22 °C → 26 °C) at different rates. Sudden temperature reductions did not affect efflux rates, but sudden temperature rises evoked rapid and high increases in the efflux rates. A direct relationship between ammonia-N excretion and water temperature was observed when gradual temperature changes were effected over a 5 h period. When the animals were acclimated to a new temperature for 72 h, no clear effects of temperature on the efflux rates were found. Sudden temperature changes resulted in an increased proportion of ammonia-N in the total nitrogen excreted. It is suggested that temperature changes during the shipment of M. rosenbergii should be avoided or made gradually.     

A successful microbound diet for the larval culture of freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii

A high moisture (63–71%), semi-purified microbound diet containing alginate was compared to newly hatched live Artemia nauplii as an exclusive diet for the culture of larval freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii from 5th stage (weighted mean) through metamorphosis to postlarva. Two separate trials, representing larvae from different hatches, were conducted. Larvae were stocked at 50/l into cone-shaped vessels that contained 2 l of 12‰ seawater and were part of a temperature-controlled (28 °C) recirculating culture system. Larvae were manually fed either the live Artemia diet or the microbound diet exclusively, several times daily. After 14 days (23 days post-hatch (dph)), growth of larvae fed the microbound diet was 90% of that achieved for larvae fed newly hatched nauplii of Artemia. Survival of larvae fed the microbound diet was 77.3% and 73.3%, and was not significantly different from that of Artemia-fed larvae. Composed of readily available ingredients, the diet contains 46.2% crude protein and 37.4% lipid, is easy to prepare, and has good water stability. The diet is an economically practical alternative to the fluctuating cost, nutrient uncertainty, and labor associated with the use of Artemia nauplii hatched from cysts. The characteristics of the diet suggest good potential for successful use in the larviculture of other fish and crustacean species, in either the existing or a modified state.     

Performance evaluation of rice–fish integration system in rainfed medium land ecosystem

This study was carried out for three successive years during 1999–2001 to evaluate growth and yield performance of fish, prawn and paddy under rice–fish integration system in rainfed medium land ecosystem. Irrespective of stocking density, faster growth rate was recorded for Catla catla followed by Cyprinus carpio, Cirrhinus mrigala, Labeo rohita and Macrobrachium rosenbergii. C. carpio and C. mrigala performed better growth rate against that of L. rohita probably due to the fact that being bottom dwellers, C. carpio and C. mrigala are more tolerant to fluctuation of oxygen concentration. Productivity of fish and prawn was, however, higher (p<0.05) in refuges with 10-cm weir height plots, irrespective of stocking density, while overall yield performance was good at stocking density of 25,000 ha⁻¹. It was observed that, even with supplemental feeding, with increase in stocking density, biomass yield increased up to an optimum and then decreased. An average minimum and maximum yield of 906.6–1282.3 kg ha⁻¹ of fish and prawn has been achieved, which was much higher than the earlier recorded productivity in a season under rice–fish integration system. Highest grain yield was recorded at 15-cm weir height plot (3629 kg ha⁻¹), probably contributed by higher number of panicles per square meter (235.5) and number of filled grains per panicle (121.7). Percentage increase in rice yield under rice–fish integration system was 7.9–8.6% against control, where paddy was cultivated without integration of fish and prawn probably due to better aeration of water, greater tillering effect and additional supply of fertilizer in form of leftover feed and fish excreta. Irrespective of stocking density, the overall rice equivalent yield (REY) of the system was high (4.22–4.55 tons ha⁻¹) at 12.5-cm weir height plots-cum-refuge, without using any pesticide, herbicide, etc.     

Comparative performance of Gamma Amino Butyric Acid (GABA) and 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the diet of larvae and post larvae of giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii: Effect of dose and route of administration on growth and survival

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of different dose and route of administration of 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and Gamma Amino Butyric Acid (GABA) on growth, survival and pigmentation of giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, larvae (experiment 1) and post larvae (experiment 2 and 3). In experiment 1 larva were stocked at 100 /L in seven different treatments with each of three replicates. The treatments were T1 (control), T2 (100 μg/ml of 5-HT bath exposure for 2 days), T3 (1 μM of GABA bath exposure for 2 days), T4 (0.5% 5-HT in feed), T5 (0.25% 5-HT in feed), T6 (0.5% GABA in feed) and T7 (0.25% GABA in feed). Highest growth, transformation rate, pigmentation and survival of larvae were recorded in T2 group in experiment 1. In experiment 2, post larvae were stocked at 70 per tank with 200 L of water for 45 days. This experiment consisted of 5 treatment groups with each of 3 replication viz. T1 (control), T2 (0.5% 5-HT in feed), T3 (0.25% 5-HT in feed), T4 (0.5% GABA in feed) and T5 (0.25% GABA in feed). At the end of this experiment growth was found to be higher in the control than the other treatment group showing inhibitory effect of 5-HT and GABA on growth of post larvae. To confirm the result, a third experiment was conducted for 30 days. Thirty numbers of post larvae having similar size were segregated from the previous experimental tanks (experiment 2) and stocked in the tanks of 100 L of water for experiment 3. All treatments were fed with control diet. There was similar growth pattern in all the treatments, which were higher (P < 0.05) than control, confirms the inhibitory effect of neurotransmitter in the diet of PL. Therefore, the overall results of the present study suggest that the bath treatment of neurotransmitter is superior to the dietary addition with regard to the growth, survival and pigmentation of M. rosenbergii larvae. 5-HT is more effective than the GABA for larvae of M. rosenbergii.     

饥饿对食蚊鱼和唐鱼幼鱼能量物质消耗及游泳能力的影响

为查明运动过程中罗氏沼虾的行为特征及其与肌肉能量代谢的关系,实验设置了对照、低、中、高4种不同强度的游泳和弹跳实验,研究了运动后罗氏沼虾的行为、能量来源和相关代谢酶活性。游泳强度通过在特定时间内设置不同的水流速度来确定,对照、低、中、高强度的水流速度分别为0 (自由运动)、5 (200 min)、10 (200 min)和15 cm/s (游泳至疲劳)。弹跳强度通过在特定时间内设置不同触碰频率来确定,对照、低、中、高强度的触碰频率分别为0 (自由运动)、0.033 (5 min)、0.050 (5 min)和0.067 Hz (弹跳至疲劳)。结果显示,罗氏沼虾各运动组游泳足和尾肢的最大摆动频率和最大摆动幅度均显著高于对照组。各运动强度组肌肉蛋白质含量与对照组之间无显著差异,肌肉糖原含量均显著小于对照组,低强度游泳组肌肉甘油三酯含量小于对照组。中、高强度游泳组游泳足肌肉乳酸脱氢酶 (LDH)活性和乳酸含量显著高于对照组,低强度游泳组游泳足肌肉丙酮酸脱氢酶、苹果酸脱氢酶和脂肪酶活性显著高于对照组。无论弹跳强度高低,罗氏沼虾腹部肌肉LDH酶活性和乳酸含量均显著高于对照组。研究表明,罗氏沼虾通过增加肌肉能量代谢强度来满足运动所需能量,游泳行为能量来源与游泳强度有关,弹跳行为主要依靠厌氧代谢获取能量。本研究结果丰富了虾类行为生理学理论知识,为罗氏沼虾的健康养殖提供基础数据。     

A study of the optimum stocking density and feed rate for school prawns Metapenaeus macleayi (Haswell) in some Australian brackish water farming ponds

A stocking density experiment was conducted in 18 experimental enclosures within a single 0.11 ha pond. As stocking density increased in the range 6.1–21.2 prawns/m², school prawn growth declined while survival rate was unaffected and total harvest (final biomass) increased. A simple economic analysis indicated that the optimum stocking density for juvenile school prawns was 19.1 prawns/m². In a similar experiment the effects of feeding school prawns with a pelleted diet at a range of supplementary feed rates (0–12.5% of prawn biomass/day) were investigated. The optimum feed rate in terms of growth was approximately 5% of biomass/day. However the optimum feed rate, in terms of the economic return index used, varied depending on the estimated cost of the diet.     

Correction of black tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon fabricius) coloration by astaxanthin

After two months of feeding a group of juvenile black tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon) with a commercial feed (CF), their external pigmentation changed from its normal greenish-brown to a light blue. This condition was thought to be induced by a carotenoid deficiency in the feed. Nutritional improvement and hence correction of this condition was attempted by adding 50 ppm astaxanthin (Roche Ltd^®) into one feed (AF) and 5% addition of brown algae (Chnoospora minima) into a second feed (BF). After four weeks of feeding, the prawns fed on AF reverted to their normal greenish-brown pigmentation. The carotenoids present in the BF feed increased carotenoid content in the prawns, but the levels were not high enough to correct the blue coloration. Analysis of carotenoid content in the shells of the groups showed 318%, 57% and 14% increase for AF, BF, and CF respectively, with 70–90% of the total carotenoid being in the form of astaxanthin. Deposition of astaxanthin was higher in the shell than in the flesh, with deposition in the flesh plateauing after two weeks, whilst deposition in the shell increased steadily.

The importance of these findings to the marketing of cultured shrimps is discussed.     

Effect of dietary vitamin C supplementation on the oxygen consumption, ammonia-N excretion and Na/K ATPase of Macrobrachium nipponense exposed to ambient ammonia

The 96-h LC₅₀ of ammonia-N and the effects of dietary vitamin C on oxygen consumption, ammonia-N excretion and Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase activity of Macrobrachium nipponense exposed to ambient ammonia were investigated. The results showed that the 96-h LC₅₀ of ammonia-N was 36.6 mg l⁻¹ for the freshwater prawn, M. nipponense, at pH 8.0. When prawns were exposed to high ambient ammonia-N concentrations, the oxygen consumption rate increased and ammonia excretion decreased. Dietary vitamin C supplementation led to higher oxygen consumption and lower ammonia excretion. Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase activity increased with increased ambient ammonia-N exposure in the range of 0–18.3 mg l⁻¹, and then was reduced at ambient ammonia-N 36.6 mg l⁻¹. Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase activities of prawns fed a vitamin C-supplemented diet were significantly lower than those of prawns fed a diet which was not supplemented with vitamin C.     

美国低碳高效池塘循环流水精养新技术

为实现池塘循环水槽养殖模式的高效利用,降低养殖风险,文章开展了吉富罗非鱼(GIFT, Oreochromis niloticus)一年两造池塘循环水槽养殖研究。第一造吉富罗非鱼放养密度分别为183尾·m⁻²和274尾·m⁻²,规格为(36.6±2.8) g,养殖期为122 d;第二造吉富罗非鱼放养密度分别为154尾·m⁻²和215尾·m⁻²,放养规格为(185.2±15.8) g,养殖期为100 d;外池塘套养罗氏沼虾(Macrobrachium rosenbergii)、鲢(Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)和鳙(Aristichthys nobilis)。对养殖过程中的水质、养殖结果和效益进行评价分析。结果显示,第一造吉富罗非鱼成活率为83.38%,饵料系数1.12,养殖产量24 107 kg;第二造吉富罗非鱼成活率为93.35%,饵料系数1.17,养殖产量25 730 kg;外池塘罗氏沼虾2 012 kg,鲢1 789 kg,鳙801 kg;每公顷投入452 566元,收入655 099元,利润202 533元,投资回报率44.75%。研究表明,利用池塘循环水槽养殖模式开展吉富罗非鱼一年两造养殖,降低了链球菌发病率,提高了养殖效益,实现了养殖模式的高效利用。

     

Distribution, abundance and biological interactions of the cutlassfish Trichiurus lepturus in the southern Brazil subtropical convergence ecosystem

The distribution, abundance and biological interactions of the cutlassfish Trichiurus lepturus in the southern Brazil subtropical convergence ecosystem were studied from demersal trawl surveys conducted along the continental shelf and upper slope from Cape Santa Marta Grande (28 °36′S) to Chui (34 °45′S) between 1981 and 1987. Trichiurus lepturus was more abundant at bottom water temperatures of over 16 °C and in the 40–120 m depth range. From late spring to fall, juveniles of 5–30 cm total length (TL) were found in coastal waters, subadults (TL 30–70 cm) mainly in inner shelf waters and adults (TL > 70 cm) in coastal, inner and outer shelf waters. Higher catches of subadults and adults were found associated with thermal fronts in the western boundary of the Subtropical Convergence or with a shelf break upwelling observed in summer. The standing stock in a 58 000 km² shelf area estimated by the swept area method, ranged from 3066 t (±46% CI) in September 1981 to 37814 t (±22% CI) in January 1982. Correlation between occurrences of different size groups of cutlassfishes and other fishes caught in 250 bottom trawl hauls was analyzed. A positive correlation between cutlassfish and juvenile weakfish, Cynoscion guatucupa, was associated with similar spatial distribution but also indicated trophic competition.     

New techniques for the assessment and optimal management of growth and standing crop variation in the cultured freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii

The current ‘traditional’ prawn pond management system really does not ‘manage’, but rather accommodates prawn production characteristics and was instituted with a minimum knowledge of prawn biology and husbandry. As such, the traditional system is not optimal because it does not rely on a strong empirical knowledge base. Prawn culture has succeeded up until now because Macrobrachium rosenbergii is easily cultured and will give 500–1000 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ without much effort. This is sufficient in many areas of the world but not in others where economic conditions have break-even production requirements of nearly 1 tonne greater than this. The traditional system relying on selective harvesting with large seine nets is seriously inefficient which not only leads to lost revenue but under-manages pond growth since unculled large animals suppress the growth of unculled smaller ones. The degree to which this occurs was not known to the designers of the traditional system who had no way of knowing (as we do now from our research results) the extremely large compensatory growth capability of small prawns in the absence of large ones. The traditional system also does not manage sexual dimorphic growth because no technology exists which can be used to create monosex broods or manipulate the sex ratio in ponds. Accurate production models are not available because traditional ponds are rarely sampled and/or rarely drained. This, along with inefficient harvests, results in a co-mingling of cohort stocking classes. It is impossible to get accurate survival and growth data because of this and because it is so time consuming to sample commercial ponds and process the data on a regular basis. This paper describes four new engineering and ‘bioengineering’ techniques which are under development and can overcome all the drawbacks of the traditional system: (1) surgical sex reversal to create monosex broods; (2) genetic tagging of stocking and resident cohorts to assess survival and growth; (3) size grading and 100% efficient harvesting using pond draining and a machine grader-harvester; and (4) a semi-automated computer assisted prawn sample data management system which uses sonic digitization of prawn sample data.     

A comparison of the biological characteristics of Sarotherodon niloticus (L.) with those of S. aureus (Steindachner) and other tilapia of the delta and lower Nile

The tilapia species occurring in the lower Nile are Sarotherodon niloticus, S. aureus, S. galiaeus and Tilapia zillii. The distinguishing characteristics between the previously confused S. niloticus and S. aureus are summarised; from these there is no evidence of hybridization of the two species in natural populations in Egypt. The scales are used to estimate the growth rates of tilapia species in two coastal lakes and in both, S. niloticus grows faster than S. aureus after the first year. The possible factors causing the growth checks on the scales are considered.

The spawning season of S. niloticus appears to attain a discrete peak in April–May, whilst the spawning season of S. aureus extends from May to September with at least two actual spawnings within this period. Natural spawning cycles are compared with those observed in fish ponds.

A more extended spawning period of S. aureus may explain the reduced growth rate of the species after the first year. The spawning cycle of all species coincides with the temperature regime of the water bodies. The fecundities of S. aureus and S. niloticus are similar and are described by log F = log 1.33 + 2.23 log L, which suggests that small fishes produce more eggs per g body weight than large.

The salinity tolerance of the Nile tilapia can be ranked as T. zillii > S. galilaeus > S. aureus > S. niloticus. Evidence on chronic and acute effects of salinity are reviewed and upper estimates for salinities giving unimpeded growth are deduced as being, T. zillii 29‰, S. galilaeus 15–20‰, S. areus 10–15‰ and S. niloticus 5–10‰.     

Observations on the conditioning of filter bed in hypersaline aquaria

The nitrifying activity of the filter bed of aquaria was monitored in hypersaline conditions. Salinity was raised in 5 ppt steps from normal sea water to 126 ppt in a course of 35 and 41 days. Twenty grey mullet fry (Chelon labrosus and Mugil cephalus) were used in two 53 l aquaria. Daily monitoring of total ammonia–nitrogen (TAN), nitrite, nitrate ions, and pH was performed. After an initial peak of TAN (0.65 mg/l), total ammonia stabilized at safe low levels (0–0.2 mg/l). Nitrite exhibited more peaks at levels of about 10 mg/l, lasted for 3–8 days but they also subsided to almost zero afterwards. Nitrate finally stabilized at levels around 100 mg/l. The water was alkaline, with pH fluctuating in the region of 8.2–8.8. These findings indicate that the filter bed may be effectively conditioned for hypersalinity and that fish may be safely maintained in the aquaria.     

Infection and mortality by the yeast Metschnikowia bicuspidata var. bicuspidata in chinook salmon fed live adult brine shrimp (Artemia franciscana)

First-feeding chinook salmon were fed either live adult Artemia franciscana or commercial feed over a 15-week period. Unexplained mortality began occurring in the Artemia-fed fish after 35 days on the diets, with cumulative mortality reaching 34.5% in the Artemia-fed fish compared with 4.3% in feed-fed fish. Necropsy examinations revealed systemic fungal yeast infections and the causative agent was cultured from kidneys. Fungal cells were observed in the transport water of Artemia shipments and within the Artemia. The Artemia were purchased from a retail supplier, and originated from salt ponds in San Francisco Bay (SFB), California. Artemia infection rates ranged from 0.5% to 37.5% (mean 16.5±3.59%) in shipments received over a 5-week period. The fungus was characterized by morphological and physiological properties and was identified as Metschnikowia sp., a pathogenic yeast of aquatic invertebrates. The yeast grew at 9–27 °C, and 0–180 ppt NaCl, and could tolerate salinity of at least 270 ppt. Sequence analysis of the divergent D1/D2 domain of ascomycetous yeast 26S ribosomal DNA identified the organism as Metschnikowia bicuspidata var. bicuspidata. The organism was found in water from the salt ponds and probably entered from the bay. Mortality due to the fungal infection stopped after changes were made in the handling of incoming Artemia shipments.