Mass produced nematodes Panagrellus redivivus as live food for rearing carp larvae: preliminary results

The free‐living nematode Panagrellus redivivus was mass produced on a solid culture medium enriched with sunflower oil or fish oil by means of a new technology. Nematodes with different fatty acid compositions were obtained. A 7‐day experiment was performed in order to compare the lipid enriched nematodes with Artemia as live food for first feeding common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) larvae. Larvae fed nematodes doubled their body mass and had a mean survival rate higher than 80%. No significant differences could be observed between the two groups fed nematodes. Fish larvae fed with Artemia showed almost no mortality and had a final body mass five times higher than larvae fed nematodes. It is concluded that mass produced nematodes are a promising food source for first feeding common carp larvae. However, further research is needed on the development of improved culture media to increase the nutritional value of P. redivivus.     

Replacement of live feed by formulated feed: effect on the growth and spawning performance of Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens,Regan, 1910)

Partial replacement of live feed (LF) with formulated feed (FF) was performed in Betta splendens to evaluate their growth, survival and reproductive performance. Three hundred B. splendens fry of uniform size (mean weight 0.19 g±0.01) were equally distributed in five treatment groups with each of three replicates in glass aquaria of 35 L capacity. Fish were offered diets of different ratio of LF and FF like T1 (control) – 100% LF; T2 – 75% LF, 25% FF; T3 – 50% LF, 50% FF; T4 – 25% LF, 75% FF and T5 – 100% FF. Highest (P<0.05) body weight gain (% BWG) (67.1±1.03) and specific growth rate (2.34±0.02) were observed in the T2 group. Best feed conversion ratio was also found in T2 (2.40±0.11), which was similar to T1 and T3. The highest survival rate (%) was recorded in T1, T2 and T3 groups (97±1.7), which was similar to T4 and the lowest in T5 (49±2.0). The highest gonadal weight (0.12 g±0.01) and gonadosomatic index (15.17±0.50) was observed in the T3 group during the first sampling after 63 days. No significant changes in spawning performance were observed in the second sampling after 21 days after first sampling. However, T4 group registered the highest fecundity and fertilized eggs at the end of 105 days of experiment. From the present study, it concludes that LF can be successfully replaced to the extent of 25% by FF without any detrimental effect on the growth, survival and spawning performance of B. splendens.     

Growth performance and survival of giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii larvae fed coloured feed

This study examined the behavioural response on the preference and acceptance, growth performance and survival of Marcobrachium rosenbergi larvae fed with isonitrogenous and isolipidic yellow (YCF) and blue (BCF) coloured feed. In the behavioural response test, single and paired feed drop test of YCF and BCF were introduced at the middle of a tank about 15–20 cm from the edge of the white colour tank wall to larvae zoea IV–VI. The number of larvae attracted to each coloured feed was recorded. For the growth and survival performance, each coloured feed was fed to triplicate groups of larvae (zoea V–VI) at stocking density of 30 larvae/L in 12 ppt brackish water for 28 days until they reached postlarval (PL) stage. In the behavioural test, the number of larvae that attracted and accepted the BCF was significantly higher than those fed YCF (p < 0.05). The body weight and length of PL fed BCF was 28% and 5.6% bigger than those fed YCF respectively. However, the survival of the PL was almost similar in both treatments. This study shows that the freshwater prawn larvae were attracted more to the BCF and able to detect and capture the preferred BCF by vision and this contributed to higher growth of the larvae.     

Panagrellus redivivus mass produced on solid media as live food for Litopenaeus vannamei larvae

The free‐living soil nematode Panagrellus redivivus is well known to be an excellent food source for first feeding fish larvae. It represents an alternative to the highly expensive Artemia, which is commonly used. The lack of a proper method for mass production of P. redivivus has prevented its wider use in commercial hatcheries. A new cultivation method allows the production of a sufficient quantity of nematodes to deliver a standardized and permanently available live food of high quality, throughout the larval rearing period. In two experiments – carried out at the Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, Mexico – several feeding regimes were established to prove the quality of the mass produced P. redivivus for larvae of Litopenaeus vannamei, the Pacific white shrimp. Two different nematode treatments were compared with a no‐feed group and a control group that was fed with Artemia. All treatments had an additional algal co‐feed and were run in five replicates. Panagrellus redivivus was cultured on two different media (wheat/corn flour and oat flour) to compare these for their suitability as high‐quality live food for the larvae. Shrimp fed nematodes grown on wheat/corn medium reached the postlarval stage earlier than those from other treatments. The nematode treatments showed promising results; however, further research is needed on the development of improved culture media or enrichment methods to further increase the nutritional value of P. redivivus.     

Combined effect of temperature and live feed period on growth and survival of Coregonus maraena (Bloch, 1779) larvae

Despite intensive stocking programmes, wild Maraena whitefish Coregonus maraena (Bloch, 1779)‐stocks are in danger of extinction in the Baltic sea region. Current aquaculture rearing methods in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) are lacking efficient protocols for transitioning larvae from endogenous to exogenous feeding. In this 34‐day‐experiment the offspring of wild fish was used. Maraena whitefish larvae were weaned at three different temperatures (15.9°C, 17.9°C, 19.7°C) and three feeding regimes, resulting in nine treatments. The first group received pure live feed (freshly hatched Artemia sp. nauplii) for 10 days and a 1:1‐mixture of live and dry feed for 3 days. The second group received the live and dry feed mixture for 13 days and the third group directly received a commercial dry feed. All nine treatments were stocked in triplicate with 500 larvae per tank (19 ind. L^?1). Feeding started 4 days post hatch. Survival was highest in the pure dry feed groups and lowest in the pure live feed groups. In contrast to growth, which was highest in the live feed groups and lowest in the dry feed group. Higher temperature increased growth in the live feed groups but had no effect on survival in all groups. These results will enhance the weaning of C. maraena in recirculation aquaculture.     

Effect of feed colour on growth and feed utilization of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) larvae and fingerlings

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of feed colour on the performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) larvae and fingerlings. In the first experiment, triplicate groups of newly hatched larvae (0.01 g fish⁻¹) were stocked in 40 L glass aquaria at a density of 2 fish L⁻¹. The fish were fed a test diet (400 g kg⁻¹ crude protein) with six different colours (dark blue, dark green, red, dark brown, yellow and light brown) for 60 days. The best performance and survival were achieved in fish fed on dark‐coloured diets, while light‐coloured diets (yellow and light brown) resulted in inferior performance. Dark diets also produced higher body protein than light diets. Body water, lipids and ash showed irregular trends. In the second experiment, triplicate groups of Nile tilapia fingerlings (5.30 g fish⁻¹) were stocked in 140‐L aquaria, in a recirculating indoor system. The fish were fed a test diet (350 g kg⁻¹ crude protein) with the same colours used in the larval trial, for 60 days. Growth rates, feed efficiency, survival and body composition were not significantly affected by feed colours. These results suggest that Nile tilapia larvae are visual feeders, and they prefer dark‐coloured diets to light‐coloured diets, while fingerling fish showed no preference to diet colours.     

Effect of live algae used as green water on survival,growth, behaviour,ontogeny and bacterial profile of lobster larvae (Homarus americanus Milne Edwards)

Green water is a technique commonly used in aquaculture, that consists of adding live algae in the water culture and its benefits have been shown for several species. Several hypotheses exist to explain the benefits of green water: increase in nutritional value; action as a probiotic; increase in contrast to reveal preys for larvae; or increase in predator behaviour of larvae. Green water produced with a mix of strains Isochrysis galbana and Chaetoceros muelleri (50:50, cells:cells) applied in four different ways was tested. The survival and the growth of American lobster (Homarus americanus) between stage I and stage IV post‐larvae were not affected by the addition of live algae. The lipid classes were not affected by the addition of algae and limited variation was observed in the fatty acids and bacterial profiles. Furthermore, the green water techniques had a limited effect on the behaviour of post‐larvae stage IV lobster at releasing. Behaviour was mostly affected by the age of post‐larvae. The bacteria Lewinella sp., Leucothrix sp. and Thiothrix sp. appeared to represent a common and core component of Stage IV lobster post‐larvae microflora. The results show that the algae do not increase either nutritional value or feed intake of the lobster larvae. Probiotic effect may be more important when larvae are raised in a close system where potential bacterial pathogens could have more chances to colonize the culture. Also, the dark green colour of the larval tank used in this study may have mimicked the effect of green water in the control group. Biochemical results suggest that dietary supplementation with phospholipids and DHA is needed in a lobster hatchery using frozen Artemia and our open formula Dry mix.     

Effect of different water biofloc contents on the growth and immune response of gibel carp cultured in zero water exchange and no feed addition system

This study evaluated the growth and immune response of gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) cultured under no feed addition biofloc technology (BFT) system at different total suspended solid (TSS) concentrations (10, 300, 600, 800 and 1,000 mg/L for group BF0‐NF, BF300‐NF, BF600‐NF, BF800‐NF and BF1000‐NF) for 30 days. The results demonstrated that bioflocs contained rich nutrients, and gibel carp eaten bioflocs showed higher weight gain, specific growth and survival. Digestive enzyme activities such as pepsin and amylase increased significantly in BF300/600/800/1000‐NF groups than those in BF0‐NF group. Antioxidant response including superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity in serum and skin mucus was also enhanced significantly (p < .05). In addition, six immune‐related genes were examined by RT‐qPCR. Compared with BF0‐NF group, expression levels of immune genes intelectin (ITLN), dual specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP 1), keratin 8 (KRT 8), myeloid‐specific‐peroxidase (MPO), c‐type lysozyme (c‐lys) and interleukin‐11 (IL‐11) were up‐regulated by 78.1‐, 23.9‐, 13.8‐, 138.8‐, 401.8‐ and 91.1‐fold, respectively. The highest expression values were observed at TSS of 600–800 mg/L. This study suggested that bioflocs can be uptaken by gibel carp as a food source, and have a potential to be used as a supplemental food for aquaculture.     

Effects of dietary protein and lipid levels on growth,feed utilization and body composition in Pseudobagrus ussuriensis fingerlings

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the optimum dietary protein and lipid levels for growth, feed utilization and body composition of Pseudobagrus ussuriensis fingerlings (initial weight: 3.40 ± 0.01 g). Twelve diets containing four protein levels (350, 400, 450 and 500 g kg^?1 crude protein) and three lipid levels (50, 100 and 150 g kg^?1 crude lipid) were formulated. Fish were randomly allotted to 36 aquaria (1.0 × 0.5 × 0.8 m) with 25 fish to each glass aquarium. Fish were fed twice daily (08:00 and 16:00) to apparent satiation. The results showed that weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR) decreased with increasing dietary lipid level from 50 to 150 g kg^?1 at the same dietary protein level. Fish fed the diets containing 150 g kg^?1 lipid exhibited higher feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05), lower protein efficiency ratio (PER) and nitrogen retention efficiency (NRE) relative to fish fed the diet containing 50 and 100 g kg^?1 lipid. Weight gain and SGR significantly increased with increasing dietary protein from 350 to 450 g kg^?1 at the same dietary lipid level, and even a little decline in growth with the further increase in dietary protein to 500 g kg^?1. Daily feed intake, NRE and PER were significantly affected by both dietary protein and lipid levels (P < 0.05) and tended to decrease with increasing dietary protein and lipid levels. Whole‐body protein content increased as protein levels increased and lipid levels decreased. Whole‐body lipid and muscle lipid content increased with increasing dietary lipid level, and decreased with increasing dietary protein at each lipid level. There was no significant difference in condition factor and viscerosomatic index among fish fed the diets. Hepatosomatic index was affected by dietary lipid level (P < 0.05), and increased with increasing dietary lipid level at the same protein level. These results suggest that the diet containing 450 g kg^?1 protein and 50 g kg^?1 lipid with a P/E ratio of 29.1 mg protein kJ^?1 is optimal for growth and feed utilization of P. ussuriensis fingerlings under the experimental conditions used in the study.     

Effect of temperature on survival,growth and development of Mytilus galloprovincialis larvae

Mussel aquaculture is widely prevalent worldwide, but generally relies on natural seed collection, which does not always meet the needs of the producers. Thus, development of mussel hatcheries is of economic interest in some parts of the world, such as Europe; it provides opportunities not only on annual reliability of seed but also on genetic improvements. To broaden knowledge on mussel larval physiology, we carried out temperature treatments (17, 20 and 24 °C) on Mytilus galloprovincialis larvae under laboratory conditions. The trials ended when 30% of the larval population was in the post‐larval stage. The temperature coefficient Q₁₀ indicated a strong relationship between temperature and increase in growth from 17 to 20 °C, but not between 20 and 24 °C. Exposure of M. galloprovincialis larvae to 17 °C resulted in poor growth, low survival and a delayed development and was considered to be inadequate for M. galloprovincialis larval culture. Rearing the larvae at 20 or 24 °C produced better growth, higher survival rates and faster metamorphosis as compared with 17 °C. The temperature region within 20 and 24 °C was suggested as adequate for the mussel M. galloprovincialis larval culture, and implications of these results on the development of commercial hatcheries were discussed.     

Effects of Spirulina platensis as a feed additive on growth and coloration of blue dolphin cichlids (Cyrtocara moorii Boulunger, 1902)

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of replacing fish meal with dietary Spirulina as a feed supplement on the growth performance and coloration of blue dolphin cichlids (Cyrtocara moorii). Five isonitrogenous (47% crude protein) and isocaloric (17.36 kJ/g digestible energy) diets were for formulated to replace FM with 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% Spirulina (designated as Control, SP5, SP10, SP15 and SP20 respectively) and fed to the fish (initial body weight, 3.15 ± 0.01 g). Fish were randomly distributed into fifteen 120 L aquariums (26.5 ± 1.00°C), 15 fish per aquarium. The diets were tested in triplicate for 12 weeks. Experimental groups were fed twice daily (09:00 and 17:00) by hand to satiation. At the end of the feeding trial, significantly (p < 0.05) higher weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) were observed in fish fed the SP10 diet when compared to the SP20 diet. There was no significant difference in these parameters between the other groups. The skin coloration of blue dolphin cichlid fed a diet containing Spirulina meal was enhanced. The best coloration was observed in the SP15 group. These impressions were objectively validated by chemical determinations of carotenoids extracted from fish skins and passed statistical tests of significance. The study findings show that Spirulina meal does not diminish growth rates except at very high levels.     

Effects of dietary ethoxyquin on growth,feed utilization and residue in the muscle of juvenile Japanese seabass,Lateolabrax japonicus

Ethoxyquin (EQ) is the most common synthetic antioxidant used for preventing rancidity in fish foodstuffs. However, literature related to the effects of dietary EQ on performance of fish was limited. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of EQ on performance and EQ residue in muscle of juvenile Japanese seabass Lateolabrax japonicus and to estimate the optimal EQ concentration in the diet. Graded levels [0 (control), 50, 150, 450 and 1350 mg EQ kg^?1 diet] of EQ were added to the basal diet, resulting in five dietary treatments in the experiment. Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of seabass (initial body weight 8.01 ± 0.76 g) for 12 weeks in floating sea cages (1.5 × 1.5 × 2.0 m, 30 fish per cage). Survival ranged from 78.9 to 86.7%, and was irrespective of dietary EQ levels. The specific growth rate (SGR) of fish fed diets supplemented with ≤50 mg kg^?1 EQ had significantly (P < 0.05) higher SGR than fish fed diets supplemented with ≥150 mg kg^?1 EQ, the highest SGR was observed in fish fed diet with 50 mg kg^?1 EQ supplementation. Feed intake (FI) and feed efficiency (FE) were not significantly (P > 0.05) different among dietary treatments. Fish fed diets with 50 and 1350 mg kg^?1 EQ had a significant (P < 0.05) lower body lipid content than fish in the control group. Muscle EQ level significantly increased when dietary EQ increased. Optimal EQ concentration estimated by polynomial regression based on maximum growth of juvenile Japanese seabass was 13.78 mg kg^?1 diet.     

Larval pigmentation, survival and growth of Penaeus indicus fed the nematode Panagrellus redivivus enriched with astaxanthin and various lipids

The highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) content of the free-living nematode Panagrellus redivivus was successfully increased when three different lipid sources (cod-liver oil, marilla oil and capelin oil) from marine animals were used in the nematode culture medium. The lipid enrichment significantly increased the ω3 HUFA content, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), of the nematodes compared with lipid non-enriched nematodes. Penaeus indicus larvae fed the lipid-enriched nematodes had significantly ( P < 0.05) greater larval survival (69–77%) until metamorphosis than those fed non-enriched nematodes (54%).
This nematode species was also enriched with astaxanthin to determine the effects of this carotenoid on pigmentation, survival and growth during the larval development of P. indicus . The pigment, delivered via nematodes, significantly ( P < 0.05) improved larval coloration and survival (88%) compared with that of placebo-pigmented nematodes (78%). However, there was no strong evidence to show the benefit of either pigment and/or lipid enrichment on larval growth and development of P. indicus .
This study has shown that the nutritional value of the nematodes can be enhanced by the addition of fish oil into the culture medium. Supplementation of EPA and DHA, together with synthetic astaxanthin, allow the nematodes to be used as a sole diet for the larval culture of P. indicus .     

Effects of temperature on feed intake,growth and oxygen consumption in adult male king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus held in captivity and fed manufactured diets

The current study investigates whether it is possible to increase the meat content of captive male king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus) (average = 2.2 kg) by feeding manufactured diets at different temperatures (4°C, 8°C and 12°C). A 110 days trial was undertaken with groups of male king crabs held in 12 land‐based holding tanks. All crabs survival in the lowest temperature treatment, one animal died in the medium‐temperature group (8°C) and four animals in the highest temperature treatment (12°C). The results showed that feed intake increased with increasing temperature from an average of 1.0 g kg^?1 day^?1 at 4°C to 2.8 g kg^?1 day^?1 crab at 12°C. The percentage meat content was significantly higher at the final census (60.0%) compared with the initial census (37.5%) in all temperature groups, but there were no significant differences in the percentage meat content of the king crabs held in the different temperature treatments at the conclusion of the experiment. Oxygen consumption was also significantly affected by temperature and increased with increasing temperature. The results of the experiment show that the optimal temperature to maintain, and enhance, the meat content of king crab is close to 4°C.     

Effects of tank colour and feed colour on growth and feed utilization of thinlip mullet (Liza ramada) larvae

The effects of aquarium background colour and feed colour on survival, growth rates and feed utilization efficiency of thinlip mullet (Liza ramada) larvae (0.035 g) were investigated in two experiments. In the aquarium background colour trial, 50 larvae were stocked in duplicates in 120 L glass aquaria filled with dechlorinated tap water. The outside walls and bottoms of each pair of the aquaria were covered with coloured paper sheets to achieve one of six colours (white, black, red, green, yellow and blue), while noncoloured aquaria served as a control. The fish were fed an experimental diet (35% crude protein) at a daily rate of 5% of their body weight (BW), twice a day for 8 weeks. The best growth rates, feed efficiency and survival were achieved in larvae reared in light‐coloured aquaria (white, noncoloured and yellow). Fish performance was significantly retarded in larvae reared in dark‐coloured aquaria (red, green, black and blue). Body composition was not significantly affected by aquarium colour. In a feed colour trial, duplicate groups of larvae (0.035 g) were stocked at 50 fish per 120 L aquarium and fed a test diet (35% crude protein) with six different colours [dark blue, red, yellow, light brown (control), light green and dark brown] at a daily rate of 5% BW, twice a day for 8 weeks. The best performance and survival were achieved in fish fed on dark‐coloured diets (red, dark blue and dark brown). Light‐coloured diets (yellow, light green and light brown) resulted in inferior performance. Body composition was not significantly affected by feed colour. These results suggest that light‐coloured tanks should be used for rearing thinlip mullet, L. ramada larvae, while dark‐coloured diets are more preferable to light‐coloured diets.     

Ontogenetic development of attack behaviour by turbot larvae when exposed to copepod prey

Identification of fish larval behavioural traits permitting capture of specific live prey sizes is an important part of optimizing production of marine larvae. We investigated the capture success of turbot larvae (Scophthalmus maximus) at two development stages, 8 and 10 days post‐hatch (DPH), when offered small nauplii (129–202 μm), large nauplii (222–278 μm) and copepodites (342–542 μm), of the calanoid copepod Acartia tonsa. At 8 DPH, turbot larvae had the highest capture success (67%) when offered small nauplii, with a lower capture success of large nauplii (27%) but totally lacked the capabilities to capture copepodites. At DPH 10, the larvae increased the capture success of large nauplii (47%) and achieved a few successful attacks on copepodites. Energetically, large nauplii were the most beneficial at both larval development stages. The swimming kinematics of the period prior to a strike by the larva on the copepod was examined, and the approach pattern of the larva was identified as a controlling mechanism for their strike distance, with the initial approach speed of larva at DPH 10 being significantly less than at DPH 8. In all successful attacks, the strike distance was less than 1.17 mm and was significantly lower than unsuccessful attacks. Since the approach pattern of the larva is linked to its capture success, it could be used as the basis for a feeding scheme based on the swimming performance of individual batches of turbot larvae.     

Effects of dietary lysolecithin on growth performance,feed utilization,intestinal morphology and metabolic responses of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

This study investigated the effects of dietary lysolecithin on growth performance, feed utilization and metabolic responses of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Fish (initial weight: 14.77 ± 0.45 g) were randomly fed one of five practical diets supplemented with graded levels of lysolecithin (0, 125, 250, 375 and 500 mg/kg) in quadruplicate groups for 10 weeks. Results showed that no significant differences in weight gain, condition factor and viscerosomatic index among all the treatments. Fish fed diet supplemented with 250 mg/kg lysolecithin had significantly decreased feed conversion ratio and significantly increased protein efficiency ratio compared to that fed the control diet. The group with 250 mg/kg of dietary lysolecithin had higher protein and lower lipid contents in the whole body, and lower lipid content in the liver than those in the control group. Groups supplemented with 250–500 mg/kg of dietary lysolecithin had significantly higher gastric and intestinal lipase activities than the control group. Dietary lysolecithin at the level of 250 mg/kg significantly increased the activities of Na⁺, K⁺‐ATPase, alkaline phosphatase, total antioxidative capacity, total superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase and significantly decreased the content of malondialdehyde compared to the control diet. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of lysolecithin could confer benefits of feed utilization, body composition and antioxidative capacity of channel catfish.     

Compensatory growth,feed intake and body composition of Labeo rohita fingerlings following feed deprivation

Ten‐week study was performed on Labeo rohita fingerlings (av. wt. 3.75 ± 0.06 g) to investigate the nature of compensatory growth. Fingerlings were deprived of food for 0 (control), 1 (D1), 2 (D2) or 3 (D3) weeks and refed to satiation for 5 weeks. The feed deprivation was carried out in D3 group on week 3, 4 and 5; D2 group on week 4 and 5; D1 group on week 5, and refeeding of all the groups were started from week 6 onwards. The D1 and D2 groups caught up in body weight with that of control fish within 2 weeks and 4 weeks of refeeding, respectively, but the D3 group had significantly (P < 0.05) lower body weight than the control after 5 weeks of refeeding. Higher growth efficiency was observed in all the feed deprived groups in the 1st week of refeeding only. Feed intake in D1 group became similar with the control after 5 weeks of refeeding, but the D2 and D3 groups were still hyperphagic when the experiment terminated. Thus, compensatory growth was due to hyperphagia and improved growth efficiency. In conclusion, complete compensatory growth was observed in L. rohita fingerlings after feed deprivation of 1 and 2 weeks.