Effect of protein levels on growth, feed utilization, nitrogen and energy budget in juvenile southern flounder, Paralichthys lethostigma

A feeding trial with five crude protein levels (549, 513, 472, 445 and 399 g kg^?1) was conducted to investigate the optimum protein level in diets of juvenile southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma). Budgets of nitrogen and energy were discussed. Fish (initial weight 32.9 ± 0.5 g fish^?1, mean ± SD) were fed the experimental diets to satiation twice daily for 61 days. Protein levels affected specific growth rate in wet weight (SGR_W) and protein (SGR_P) significantly. SGR_W and SGR_P were highest at 512.5 g kg^?1 protein level. SGR_W was positively correlated to growth nitrogen (GN), growth energy (GE), nitrogen digestibility, energy digestibility, amount of digestible nitrogen and amount of digestible energy. Faecal nitrogen (FN) and faecal energy (FE) were affected significantly with trends contrary to SGR_W. The nitrogen budget was described by the equation 100CN = 2.1FN + 34.4UN + 63.5GN (CN, nitrogen intake; UN, excretion nitrogen). The energy budget was 100IE = 4.04FE +3.32UE + 54.35GE + 38.30ME (IE, gross energy intake; UE, excretion energy; ME, metabolizable energy). The average proportion of GE and ME in assimilated energy (AE) was described by the equation 100AE = 58.65GE + 41.35ME.     

Effects of Salinity on Growth and Energy Budget of Juvenile Cobia,Rachycentron canadum

The effects of salinity on the growth and energy budget of juvenile cobia, Rachycentron canadum, were evaluated. Triplicate tanks with ten fish per tank (initial weight 17.58 ± 0.26 g/fish, mean ± SD) reared at salinities of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 ppt were fed with fresh squid to satiety for 15 d. Results indicated that there were no significant differences in daily ration level in wet weight (RL_w), dry weight (RL_d), and energy (RL_e) of the fish. There were also no significant variations in daily fecal production (f_e) and apparent digestibility coefficient of energy (ADC_e) among salinity treatments. Specific growth rates (SGRs) in wet weight (SGR_w), dry weight (SGR_d), and energy (SGR_e) showed domed curves relative to salinity. Quadratic regression analyses of SGR_w, SGR_d, and SGR_e against salinity indicated that the optimal salinity for maximal growth of juvenile cobia was 29.9, 29.9, and 28.5 ppt, respectively. Similar to the trend of SGR, food conversion efficiency for juvenile cobia in wet weight (FCE_w), dry weight (FCE_d), and energy (FCE_e) increased with the increases in salinity, maximized at 30 ppt, and then decreased when salinity reached 35 ppt.     

笼具形状对选育合浦珠母贝幼贝生长的影响

2011年8月,以海南三亚亲贝(♀)×广东徐闻亲贝(♂)构建的第一代选育合浦珠母贝(Pinctadafucata)群体为材料,研究长方形、圆柱形和半球形笼具形状在不同水深对合浦珠母贝幼贝(平均壳长1.4 cm)生长的影响。结果表明,长方形笼具在4 m水深时,幼贝的壳高和体重增长率最大,分别为24.55%和6.44%,显著高于其它水层(P<0.01);半球形笼具在3 m水深时,幼贝壳高和体重增长速度最大,分别为22.55%和5.40%,与其它水深的差异极显著(P<0.01);圆柱形笼具在6 m水深时,壳高和体重增长最快,增长率分别为22.46%和5.37%,显著高于3、5、7 m水深组(P<0.01),而与其余深度组差异不显著。此外,圆柱形笼具的高对合浦珠母贝的生长也有影响,在3 m水层20 cm高的圆柱形笼具中贝壳高和体重增长速度最大(增长率分别为24.70%和6.20%),与5、10、15 cm高度组差异显著(P<0.05);而长方形笼具虽然10 cm高的笼具较好,但与其它各实验组差异并不显著(P>0.05)。综合来看,合浦珠母贝在3～4 m水层用半径11.5 cm、高20 cm的圆柱形笼具或20 cm(长)×12 cm(宽)×10 cm(高)的长方形笼具养殖效果较好。但在制作成本方面,圆柱形笼具的成本低于长方形笼具。     

Mortality of salmonids cultured at low temperature in sea water

Brook trout, rainbow trout, and Atlantic salmon were acclimated to sea water (30‰ S) and placed during autumn in floating cages in a concrete tide pool. The salmon (mean length ca 26 cm in mid-October) grew about 2 cm before they stopped feeding in December. The brook trout (19 cm) and rainbow trout (21 cm) grew little, if any, during December. Feeding by the rainbow trout and salmon continued until temperature fell below 1°C. The brook trout fed little, if any, during December while temperature fell from 4 to 1°C. Brook trout, particularly the mature individuals, had high mortality rates from the time they were put into sea water. Blood plasma osmolalities indicated that brook trout, but not the other species, were under severe osmotic stress in sea water. Most of the fish (all three species) died in a 4-day period during early January when the water cooled to ?0.7 to ?0.8°C. A temperature of ?0.7°C is a reasonable approximation of the lower lethal temperature for these salmonids at 30‰ salinity. Based on our observations, it is not practicable to hold the above species in sea water which is likely to get colder than 1°C because of poor growth and the risk of mortality.     

Effects of dietary protein level on growth,feed utilization and digestive enzyme activity of the Chinese mitten crab,Eriocheir sinensis

A feeding trial was conducted using isoenergetic practical diets to evaluate the effects of the dietary protein level on growth performance, feed utilization and digestive enzyme activity of the Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis. Four experimental diets were formulated containing 250, 300, 350 and 400 g kg^?1 protein and 16 kJ g^?1 gross energy. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of juvenile crab with mean initial body weight 3.56 ± 0.16 g and mean shell width 15.31 ± 0.06 mm. Juvenile crab were reared in indoor flow‐through system consisting of 12 plastic tanks (1.0 m × 0.6 m × 0.5 m) and fed diets twice daily at 6–8% of body weight for 12 weeks. Performance was judged on the basis of growth (specific growth rate of weight, SGR_G; specific growth rate of shell width, SGR_SW), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER). A decreased FCR was observed with increasing dietary protein levels. Both SGR_G and SGR_SW significantly increased with increasing dietary protein levels up to 350 g kg^?1, whereas there were no significant differences for protein levels from 350–400 g kg^?1. Application of broken line regression analysis to SGR_G provided an estimate of 347.8 g kg^?1 dietary protein for maximal growth. The highest PER was observed in crab fed the diet containing 350 g kg^?1 protein (P < 0.05). The percent survival was not affected (P > 0.05) by the different dietary treatments. No significant differences were observed in the apparent digestibility coefficients of crude lipid and dry matter among dietary treatments (P > 0.05). However, the apparent digestibility coefficients of crude protein and energy in crab fed different protein levels significantly increased with increasing dietary protein level (P < 0.05). Both amylase and protease activities in the intestine of E. sinensis were studied. The amylase activity decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with increased dietary protein level and protease activity increased. Regression analysis showed a negative effect of inclusion of dietary protein level on amylase activity (P < 0.05). However, protease activities were found to be positively correlated (P < 0.05) with dietary protein level. The protein content of the crab significantly increased with dietary protein levels up to 350 g kg^?1 (P < 0.05), but no significant differences (P > 0.05) were founded with protein levels higher than 350 g kg^?1.     

Verification of ploidy level in sturgeon larvae

Chromosome preparations and assay of the microsatellite locus Afu‐68 were used to determine ploidy in Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baeri Brandt) and F₁ hybrids of Siberian sturgeon and Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedti Brandt). The chromosome number and microsatellite locus Afu‐68 were compared and these analyses were used for identification of ‘haploid’, ‘diploid’ and ‘triploid’ progeny of the studied cross of A. baeri× (A. baeri×A. gueldenstaedti).     

Differential growth of the brown mussel,Perna perna (Linnaeus, 1758), in longline and pole cultures in Dakhla Bay (SW Morocco,Atlantic Ocean)

There is a great interest in establishing mussel farming in Dakhla bay. Selection of suitable sites is more meaningful only if a reliable culture method at proposed site is included. We compared two different culture methods, longline and pole, over 1 year (June 2016 to June 2017). Growth indicators for Perna perna (size and weight growth rates, frequency distributions and estimating growth curves) were analysed from seeding to harvest. The results highlighted the influence of culture method on growth rates of mussels (p < 0.05). At harvest, individuals reared on longline presented higher growth rates and consequently reached greater weight and length values than those reared on pole. Mussels reared at the longline grew 73.2 mm and gained 53.5 g W_L (live weight) and 3.3 g W_t (tissue dry weight) after 12 months of cultivation. However, mussels cultured at the pole gained only 52.3 mm, 26.7 g W_L and 1.6 g W_t. Aerial exposure of mussels at low tides could explain this reduced performance on pole compared with longline. Size frequency distributions at harvest fitted bimodal distribution in both cultures due to an asymmetric competition among individuals. Effect of density started in both treatments after 7 months of culture when mussels reached 60–70 mm, implying an increment of their food and space requirements. To prevent overcrowding, the initial density should have been reduced through “thinning‐out.” The longline method exhibited high‐performance growth and hence is highly recommended for cultivation of P. perna in Dakhla bay.     

Effect of temperature on growth and energy budget of juvenile cobia (Rachycentron canadum)

Growth and energy budget of juvenile cobia (initial body weight ∼ 22 g) at various temperatures (23, 27, 31 and 35 °C) were investigated in this study. Maximal ration level (RL_max, %/day) increased as temperature (T, °C) increased from 23 °C to 31 °C but decreased at 35 °C, described as a quadratic equation: RL_max = −0.023T² + 1.495T − 17.52. Faecal production (f, mg g^− 1 day^− 1) increased with increased temperature (T, °C), described as a power function: lnf = 0.738lnT − 0.806. As temperature increased, feed absorption efficiency in dry weight (FAE_d, %), protein (FAE_p, %) and energy (FAE_e, %) all increased first and then decreased, but the variation of feed absorption efficiency was small, with ranges of 89.59-91.08%, 92.91-94.71%, 93.92-95.32%, respectively. Specific growth rate in wet weight (SGR_w, %/day), dry weight (SGR_d, %/day), protein (SGR_p, %/day) and energy (SGR_e, %/day) showed a domed curve relative to temperature (T, °C), described as quadratic equations: SGR_w = − 0.068T² + 3.878T − 50.53, SGR_d = − 0.079T² + 4.536T −59.64, SGR_p = − 0.084T² + 4.783T − 63.08 and SGR_e = − 0.082T² + 4.654T − 60.99, and SGR_w, SGR_d, SGR_p and SGR_e maximized at 28.5 °C, 28.6 °C, 28.4 °C, 28.5 °C, respectively, as calculated from the regression equations. The relationships between feed conversion efficiency in wet weight (FCE_w, %), dry weight (FCE_d, %), protein (FCE_p, %), energy (FCE_e, %) and temperature (T, °C) also took on a domed curve described as quadratic equations: FCE_w = − 0.726T² + 39.71T − 473.8, FCE_d = − 0.276T² + 15.31T − 190.6, FCE_p = − 0.397T² + 22.05T − 277.9 and FCE_e = − 0.350T² + 19.39T − 239.9, and FCE_w, FCE_d, FCE_p and FCE_e maximized at 27.4 °C, 27.8 °C, 27.7 °C and 27.7 °C, respectively, as calculated from the regression equations. Energy budget of juvenile cobia fed satiation was 100C = 5F + 67(U + R) + 28G at water temperature 27 °C and 100C = 5F + 70(U + R) + 25G at water temperature 31 °C, where C is food energy, F is faeces energy, (U + R) is excretion energy and metabolism energy, and G is growth energy.     

Temperature‐dependent feed requirements in farmed blue mussels (Mytilus edulis L.) estimated from soft tissue growth and oxygen consumption and ammonia‐N excretion

Feed requirements were estimated from specific growth rates in standardized soft tissue dry weight (SGR_DW’) and atomic O:N ratios for mussels fed seven rations of microalgae (5–735 μg C h^?1 ind^?1) at 7 and 14°C respectively. The mean oxygen consumption and ammonia‐N excretion rates were significantly higher at 14°C (0.29 μg O² and 27.3 μg N ind^?1 h¹) compared with those at 7°C (0.16 μg O² and 11.4 μg N ind^?1 h^?1) (P < 0.05), resulting in O:N ratios between 3 and 45 at 7°C and 7 and 28 at 14°C. Low O:N ratios indicate protein catabolism and an unfavourable condition, whereas high ratios indicate that carbohydrate is the primary energy source. The measured SGR_DW’ suggests minimum feed requirements of ~240 and ~570 μg C ind^?1 h^?1 for weight maintenance at 7 and 14°C, with corresponding O:N ratios of 24 and 16, respectively, indicating a more stressed condition at 14°C. A 0.5% SGR_DW’ day^?1 was obtained by ~565 (O:N = 29) and ~680 (O:N = 23) μg C ind^?1 h^?1 at 7 and 14°C respectively. A positive and significantly higher SGR_DW’, with the lowest feed ration at 7°C compared with a negative SGR_DW’ at 14°C (P < 0.05), indicated that storage time can also possibly be prolonged at low temperatures if the mussels are not fed.     

A Growth Assessment of Juvenile Abalone Haliotis laevigata Fed Enriched Macroalgae Ulva rigida

The experiment was conducted to assess the growth of juvenile greenlip abalone Haliotis laevigata fed a range of Ulva rigida diets with different nitrogen contents and an artificial pelleted diet. The minimal nutrient concentration resulting in significant enrichment of U. rigida was 2.25 mg N l^?1. The maximum nitrogen content obtained by U. rigida in this study was 6.099%, which resulted from an inorganic nutrient concentration of 7 mg N l^?1. However, no further significant increase in enrichment occurred from nutrient concentrations of 10 and 15 mg N l^?1. Abalone specific growth rate in shell length (SGR_L) and wet weight (SGR_W) and foot muscle yield were significantly higher for abalone fed the artificial diet compared to those fed any U. rigida diet. Abalone fed U. rigida enriched in less than 15 mg N l^?1 had similar growth rates compared to abalone fed unenriched U. rigida. Abalone fed the artificial diet contributed a higher percentage of weight gain into the valuable foot muscle. The foot muscle moisture content of abalone fed the artificial diet was significantly lower than that of abalone fed any U. rigida diet. The conclusions reached by this study should assist Australian abalone producers in assessing the potential benefits of using U. rigida as an effluent biofilter and subsequent food source for the commercially important juvenile greenlip abalone.     

不同投喂率和投喂频率对大杂交鲟幼鱼生长、体成分和生化指标的影响

为探讨大杂交鲟(Huso dauricus♀×Acipenser schrenckii♂)适宜投喂率和投喂频率,本实验分别设计了5个投喂率(0.4%、0.8%、1.2%、1.6%和2.0%)和5个投喂频率(1次/d、2次/d、3次/d、4次/d和5次/d),研究不同投喂率和投喂频率对大杂交鲟生长、体成分和生化指标的影响。投喂率实验中鱼初重(335.87±0.82)g,投喂频率实验中鱼初重(334.77±1.06)g,养殖周期为10周。结果表明,随着投喂率升高,实验鱼增重率、特定生长率、肝体比、脏体比、肥满度,肌肉粗蛋白、粗脂肪和肝粗脂肪含量显著升高(P0.05),血清谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶和胃蛋白酶活性均显著升高(P0.05);饲料效率、全鱼和肌肉水分含量均显著降低(P0.05);全鱼粗脂肪含量,血清总蛋白、白蛋白和高密度脂蛋白胆固醇含量,肠脂肪酶活性呈先升高后降低趋势(P0.05)。随着投喂频率增加,实验鱼增重率、特定生长率和饲料效率无显著差异(P0.05);1次/d投喂频率组脏体比、肥满度和全鱼粗脂肪含量显著低于其他各组(P0.05),2次/d投喂频率组全鱼粗蛋白含量显著高于其他各组(P0.05)。不同投喂频率对实验鱼除血清葡萄糖含量以外的其他血清生化指标和胃肠消化酶活性或含量均无显著影响(P0.05)。综合以上结果认为,在300～600g大杂交鲟的养殖过程中日投喂率在1.2%～1.6%,投喂频率为2次/d比较适宜。     

Effects of body size and water temperature on food consumption and growth in the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) with special reference to aestivation

To investigate the effects of body size and water temperature on feeding and growth in the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka), the maximum rate of food consumption in terms of energy (C_maxe; J day^?1) and the specific growth rate in terms of energy (SGRe; % day^?1) in animals of three body sizes (mean±SE) – large (134.0±3.5 g), medium (73.6±2.2 g) and small (36.5±1.2 g) – were determined at water temperatures of 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30°C. Maximum rate of food consumption in terms of energy increased and SGRe decreased with increasing body weight at 10, 15 and 20°C. This trend, however, was not apparent at 25 and 30°C, which could be influenced by aestivation. High water temperatures (above 20°C) were disadvantageous to feeding and growth of this animal; SGRe of A. japonicus during aestivation was negative. The optimum temperatures for food consumption and for growth were similar and were between 14 and 15°C, and body size seemed to have a slight effect on the optimal temperature for food consumption or growth. Because aestivation of A. japonicus was temperature dependent, the present paper also documented the threshold temperatures to aestivation as indicated by feeding cessation. Deduced from daily food consumption of individuals, the threshold temperature to aestivation for large and medium animals (73.3–139.3 g) was 24.5?25.5°C, while that for small animals (28.9–40.7 g) was between 25.5 and 30.5°C. These values are higher than previous reports; differences in sign of aestivation, experimental condition and dwelling district of test animals could be the reasons.     

GROWTH OF WHITE STURGEON (Acipenser transmontanus) UNDER HATCHERY CONDITIONS

White sturgeon juveniles were raised for 10 months posthatch under various regimens of feeding, water temperature, and stocking density. Transition to external feeding in larvae occurred 9 to 11 days posthatch and was accompanied by major changes in allometric growth and larval behavior. Condition factor, hepatosomatic index, and survival rate varied significantly throughout the rearing period in the 4 progenies investigated. Growth in body weight for all progenies was largely dependent on water temperature and feeding. On the average, fingerlings raised on natural diets (brine shrimp and tubifex, followed by ground fish) grew 6% of their body weight per day, whereas fingerlings fed artificial pelleted diets (Oregon Moist Pellets) or a mixture of pelleted and natural feeds grew 1–4% per day. Certain individuals (20% of population investigated), however, established a strong feeding performance on artificial diets and exhibited twice the growth rate of fish raised on natural diets; these fish reached a mean body weight of 282 g at 10 months post-hatch. Assuming more efficient procedures are developed for weaning this fish onto artificial diets, the white sturgeon has demonstrated a potential for use in intensive grow-out systems.     

Village-based farming of the giant clam, Tridacna gigas (L.), for the aquarium market: initial trials in Solomon Islands

Between 1989 and 1992, small-scale grow-out trials of cultured Tridacna gigas (L.) were established at 40 coastal villages in Solomon Islands. The juvenile giant clams were delivered to village participants at a mean size of 34.6 mm shell length (SL) and a mean age of 380 days. The clams were grown in cages of wire mesh placed on trestles in shallow, subtidal, coral reef habitats. After a mean grow-out period of 297 days, the clams were a mean size of 77.6 mm SL, a suitable size for sale to the aquarium market. Mean growth rate was 4.1 mm month^?1. In 32 of the 53 cages involved in the trials, all clams were removed completely from the cage every 3 months for cleaning. The mean survival rate of these clams was 54%. The clams in the remaining 21 cages were not removed for cleaning and their survival was significantly lower (22%). The growth rate of clams removed for cleaning (3.7 mm month^?1) was, however, significantly lower than the growth rate of undisturbed clams (4.8 mm month^?1). At current prices for juvenile T. gigas in the aquarium trade, farmers who regularly cleaned clams would have netted a minimum of US$180 for a cage initially stocked with 390 clams. Fanners who did not clean their clams would have netted only US$40 per cage due to poorer survival.     

Growth comparison of Asian Nile and red tilapia strains in controlled and uncontrolled farm conditions

Growth of several genetically improved Nile tilapia (GIFT or Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia, FaST or Freshwater Aquaculture Center Selected Tilapia, SEAFDEC-selected) and domesticated red tilapia (BFS or Binangonan Freshwater Station, NIFI-red or National Inland Fisheries Institute red, HL or Hacienda Luisita) stocks were compared in controlled (tank) and uncontrolled farm conditions (lake-based cages) with unselected NIFI or Chitralada Nile tilapia as control. Specific growth rate differed significantly (P = 0.009) in tank-reared Nile tilapia stocks where GIFT grew best at 1.358%/day followed by FaST (1.307%/day), control stock NIFI (1.257%/day) and SEAFDEC-selected (1.202%/day). Genetic effect explained 84.4% of the variance in growth of Nile tilapia in tanks. Although Nile tilapia growth in cages followed the same trend where GIFT grew best at 1.570%/day, no significant stock differences (P = 0.479) were noted. Meanwhile, red tilapia reared in either tanks or cages showed no significant stock differences in terms of growth. However, survival of the red tilapia stocks in cages differed significantly with HL having the highest percentage survival at 93.3%. The different growth responses of the Nile tilapia stocks especially under controlled (tank) farm conditions were largely due to genetic factors (stock differences).Under uncontrolled farm conditions, environmental factors were generally observed to have also affected the survival and to some extent, the growth of Asian Nile and red tilapia stocks.     

Gills,growth and activity across fishes

Life history theory suggests that maximum size and growth evolve to maximize fitness. In contrast, the Gill Oxygen Limitation Theory (GOLT) suggests that growth and maximum size in fishes and other aquatic, water-breathing organisms is constrained by the body mass-scaling of gill surface area. Here, we use new data and a novel phylogenetic Bayesian multilevel modelling framework to test this idea by asking the three questions posed by the GOLT regarding maximum size, growth and gills. Across fishes, we ask whether the body mass-scaling of gill surface area explains (1) variation in the von Bertalanffy growth coefficient (k) above and beyond that explained by asymptomatic size (W_∞), (2) variation in growth performance (a trait that integrates the tradeoff between k and W_∞) and (3) more variation in growth performance compared to activity (as approximated by caudal fin aspect ratio). Overall, we find that there is only a weak relationship among maximum size, growth and gill surface area across species. Indeed, the body mass-scaling of gill surface area does not explain much variation in k (especially for those species that reach the same W_∞) or growth performance. Activity explained three to five times more variation in growth performance compared to gill surface area. Our results suggest that in fishes, gill surface area is not the only factor that explains variation in maximum size and growth, and that other covariates (e.g. activity) are likely important in understanding how growth, maximum size and other life history traits vary across species.     

Growth, Survival, and Feed Conversion Rates of Hatchery-Reared Mutton Snapper Lutjanus analis Cultured in Floating Net Cages

Abstract.— The aquaculture performance of mutton snapper Lutjanus analis raised in floating net cages was assessed by measuring their growth, survival, and feed conversion rates during a growout trial conducted in a 3.2‐ha saltwater lake in the Florida Keys, Florida, USA. Approximately 10,500 hatchery‐reared finger‐lings were stocked in two circular, high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) net cages of 7‐m diameter × 7‐m deep (300 m²) and 10‐m diameter × 7‐m deep (600 m³) dimensions. Cages were stocked at 25 fish/m³ (3.2 kg/m³) and 5 fish/m³ (0.72 kg/m³), respectively. Fish grew from a mean of 16.5 g to 302.8 g (25.6 cm TL) in 246 days in the former cage and from a mean of 42.3 g to 245.6 g (23.8 cm TL) in 178 d in the latter cage. Growth rates in weight were best expressed by the following exponential equations: cage 1 (high stocking density): W = 20.716 e^0.0112x (r²= 0.83); cage 2 (low stocking density): W = 38.848 e^0.0118x (r²= 0.81). Length‐weight data indicate that hatcheryraised, cage‐cultured mutton snapper are heavier per unit length than their wild counterparts. There was no significant difference (P < 0.05) between the slopes of the two lines, indicating that fish in the two cages grew at the same rate. The length‐weight relationships for mutton snapper stocked in cages 1 and 2 are expressed, respectively, by the equations W = 0.000009 L ^3.11 (r²= 0.99) and W = 0.000005 L ^3.22 (r²= 0.97). Overall feed conversion rate for both cages combined was 1.4. Approximately 10% of the fish sampled exhibited some degree of deformity, particularly scoliosis. Overall survival rate was 70%. Results suggest that L. analis has potential for aquaculture development in net cage systems.     

Allometry and condition index in green mussel Perna viridis (L.) from St Mary's Island off Malpe,near Udupi,India

The morphometry, length–weight and condition index of green mussel P. viridis (L.) from St Mary's Island, off Malpe, near Udupi, were examined from December 2004 to December 2005. The calculated regression equations between length and breadth and length and width for the entire study period were L=0.5071+ 0.3921B and L=0.0179 + 0.3225W respectively. The monthly b values of length–breadth and length–width relationships varied from 0.3636 (March 2005) to 0.4374 (December 2004) and from 0.3022 (December 2005) to 0.3466 (August 2005) respectively. The data on length–total weight (W=0.0986L^2.9495), length–wet tissue weight (W=0.031L^2.7173), length–dry weight (W=0.005L^2.9337) and length–shell weight (W=0.0351L^3.061) showed a nonlinear pattern. The coefficient of allometry (b) values ranged from 2.7949 (April 2005) to 3.0999 (September 2005) for length–total weight relationship and from 1.5203 (August 2005) to 3.328 (March 2005) for length–dry weight relationship. The monthly mean values of the condition index varied from 5.17 (December 2004) to 7.76 (November 2005). The variation in condition index followed the breeding period and seasons. The maximum condition index (22–24) was recoded in May 2005. Based on the data on condition, it is suggested that the ideal period for commercial exploitation of Perna viridis from the Island is from March to August, when the meat yield is the highest. The hierarchical cluster analysis using complete linkage showed three major groups of biological parameters of mussels. The PCA showed a total of five components, which together accounted for 89.31% of total variance. The first component accounted for 44.08% of variance, followed by second component for 18.02% and the third component for 11.66% of variance. The remaining fourth and fifth components together accounted for 15.55% of variance.     

Effect of dietary DHA/EPA ratio on the early development,antioxidant response and lipid metabolism in larvae of Siberia sturgeon (Acipenser baerii,Brandt)

A 30‐day growth study was conducted to evaluate the impacts of the dietary DHA/EPA ratios on growth performance, antioxidant and lipid metabolism of Siberian sturgeon larvae. Four isonitrogenous and isoenergetic microcapsuled diets were formulated with various DHA/EPA ratios as 0.73 (R_0.73), 1.25 (R_1.25), 1.75 (R_1.75) and 2.33 (R_2.33). The results showed that the final body length, final body weight, specific growth rate and survival in the group R_2.33 were highest (p < 0.05), while there were no significant differences on viscerosomatic index and condition factor among all groups. Visceral catalase activity of groups R_2.33 and R_1.75 was significantly higher than that of groups R_0.73 and R_1.25, but superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, total cholesterol, triglycerides and high‐density cholesterol were not different among groups. The gene expression of PPARα and lipoprotein lipase had no difference among groups, but the expression of hepatic lipase gene in groups R_1.75 and R_2.33 was significantly lower than that in group R_0.73 as a negative feedback of high dietary DHA intake. In conclusion, growth performance was improved but kept stable antioxidant response in visceral mass with increased levels of DHA/EPA ratios from 0.73 to 2.33 for Siberian sturgeon larvae. Improving DHA/EPA ratios is a benefit for larvae to selectively deposit more DHA, then EPA and ARA than MUFA in the body to meet the requirement for early development.     

Temperature determines growth rates of larval round herring Etrumeus teres in the Pacific coastal waters off southern Japan

Seasonal variation in daily growth rates in the early and middle larval stages of round herring Etrumeus teres were largely determined by the sea temperatures experienced by hatch-date cohorts in the Pacific coastal waters off southern Japan. Round herring larvae were collected by purse seining in the coastal waters of central Tosa Bay. A total of 451 larvae were aged by reading daily rings in otoliths. Individuals within a range of 2–5 hatch dates were grouped as hatch-date cohorts. We selected 16 cohorts that hatched during September 2000 and March 2002 and calculated mean widths of otolith growth increments for each cohort during the first feeding stage (W _FF, increments 1–5) and the maximum increment width in the middle larval stage (W _MAX). Seasonal variation in mean W _FF and W _MAX among the 16 cohorts was largely (80–90 %) explained by the sea temperature in the bay. These results indicate that temperature was a predominant determinant of larval growth rates; other environmental factors, such as food availability, did not substantially affect growth rates of round herring larvae in coastal waters along the subtropical Kuroshio Current off southern Japan.