The effect of feeding on oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion of juvenile tench Tinca tinca (L.) reared in a water recirculating system

The effect of feeding frequency (one, three, and continuous feeding), feed ration (0.2, 0.5, 0.8% of total fish biomass), and feeding per se on the oxygen consumption (OC, mg O₂ kg⁻¹ h⁻¹) and ammonia excretion (AE, mg TAN kg⁻¹ h⁻¹) of juvenile tench (body weight 15–19 g) and variations in these parameters in daily cycles were examined. Fish metabolism was studied in a recirculating system (rearing tanks of 0.2 m³, water temperature 23 °C). It was found that oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion depended significantly on feed ration. An increase of feed ration from 0.2 to 0.8% of fish biomass caused an increase of OC and AE from 126.80 mg O₂ kg⁻¹ h⁻¹ and 1.95 mg TAN kg⁻¹ h⁻¹ to 187.35 mg O₂ kg⁻¹ h⁻¹ and 8.80 mg TAN kg⁻¹ h⁻¹ (p<0.05). There was no dependence between feeding frequency and the mean rate of oxygen consumption. However, the relationship between feeding frequency and ammonia excretion by juvenile tench was statistically significant (p<0.05). Feeding frequency significantly affected daily fluctuations of AE and OC. It was found that diurnal variations in metabolic rates were strictly related to tench feeding, and the daily variations of AE were significantly higher than OC.     

Influence of diet and feeding strategy on the performance of nitrifying trickling filter,oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) raised in recirculating aquaculture systems

Gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) was raised in six individual recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) whose biofilters’ performance was analyzed. Fish were fed with three different diets (a control diet, a fishmeal-based diet (FM), and a plant meal-based diet (VM)) and with three different feeding strategies (manual feeding to apparent satiation, automatic feeding with restricted ration, and auto-demand feeding). For every combination of diet and feeding strategy, the mean oxygen consumption, ammonia excretion, and ammonia removal rate were determined. Fish fed with the VM diet consumed the most oxygen (20.06?±?1.80 gO₂ consumed kg^?1 day^?1). There were significant differences in ammonia excretion depending on the protein content and protein efficiency of the diet, as well as depending on feeding strategy, which in turn affected ammonia removal rates. Fish fed by auto-demand feeders led to the highest mean ammonia removal rate (0.10 gN-TAN removed m^?2 biofiltration area day^?1), while not leading to peaks of high ammonia concentration in water, which preserve fish welfare and growth.

     

Protein and Energy Metabolism of European Seabass (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Dicentrarchus labrax</Emphasis>) Juveniles and Estimation of Maintenance Requirements

The present work aimed to study metabolic utilization of energy and protein by juvenile European seabass reared at 25 °C and to estimate maintenance requirements, based on indirect calorimetry and nitrogen excretion measurements. Duplicate groups of fish (IBW = 22 g) were fed a practical diet, for 28 days, at ration levels of 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 1.5% of body weight. At the end of this period, oxygen consumption and ammonia nitrogen excretion were measured in fed and unfed fish. Weight gain linearly increased with ration level. Feed efficiency significantly increased with nitrogen intake up to 0.68 g N/kg/day. Nitrogen retention (% N intake) was positive at all feeding levels, being maximum at 0.5% BW and then decreased with increasing ration levels. There was negative energy balance at the lowest ration level and significantly increased at higher ration levels. Daily oxygen consumption (g/kg body mass) and ammonia excretion (mg N–NH₄/kg body mass) significantly increased with ration level. Heat production and heat increment of feeding (kJ/kg/day) remained low at low ration levels and significantly increased as ration level increased from 0.5 to 1.5% BW. Below maintenance, protein energy represented 34% of total energy expenditure and significantly increased to 49–56% above maintenance. Based on indirect calorimetry and ammonia excretion data, maintenance energy and protein requirements were estimated to be 56.8 kJ DE/kg/day and 1.15 g DP/kg/day, respectively. The efficiencies of energy and protein utilization were estimated to be 0.83 and 0.66, respectively.     

Effects of feeding frequency, moist and dry feeds on the growth of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus Lacépède and on pond water quality

To examine the effects of different feeding frequencies, moist and dry feeds on the growth of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus Lacépède and on water quality of freshwater ponds, two experiments were conducted. In one experiment, fish stocked at the same densities were subjected to three different feeding regimes using equal quantities of feed. Water quality was monitored and fish growth in the different treatments was compared. To determine the effects of moist and dry feeds, fish growth and water quality in one set of ponds fed with 5% body weight of dry feed were compared to those in another set of ponds stocked at the same rate but fed with 5% body weight of moist feed. Feeding once a day produced the greatest weight gain but fish fed once on alternate days had the best feed conversion, which was associated with pond water that had the highest dissolved oxygen. This suggests that feeding once on alternate days could be adopted as a strategy for feeding fish under unfavourable conditions. Water quality of ponds holding fish fed dry feed was better than that of ponds holding fish fed moist feed, as indicated by oxygen, carbon dioxide and ammonia contents. A highly significant difference in growth (P < 0.01) was found between fish fed moist and dry with feeds: fish performed better when fed with dry feeds.     

Oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion of black carp (Mylopharyngdon piceus Richardson) and allogynogenetic crucian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio ♀?×?Cyprinus carpio ♂) fed different carbohydrate diets

Oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion of black carp (Mylopharyngdon piceus Richardson) (4.6 ± 0.3 g) and allogynogenetic crucian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio ♀ × Cyprinus carpio ♂) (5.7 ± 0.5 g) were examined when fish fed two types of carbohydrate (dextrin and glucose) at two levels (20 and 40%) each. The diets were isonitrogenous (40% dry matter) and isocaloric at 18.5 kJ g⁻¹ (dry matter) by adjusting the oil content to 10.1 and 1.5%, respectively. In black carp, the interactions between the carbohydrate type and level were found in oxygen consumption at 3 and 6 h and in ammonia excretion at 6 h after feeding. At 20% carbohydrate, no significant difference was observed between dextrin and glucose in oxygen consumption. However, at 40% carbohydrate, oxygen consumption in fish fed glucose was significantly higher than that in fish fed dextrin at 3 and 6 h after feeding. Within the dextrin diets, no significant differences in both oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion were detected between the two carbohydrate levels. Within the glucose diets, however, fish fed 40% glucose showed significantly higher oxygen consumption than those fed 20% glucose at 3 and 6 h after feeding. Ammonia excretion in black carp fed 40% glucose was higher than that in black carp fed 40% dextrin at 6 h and also found higher than those in the other three treatments at 24 h after feeding. The postprandial oxygen consumption and the ammonia excretion in crucian carp fed 40% glucose were the highest, but no significant differences were observed. Our data indicate that the escalation of glucose to 40% in a fish diet results in high oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion in black carp, suggesting that the efficiency of glucose as an energy source for this fish is compromised by the high metabolic expenditure after feeding. Crucian carp, on the other hand, have a better ability to cope with dietary carbohydrates.     

溶氧水平对黄颡鱼稚鱼摄食、生长及呼吸代谢的影响

在(28±0.5)℃循环水环境中设置4种溶氧水平,分别为2.92 mg/L(G1组)、4.71 mg/L(G2组)、6.77 mg/L(G3组)、9.68 mg/L(G4组),研究初始体重为(1.62±0.02)g的黄颡鱼(Pelteobagrus fulvidracoR.)稚鱼的生长、摄食及呼吸代谢规律。结果显示:G3组特定生长率(SGR)、饲料效率(FE)均显著高于其它各试验组(P<0.05)。试验鱼的耗氧率、排氨率与溶氧水平无正相关性,G3组的耗氧率、排氨率始终显著高于其它三组。第6周测定发现:摄食后1~4 h内耗氧率和排氨率均呈现迅速上升,到达最大值后再缓慢下降,二者均在09∶00和21∶00出现高峰,G3组的耗氧率高峰值分别为0.345、0.331 mg/g.h,G3组的排氨率高峰值分别为24.194、17.770μg/g.h。结果表明:不同溶氧条件下,黄颡鱼稚鱼的耗氧率、排氨率变化过程具有类似的特征,二者在能量代谢机制上相互关联;在6.77 mg/L的溶氧水平下,黄颡鱼稚鱼生长最快、呼吸代谢最为旺盛。     

Nitrogen excretion and absorption efficiencies of white steenbras, Lithognathus lithognathus CuvieSparidae, under experimental culture conditions

The various components of the nitrogen budget of white steenbras,Lithognathus lithognathus Cuvier (Sparidae), were determined under experimental culture conditions. A simple closed system respirometer was used where experiments were conducted to investigate faecal prodution, nitrogen excretion rates and absorption efficiencies at 16C and 20C. Faecal loss, as a percentage of the ingested nitrogen, amounted to 3.59%. Gross, carbon and nitrogen absorption efficiencies ranged from 8 6 to 9 8 % and were not significantly affected by fish size, ration size or temperature (P < 0.05). Net protein utilization (NPU) and the biological value (BV) ranged from 78 to95%. Ammonia and urea constituted 77.93 and 10.07%, respectively, of the total exogenous nitrogen excretion, the balance being made up of other dissolved organic nitrogen (DON). Endogenous ammonia excretion rates were significantly greater in small fish compared to large fish (P < 0.05). Total non-faecal losses as a percentage of the ingested ration amounted to 21.86%. Fish size and ration size increased nitrogen excretion, but temperature had no effect. Maintenance rations were 7.55 mg g-¹ dry weight day-¹ (0.76%dry body weight) and 5.99 mgg-¹ (0.60% dry body weight) for small and large fish, respectively. The high absorption efficiencies and high nitrogen indicated that white steenbras utilize the commercial trout pellet diet very efficiently.     

Effect of feeding time on dietary protein utilization and growth of juvenile Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis)

The present study aimed to determine the effect of feeding time on growth and nitrogen excretion in juvenile sole. An 84‐day growth trial was conducted, in which food was supplied to three triplicate groups of juvenile Senegalese sole (3 g wet weight) at different schedules – diurnal, nocturnal and mixed. At the end of the growth trial, ammonia and urea excretion was assessed during a 24 h cycle. Improved growth (1.3% vs. 0.9% day^?1, specific growth rate), higher nitrogen retention (0.35 vs. 0.27 g N kg^?1 day^?1), lower ammonia excretion (209 vs. 272 mg N‐NH₄ kg^?1 day^?1) and lower total nitrogen excretion (278 vs. 352 mg N kg^?1 day^?1) were found in daytime‐fed fish compared with night‐fed fish. Fish in the mixed feeding regime showed intermediate values of ammonia and total nitrogen excretion, but did not differ from day‐fed fish regarding the other parameters. Results indicate that juvenile sole at a period of their life cycle appear to use more efficiently dietary protein for somatic growth under a diurnal than under a nocturnal feeding regime. This suggest that at least during a time‐window in the juvenile rearing a diurnal feeding regime might be more effective in the production of this species.     

Influence of stocking density on growth of juvenile red porgy Pagrus pagrus L. under different feeding conditions

The influence of stocking density and feeding regime on the growth of red porgy was studied during winter and spring 1997. Fish were held in 500-L tanks at densities of either 50 or 100 fish per tank, and were fed by means of self-feeders under 6 h restricted (day or night) or free-access feeding regimes. Fish were tagged individually, and weight gain was recorded by individual weighing every second week over an 8-week period during each season. In winter, growth was influenced by feeding time. Fish tended to grow best when fed without restriction and worst when fed at night, although differences were not significant when tank means were compared. Stocking density was influential in the spring trial. Fish stocked at low density and feeding freely grew better than high-density fish that fed either freely or at night. The division of fish into three size classes revealed that, within each treatment, no differences occurred among classes, but growth of fish belonging to the same class was influenced by rearing conditions. No significant differences were found among feeding regimes in terms of the coefficients of weight variation ratio (CV_f:CV_i) and feed efficiency.     

Effect of dietary protein and lipid level on metabolic utilization of diets by european sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles

Two trials were performed with sea bass juveniles to study the effect of dietary protein (trial I) and lipid (trial II) levels on the metabolic utilization of diets at 25 °C. The effect of water temperature (18 and 25 °C) on metabolism was also tested in trial I. For that purpose, oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion were measured both in fed and in 9-days starved fish. In trial I, diets were formulated to be isoenergetic (GE: 19.4 kJ g^–1) and to have 36, 42, 48 and 56% protein; in trial II, diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous (48% protein) and to have 12, 18, 24 and 30% lipid. In trial I, feed intake (g kg^–1 day^–1), and daily ammonia excretion and oxygen consumption significantly increased with water temperature. However, when expressed relatively to intake there was no significant effect of temperature on ammonia excretion (% N intake) or heat production (% GE intake). Heat increment of feeding (% GE intake) was neither affected by diet composition nor by water temperature. The relative contribution of protein catabolism to total energy expenditure significantly increased with dietary protein level, but was not affected by water temperature. In trial II, both daily ammonia excretion and oxygen consumption were inversely correlated to dietary lipid levels. Nitrogen excretion, heat production, heat increment of feeding, non-fecal losses (% intake) and the relative contribution of protein to total energy expenditure were also inversely related to dietary lipid levels. Results of this study indicate that the main effect of water temperature was to modify feed intake, not the metabolic utilization of diets. Indeed, expressed relatively to nitrogen or energy intakes, both nitrogen and energy budgets were not significantly affected by water temperature. A decrease of dietary protein to energy ratio, by modifying either dietary protein or lipid levels, spared protein utilization for metabolism, and this effect was essentially due to a decrease of non-fecal nitrogen excretion and of the heat increment of feeding.     

Restricted and Satiate Feeding of Two Genetically Isolated Strains of Juvenile Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus Reared on 28% and 32% Protein Diets

A 10-wk growth comparison trial of two strains of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus was conducted in 40 120-L flow-through aquaria using a 2 ± 2 × 2 factorial experiment design. The three factors evaluated were: strain (Norris and NWAC103), dietary protein level (28% and 32%), and feeding rate (restricted and satiate). Average initial weight (× SD) for the Norris strain was 3.0 ± 0.08 g/fish, while that of the NWAC103 strain was 4.7 ± 0.13 g/fish. The feeding rate for the satiated group was adjusted based on feeding observations. The feeding rate for the restricted group was adjusted to about ²/₃ of the satiate level. For both satiate and restricted feeding regimens, the NWAC103 strain consumed more feed than the Norris strain. Fish of Norris strain fed the 32% protein diet consumed more feed than fish fed the 28% protein diet; however, there were no differences in feed consumption in the NWAC103 fish fed the two protein diets. Regardless of feeding rate, the NWAC103 fish gained more weight and converted feed more efficiently than the Norris fish. Fillet composition was not affected by fish strain. Fish fed the 28% protein diet had a lower level of fillet protein than fish fed the 32% protein diet. In fish fed to satiation, a 32% protein diet resulted in a lower fillet fat level than a 28% protein diet, but no differences were observed in fillet fat levels between fish fed the two dietary protein levels for the restricted group. Results from the present study demonstrate that under laboratory conditions, the NWAC103 strain of channel catfish is superior to Norris strain in feed consumption, growth rate, and feed efficiency. Our data also indicate that either a 28% or 32% protein diet can be fed to either strain of channel catfish whether they are fed to satiation or fed a restricted ration with no detrimental effects on growth.     

Effects of Dietary Protein and Feeding Rate on Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus Production, Composition of Gain, Processing Yield, and Water Quality

A 2 ± 4 factorial experiment was conducted to examine effects of dietary protein level (28, 32, 36, and 40%) and feeding rate (satiation or ± 90 kg/ha per d) on production characteristics, processing yield, body composition, and water quality for pond-raised channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. Fingerling channel catfish with a mean weight of 64 g/fish were stocked into 40 0.04-ha ponds at a rate of 17,290 fish/ha. Fish were fed once daily to apparent satiation or at a rate of ± 90 kg/ha per d for 134 d during the growing season. Dietary protein concentration had no effect on feed consumption, weight gain, feed conversion, survival, aeration time, or on fillet moisture, protein, and fat levels. Fish fed to satiation consumed more feed, gained more weight, had a higher feed conversion, and required more aeration time than fish fed a restricted ration. Visceral fat decreased, and fillet yield increased as dietary protein concentration increased to 36%. Carcass yield was lower for fish fed a diet containing 28% protein. Increasing feeding rate increased visceral fat but had no major effect on carcass, fillet, and nugget yields. Fish fed to satiation contained less moisture and more fat in the fillets that those fed a restricted ration. Nitrogenous waste compounds were generally higher where the fish were fed the higher protein diets. Although there was a significant interaction in pond water chemical oxygen demand between dietary protein and feeding rate, generally ponds in the satiation feeding group had higher chemical oxygen demand than ponds in the restricted feeding group. There was a trend that pond water total phosphorus levels were slightly elevated in the satiation feeding group compared to the restricted feeding group. However, pond water soluble reactive phosphorus and chlorophyll-a were not affected by either diet or feeding rate. Results from the present study indicate that a 28% protein diet provides the same level of channel catfish production as a 40% protein diet even when diet is restricted to 90 kg/ha per d. Although there was an increase in nitrogenous wastes in ponds where fish were fed high protein diets, there was little effect on fish production. The long term effects of using high protein diets on water quality are still unclear. Feeding to less than satiety may be beneficial in improving feed efficiency and water quality.     

Effects of Feeding Frequency and Handling on Growth and Mortality of Cultured Walking Catfish Clarias fuscus

Two experiments were conducted to study the effects of feeding frequency on growth, and of handling stress on growth and mortality, in intensive tank culture of the walking catfish Clarias fuscus . In the first experiment, fish were grown from an initial weight of 37 g for 34 d. A fixed ration of 3.0% body weight per day was divided into either 1, 2, or 3 feedings per day, and fish were either handled weekly or left unhandled for the entire experiment. Fish given 3 feedings per day experienced 19% faster growth ( P < 0.05) than fish given the same ration in a single feeding per day. These differences in growth reflect differences in assimilation efficiency, assuming all other metabolic costs were constant among treatments. Handling of individuals caused decreased growth; however, there was no effect on mortality.
In the second experiment, fish were grown from an initial weight of 78 g for 29 d. Fish were fed either 1 or 2 satiation feedings per day and were either handled weekly or left unhandled for the entire experiment. Fish fed 2 satiation feedings per day experienced 47% faster growth ( P < 0.05) than fish fed 1 satiation feeding per day, which was assumed to reflect a higher level of food consumption. No effect of handling on either growth or mortality was observed for fish in experiment 2. Multiple meals per day also reduced depensatory growth among individuals in both experiments.     

Effect of feeding level on feed losses and feed utilization of soya and fish meal diets in Colossoma macropomum (Cuvier)

Juvenile, 1-g Colossoma macropomum (Cuvier) were fed two different diets: one with fish meal and another with soya meal as the main dietary protein source. Both diets were provided at ad libitum feeding level, and at two restricted feeding levels of ～ 80% and 60% of the ad libitum level. The experiment was performed in 30 aquaria, each stocked with 12 fish. For each treatment (two diets X three feeding levels), there were five replicates. Fish were fed three times daily at 0900, 1300 and 1700 h. At sampling days (days 14, 29, 44) in each aquarium in one of these feedings, chromic-oxide-marked feed was used. Shortly after the last meal, fish were weighed and four fish were taken from each aquarium for determination of the chromic oxide content in their digestive tract. Fish fed the fish meal diet attained a higher weight but had a lower body protein content. At the ad libitum feeding level, feed intake of the fish meal diet was higher, but feed and protein utilization efficiency were lower than with the soya diet. However, statistical analysis of the data of both the ad libitum and the two restricted feeding levels revealed that the reduced voluntary feed intake of the soya diet was the cause of its better utilization with ad libitum feeding. There is no evidence that soya protein is more freely available than fish meal protein. The chromic oxide data showed that 15 min after feeding, all of the feed (99.8%) could be traced back in fish fed the lowest feeding level, while at the ad libitum feeding level the recovery was only 72%. These data confirmed the hypothesis that at high feeding levels, considerable amounts of feed remain uneaten. Feed losses were not significantly different between the two diets. The chromic oxide recovery data of the 0900 h and 1300 h feedings showed that the feed passage rate in the digestive tract was similar for the three different feeding levels. Due to the high feed losses at high feeding levels, the relation between feed ration and feed utilization is determined mainly by the percentage of feed losses at the different feed rations.     

Effect of Dietary Protein Concentration and Feeding Rate on Weight Gain,Feed Efficiency,and Body Composition of Pond-Raised Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus1

Two experiments were conducted in earthen ponds to evaluate the effect of dietary protein concentration and feeding rate on weight gain, feed efficiency, and body composition of channel catfish. In Experiment 1, two dietary protein concentrations (28% or 32%) and four feeding rates (≤ 90. ≤ 112, ≤ 135 kg/ha per d, or satiation) were used in a factorial arrangement. Channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus fingerlings (average size: 27 g/fish) were stocked into 0.04-ha ponds at a rate of 24,700 fish/ha. Fish were fed once daily at the predetermined maximum feeding rates for 282 d (two growing seasons). In Experiment 2, three dietary protein concentrations (24, 28, or 32%) and two feeding rates (≤ 135 kg/ha per d or satiation) were used. Channel catfish (average size: 373 g/fish) were stocked into 0.04-ha ponds at a rate of 17,300 fish/ha. Fish were fed once daily for 155 d. In both experiments, five ponds were used for each dietary treatment. Results from Experiment 1 showed no differences in total feed fed, feed consumption per fish, weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), or survival between fish fed diets containing 28% and 32% protein diets. As maximum feeding rate increased, total feed fed, feed consumption per fish, and weight gain increased. There were no differences in total feed fed, feed consumption per fish, or weight gain between fish fed at ≤ 135 kg/ha per d and those fed to satiation. Fish fed the 28% protein diet had a lower percentage carcass dressout and higher percentage visceral fat than fish fed the 32% protein diet. Dietary protein concentrations of 28% or 32% had no effect on fillet protein, fat, moisture, and ash. Feeding rate did not affect FCR, survival, percentage carcass dressout, or fillet composition, except fillet fat. As feeding rate increased, percentage visceral fat increased. Fish fed at ≤ 90 kg/ha per d had a lower percentage fillet fat than fish fed at higher feeding rates. In Experiment 2, dietary protein concentration or maximum feeding rate did not affect total feed fed, feed consumption per fish, weight gain, FCR, or survival of channel catfish. Feeding rate had no effect on percentage carcass dressout and visceral fat, or fillet composition. This was due to the similar feed consumption by the fish fed at the two feeding rates. Fish fed the 24% protein diet had lower carcass dressout, higher visceral fat and fillet fat than those fed the 28% or 32% protein diet. Results from the present study indicate that both 28% and 32% protein diets provide satisfactory fish production, dressed yield, and body composition characteristics for pond-raised channel catfish fed a maximum rate of 90 kg/ha per d or ahove.     

Energy balance of juvenile <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinus carpio</Emphasis> after a short-term exposure to sublethal water-borne cadmium

Stress in fish can be assessed by means of a bioenergetic approach, based on the evaluation of changes in their physiological parameters. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of sublethal water-borne cadmium (Cd) on the energetic balance of juvenile Cyprinus carpio under laboratory conditions after a short-term exposure. Fish were exposed to a concentration of Cd (0.15 mg Cd l⁻¹) for 2 weeks. This concentration is environmentally realistic since it is usually found, even at higher values, in heavily polluted periurban water bodies of Argentina. No mortality was recorded among the animals used in the experiments. Food intake, food assimilation and assimilation efficiency, fecal production, liver glycogen content, oxygen consumption, oxygen extraction efficiency, specific metabolic rate, ammonia excretion and ammonia quotient (AQ), condition factor, and liver somatic index were determined. The overall balance was expressed as the scope for growth (SFG). The morphological indices and the liver glycogen content of Cd-exposed fish showed no significant differences when compared to those of controls. There was a significant decrease in the food intake, fecal production, and food assimilation rates as well as in AQ; the SFG exhibited a highly significant decrease. The remaining parameters (assimilation efficiency, oxygen consumption, oxygen extraction efficiency, specific metabolic rate, and ammonia excretion) increased after the exposure to Cd. We concluded that the sub-chronic exposure of Cyprinus carpio to a sublethal concentration of Cd causes important alterations in the energy-related homeostasis of fish. Most of the responses are indicative of physiological adaptations to compensate an increased energy requirement due to the impairments caused by the metal.     

Effects of anaesthetics on the water parameters in a simulated transport experiment of platyfish, Xiphophorus maculatus (Günther)

An experiment was carried out to study the effects of anaesthetics (2-phenoxyethanol, quinaldine sulphate, metomedate and MS-222) on water parameters during simulated air transport of platyfish. Xiphophorus maculatus (Günther). The platyfish were put in sealed plastic bags, one-quarter full of water, to which a required amount of anaesthetic was added. The rest of the bag was filled with oxygen. The water in the bag was tested for pH. total ammonia and carbon dioxide at intervals of 4 and 8 h for a period of 48 h. Mortality rates within this period and the post-packaging period were also noted. It was found that 2-phertoxyethanol was most effective, followed by quinaldine sulphate, in decreasing the excretion of metabolic wastes by the fish. Metomidate had no effect in the control of waste production. MS-222 reduced ammonia excretion but not carbon dioxide. None of the anaesthetics used had any effect on the pH of the water.     

Effect of Time of Feeding on Growth of Channel Catfish1

Channel catfish fingerlings were stocked into 16 0.04-ha ponds at a rate of 24,700 fish/ha on 5 May 1992. Four replicate ponds were used for each of the following treatments: 1) fed once daily at 0830h; 2) fed once daily at 1600h; 3) fed once daily at 2000h; and 4) fed on demand using demand feeders. Fish on the first three treatments were fed to satiation. All fish were harvested 145d after stocking. Results from this study showed that when channel catfish raised in ponds were fed once daily to satiation, time of feeding had no significant impact on water quality, feed consumption, feed conversion, weight gain, or body proximate composition. Fish fed on demand consumed more feed than fish fed once daily to satiation, but difference in weight gain was not significant. These data indicated that feeding time may not be critical for channel catfish production as long as fish are fed when dissolved oxygen is sufficient. Although feeding at night was not detrimental in this study, night feeding is not recommended on large ponds unless sufficient aeration is available to quickly provide oxygen in an emergency—and even then it would be problematic.     

Gastrointestinal and metabolic effects of feeding schedule on voluntary feed intake and growth of European eel, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anguilla anguilla</Emphasis>

Gastrointestinal and metabolic influences on short- and medium-term control of voluntary feed intake of European eel were investigated for groups of fish fed at different feeding schedules: 1 meal 2 days⁻¹, 1 meal day⁻¹, 2 meals day⁻¹ and continuous feeding for 12 h and 24 h daily. For fish fed daily, the feeding schedule had no effect on feed intake, metabolism, growth, size variation and body composition. Only fish fed once every 2 days could not completely compensate by increasing their average meal size and showed a reduced feed intake, metabolism and growth. Stomach capacity did not limit meal size and feed intake as large differences in appetite were found for eels with empty stomachs. Feed intake was related to metabolism as the levels of O₂ consumption and NH₄ excretion just before the meal were correlated to average meal size, suggesting that rate (and duration) of metabolism is sensed and is providing information about the metabolic consequences of feed intake and feed processing. Meal size is based on the (expected) scope for metabolism and eels seem to strive to an average daily feed intake, associated with their developmental state (growth potential). Plasticity in this feed intake behaviour, expressed by individual variation in feed intake and day-to-day fluctuations in individual and group intake, is regarded as adaptive on different time scales.     

Nitrogenous excretion in juvenile turbot, Scophthalmus maximus (L.), under controlled conditions

Laboratory experiments on juvenile turbot. Scophthalmus maximus (L.), were carried out under controlled temperature (12°C) and feeding regimes in a flow-through system. Monitoring of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) and urea nitrogen (Urea-N) was performed through continuous sampling of the effluent sea water. The effects of ingested nitrogen levels on TAN and Urea-N daily and hourly excretion rates were studied. Strong relationships were found between ingested nitrogen, and both TAN and Urea-N excretion for both daily and hourly maximum excretion rates. Turbot showed a low metabolic activity, confirmed by low excretion levels. Daily patterns for TAN and Urea-N production were different, suggesting specific physiological phenomenon for urea excretion mechanisms. The question of whether turbot are partly ureotelic or ureogenic is underlined.