Effects of controlled air exposure on the survival,growth, condition,pathogen loads and refrigerated shelf life of eastern oysters

The benefits of exposing eastern oysters to air during commercial culture have not been well‐characterized. An adjustable longline system (ALS) designed in Australia and recently adopted by the nascent aquaculture industry in the northern Gulf of Mexico, allows growing oysters at any position in the water column and is perfectly suited to study the benefits of air exposure. Four‐month old diploid oysters were deployed in an ALS and divided into three groups: 1) oysters exposed to air daily for 8–12 hr during low tide, 2) oysters exposed to air weekly (~24 hr once a week), and 3) oysters kept subtidally. Oyster mortality and growth rates, Perkinsus marinus load and condition index were then determined every 3 months over 2 years, while refrigerated shelf life and Vibrio vulnificus load were determined in summer and early fall of the second year. Summer mortalities were delayed, P. marinus infection intensities tended to be lower and condition index was significantly higher in oysters exposed to air daily compared with oysters exposed to air weekly or held subtidally. Shell heights of oysters exposed to air daily were lower for most of the study due to a lower growth rate during the initial sampling interval following deployment. No consistent differences were found in V. vulnificus loads or refrigerated shelf lives between the groups. It is recommended that ALS be set so that oysters are kept subtidally fall through spring to promote growth, and exposed to air daily during summer to delay P. marinus proliferation.     

Effects of dietary supplementation of Astragalus membranaceus,Codonopsis pilosula,and Glycyrrhiza uralensis extract mixture on growth performance,haematological parameters and hepatopancreatic performance in juvenile Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

Pacific white shrimp is the major farmed shrimp species in the world. It is known to be very sensitive to the environmental and management changes such as intensification, which is one of the primary necessities to increase shrimp production, but represents a stressful condition, and needs to be managed properly to diminish its negative effects in aquaculture. In this study, juvenile Pacific white shrimp were fed diets supplementing with equal quantities of Astragalus membranaceus, Codonopsis pilosula and Glycyrrhiza uralensis extracts in different concentrations (0, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 g/kg) for 8 weeks. We subsequently estimated the effects of supplemented diets on growth performance, haematological parameters, and histological changes of hepatopancreas. Results revealed that the supplemented mixture had no benefits on growth and survival rate, but had favourable effects on haemocyte count, number of granulocytes, and hemocyanin concentration in the haemolymph (p > 0.05). We observed that R cells and B cells were increased in hepatopancreatic tubules of shrimps fed on supplemented diets. Besides, a diet containing 2.0 g/kg of extract mixture maintained the decreased levels of alanine aminotransferase (p < 0.05) and aspartate aminotransferase (p > 0.05). Among the used concentrations, 2.0 g/kg seemed to be the most suitable concentration.     

The effect of insect meal as a feed ingredient on survival,growth, and metabolic and antioxidant response of juvenile prawn Palaemon adspersus (Rathke, 1837)

For successful prawn aquaculture, feeds should be based on readily consumed ingredients that promote survival and optimal growth performance. This pilot study investigates the rearing of juvenile Baltic prawn Palaemon adspersus. Two feeding trials were carried out for 60 days; both incorporated insect meals, the first one in fishmeal‐based diets, whereas the second one in plant meal ones. Insect meals derived from larvae of Tenebrio molitor (TM), Hermetia illucens (HI) and Musca domestica (MD) were tested as feed ingredients. This study indicated that the inclusion of HI in fishmeal diets resulted in significantly higher growth performance and survival of the prawns, whereas the MD diet led to similarly high growth performance reducing significantly their survival. Growth performance was not affected by the insect inclusion in the plant‐based diets, but survival was higher in the TM and HI inclusion diets. The inclusion of TM and HI resulted in higher protein and energy content of the prawns’ muscle when incorporated in fishmeal and plant meal diets respectively. No significant differences were observed in the activities of hepatopancreas’ amino acid‐catabolizing enzymes. Concluding, the combinations fishmeal–HI and plant meal–TM can be used for the successful rearing of Baltic prawn.     

Hybridization between Haliotis rufescens and Haliotis discus hannai: evaluation of fertilization,larval development,growth and thermal tolerance

Two introduced abalone species are currently produced in Chile, red abalone Haliotis rufescens and Japanese abalone Haliotis discus hannai. However, red abalone accounts for 99% of total production, while the Japanese abalone has not adapted well to Chilean coastal waters. This study reports the hatching, growth and thermal tolerance performance in interspecific hybrids produced between red (R) and Japanese (J) abalone. Our results show that egg age and sperm concentration were critical factors to produce hybrids. The cross R♀ × J♂ showed a fertilization rate of 55.3 ± 3.5% using 20‐min‐old eggs and sperm concentrations of 14 × 10⁶ cells mL^?1, while the reciprocal cross (J♀ × R♂) was not successful. Further, larval development stages were similar in RR, JJ and RJ hybrid abalones. Among the experimental trials, settlement rate varied from 12.3% to 18.6% and final survival from 20.1% to 31.7%, being the RJ hybrid rates intermediate between parental species. The final shell lengths were similar between RR and RJ hybrids, but significantly higher in JJ abalones. In addition, thermal tolerance was ascertained due its pivotal role for the abalone physiology. Thus, RJ hybrids showed the highest HSP70 gene expression and offers new possibilities to expand Chilean abalone production in warm waters zones.     

Reliance on lakes by salmon,trout and charr (Oncorhynchus,Salmo and Salvelinus): An evaluation of spawning habitats,rearing strategies and trophic polymorphisms

Salmonid fishes may reside within or migrate between stream and lake habitats, or undergo anadromous migrations between freshwater and the ocean. While the degree of anadromy of salmonids has been thoroughly compared, no analogous review has examined the degree of lake use. To assess the extent of reliance on lake habitat in this family, we considered 16 species of salmon, trout and charr from the genera Oncorhynchus, Salmo and Salvelinus, comparing their (a) use of lakes as spawning habitat, (b) rearing strategies in lakes, and (c) occurrence and diversity of lacustrine trophic polymorphism. In identifying the primary life‐history patterns of each species and exploring the lesser‐known lacustrine behaviours, we found that the extent of reliance on lakes exhibits a negative association with the degree of anadromy. Oncorhynchus rely least on lakes, Salmo to an intermediate level and Salvelinus the most, opposite of the general prevalence of anadromy among these genera. Lakes are critical to adfluvial and lake‐resident salmonids, but they also support anadromous and fluvial life histories by providing spawning, rearing, overwintering and/or summer refuge habitat. Adfluviality, although a non‐anadromous life history, consists of similar migration‐related traits and behaviours as anadromy, including the parr–smolt transformation, sex‐biased patterns of migration and residency, and the presence of precocious males. Lakes support life‐history variants, reproductive ecotypes and trophic morphs unique to lacustrine habitat. Therefore, conservation of salmonids is dependent on maintaining the diversity and quality of their habitats, including lakes.     

Effects of dietary inclusion of various concentrations of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi extract on growth,body composition,serum chemistry and challenge test of far eastern catfish (Silurus asotus)

Effects of various concentrations of Scutellaria baicalensis (SB) extract in diets on growth, body composition, serum chemistry and disease challenge test of far eastern catfish (Silurus asotus) were determined and compared with a commercially available immune enhancer. Eight experimental diets were prepared in triplicate: control (Con) diet without supplementation of SB and SB‐0.25, SB‐0.5, SB‐1, SB‐2, SB‐3 and SB‐5 diets containing SB at concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 5%, respectively. In addition, 0.1% of a commercial immune enhancer product (CP) was also tested. No significant difference in weight gain of fish was found. Feed consumption, feed efficiency ratio and protein retention of fish were not affected by the experimental diets. At the end of the 8‐week feeding trial, 10 externally normal fish from each tank were infected by Vibrio anguillarum or Strepotococcus iniae. Cumulative mortality of fish fed the Con diet was higher than that of fish fed the all other diets in 10 and 25 days after V. anguillarum or S. iniae infection. Results of this study indicated that dietary inclusion of SB extract was effective in improving survival of eastern catfish after V. anguillarum and S. iniae infection, but the various concentrations of SB did not affect fish performance.     

Pathogenic threats and probiotic use in larviculture of the scallop,Pecten maximus

During a series of experiments, bacteriological elements in scallop larval rearing were investigated: larvae susceptibility to pathogens as a function of their age, and the use of probiotic bacteria during larviculture. Younger larvae (d5 PF) were highly more susceptible to pathogenic‐challenge than their older siblings, which were challenged at an older age (d15 PF). A challenge with 10⁴ CFU mL^?1 of V. pectenicida killed 100% of d5 PF larvae 7 days following challenge, yet killed only 9% of d15 PF larvae 9 days following challenge. Use of the probiotics Phaeobacter gallaeciensis, Alteromonas macleodii 0444 and Neptunomonas sp. 0536, provided for larger larvae, a high yield of competent larvae and, perhaps more importantly, protection against pathogen‐challenge similar to levels achieved from antibiotic use. When challenged with V. pectenicida, d29 survivals were 20.3%, 85.1% and 75.0% respectively for control (no probiotic), antibiotic treated, and ‘probiotic mix’ administered larvae. Use of potential probiotic Pseudoalteromonas sp. D41 appeared to hinder scallop larvae. Future use of probiotics in scallop larval rearing would benefit from combined use of P. gallaeciensis, A. macleodii 0444 and Neptunomonas sp. 0536.     

Effects of dietary marine microalgae,Tetraselmis suecica,on production,gene expression,protein markers and bacterial count of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

The marine flagellated Chlorophyta Tetraselmis suecica is among the most important live food species in marine aquaculture. In the present study, the effects of dietary supplementation of dried marine microalgae, Tetraselmis suecica, on growth performance; feed utilization; chemical composition; gene expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and insulin‐like growth factor 2 (IGF‐II) gene of Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei; muscle protein polymorphism; and microbial count were assessed and evaluated. Three hundred and sixty L. vannamei (postlarvae) Pls (0.124 ± 0.002 g) were randomly stocked into 40‐L glass aquaria (30 shrimp/aquarium) and fed three times daily four tested diets: a basal diet (control), diet incorporated with 2.5 g kg^?1 dried T. suecica (T1), 5 g kg^?1 dried T. suecica (T2) and 7.5 g kg^?1 dried T. suecica (T3) in triplicates, for 90 days. At the end of the trial, the survival rate (SR) of L. vannamei fed diets supplemented with different levels of T. suecica was significantly (p < .05) higher than the control diet. The highest weight gain and specific growth rate and the best feed conversion ratio were recorded on L. vannamei fed a diet supplemented with a 7.5 g/kg dried T. suecica. The highest protein, lipid and ash contents were obtained in L. vannamei fed the diet containing 7.5 g/kg T. suecica, when compared with the remaining tested diets. The gene expression of antioxidant genes SOD and GPx was the lowest in the T3 group in comparison with the control group. Meanwhile, expression level of IGF‐II was higher in the T2 group. The total heterotrophic bacterial count was significantly (p < .05) increased with the cumulative T. suecica level, while no significant (p > .05) differences were found in the total Vibrio count among treatments. Overall, the present results have shown that the diet supplemented with the highest inclusion level of dried T. suecica resulted in improved growth and nutrient utilization.     

Effect of polysaccharides extracts of algae Ulva rigida on growth,antioxidant, immune response and resistance of shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei against Photobacterium damselae

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of water‐soluble polysaccharides extract of algae Ulva rigida (WPU) as dietary supplement on growth performance, antioxidant enzyme activity, lysozyme and phenoloxidase activity, and resistance of shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) subjected to bacterial infection with Photobacterium damselae. Three replicate groups of shrimp (1.0 g) were fed four diets containing four levels, 0 or control, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 g/kg of WPU for 8 weeks over the growth trial. Thereafter, 30 shrimps from each dietary treatment were infected with bacteria P. damselae to evaluate disease resistance of infected shrimp. The results of this study showed that WPU was effective as a growth promoter for L. vannamei. The best growth rate was observed in shrimp fed 1.5 g/kg of WPU diet. Regarding antioxidant defences, the diets supplemented with three levels of WPU stimulated glutathione peroxidase and catalase activates in experimental shrimps. MDA content of L. vannamei‐fed diet containing WPU 1.5 and WPU 1.0 was lower than WPU 0 and WPU 0. 5 diets. Also, lysozyme and phenoloxidase activities of shrimp receiving WPU at 1.0 and 1.5 level were significantly higher than those fed WPU 0 and WPU 0.5 diets. In addition, using WPU extract in all diets decreased mortality in L. vannamei in a dose‐dependent manner after challenge with P. damselae. These results suggest that incorporation of water‐soluble polysaccharides from green algae U. rigida at 1.5 g/kg doses improves growth and antioxidant activity and enhances the immune responses in shrimp L. vannamei.     

Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum and Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) on growth performance,immunity and disease resistance of Pangasius catfish (Pangasius bocourti,Sauvage 1880)

This study evaluated the effects of Jerusalem artichoke (JA) and Lactobacillus plantarum singly or combined on growth, immunity and disease resistance of Pangasius bocourti. In the first experiment, different concentrations of JA (0, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80 and 160 g kg^?1) were administered to determine an optimal concentration on growth of P. bocourti. In the second experiment, the optimal concentration of JA (5 g kg^?1) was combined with 10⁸ cfu g^?1 L. plantarum. In the final experiment, five randomly selected fish from the second experiment were challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila. Treatments for second and third experiments were 0 g kg^?1 JA (Diet 1), 5 g kg^?1 JA (Diet 2), 10⁸ cfu g^?1 L. plantarum (Diet 3) and 5 g kg^?1 JA + 10⁸ cfu g^?1 L. plantarum (Diet 4). Fish fed 5 g kg^?1 JA or 10⁸ cfu g^?1 of L. plantarum significantly improved specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), serum lysozyme activity and postchallenge survival rate (PCSR). Dietary in the combination of JA and L. plantarum showed significantly enhanced SGR, FCR, serum lysozyme, phagocytosis, respiratory burst activities and PCSR compared with control and individual applications. Dietary JA and L. plantarum significantly stimulated growth, immunity and disease resistance of P. bocourti.     

Identification and pathogenicity study of emerging fish pathogens Acinetobacter junii and Acinetobacter pittii recovered from a disease outbreak in Labeo catla (Hamilton, 1822) and Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Valenciennes, 1844) of freshwater wetland in West Bengal,India

The disease outbreaks in aquaculture system of wetlands are the major cause of fish mortality. Among various bacterial septicaemic diseases, fish mortality caused by Acinetobacter spp. is recently reported in different fish species. Fish disease outbreak was investigated in a wetland of West Bengal, India to identify the aetiological factors involved. The moribund fish were examined and subjected to bacterial isolation. Two bacterial causative agents were identified as Acinetobacter junii and Acinetobacter pittii by biochemical characterization and 16S rRNA gene amplification. Both the isolates were oxidase‐negative, nitrate‐negative, catalase‐positive and indole‐negative. The molecular identification using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic tree analysis further confirmed the two Acinetobacter spp. with 97%–99% similarity. The antibiotic resistance patterns of these two bacteria revealed that both of them were resistant to β‐lactam, cefalexin, cephalothin, amoxyclav, cefuroxime, cefadroxil, clindamycin, vancomycin and penicillin. In addition, A. pittii was also resistant to other antibiotics of cephams group such as ceftazidime and cefotaxime. In the challenge experiment, both A. junii and A. pittii were found to be pathogenic with LD₅₀ of 1.24 × 10⁵ and 1.88 × 10⁷ cfu/fish respectively. Histopathological examination of gill, liver and kidney revealed prominent changes supporting bacterial septicaemia. The investigation reports for the first time on concurrent infection by A. junii and multidrug‐resistant (MDR)‐A. pittii as emerging fish pathogens to cause severe mortality in Labeo catla and Hypophthalmichthys molitrix in a freshwater wetland.     

Effects of dietary Leucas aspera levels on growth performance,nutrient utilization,digestive enzymes and physio-metabolic and health status of bagrid catfish,Rita rita (Hamilton, 1822)

The study was to examine the effects of dietary L. aspera on growth performance, physio-metabolic response and health status of Rita rita fish reared in tanks for 60 days. Six experimental diets were formulated containing 0 g/kg, 3 g/kg, 6 g/kg, 9 g/kg and 12 g/kg L. aspera and designated as D0, D3, D6, D9 and D12 respectively. The inclusion of L. aspera at graded levels resulted in significantly varying effects on growth performance where the weight gain (%), specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) were significantly higher (p<0.05) in D6 and D9 groups than others. The protease and amylase activities were elevated in L. aspera supplemented groups than the control group (p<0.05), whereas lactate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase and serum transaminase enzyme activities were significantly reduced with the increasing level of L. aspera and comparatively higher activities of the respective enzymes were found in the control group. The activities of oxidative stress enzymes were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the D9 group and lower in control. The blood glucose level significantly decreased with the increasing level of L. aspera in the experimental diets. The L. aspera supplemented fish had significantly higher liver glycogen, serum protein, albumin and globulin than control group. Red blood cell count was significantly higher (p<0.05) in D6-D12, whereas white blood cell count and haemoglobin content were significantly higher (p<0.05) in D6 and D9 groups. Regression analysis showed that L. aspera at the level of 7.3–7.9 g/kg is optimum for better growth and feed efficiency.     

The effects of elevated pCO2 on growth,shell production and metabolism of cultured juvenile abalone,Haliotis iris

Reduced seawater pH and elevated pCO₂ are important considerations in tank‐based abalone aquaculture, while sea‐based farms may be at risk to ocean acidification reductions in pH. Juvenile Haliotis iris (5–13 and 30–40 mm shell length) were reared in two, 100‐day experiments at ambient pH_nbs (~ 8.1, 450 μatm CO₂), pH 7.8 (~1000 μatm CO₂) and pH 7.6 (~1600 μatm CO₂). Seawater pH was measured and adjusted automatically by bubbling CO₂ into water in replicated flow through tanks. Two separate trials were run, in winter (8.8°C) and summer (16.5°C). Survival and growth were monitored every 30 days, and post experiment measurements of morphometrics and respiration rate undertaken. Growth of shell length and wet weight were negatively affected by reduced pH, with a 2 to 3‐fold reduction in growth of both size classes between ambient and pH 7.6 treatments in the summer experiment. For small juveniles, growth reductions were in conjunction with decreases to shell weight, while large juveniles showed greater resilience in shell production. No changes to respiration rate occurred, suggesting that juveniles may maintain physiological functioning while tolerating dissolution pressure or that they are unable to upregulate metabolism to compensate for pH effects. These data show that CO₂ driven reductions in pH can impact growth, metabolism and biomineralization of abalone, and indicate that water quality and ocean acidification are of importance in aquaculture of the species.     

Effects of native medicinal herbs (Alternanthera sessilis,Eclipta alba and Cissus quadrangularis) on growth performance,digestive enzymes and biochemical constituents of the monsoon river prawn Macrobrachium malcolmsonii

The medicinal herbs such as Alternanthera sessilis, Eclipta alba and Cissus quadrangularis were used to assess the growth promoting ability, enhancement of muscle biochemical constituents and profiles of amino acid in the freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium malcolmsonii. The herbal powders were separately incorporated with basal diet, and these diets were fed to M. malcolmsonii postlarvae for a period of 90 days. At the end of experiments, the survival of prawn significantly improved in herbal incorporated feed. In addition, the growth parameters, such as weight gain, specific growth rate and protein efficiency rate were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in herbal diets fed groups when compared with control. The activities of digestive enzyme, biochemical constituents, profile of amino acid, energy utilization parameters, concentrations of vitamin C and E were significantly (P < 0.05) elevated in experimental diets fed groups when compared with control. The profiles of essential amino acids were also found elevated in herbal incorporated diets fed PL. Among the three herbs tested, C. quadrangularis incorporated diet fed group showed better performance followed by the E. alba and A. sessilis. The present study suggests that these herbs can be incorporated in artificial feed formulations for Macrobrachium culture.     

Effects of Lactobacillus pentosus on the growth performance,digestive enzyme and disease resistance of white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the probiotic properties of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains isolated from digestive tract of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Eighteen LAB colonies were isolated and one bacterium was found capable of producing three extracellular enzymes (protease, cellulose and lipase) simultaneously and exhibited antagonistic activity against shrimp pathogens (Vibrio vulnificus, V. rotiferianus and V. campbellii). The putative probiotic strain AS13 was identified as Lactobacillus pentosus based on 16S rRNA sequencing. The L. vannamei were fed diet containing 0 (control), 10⁶, 10⁷ and 10⁸ CFU g^?1 bacterial cells of AS13 for 28 days. The results showed that supplementation of L. pentosus significantly improved the growth performance and feed utilization in the treated groups over the control. Similarly, digestive enzyme activities were elevated in the intestines of treated groups. Moreover, feeding of supplemented diets containing AS13 significantly reduced the mortality rate caused by pathogenic Vibrio species (V. vulnificus, V. rotiferianus and V. campbellii). Our results indicated L. pentosus AS13 addition at 10⁷ CFU g^?1 can effectively enhance the growth performance, feed utilization, digestive enzymes and disease resistance of L. vannamei in the laboratory condition.