Effect of different culture conditions on the structural diversity of prokaryote communities in the sediment of earth ponds stocked with gilthead seabream Sparus aurata (Linnaeus, 1758)

In this study, we evaluate the use of polymerase chain reaction‐denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR‐DGGE) for monitoring the effect of different aquaculture practices on sediment prokaryote (Archaea and Bacteria) communities. The effect of initial fish (gilthead seabream Sparus aurata) stocking density on the structural diversity of prokaryote communities of earth ponds bottom sediments was evaluated using PCR‐DGGE after a 5 month grow‐out period. An identical approach was used to monitor the effect of supplying different fish feeds [commercial feed (CD) versus an ecofeed (ECO)]. One additional variable was the use of copper sulphate (CuSO₄) as an algicide in some of the experimental rearing tanks. The statistical analyses of prokaryote community profiles showed that the presence of fish in earth ponds significantly influenced the structure of sediment prokaryote communities, when compared with earth ponds without fish, independently of the stocking density. Our results also indicated that the structure of the prokaryote communities of earth ponds supplied with the ECO feed shared a strong similarity with that fed CD. Curiously, the use of CuSO₄ in ponds receiving the ECO feed promoted significant differences on the structural composition of the bacterial community, but not on the archaeal community. DGGE molecular fingerprints are suitable for fast evaluation of new management practices in food‐fish production on earth ponds by monitoring shifts on microbial communities in bottom sediments.     

Bacterial community composition of sediments from a milkfish Chanos chanos Forsskål farm

Bacterial communities in sediments underneath milkfish cages and adjacent off‐cage areas in Bolinao, Lingayen Gulf, West Philippine Sea were characterized using PCR‐denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis to assess influence of the fish farming to the sediments. The sediments in the fish cage (FC) area showed anoxic conditions [redox potential of ?165 to ?213 mV and acid‐volatile sulphide‐sulphur (AVS‐S) of 0.55–1.88 mg g^?1 (dry weight)] compared to the relatively oxic off‐cage area [redox potential of 72–81 mV and AVS‐S of 0.09–0.14 mg g^?1 (dry weight)]. The composition of the microbial populations revealed influence of the fish feed sedimentation with higher dominance of putative sulphate‐reducing bacteria (SRB) in the FC area. Compositions of the bacterial taxa showed dominance of the Bacteroidetes group and Deltaproteobacteria. The results suggest that the fish feeds created a new suitable environment, in which reductive microorganisms such as SRB, ferric‐ion‐reducing bacteria and nitrate‐reducing bacteria can thrive. Organic load from the feed and quantity of its leftover constituents may be the key factors that influence the structure of the bacterial community in the sediments of the milkfish farms.     

Microbial changes occurring at the sediment-water interface in an intensively stocked and fed fish pond

The microbial changes occurring in the upper 1 cm of the solid sediment surface in intensively fed and aerated fish ponds located in northern Israel were examined. The bacterial groups enumerated included: total aerobes, total anaerobes, sulfate and iron reducing bacteria, ammonia and nitrite oxidizing bacteria, acid forming bacteria, and denitrifying bacteria. With the exception of the nitrifying bacteria, large microbial populations were observed in the pond sediment even prior to fish stocking. All the different groups enumerated displayed a rapid change in number during the first 2–8 days following fish stocking, and a subsequent approach toward a steady state. Since both microbial and chemical steady states were approached within a relatively short period of time, it does not appear that these components of the sediment are related to the inhibition of fish growth occurring 50–70 days after fish stocking. While the practice of pond draining and air drying the sediment does oxidize some of the accumulated organic material, it does not appear to affect the resident microbial flora significantly to an extent that could decrease the rate of reestablishment of the microbial community. Therefore, upon establishment of anaerobic conditions a large microbiological community is present capable of mediating the chemical reduction of SO₄^2? to H₂S, or other transformations resulting in products which contribute to fish growth inhibition commonly observed in such intensively stocked and fed fish ponds.     

Effect of three commercial microbial products on bacterial community in a freshwater fish polyculture system

A 30‐day experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of three commercial microbial products, Novozymes Pond Plus, Zhongshui BIO‐AQUA and Effective Microorganisms on bacterial community in polyculture tanks stocked with grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus), gibel carp (Carassius auratus) and silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix). Four treatments were tested. One treatment with no supplementation of the microbial products served as control. In the other three treatments, the microbial products were added at the intervals of 10 days respectively. During the experiment, grass carp and gibel carp were fed with a commercial formulated feed daily. Bacterial count and bacterial composition in water column of the tanks were monitored at the intervals of 3 days, and bacterial composition in sediment was determined at the end of the experiment. Bacterial composition in water column varied with progress of the experiment. Some bacteria from Novozymes Pond Plus and Effective Microorganisms could colonize in the tanks but did not dominate in bacterial community. This study reveals that the competition between the exogenous bacteria and native bacteria might be a factor determining the efficacy of the microbial products in improving water quality.     

The effect of C/N ratio on bacterial community and water quality in a mussel‐fish integrated system

A 30‐day experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of C/N ratio on water quality and bacterial community in an integrated system comprising one molluscan species (pearl mussel Hyriopsis cumingii) and two fish species (gibel carp Carassius gibelio and silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) at five C/N ratios (6, 8, 10, 12 and 14). The mussel and fishes were reared in the experimental tanks (400 L), but gibel carp received formulated feed. Water quality in the experimental tanks was analysed on day 0, 10, 20 and 30, and bacterial community in the water column and sediment was analysed on day 30. Total nitrogen, total phosphorus and total organic carbon accumulated in the tanks over time. Ammonia and nitrite decreased with the increase in C/N ratio. Bacterial community in the water column and sediment changed at the phylum and genus levels with the increase in C/N ratio, and the critical C/N ratio causing a functional shift of bacterial community occurred at 10 in water column and 12 in sediment. The increase in C/N ratio benefited the growth of both potential probiotics and pathogenic bacteria. The high C/N ratio enhanced the bacterial functions of chemoheterotrophy and hydrocarbon degradation, but depressed the functions of nitrification and denitrification in the water column and sediment respectively. This study reveals that the C/N ratio can be used as a tool to manipulate the bacterial community and water quality in the mussel‐fish integrated system.     

近江牡蛎肠道厌氧菌及其产酶能力的研究

为了解近江牡蛎肠道厌氧菌在食饵消化过程中的作用，为微生态饲用添加剂的开发研究打下基础，从近江牡蛎肠道中分离出8株厌氧菌，其中有5株为革兰氏阳性菌。并研究了它们蛋白酶、脂肪酶、淀粉酶、纤维素酶的产酶能力，结果表明仅有3株菌具有产酶能力：2株菌能分泌脂肪酶，1株菌能分泌蛋白酶。由此可见．厌氧菌在分泌消化酶、消化食饵中所起的作用不大。     

Microbial Ecology of the Gastrointestinal Tract of Fish and the Potential Application of Prebiotics and Probiotics in Finfish Aquaculture

Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. The need for enhanced disease resistance, feed efficiency, and growth performance of cultured organisms is substantial for various sectors of this industry. If growth performance and feed efficiency are increased in commercial aquaculture, then the costs of production are likely to be reduced. Also if more fish are able to resist disease and survive until they are of marketable size, the subsequent cost of medication and overall production costs would be reduced drastically. It has been documented in a number of food animals that gastrointestinal microbiota play important roles in affecting the nutrition and health of the host organism. Thus, various means of altering the intestinal microbiota to achieve favorable effects such as enhancing growth, digestion, immunity, and disease resistance of the host organism have been investigated in various terrestrial livestock as well as in humans. Dietary supplementation of prebiotcs, which are classified as non‐digestible food ingredients that beneficially affect the host by stimulating growth and/or activity of a limited number of health‐promoting bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacter spp. in the intestine, while limiting potentially pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria and Escherichia coli, have been reported to favorably affect various terrestrial species; however, such information is extremely limited to date for aquatic organisms. Effects of probiotics, defined as live microbial feed supplements, on gastrointestinal microbiota have been studied in some fishes, but the primary application of microbial manipulations in aquaculture has been to alter the composition of the aquatic medium. In general, the gastrointestinal microbiota of fishes including those produced in aquaculture has been poorly characterized, especially the anaerobic microbiota. Therefore, more detailed studies of the microbial community of cultured fish are needed to potentially enhance the effectiveness of prebiotic and probiotic supplementation. This review summarizes and evaluates current knowledge of intestinal microbial ecology of fishes, the various functions of this intestinal microbial community, and the potential for further application of prebiotics and probiotics in aquaculture.     

Addition of the red macroalgae Turkish Towel Chondracanthus exasperates and taurine improves the performance of alternative plant‐based feeds for juvenile sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria

Turkish Towel Chondracanthus exasperates and taurine were added to alternative plant‐based feeds for juvenile sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria to evaluate the effect of these ingredients, alone or combined, on fish growth, feed intake and efficiency, whole body nutrient composition, and liver histomorphology. Fish growth was significantly increased with the addition of taurine, and to a lesser extent, Turkish Towel to the experimental feeds. Feed efficiency and protein retention were significantly improved with the addition of taurine, but were unaffected by Turkish Towel addition. As expected, whole body taurine content was significantly affected by taurine addition. Increases in whole body lipid were observed with both taurine and Turkish Towel addition, with a significant interaction between the two factors. Liver histomorphology was generally normal; however, histopathologic changes were observed in some fish at the end of the experiment. The occurrence of hepatocellular nuclear pleomorphism and clear cell foci was less among fish that had received the Turkish Towel feeds. The addition of taurine had no effect on the number of fish with a histopathologic change. Overall, results from this study reaffirm taurine supplementation is beneficial to sablefish receiving plant‐based feeds and indicate Turkish Towel may be a promising feed ingredient for this species.     

Influence of fish food and faecal pellets on short‐term oxygen uptake,ammonium flux and acid volatile sulphide accumulation in sediments impacted by fish farming and non‐impacted sediments

Sediment cores were taken from impacted and non‐impacted areas and subjected to different incubations: (i) uninoculated, (ii) inoculated with fish feed and (iii) inoculated with gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) faeces. After inoculation (or not), the cores were incubated for 8 h and the following biogeochemical fluxes were determined: sediment oxygen uptake (SOU), total ammonia nitrogen flux (TAN_f) and the production of acid volatile sulphides (AVS‐S_p). The results showed that the impacted sediments had a more pronounced benthic metabolism than non‐impacted sediments. Correlations between the variables and factorial analysis showed that oxygen consumption caused by the organic enrichment appeared as the trigger for subsequent biogeochemical alterations. The addition of faeces led to proportionally higher benthic rates of SOU, TAN_f and AVS‐S_p than those obtained in the feed incubations. Although the feed is relatively sterile and does not create an oxygen demand until colonized by bacteria, the faeces are already richly colonized with fish gut bacteria and could start to consume oxygen without the lag phase experienced in the incubations with feed. The TAN_f values measured after the addition of feed or faeces seem to be more related to the leaching velocity of TAN than with the benthic flux, given the short incubation time.     

Culture of organic tilapia to market size in periphyton‐based ponds with reduced feed inputs

In fish production under organic standards, only organic feeds and manures can be supplied. The cost of organic pelleted feeds is twice that of regular feeds. To support the organic production of hybrid tilapia [Oreochromis niloticus (L.) ×Oreochromis aureus (Steindachner)], a series of experiments in earthen ponds, to improve natural food production for this fish while reducing costs of added feed, are in progress. To improve natural food production for tilapia, plastic substrates equivalent to 50% of the pond surface were introduced into the water column to induce periphyton growth on them. To reduce costs, the feeding rate on pelleted feed was reduced to 60%. Tilapia growth in these periphyton ponds was then compared with ponds without underwater substrates that received the full feed rate. The polyculture consisted of 90% large (320 g stocking weight) hybrid tilapia and small amounts of other fish, at a total stocking density of 13 800 fish ha^?1, during 87 summer days. The results showed improved nitrification and the development of a large autotrophic periphyton biomass that competed with the phytoplankton in the periphyton ponds, and only a 10% and 15% reduction, respectively, in the tilapia daily and specific growth rates, with 40% feed saving. These results point towards periphyton‐based aquaculture as an appropriate technology for the reduction in production costs, allowing economically viable organic tilapia production.     

Influence of a dietary shift on temporal changes in fat deposition and fatty acid composition of Atlantic salmon post-smolt during the early phase of seawater rearing

The proportion of body fat in farmed fish correlates with the concentration of fat in the feed, and the fatty acid composition of the storage fat usually reflects that of the lipids in the feed. We examined the time course of changes in fatty acid compositions of fillet, viscera and carcass of Atlantic salmon post‐smolt over 14 weeks after transfer from fresh water to seawater. The fish had been fed either high‐(34%) or low‐ (22%) fat feeds based upon either fish or vegetable oils during freshwater rearing. Changes in tissue fat concentrations and fatty acid compositions were studied to assess the extent to which lipid turnover and fatty acid metabolism might contribute to temporal changes in fatty acid profiles. When given a 41% protein, 31% fat, fish oil‐based feed, the tissue fatty acid profiles of salmon fed vegetable oil‐based feeds in fresh water gradually came to resemble those of fish fed the fish oil‐based feed throughout freshwater and seawater rearing. The changes in tissue fatty acid compositions were greatest during the second half of the study, corresponding to the time at which growth rates of the fish were highest (SGRs weeks 0–6, 0.3–0.6% day^?1; weeks 0–14 SGRs > 1% day^?1). As the fish increased in size and body fat increased, their tissue fatty acid compositions seemed to be influenced more by deposition of fatty acids obtained from the feed than by lipid turnover and fatty acid metabolism.     

Impact of polyculture ecosystems of Ctenopharyngodon idellus with Eriocheir sinensis on bacterial communities in the sediments of Dongping Lake in China: Focus on optimization of polyculture modes

This study investigated the influence of polyculture ecosystems of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) and Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) on the bacterial community of sediments in the Lake Dongping in China, using the Illumina HiSeq Sequencing approach. The bacterial community diversity was reduced to different extent due to the polyculture of animals. The bacterial community composition changed significantly among the ecosystems of control (without any animals cultured), G1C1 (with the highest animal biomass: C. idellus, 2 ind/m²; E. sinensis, 1 ind/m²) and G2C2 (with the lowest biomass: C. idellus, 1 ind/m²; E. sinensis, 0.5 ind/m²). Relative abundance increase for sulphide‐oxidizing bacteria and decrease for sulphate‐reducing bacteria were detected with more quantities of fish–crab cultured in ecosystems. Variations in the concentration of sediment sulphate mainly accounted for the shifts of both the bacterial diversity and community composition. Lastly, G2C2 was recommended as the optimal polyculture ecosystem that could be used in the Lake. The results suggested negative impacts of polyculture ecosystems of C. idellus with E. sinensis on the bacterial diversity but positive impacts on the community composition and indicated the role of total biomass of animas in shaping the bacterial community in the sediments of lake ecosystems.     

Zinc gluconate and zinc sulphate as dietary zinc sources for Atlantic salmon

Different chemical forms of essential minerals and trace elements supplemented to feed may show different bioavailability in fish. The present experiment was performed to compare an organic zinc form (Zn-gluconate) with zinc sulphate as dietary zinc sources for Atlantic salmon. Triplicate groups of fish were fed commercial fish meal based diets supplemented with either a low zinc level (50 mg Zn kg⁻¹) or medium zinc level (180 mg Zn kg⁻¹) as zinc gluconate or zinc sulphate for 6 months. Growth, mortality and feed conversion were recorded through the experiment. Fish were sampled initially and every month for zinc status analyses measured as whole-body zinc concentration. After 4 and 6 months, vertebral zinc concentration was measured and serum zinc was analysed at the end of the experiment. There were no differences in growth or mortality during the experiment. The results showed a significant effect of dietary zinc supplementation level on zinc status in fish for both zinc forms. However, there were no differences in zinc status between groups given different zinc forms. In conclusion, the present experiment showed that zinc sulphate and zinc gluconate are equally efficient as zinc supplements in salmon feeds within the concentrations normally found in salmon feed.     

Effects of microbial products and extra carbon on water quality and bacterial community in a fish polyculture system

A 55‐day mesocosm experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of commercial microbial products (Novozymes Pond Protect and Novozymes Pond Plus) and extra carbon (glucose) on water quality and bacterial community in a fish polyculture system. A 2 × 2 layout, including four treatments (non‐supplementation of the microbial products or glucose, adding glucose, adding the microbial products and adding the microbial products and glucose in combination), was established. The microbial products and glucose were added on the 40th day, 46th day and 52th day. Ammonia, nitrite and nitrate reduced in the tanks after glucose addition, while adding the microbial products did not significantly affect ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, reactive phosphate, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, chemical oxygen demand and total organic carbon. Adding the microbial products and glucose affected relative abundance of some bacterial taxa, but did not reshape bacterial community. Non‐positive interactive effect on water quality and bacterial community was detected between the microbial products and glucose. This study reveals that supplementation of the microbial products did not benefit water quality in the fish polyculture system, and glucose addition could reduce ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.     

Ceramic clay reduces the load of organic matter and bacteria in marine fish larval culture tanks

Ceramic clay has been increasingly used to improve contrast and prey detection in tanks for rearing of fish larvae. In contrast to live microalgae or algae pastes, clay increases turbidity without contributing to the organic matter load. In addition, clay may aggregate and sediment organic matter and bacteria, facilitating its removal. Marine larvae are sensitive to infections by opportunistic bacteria. Fish, algae, and live feed increase the microbial carrying capacity of the rearing water which allow exponential growth of bacteria and favor fast-growing opportunists. Reducing substrate levels by replacing microalgae with clay may reduce bacteria proliferation and benefit larvae. We compared the effects of three rearing regimes including live Isochrysis galbana, Nannochloropsis oculata paste, and ceramic clay on the bacterial community, concentration of organic matter, and growth and survival of Atlantic cod larvae (Gadus morhua L.). The application of clay resulted in reduced substrate levels for bacteria in the rearing water compared to the addition of live algae or algae paste. To some extent, clay aggregated and transported organic matter to the bottom of the larval fish tanks, where it could be effectively removed. Fish tanks receiving clay showed a lower abundance of bacteria in the water than tanks added algae paste or live algae. Fish tanks with algae paste showed a higher abundance of bacteria and a higher share of cultivable bacteria and TCBS counts than the other two treatments. Tanks with live algae showed low relative abundances of opportunistic bacteria and TCBS counts in both water and rotifers. Cod larvae in tanks with clay or live algae initiated exponential growth earlier than larvae in tanks with algae paste. Larvae in tanks receiving clay had significantly higher dry weight than larvae in tanks receiving algae paste at day 5 and 20 post hatching. The survival of larvae in the tanks added clay was variable. Two of the three tanks with clay had significantly higher larval survival than the tanks with live algae or algae paste. However, one tank with clay underwent 100% mortality. It is not possible to conclude whether this was related to the use of clay or an incidental development of a harmful microbial community in this tank. The effects of clay addition on larval performance should be studied further. Clay addition appears to be an easy way to reduce bacterial load during early first feeding of marine larvae without compromising the beneficial effects of turbidity.     

Microbial communities associated with early stages of intensively reared orange‐spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides)

The gut microbiota plays key roles in the health and general welfare of fish larvae, the present study characterized the bacterial communities associated with grouper Epinephelus coioides larvae during a period of 22 days post hatch (DPH) in an intensive hatchery using both cultivation‐based and cultivation‐independent approaches. Both approaches confirmed that bacteria were present in the gut of larvae before and after the onset of exogenous feeding, and the number of cultiviable bacteria increased gradually from 2 DPH to 22 DPH. A more complex bacterial profile was present in larvae fed fertilizer oyster eggs for 4 days (8 DPH), probably as a result of the onset of exogenous feeding. Interestingly, similar internal microbiota were observed in larvae fed fertilized oyster eggs for 4 days (8 DPH) and rotifers for 2 weeks (22 DPH), although different microbial communities were present in the two feeds. This might suggest that the gut environment of E. coioides larvae selects for a common microbiota, which is more closely related with the rearing water than the two feeds. Therefore, bacterial community of the rearing water may play a critical role in the establishment of gut microbiota of fish larvae and more attention should be paid to its practical modulation by using probiotics. In addition, some potentially beneficial bacteria, such as Lactococcus spp., were the major components of the microbiota associated with fertilized oyster eggs, while these bacteria were not detected in larvae samples.     

The importance of live‐feed traps – farming marine fish species

This article analyses the challenges of different live‐feed regimes for the rearing of marine finfish larvae and discusses the potential alternative live feeds to avert a future live‐feed trap. Live feeds are indispensable for the successful rearing of larvae of most marine fish species. Brine shrimps (Artemia) and rotifers comprise the live feeds of choice in marine aquaculture today. However, their nutritional composition is deficient in especially essential fatty acids, and enrichment with fish oil is needed. Fish oil is considered a limited resource owing to its origin in fully exploited wild fish stocks. Moreover, fluctuations of the natural population of Artemia will, most likely, influence future availability and prices. This emphasizes the need for optimal exploitation of available live‐feed resources and development of new sustainable alternatives, such as copepods. An array of solutions to these problems are presented to avoid a future live‐feed trap and to reduce dependence on limited resources that influence future production possibilities, species diversification, price volatility and productivity in the aquaculture sector.     

Nutrition in organic aquaculture: an inquiry and a discourse

Organic aquaculture has lagged behind the agriculture sector in terms of the quantities and diversity of certified organic products because of the absence of detailed accepted standards and criteria until recently. The main challenges for organic aquaculture are to improve the coordination between production and market and to achieve an appropriate framework to drive further development. Priorities for research include organic feeds and fish nutrition, consumers’ needs, food safety, environmental concerns and trade issues. In organically cultured fish, differences in feeds and nutrition compared to conventional systems are likely to result in differences in the quality of the flesh, and this is a significant factor in consumer choice. The review covers aspects of current use of eco‐certification, formulated feeds, feed composition, aquafeed technology, sustainable alternatives to common feed ingredients, nutritional physiology and general nutritional principles and product quality in the context of the organic aquaculture. There is a future for the development of organic aquaculture but its success depends on new knowledge and technical development to meet consumers’ growing interest. The industry has to utilize the research results and update and modify the criteria and standards and thus provide high‐quality products.     

Nitrogen budget and fluxes in Colossoma macropomum ponds

This study quantified the accumulation of nitrogen (N) in the water column, sediments, fish and seepage water during a production cycle of Colossoma macropomum. By combining estimates of the deposition rates of uneaten feed, faeces and dead phytoplankton with measurements of N accumulation in the sediment, the rate of decomposition of organic matter in the sediment was estimated. The first‐order rate constant for organic matter decomposition was 0.237±0.019 day^?1. Total N recovery during the first weeks of the experiment was about 65%. Later, the N recovery was close to 100%. The cumulative recovery at the end of the experiment was almost 100%, meaning that the N budget in the system studied can be fully explained without consideration of N volatilization, due to either denitrification or ammonia volatilization. In the beginning of the growth cycle, the major flux of N was sedimentation. Intensive microbial degradation process occurred about 3–4 weeks later, leading to a release of inorganic N and an approach towards a steady state as to the accumulation of organic N. Feed was irregularly applied during the experiment but fish growth was constant, showing that the fish utilized detrital or planktonic feed during periods of low feeding. Nitrogen accumulated in the pond during periods of excessive feeding and was utilized by the fish during periods of low feeding. This cycling should be further studied and may be an important pond management technique.     

Marine microalgae from biorefinery as a potential feed protein source for Atlantic salmon,common carp and whiteleg shrimp

Two marine algal products MAP3 and MAP8 were examined for their suitability as fishmeal protein substitutes in feeds of three prominent farmed species, through short‐term feeding studies. Algal meals were tested at 5 and 10% protein replacement levels for Atlantic salmon and at 25 and 40% for common carp and whiteleg shrimp. At the end of the 12‐week period, the growth and feed performance of the two fish species did not reveal any significant difference between those fish offered the algae‐based feed and those offered the control feed. The whole body proximate compositions of Atlantic salmon fed the control and algae‐based feeds were not significantly different. In common carp, the lipid content in the fish fed higher level of MAP3 was significantly lower than that of the fish fed the control feed. In whiteleg shrimp, at the end of the 9‐week feeding period, growth performance and feed utilization did not differ between the treatment groups. Protein content in the shrimp fed the higher level of MAP8 was significantly lower than that of shrimp on the control feed. The three species could accept the algal meals in their feeds at the tested levels, though there were some noticeable effects on body composition at higher inclusion levels.