Effects of cage netting colour and density on the skin pigmentation and stress response of Australian snapper Pagrus auratus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

The unnaturally dark pigmentation of cultured Australian snapper Pagrus auratus can be improved through dietary astaxanthin supplementation and by holding fish in tanks with a white background. The practical application of these laboratory‐based findings was examined with two experiments to establish if the advantages of transferring fish to light coloured tanks before harvest could be achieved on‐farm using white cages and to determine the effects of fish density on skin colour. For the first experiment, snapper (mean TL=29.7 cm) were transferred from a commercial snapper sea cage to black or white netted cages and fed diets supplemented with unesterified astaxanthin (supplied as Lucantin^® Pink, BASF) at 0 or 39 mg kg^?1 for 42 days. Skin colour was measured using the CIE (black–white), (green–red), (blue–yellow) colour scale. Snapper held in white netting cages became significantly lighter (higher ) than snapper held in black cages; however, values were not as high as previous laboratory‐based studies in which snapper were held in white plastic‐lined cages. Snapper fed astaxanthin displayed significantly greater and values, and total carotenoid concentrations after 42 days. In addition, total carotenoids were higher in fish from black than white cages. The second experiment was designed to investigate whether density reduced the improvements in skin colour achieved by holding fish in white coloured cages and whether cage colour affected stress. Snapper (mean weight=435 g) were acclimated to black cages and fed 39 mg kg^?1 astaxanthin for 44 days before transferring to black or white plastic‐lined cages at 14 (low), 29 (mid) or 45 (high) kg m^?3 for 7 days after which time skin colour, plasma cortisol and plasma glucose concentrations were measured. Skin lightness () was greater in snapper transferred to white plastic‐lined cages with the lightest coloured fish obtained from the lowest density after 7 days. Density had no effect on plasma cortisol or glucose levels after 7 days, although plasma cortisol was elevated in snapper from black cages. For improved skin colouration we recommend feeding unesterified astaxanthin at 39 mg kg^?1 for approximately 6 weeks and transferring snapper to white plastic‐lined cages or similar at low densities for short periods before harvest rather than producing fish in white netting sea cages subject to biofouling.     

Effect of carotenoids and background colour on the skin pigmentation of Australian snapper Pagrus auratus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

Three 2‐factor experiments were conducted to determine the effects of background colour and synthetic carotenoids on the skin colour of Australian snapper Pagrus auratus. Initially, we evaluated the effects on skin colour of supplementing diets for 50 days with 60 mg kg^?1 of either astaxanthin (LP; Lucantin^® Pink), canthaxanthin (LR; Lucantin^® Red), apocarotenoic acid ethyl ester (LY; Lucantin^® Yellow), selected combinations of the above or no carotenoids and holding snapper (mean weight=88 g) in either white or black cages. In a second experiment, all snapper (mean weight=142 g) from Experiment 1 were transferred from black to white, or white to white cages to measure the short‐term effects of cage colour on skin L^*, a^* and b^* colour values. Skin colour was measured after 7 and 14 days, and total carotenoid concentrations were determined after 14 days. Cage colour was the dominant factor affecting the skin lightness of snapper with fish from white cages much lighter than fish from black cages. Diets containing astaxanthin conferred greatest skin pigmentation and there were no differences in redness (a^*) and yellowness (b^*) values between snapper fed 30 or 60 mg astaxanthin kg^?1. Snapper fed astaxanthin in white cages displayed greater skin yellowness than those in black cages. Transferring snapper from black to white cages increased skin lightness but was not as effective as growing snapper in white cages for the entire duration. Snapper fed astaxanthin diets and transferred from black to white cages were less yellow than those transferred from white to white cages despite the improvement in skin lightness (L^*), and the total carotenoid concentration of the skin of fish fed astaxanthin diets was lower in white cages. Diets containing canthaxanthin led to a low level of deposition in the skin while apocarotenoic acid ethyl ester did not alter total skin carotenoid content or skin colour values in snapper. In a third experiment, we examined the effects of dietary astaxanthin (diets had 60 mg astaxanthin kg^?1 or no added carotenoids) and cage colour (black, white, red or blue) on skin colour of snapper (mean weight=88 g) after 50 days. Snapper fed the astaxanthin diet were more yellow when held in red or white cages compared with fish held in black or blue cages despite similar feed intake and growth. The skin lightness (L^* values) was correlated with cage L^* values, with the lightest fish obtained from white cages. The results of this study suggest that snapper should be fed 30 mg astaxanthin kg^?1 in white cages for 50 days to increase lightness and the red colouration prized in Australian markets.     

Effect of cage colour and light environment on the skin colour of Australian snapper Pagrus auratus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

A two‐factor experiment was performed to evaluate the effects of cage colour (black or white 0.5 m³ experiment cages) and light environment (natural sunlight or reduced level of natural sunlight) on the skin colour of darkened Australian snapper. Each treatment was replicated four times and each replicate cage was stocked with five snapper (mean weight=351 g). Snapper exposed to natural sunlight were held in experimental cages located in outdoor tanks. An approximately 70% reduction in natural sunlight (measured as PAR) was established by holding snapper in experimental cages that were housed inside a ‘shade‐house’ enclosure. The skin colour of anaesthetized fish was measured at stocking and after a 2‐, 7‐ and 14‐day exposure using a digital chroma‐meter (Minolta CR‐10) that quantified skin colour according to the L^*a^*b^* colour space. At the conclusion of the experiment, fish were killed in salt water ice slurry and post‐mortem skin colour was quantified after 0.75, 6 and 22 h respectively. In addition to these trials, an ad hoc market appraisal of chilled snapper (mean weight=409 g) that had been held in either white or in black cages was conducted at two local fish markets. Irrespective of the sampling time, skin lightness (L^*) was significantly affected by cage colour (P<0.05), with fish in white cages having much higher L^* values (L^*≈64) than fish held in black cages (L^*≈49). However, the value of L^* was not significantly affected by the light environment or the interaction between cage colour and the light environment. In general, the L^* values of anaesthetized snapper were sustained post mortem, but there were linear reductions in the a^* (red) and b^* (yellow) skin colour values of chilled snapper over time. According to the commercial buyers interviewed, chilled snapper that had been reared for a short period of time in white cages could demand a premium of 10–50% above the prices paid for similar‐sized snapper reared in black cages. Our results demonstrate that short‐term use of white cages can reduce the dark skin colour of farmed snapper, potentially improving the profitability of snapper farming.     

Cage culture of the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) at different stocking densities in a shallow eutrophic lake

Postlarvae of Litopenaeus vannamei were acclimated and stocked in lake-based cages at the following stocking densities: 10, 20, 30 and 40 shrimp m⁻². Another set of shrimp was stocked in concrete tanks as reference samples at 30 shrimp m⁻². Significant differences were observed among stocking densities throughout the 95-day culture. The final weight at harvest decreased with increasing stocking density: mean weights of 23.3, 15.8, 13.0, 10.9 and 14.6 g for the 10, 20, 30, 40 shrimp m⁻² and reference tanks were observed respectively. There were no significant differences in survival throughout the culture period, ranging between 69% and 77%. Daily growth rates (range: 0.11–0.24 g day⁻¹) and specific growth rates (range: 3.54–4.34%) also differed significantly among stocking densities, both increasing with decreasing stocking density. The feed conversion ratio in the cages did not differ among the stocking densities, ranging from 1.53 to 1.65. The relationship between stocking density and mean individual weight at harvest followed the equation y =81.06 x ^−0.54 ( R ²=0.938) and that of stocking density and production (in g m⁻²) is y =58.01 x ^−0.46 ( R ²=0.834).     

Cage colour and post-harvest K+ concentration affect skin colour of Australian snapper Pagrus auratus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

In an attempt to improve post‐harvest skin colour in cultured Australian snapper Pagrus auratus, a two‐factor experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of a short‐term change in cage colour before harvest, followed by immersion in K⁺‐enriched solutions of different concentrations. Snapper supplemented with 39 mg unesterified astaxanthin kg^?1 for 50 days were transferred to black (for 1 day) or white cages (for 1 or 7 days) before euthanasia by immersing fish in seawater ice slurries supplemented with 0, 150, 300, 450 or 600 mmol L^?1 K⁺ for 1 h. Each treatment was replicated with five snapper (mean weight=838 g) held individually within 0.2 m³ cages. L^*, a^* and b^* skin colour values of all fish were measured after removal from K⁺ solutions at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h. After immersion in K⁺ solutions, fish were stored on ice. Both cage colour and K⁺ concentration significantly affected post‐harvest skin colour (P<0.05), and there was no interaction between these factors at any of the measurement times (P>0.05). Conditioning dark‐coloured snapper in white surroundings for 1 day was sufficient to significantly improve skin lightness (L^*) after death. Although there was no difference between skin lightness values for fish held for either 1 or 7 days in white cages at measurement times up to 12 h, fish held in white cages for 7 days had significantly higher L^* values (i.e. they were lighter) after 24 and 48 h of storage on ice than those held only in white cages for 1 day. K⁺ treatment also affected (improved) skin lightness post harvest although not until 24 and 48 h after removal of fish from solutions. Before this time, K⁺ treatment had no effect on skin lightness. Snapper killed by seawater ice slurry darkened (lower L^*) markedly during the first 3 h of storage in contrast with all K⁺ treatments that prevented darkening. After 24 and 48 h of storage on ice, fish exposed to 450 and 600 mmol L^?1 K⁺ were significantly lighter than fish from seawater ice slurries. In addition, skin redness (a^*) and yellowness (b^*) were strongly dependent on K⁺ concentration. The initial decline in response to K⁺ was overcome by a return of a^* and b^* values with time, most likely instigated by a redispersal of erythrosomes in skin erythrophores. Fish killed with 0 mmol L^?1 K⁺ maintained the highest a^* and b^* values after death, but were associated with darker (lower L^*) skin colouration. It is concluded that a combination of conditioning snapper in white surroundings for 1 day before harvest, followed by immersion in seawater ice slurries supplemented with 300–450 mmol L^?1 K⁺ improves skin pigmentation after >24 h of storage on ice.     

Preliminary study on the production of the tilapia, Oreochromis spilurus (Günther), cultured in seawater cages

Abstract. A preliminary study was conducted to assess the performance of the tilapia, Oreochromis spilurus (Günther), cultured in seawater cages at different stocking densities during the nursing and rearing phases. The stocking densities tested were 200, 400 and 600 fish/m³ during the nursing phase and 100, 200, and 300 fish/m³ during the rearing phase.
In both growth phases, no significant differences (P>0.05) were observed among the different stocking densities on the mean individual final weight, daily growth rate, feed conversion ratio and survival rate. Yields in cages stocked with 400 and 600 fish/m³ during the nursing phase, however, were significantly (P<0.05) higher compared with cages stocked with 200 fish/m³. No significant differences (P>0.05) were observed between 400 and 600 fish/m³. A density of 600/m³ is therefore considered to be optimum for the nursing phase.
Yields of cages during the rearing phase increased significantly (P<0.01) with the increase in stocking density. After grading the fish, however, no significant differences (P>0.05) were observed when only fish bigger than 150g were considered. The occurrence of exophthalmia (cataract) was observed in two of the four replicates at the highest stocking density (300 fish/m³) during the rearing stage. Therefore, a stocking density of 200 fish/m³ is considered optimum for the rearing phase.     

Effect of population density on the growth, feed and protein conversion efficiency and biochemical composition of a tropical freshwater catfish, Mystus nemurus (Cuvier & Valenciennes)

Abstract. Six groups of tropical freshwater catfish, Mystus nemurus (Cuvier & Valenciennes)(mean weight. 20·45 ± l·5g), were reared in 0·34m³ fibreglass tanks at different stocking densities (105, 195, 285, 375, 465 and 555 specimens/m³ water) for 84 days. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of various stocking densities on the growth, nutrition, biochemical composition and survival of M. nemurus. The lowest growth rate appeared in fish at the highest density and the highest was observed in fish stocked in moderate density of 285 and 375 fish/m³ water. Fish production was also lower at relatively low stocking densities of 105 and 195 fish/m³. Food conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and biochemical composition of M. nemurus indicate that there exists an optimum stocking density which lies between 285 and 375 fish/m³.     

Effects of tank color on the growth,stress responses,and skin color of snakeskin gourami (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichogaster pectoralis</Emphasis>)

The effects of tank color on the growth, stress responses, and skin color of snakeskin gourami (Trichogaster pectoralis) were investigated in this study. Fish with initial body weights of 5.03±0.00 g were reared in five experimental tank colors (white, red, green, blue, and black) for 8 weeks. Each tank color was tested in triplicate with an initial stocking density of 15 fish per tank. Fish were fed with commercial sinking pellets at 4% of the average body weight per day. Growth performance, feed utilization efficiency, stress indicators (hematocrit, blood glucose, plasma cortisol levels), and skin color parameters were investigated. The fish reared in blue tanks had a significantly higher average final body weight (9.73?±?0.14 g) and significantly lower average feed conversion ratio (3.42?±?0.12) than the fish reared in black tanks (P?<?0.05). The fish reared in black tanks exhibited higher average hematocrit (36.63?±?1.11%), blood glucose (48.33?±?1.45 mg dL^?1), and plasma cortisol (9.00?±?0.56 μg dL^?1) levels than those reared in the other tank colors. However, the blood glucose levels in only the fish reared in black tanks were significantly higher than those in the fish reared in the other tank colors. The fish skin color ranged from very pale (high skin lightness) in the white tanks to very dark (low skin lightness) in the black tanks, and 80% of the variation in skin lightness were explained by the tank lightness. The use of a blue tank resulted in normal skin color; hence, blue tanks will not affect the customer acceptance of the fish. Our study revealed that blue is the most appropriate tank color for culturing snakeskin gourami.     

Genetic characterization of Portuguese brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) and comparison with other European populations

Abstract– Allozyme and other protein loci were examined to study the genetic structure of Portuguese brown trout ( Salmo trutta ) populations. A total of 247 individuals from three tributaries of the Lima hydrological basin and a hatchery, all located in northern Portugal, were analyzed. Four of 22 protein coding loci were found to be polymorphic: CK-A1^*, GPI-A2^*, MPI-2^* and TF^*. A new allelc at the latter locus was found in Atlantic populations. The data obtained for Portuguese brown trout were compared with published data for 14 European populations and three hatchery stocks. Six polymorphic loci (CK-A1^*, GPI-A2^*, GPI-B2^*, LDH-C^*, ME^* and MPI-2^*) were used in a cluster analysis. This showed the similarity of Portuguese natural populations and northern Iberian populations and that Portuguese hatchery fish have an autochthonous origin, distinct from that of other Atlantic hatchery stocks.     

Overwintering tilapia, Oreochromis spilurus (Günther), fingerlings using warm underground sea water

Abstract.
The study was conducted to develop guidelines for high-density overwintering of tilapia in tanks using warm underground sea water. Seawater-acclimated fish of 20 g were stocked in 36 tanks at 250, 500 and 750/m³. Water flow was regulated at 0.1 and 0.2 l/kg fish/min. Fish were fed at the rates of 0.75% and 1.0% of biomass per day.
After 135 culture days, the mean individual weight gain and specific growth rate decreased, whereas feed conversion increased significantly ( P <0.0001) with the increase in stocking density. The condition factor at 500 and 750 fish/m³ was significantly lower ( P <0.0005) than at 250 fish/m³. However, stocking density had no significant effect on the survival rate. Significantly better specific growth rate, condition factor and feed conversion were observed at a water flow rate of 0.2 l/kg fish/min than at 01 l/kg fish/min. Significantly higher mean individual weight gain, specific growth rate, and survival rate were observed at 1.0%/day than at the 0.75%/day feeding rate. The findings indicate that the optimum stocking density for overwintering tilapia in tanks using warm underground sea water is 750 fish/m³ with a water flow rate of 0.1 l/kg fish/min and a feeding rate of 0.75%/day.     

Survival and movement of hatchery-reared red snapper on artificial habitats in the northern Gulf of Mexico

Abstract  Hatchery-reared age-0 red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus (Poey), were released onto artificial habitats in the Gulf of Mexico. Fish showed 12.7% survival after 7 months on small habitats (0.86 m³) and 3.1% survival after 8 months on large habitats (3.9 m³). Emigration was estimated by the movement of fish to unstocked habitats and accounted for 76.8% of the total decline in abundance at release sites after 26 days. Fish showed higher survival and growth rates on small habitats (27.6% at 26 days; 0.33 mm day⁻¹) compared with large habitats (13.2% at 34 days; 0.26 mm day⁻¹), which may have been due to increased predation and competition on large habitats. Fish became evenly distributed among adjacent habitats 26 days after release, indicating that stocking densities at release habitats were above carrying capacities. These observations suggested that providing additional habitat around red snapper release sites would increase survival.     

Culture of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), at three stocking densities in outdoor concrete tanks using drainage water

Abstract. Effects of stocking density on water quality and on the growth, survival and food conversion of Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus) were evaluated. Fingerlings of tilapia (average weight 40.25 ± 94 g) were stocked in six 3.75-m³ concrete tanks at 16, 32 and 42.6/m³ and reared for 164 days. A water flow rate of 1 l/min/kg fish biomass was maintained in all the tanks. The growth rate was inversely related to stocking density with mean weights of 337.25g, 327.0g and 323.5g at the low, medium and high densities respectively. At harvest, standing crop biomass averaged 5.36 kg, 10.44kg and 13.24kg for the three densities. The respective food conversion ratios (FCR) were 1.85, 1.88 and 1.95, while the survival rates were 99.2, 99.6 and 95.9%. However, the survival rate, growth rate and food conversion efficiencies were not significantly different at the three stocking densities. Water quality did not deteriorate in different tanks as the oxygen was continuously replenished and metabolites and waste products removed by the water flowing through the tanks. These data suggest that culture of tilapia at a density of 42.6/m³ and production of 13.24 kg/m³ in 164 days with a production of 18–20 kg/m³ in a growing season (April-October) of 210 days is possible using the drainage water in flow-through water systems.     

Physiological responses of juvenile wedge sole Dicologoglossa cuneata (Moreau) to high stocking density

Physiological responses to a high stocking density were tested in juvenile wedge sole Dicologoglossa cuneata (Moreau). Fish were kept at low (1 kg m⁻²), medium (3 kg m⁻²) and high (9 kg m⁻²) stocking densities for 22 days. No differences in the weight, length, survival and hepatosomatic index were observed among treatments. Basal plasma cortisol and osmolality were found to be directly and positively related to stocking density. A mild increase in plasma glucose was seen at medium density, and plasma protein was elevated at medium and high densities. The liver glucose and glycogen content was inversely related to stocking density. The liver triglyceride level was significantly elevated at the highest density, and the α-amino acid content decreased at the highest density. In muscle, glucose levels were significantly higher in fish kept at the lowest density; the α-amino acid content was elevated in fish kept at high density. In conclusion, plasma cortisol levels indicated an increasing stress level depending on the culture density, but significant changes in energy reserves did not occur in tissue (mainly liver and muscle glycogen and glucose reserves were significantly affected).     

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.     

Effects of Diffused Aeration and Stocking Density on Growth, Feed Conversion, and Production of Florida Red Tilapia in Cages

The effects of four levels of diffused aeration (0, 6, 12, and 24 hours/day) and two stocking densities (400 and 600 fish/m³) on the culture performance of caged Florida red tilapia were evaluated in 1 m³ cages in a 2 ha watershed pond on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Fish obtained a nutritionally-complete (36% protein), floating feed from demand feeders for 143 to 146 days. Diffused aeration had no significant ( P > 0.05) effect on fish growth, survival, feed conversion, and production in cages. Combined across all levels of diffused aeration, fish stocked at 400/cage had a greater growth rate (2.21 vs. 1.97 g/day), larger final body weight (370 vs. 335 g), and a lower feed conversion ratio (1.69 vs. 1.80) than fish stocked at 600/cage ( P < 0.05). The final biomass of fish stocked at the higher density (181 kg/m³) was greater than at the lower density (140 kg/m³). The enhancement of water exchange rates by diffused aeration did not increase tilapia growth rate or production in cages.     

An experimental investigation on aspects of infectious salmon anaemia virus (ISAV) infection dynamics in seawater Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.

This study investigated infection dynamics of infectious salmon anaemia virus (ISAV) by conducting two experiments to examine minimum infective dose and viral shedding of ISAV. In terms of minimum infective dose, the high variability between replicate tanks and the relatively slow spread of infection through the population at 1 × 10¹ TCID₅₀ mL⁻¹ indicated this dose is approaching the minimum infective dose for ISAV in seawater salmon populations. A novel qPCR assay incorporating an influenza virus control standard with each seawater sample was developed that enabled the quantity of ISAV shed from infected populations to be estimated in values equivalent to viral titres. Viral shedding was first detected at 7 days post-challenge (5.8 × 10⁻² TCID₅₀ mL⁻¹ kg⁻¹) and rose to levels above the minimum infective dose (4.2 × 10¹ TCID₅₀ mL⁻¹ kg⁻¹) on day 11 post-challenge, 2 days before mortalities in ISAV inoculated fish started. These results clearly demonstrate that a large viral shedding event occurs before death. Viral titres peaked at 7.0 × 10¹ TCID₅₀ mL⁻¹ kg⁻¹ 15 days post-infection. These data provide important information relevant to the management of ISA.     

Continuous exposure to infectious pancreatic necrosis virus during early life stages of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)

Rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), were exposed continuously to infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) at 0, 10¹, 10³ or 10⁵ plaque forming units (pfu) L⁻¹ of water to estimate the effects of chronic IPNV exposure on early life stages. Fish density averaged 35 fish L⁻¹ (low density) or 140 fish L⁻¹ (high density), and the tank flow rate was 250 mL⁻¹ min. Virus exposure began at 6 days before hatch and continued until fish were 44 days old. Cumulative per cent mortality, analysis of survival and hazard functions, and discrete-time event analysis were used to explore the patterns of survival and mortality. In eggs and fish exposed to IPNV, mortality significantly greater than in the 0 pfu L⁻¹ exposure did not occur until IPNV concentration was 10⁵ pfu L⁻¹ at low fish density and 10³ pfu IPNV L⁻¹ at high fish density. These results suggest that in the natural aquatic environment, where rainbow trout densities are likely to be considerably lower than in this study, mortality resulting from infection with IPNV will very likely not occur when ambient concentrations of virus are ≤10³ pfu IPNV L⁻¹. In aquaculture rearing units, trout density is likely to be as high or higher than the densities used in this study. Therefore, continuous inputs of virus at concentrations greater than 10¹ pfu L⁻¹ may result in IPN epidemics in aquaculture facilities.     

Effects of dietary astaxanthin source and light manipulation on the skin colour of Australian snapper Pagrus auratus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

Two experiments were conducted with Australian snapper Pagrus auratus (Bloch and Schneider, 1801). The first was aimed at determining the dietary level of astaxanthin that improved skin redness (CIE a^*values) of farm‐reared snapper. Farmed snapper (ca. 600 g) fed a commercial diet without carotenoids were moved to indoor tanks and fed the same diet supplemented with 0, 36 or 72 mg astaxanthin kg^?1 (unesterified form as Carophyll Pink?) for nine weeks. Skin redness (CIE a^* values) continued to decrease over time in fish fed the diet without astaxanthin. Snapper fed the diet containing 72 mg astaxanthin kg^?1 were significantly more red than fish fed the diet with 36 mg astaxanthin kg^?1 three weeks after feeding, but skin redness was similar in both groups of fish after 6 and 9 weeks. The second experiment was designed to investigate the interactive effects of dietary astaxanthin source (unesterified form as Carophyll Pink? or esterified form as NatuRose?; 60 mg astaxanthin kg^?1) and degree of shading (0%, 50% and 95% shading from incident radiation) on skin colour (CIE L^*a^*b^*) and skin and fillet astaxanthin content of farmed snapper (ca. 800 g) held in 1 m³ floating cages. After 116 days, there were no significant interactions between dietary treatment and degree of shading for L^*, a^* or b^* skin colour values or the concentration of astaxanthin in the skin. Negligible amounts of astaxanthin were recovered from fillet samples. The addition of shade covers significantly increased skin lightness (L^*), possibly by reducing the effect of melanism in the skin, but there was no difference between the lightness of fish held under either 50% or 95% shade cover (P>0.05).     

Determining the optimum doses of Kurasan (ethoxiquinolin) and butylhydroxytoluol (BHT) in dry pellets: effect of both anti-oxidants on some haematological and condition parameters of rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson

Abstract. Kurasan and BHT were tested at doses of 100, 200 and 400mg kg^-1 incorporated in dry pellets. The administration of these antioxidants did not influence the red blood count of rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson, at body weights of 100 to 400g, reared in flow-through tanks at water temperatures of 7 to 13°C and in cage culture at water temperatures of 15 to 2O°C. In laboratory experiments at a water temperature of 14°C, the highest Kurasan dose increased the red blood cell (RBC) count insignificantly by 14% (1.06 vs 0.93 10¹²1^-1) after 80 days, haematocrit (PCV) was increased by 27% (0.410 vs 0.32511^-1), and haemoglobin (Hb) by 16% (72 vs 62gl^-1), This was seen in the cage culture experiment, but not in the experiments in the flow-through tanks. A trend of diminishing haematological parameters of the red blood count and total blood serum protein (TP) of the fish fed with BHT-stabilized diet was recorded only under laboratory conditions at the water temperature 9°C, The decline of RBC count in the experimental group with 0.04% BHT represented 14% (0.90 vs 1.05 10¹²1^-1), the decline in PCV amounted to 18% (0.328 vs 0.39811^-1), Hb to 17% (57 vs 69g 1^-1), and TP to 11% (39 vs 44g 1^-1).     

The infectivity by different routes of exposure and shedding rates of Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., held in sea water

Abstract. The infectivity of the bacterial fish pathogen Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida to Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., in sea water was investigated and found to be similar to that reported for fresh water. The minimal infective dose in short duration bath exposures (1–3 days) was 10⁴ colony-forming units (cfu) per ml, while prolonged exposure for three weeks, but not for 1 week, produced infection with 10² cfu/ml. Intragastric intubation of A. salmonicida established infection with doses of >10⁵ cfu. Release of bacteria from dead or morbid infected fish was monitored and found to be in the order of 10⁵–10⁸ cfu/fish/h. These results emphasize the importance of removing dead fish from farm sites.