投喂频率对尼罗系吉富罗非鱼幼鱼胃排空、生长性能和体组成的影响

通过胃排空试验与养殖试验研究了不同投喂频率对尼罗系吉富罗非鱼幼鱼的胃排空、生长性能以及体组成的影响.在试验开始时,观测尼罗系吉富罗非鱼幼鱼的胃内饲料排空情况,胃排空试验结果表明,胃排空率的最佳描述为平方根函数,胃内饲料在饱食投喂后15 h左右完全排空,达到投喂前水平,80％胃排空为9h,也就是投喂后大约9h恢复食欲.360尾试验鱼(初始体质量3.72 g)以不同的投喂频率(1d4次、1d3次、1d2次、2d4次、2d3次、2d2次)分组,每组设立3个平行组,随机养殖于18个网箱中,每箱养殖20尾鱼,按饱食量投饲膨化饲料.养殖期为6周.尼罗系吉富罗非鱼幼鱼在投喂频率为1d4次、1d3次和1d2次时特定生长率和饲料效率显著高于投喂频率为2d4次、2d3次和2d2次时(P＜0.05);投喂频率为1d2次、2d4次、2d3次和2d2次时其摄食量显著低于1d4次和1d3次时(P＜0.05).随着投喂频率降低,鱼体水分含量逐步上升,脂肪和蛋白质含量逐步下降,其中1d4次、1d3次组鱼与2d2次组鱼有显著性差异(P＜0.05).各投喂频率组间的肝体指数无显著性差异(P＞0.05).3.7～48.0 g尼罗系吉富罗非鱼幼鱼的适宜投喂频率为1d2次,较2d2次、2d3次和2d4次时明显提高了生长速度和饲料效率,较1d3次、1d4次摄食量显著降低.2种试验结果较为一致.     

Effect of practical diets with different protein levels on the performance of Farfantepenaeus paulensis juveniles nursed in a zero exchange suspended microbial flocs intensive system

Farfantepenaeus paulensis juveniles (72 ± 24 mg), were reared in a suspended microbial flocs system and fed practical diets containing increasing amounts of crude protein (250, 300, 350, 400 and 450 g kg^?1 CP). Development of microbial flocs was promoted by high aeration rates and fertilization with wheat bran and molasses. Flocs were composed of detritus in the form of flocculated matter colonized by heterotrophic bacteria, cocoid and filamentous cyanobacteria, flagellate and ciliate protozoa and rotifers. Proximate composition analysis of the suspended microbial floc showed CP levels of 304 g kg^?1. After 45 days, mean shrimp survival were above 89%, with no significant differences between treatments. Shrimp fed diets with 350 g kg^?1 or higher CP content achieved significant higher (P < 0.05) final weight (0.66–0.68 g), weight gain (0.58–0.61 g) and instantaneous growth rate (0.049–0.050), with feed conversion rates (2.17–2.30) significantly lower (P < 0.05). Results show that, when rearing is carried out in a suspended microbial flocs system, dietary CP levels can be kept at 350 g kg^?1. Furthermore, results confirm that microbial‐based systems allow shrimp culture without compromising the surrounding environment and shows the possible reduction of production costs and fish meal dependence.     

一种微生物絮团的生化分析及其对对虾免疫力的影响

利用红糖与尿素为碳氮源在自然海水中培养微生物絮团,获得絮团产物,对该产物离心后进行初步的生化分析表明,絮团产物上清液中微生物胞外产物重均分子量为213281Da。絮团沉淀物中多糖含量占29.6%,氨基酸含量占12.6%。将絮团产物按0、0.02、0.1、0.5、2.5%的比例添加至低蛋白饲料中投喂凡纳滨对虾 (Litopenaeus vannamei),14d后分别测定实验对虾血清溶菌活力、抗菌活力和酚氧化酶活力,结果显示在饲料中添加微生物絮团浓度为2.5%的对虾血清中抗菌与溶菌活力最高(P<0.05),添加微生物絮团浓度为0.5%与2.5%的对虾血清中酚氧化酶活力较低蛋白饵料对照组显著提高(P<0.05)。用哈维氏弧菌(Vibrio harveyi)感染实验对虾后,结果显示饵料中添加0.1%微生物絮团产物组对虾的死亡率最低。综合分析认为对虾摄食微生物絮团后,能够显著提高对虾的非特异免疫力,抗微生物感染的能力得到增强。     

Evaluation of Tilapia Effluent with Ion Supplementation for Marine Shrimp Production in a Recirculating Aquaculture System

Reuse of fish effluent for the culture of marine shrimp, such as Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, could provide an opportunity for the US shrimp farming industry to ease constraints (e.g., environmental concerns and high production costs) that have limited them in the past. In this study under laboratory‐scale conditions, the feasibility of culturing L. vannamei in effluents derived from a commercial facility raising tilapia in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), supplemented with various salt combinations, was compared to the shrimp’s survival and growth in well water supplemented with 17.6 (control) and 0.6 (freshwater treatment) g/L synthetic sea salt. Three independent trials were conducted in RAS in which survival and growth in the control, the freshwater treatment, and two effluent treatments were compared. Water quality during this study was within safe levels and no differences (P < 0.05) between treatments were observed for dissolved oxygen, nitrite, pH, total ammonia nitrogen, and temperature. However, average nitrate and orthophosphate levels were consistently more than an order of magnitude greater in the effluent treatments compared to the control and the freshwater treatments. Survival and growth of shrimp over 6‐wk periods did not vary significantly between the control and the freshwater treatments; however, shrimp tested in the tilapia effluents often exhibited significant effects (P < 0.05) depending on the salts added. In the low‐salinity waters, correlations (P < 0.05) were observed between Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ : K⁺ and Ca²⁺ : K⁺, and shrimp survival and growth. The results of this study revealed that L. vannamei can be raised in tilapia effluent when supplemented with synthetic sea salt (0.6 g/L), CaO (50 mg/L Ca²⁺), and MgSO₄ (30 mg/L Mg²⁺).     

Effects of feeding rates on growth and production of Nile tilapia, common carp and silver carp polycultured in fertilized ponds

Abstract In an attempt to identify appropriate feeding rates for multispecies of fish raised in fertilized earthen ponds, the present work was conducted over a 19‐week experimental period to establish the growth performance, production and body composition of Nile tilapia, common carp and silver carp fed 0.0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 3.0%, 5.0% biomass and to apparent satiation (treatments). Twelve ponds were stocked with a similar number and weight of each fish species. Two ponds were assigned to each of the treatments, and a 25% protein pelleted fish feed was used to feed fish at the specified rate of feeding. At the end of the experiment, growth, weight gain, survival, yield and body composition of fish groups were affected by the treatments. The economic effectiveness also varied among treatments. The most conspicuous attribute of the feeding rates was its lack of influence on growth (g day^?1), weight gain (g per fish), yield (kg ha^?1) or body composition of silver carp. The results of whole‐body proximate analysis indicated that various feeding rates had either an irregular pattern or no effects on the protein and ash gain per 100 g of fish body weight (bw) gain. The most notable exceptions were significant (P < 0.05) increases in body fat and gross energy gains in Nile tilapia, common carp and silver carp accompanied by decreases in percentages of moisture (but not in silver carp) as feeding rate increased. Among the six different feeding levels, feeding to apparent satiation (feed amount was equivalent to 2.67% of fish bw day^?1) appeared to be optimal, as it significantly (P < 0.05) supported the highest fish production, income and net profit compared with all other treatments except for the 3% feeding level, for which the differences in those measurements were comparable.     

Replacement of Fish Meal with Soybean Meal,Alone or in Combination with Distiller's Dried Grains with Solubles in Practical Diets for Pacific White Shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei,Grown in a Clear‐Water Culture System

The objective of this study was to evaluate inclusion of distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) as partial replacement of commercial, solvent‐extracted soybean meal (SBM) in fish meal‐free diets for Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Aquaria connected to a recirculating biofiltration system were utilized to evaluate growth, survival, and feed conversion of shrimp during the 8‐wk feeding trial. Each 110‐L aquarium was stocked with 15 shrimp (mean individual weight 0.99 g) and fed one of five diets: a diet containing 20% fish meal (FM), which served as the control (Diet 1); a diet containing 0% FM and 52.5% SBM (Diet 2); and diets containing 0% FM and either 10, 20, or 30% DDGS as partial replacement of SBM (Diets 3, 4, and 5, respectively). Shrimp were fed according to a pre‐determined feeding chart five times daily (0730, 1030, 1330, 1630, and 1930 h) and there were three replicates per dietary treatment. The results from the feeding trial demonstrated that final weight, weight gain (g), and percentage weight gain were significantly higher (P < 0.05) for shrimp fed Diet 1 (10.96 g, 10.01 g, and 1051%, respectively) compared to shrimp fed diets containing DDGS; however, shrimp fed diets containing DDGS had similar (P > 0.05) final weight, weight gain (g), and percentage weight gain as shrimp fed a diet containing 0% FM and 52.5% SBM (Diet 2). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) of shrimp fed Diet 1 (2.84) was significantly lower (P < 0.05) compared to shrimp fed any other diet. Survival (%) was not different (P > 0.05) among treatments and averaged 77.3% for the study. This study demonstrated that practical shrimp diets containing no FM had an adverse impact on growth performance of white shrimp when grown in a clear‐water system and that further research is needed to refine diet formulations when culturing shrimp in these systems when attempting to feed a diet without FM.     

Alternative Solids Removal for Warm Water Recirculating Raft Aquaponic Systems

Aquaponics is an integrated fish and plant recirculating production system. The University of the Virgin Islands' raft aquaponic system uses a cylindro‐conical clarifier as a primary solids removal device; however, a swirl separator may offer advantages. The objectives of the 8‐wk experiment were to compare water quality parameters, Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, production and water spinach, Ipomoea aquatica, production in a raft aquaponic system using a clarifier or swirl separator for primary treatment of solids in the waste stream . No significant differences (P ≥ 0.05) existed between treatments for temperature, oxygen, pH, total suspended solids, alkalinity, electrical conductivity, total ammonia‐nitrogen, nitrite‐nitrogen, nitrate‐nitrogen, macronutrients, and micronutrients concentrations in the culture water. There were no significant differences (P ≥ 0.05) between treatments for Nile tilapia production, average weight, survival, or feed conversion ratio. There were no significant differences (P ≥ 0.05) between treatments for water spinach production or plant tissue analysis. In conclusion, the swirl separator used in this experiment performed similar to the clarifier and water spinach grew vigorously in the raft aquaponic system .     

A Microbial Fermentation of Soybean and Cottonseed Meal Increases Antioxidant Activity and Gossypol Detoxification in Diets for Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

We report the beneficial effects of a microbial fermentation process of plant protein sources. To reduce anti‐nutritional factors, soybean meal (SM) and cottonseed meal (CM) were fermented with Aspergillus oryzae, a probiotic microorganism, and a 12‐wk feeding study was conducted to evaluate the supplemental effects of the fermented soybean meal (FSM) or fermented cottonseed meal (FCM) in diets for juvenile Nile tilapia. Growth performance and hematological parameters were not influenced by the fermentation process, while the highest inclusion of both FSM and FCM lowered feed utilization efficiency. The microbial fermentation significantly increased dietary total polyphenols and consequently led to higher 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities in both diets and fish tissue. Dietary and liver gossypol concentrations were significantly decreased by the fermentation process of CM. The findings suggest that microbial fermentation of SM or CM with A. oryzae can enhance antioxidant activities in diets and fish, and effectively reduce or degrade the toxicity of gossypol present in CM. A microbial fermentation could make plant protein sources more useful and functional in feeds for fish.     

Performance of Different Types of Commercial Feeds on the Growth of Juvenile Silver Pomfret, Pampus argenteus, under Tank Culture Conditions

The present study was carried out using juveniles of silver pomfret, Pampus argenteus, produced in the hatchery by stripping eggs from spawners collected from the wild during 2004 and 2005 culture period. The experiments carried out during 2004 investigated the efficiency of using salmon feed mixed with cyclopeeze, salmon feed mixed with shrimp meat, salmon feed alone, and shrimp meat alone in the diet using 1 m³ capacity round fiberglass tanks in three replicates for each treatment with flow‐through seawater. The results showed that inclusion of shrimp meat in the diet either with salmon feed or alone give significantly high (P < 0.01) weight gain of up to 1.10 ± 0.06 g/fish/d and significantly lower (P < 0.001) feed conversion ratio compared to that of feeds without shrimp meat. The experiments carried out during 2005 investigated the use of commercially available feeds with feed additives. The results showed that feeding with “Gemma” feed with 54.0% crude protein and 19.0% crude fat or salmon feed with 41.4% crude protein and 23.9% crude fat give significantly high (P < 0.01) growth rates compared to that of pompano feed with 43.0% crude protein and 6.0% crude fat. The results of these investigations although show high growth rate of the fish compared to that of previous observations; there is yet an urgent need to formulate a suitable feed for this fish species for commercial ventures.     

Effects of different feed management treatments on water quality for Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

Increasing feeding rates may provide an increase in production, thus nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matter will also increase. These nutrients promote a greater oxygen demand and concentrations of toxic metabolites which can lead to frequent problems with low dissolved oxygen and an abundance of blue‐green algae. Four feed management practices were evaluated among sixteen 0.1 ha ponds culturing Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Feeding treatments included hand feeding using the Standard Feeding Protocol (SFP), SFP plus 15% from 8 to 16 weeks, an automatic‐solar timer which fed SFP+15%, and an AQ1 acoustic demand feeder allowing up to 12 kg/day·pond based on shrimps feeding response. Samples were analysed at weeks 0, 4 and 8–16 for the following parameters: chlorophyll a, total ammonia nitrogen, nitrite–nitrogen, nitrate–nitrogen, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, soluble reactive phosphorus, total suspended solids, total suspended volatile solids, turbidity, conductivity, salinity and biological oxygen demand. Samples were collected and shipped overnight to Auburn, Alabama for off‐site analysis. On‐site water quality was also obtained at the farm. The AQ1 acoustic demand feeder produced the most shrimp with a yield of 4,568 kg/ha; however, the AQ1 also had the highest total ammonia nitrogen and nitrite–nitrogen levels late in the growing season. The AQ1 feeder may be a viable, reduced labour and cost alternative for the shrimp commercial industry; however, such technologies must also be matched to the ability of the production system to process nutrients.     

Effect of supplemental dietary zinc sources on the growth and carbohydrate utilization of tilapia Smith 1840, Oreochromis niloticus × Oreochromis aureus

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of supplemental dietary zinc sources on the growth performance and carbohydrate utilization of juvenile tilapia Smith 1840, Oreochromis niloticus × O. aureus. The goal was to compare the bioavailability of two zinc sources, zinc sulphate (ZnSO₄) or zinc methionine (ZnMet), by using two practical basal diets with 350 g kg^?1 (C350) or 400 g kg^?1 (C400) carbohydrates based on wheat as the carbohydrate source. The results showed that fish fed with a diet supplemented with 60 mg kg^?1 Zn from either ZnSO₄ or ZnMet had a significantly (P < 0.05) greater specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio than those fed with the diets of ≤30 mg kg^?1 Zn. The composition of tilapia carcass was also found to be influenced by various levels of dietary zinc from the two zinc sources. The G6P‐DH in fish fed with the 20 mg kg^?1 ZnMet diet and the PK levels in fish fed with 20 mg kg^?1 ZnSO₄ and 30 mg kg^?1 ZnMet diet were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those in fish fed with the C400 diet. The data suggest that supplemental dietary zinc from either ZnMet or ZnSO₄ significantly affects the growth performance and carbohydrate utilization of tilapia.     

Effects of exogenous enzyme supplementation in diets on growth and feed utilization in tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus x O. aureus

A 12‐week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of supplemental exogenous enzyme on growth performance in juvenile hybrid tilapia Oreochromis niloticus×O. aureus (18 g, average initial weight). A commercial enzyme complex (neutral protease, β‐glucanase and xylanase) was included at the level of 0.0 (control group), 1.0 and 1.5 g kg⁻¹ diet in three test diets. Each diet was fed to triplicate tanks of the juvenile three times a day at 4–6% of wet body weight, and each tank was stocked with 50 fish. The results showed that specific growth rate and feed efficiency ratio significantly increased (P<0.05) with increasing dietary enzyme levels. The highest feed intake was recorded in the group fed the control diet (P<0.05). The highest apparent protein retention was observed in fish fed the diet containing the 1.5 g kg⁻¹diet (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in the apparent digestibilities (ADC) of protein, lipid and gross energy among dietary treatments (P>0.05). However, the ADC of dry matter in fish fed high supplementation (1.5 g kg⁻¹) was significantly higher than the control and low supplementation (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in condition factor, whole body moisture, protein, lipid and ash among dietary treatments. Viscera ratio, hepatosomatic index and the liver lipid decreased significantly with increasing enzyme (P<0.05). Both protease and amylase activities in the intestine and the hepatopancreas of juvenile hybrid tilapia significantly increased (P<0.05) with increasing dietary enzyme levels. The results suggested that enzyme supplementation can significantly improve growth performance and feed utilization in juvenile hybrid tilapia.     

Evaluation of growth, feed utilization, and economics of hybrid tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus×Oreochromis aureus, fed diets containing different protein sources in combination with distillers dried grains with solubles

A feeding trial was conducted in aquaria with juvenile hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus×Oreochromis aureus) to evaluate the use of different protein sources in combination with distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS). Twelve 110‐L glass aquaria were stocked with 28 juvenile (2.7±0.5‐g) hybrid tilapia per aquarium. Three replicate aquaria were randomly assigned to each of the four dietary treatments. Diets were isonitrogenous and isocaloric. The control diet contained 12% fish meal and 41% soybean meal as the primary protein sources (Diet 1). Each experimental diet contained 30% DDGS by weight, in combination with 8% fish meal and 34% soybean meal (Diet 2), 26% meat and bone meal (MBM), and 16% soybean meal (Diet 3), or 46% soybean meal alone (Diet 4). Fish were fed to apparent satiation twice a day for 10 weeks. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in average weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and protein efficiency ratio (PER) among tilapia fed Diets 1, 2, and 3. Fish fed Diet 4 had significantly lower (P<0.05) average weight gain, SGR, and PER than fish fed Diets 1 and 3. Relative cost per unit weight gain for Diets 1, 2, and 3 were statistically similar (P>0.05), while cost per unit weight gain for Diet 4 was significantly higher (P<0.05) than other diets. Diet 3 represented approximately a 20% cost savings compared with the control diet, with no reduction in growth. This study indicates that diets without fish meal containing 30% DDGS in combination with MBM and soybean meal provide good growth in tilapia. A diet without animal protein did not support acceptable growth.     

Growth performance and feed utilization of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) and tilapia galilae Sarotherodon galilaeus (Linnaeus, 1758) fingerlings fed plant protein-based diets

This study was designed to determine the effect of complete substitution of fish meal (FM) by three plant protein sources including extruded soybean meal (SBM), extruded full‐fat soybean (FFSB) and corn gluten meal (CGM) on growth and feed utilization of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus and tilapia galilae Sarothrodon galilaeus. Four isonitrogenous of crude protein (ca. 28.0%) and isocaloric (ca. 19 MJ kg⁻¹) experimental diets were formulated. The control diet (diet 1) was prepared with FM as the main protein sources. Diets 2–4, each FM control diet, were completely substituted with SBM (diet 2), FFSB (diet 3) and CGM (diet 4). l ‐lysine and dl ‐methionine were added to plant protein diets to cover the nutritional requirements of tilapia. Each treatment was allocated to three net pens and fed for 17 weeks. Nile tilapia fed the control diet showed significantly higher (P≤0.05) values for final body weight (FBW), feed intake (FI), weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR), whereas fish fed the diet with CGM achieved the lowest values. Tilapia galilae fed SBM diet recorded the highest (P≤0.05) values for growth performance. Better feed conversion ratio (FCR) for both Oreochromis niloticus and Sarothrodon galilaeus was observed when fish were fed SBM diet, whereas the worse FCR was recorded for FFSB diet. Feed utilization parameters including protein productive value (PPV), fat retention (FR) and energy retention (ER) showed significant differences (P≤0.05) for both the species fed different dietary protein sources. The present results suggest that, for Nile tilapia, both SBM and FFSB supplemented with dl ‐methionine and l ‐lysine can completely replace dietary FM. Meanwhile, S. galilaeus fed SBM diet exhibited comparable growth and feed utilization with those fish fed a fish‐meal‐based diet.     

饲料蛋白质水平与投喂频率对吉富罗非鱼幼鱼生长及部分生理生化指标的影响

为探讨饲料蛋白质水平与投喂频率对罗非鱼生长及生理健康的影响,采用2×3双因子实验,研究饲料蛋白质水平(36.27%和26.02%)与投喂频率(1、2和3次/d)对吉富罗非鱼幼鱼生长、体成分、血清指标和肝胰脏结构的影响。养殖周期为42 d,结果表明:随饲料蛋白质水平的增加,实验鱼的末体质量(FW)、增重率(WGR)、特定生长率(SGR)、饲料效率(FE)、肥满度(CF)、去内脏全鱼灰分(EWA)、内脏水分(VM)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDLC)水平显著升高(P0.05),而摄食率(FI)、脏体比(VSI)、饲料成本(FC)、去内脏全鱼粗脂肪(EWF)、内脏粗脂肪(VF)、肝胰脏粗脂肪(HF)显著降低(P0.05);随投喂频率的增加,实验鱼的FW、WGR、SGR、肝体比(HSI)、CF、FC、EWF、VF、HF,血清中的总胆固醇水平(TCHO)、HDLC、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDLC)、总蛋白(TP)、甘油三酯(TGK)水平显著升高(P0.05),而FE、蛋白质效率(PER)、去内脏全鱼水分(EWM)、EWA、VM、肝胰脏水分(HM)显著降低(P0.05)。饲料蛋白质水平和投喂频率对实验鱼的FW、WGR、SGR、VM和HDLC的交互作用显著(P0.05)。投喂26.02%蛋白质水平饲料的实验鱼,肝胰脏细胞肿大变形,呈现透明的空泡化,出现细胞核偏移;而投喂36.27%蛋白质饲料的实验鱼,大多数肝细胞胞浆清晰,可观察到的肝细胞空泡面积较小。综合考虑,饲料蛋白质含量为36.27%是适合吉富罗非鱼幼鱼的,其适宜的投喂频率为2次/d以上,可根据罗非鱼市场情况进行调节。     

The effect of dietary protein on the growth and survival of the shrimp, Penaeus monodon in outdoor tanks

The comparative effect of reducing the protein content of formulated feed on the growth and survival of black tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon, and on water quality was tested in outdoor tanks. Three diets, 300, 350 and 400 g kg^?1 crude protein (CP), were fed to P. monodon (3.1 g animals, 25 animals per m²) in each of eight replicated outdoor 2500 L tanks in an 8‐week trial. There was no statistical difference (P > 0.05) in shrimp growth rate (1.34–1.50 g week^?1), survival, or final biomass between the treatments. However, when tanks with lower survival were removed from the analysis (<60 and <80% were tested), shrimp growth rate was statistically higher (P < 0.05) in the 350 and 400 g kg^?1 CP diets than in the 300 g kg^?1 CP diet treatment. There were no differences in the nutritional condition of shrimp between treatments, as determined by moisture and protein content, and lipid content of the digestive gland. Using ¹⁵N‐nitrogen isotope tracers, it was determined that shrimp were consuming natural biota, although these were unlikely to have contributed substantially to their nutrition. Total nitrogen (TN) concentrations in the water column increased over the eight week experiment and were statistically different (P < 0.001) between treatments (3.60, 5.17 and 6.45 mg L^?1 in the 300, 350 and 400 g kg^?1 CP treatments, respectively). Concentrations of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) were also statistically different between treatments and made up 35–40% of the TN in the water column. Concentrations of total ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN) and oxides of nitrogen, and fluorescence were not statistically different between treatments but there was a trend of higher concentrations in treatments with higher protein levels. There was no difference in sediment nutrients between treatments. This study has shown that there is scope to reduce the protein content of P. monodon diets but only by 5–10%. However, further validation of these results in commercial ponds is needed. Reducing the feed protein content may result in cost savings and also has the advantage of improving water quality and reducing nitrogen discharge.     

Evaluation of Two Textiles with or without Polymer Addition for Dewatering Effluent from an Intensive Biofloc Production System

Intensive, recirculating aquaculture systems create concentrated wastes high in solid content. Geotextile has successfully dewatered aquaculture effluent; however, burlap, made from natural plant fiber, may provide similar filtering capabilities at a lower cost. The trial was designed as a 2 × 2 factorial to evaluate burlap bags and geotextile bags with or without polymer addition for dewatering Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, effluent from an intensive biofloc production system. There were no significant interactions (P > 0.05) between the main effects on the removal efficiency of total suspended solids (TSS) concentration. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in the main effect of textile; however, there were significant differences (P≤ 0.001) in the main effect of polymer on the removal efficiency of TSS concentration from effluent. Overall, TSS removal efficiency in textile‐only treatments was 81%, whereas textile treatments in combination with polymer removed 98%. Partial budget analysis indicated that the cost per kilogram of solids (dry weight) removed from untreated effluent was US$1.52, 1.51, 0.16, and 0.14 for the geotextile with polymer (GP), geotextile without polymer (GNP), burlap with polymer (BP), and burlap without polymer (BNP) treatments, respectively. The BP could provide an effective treatment process for removing TSS in discharged effluent.     

Effects of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) stocking and artificial feeding on water quality and production in rohu–common carp bi‐culture ponds

Previous research showed that stocking 1.5 rohu (Labeo rohita) and 0.5 common carp (Cyprinus carpio) m⁻² yields the highest production in small holder ponds in Bangladesh. The present study looked into the effects of additional stocking of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis nilotica) in fed or non‐fed ponds on water quality and fish production. A low, additional stocking density of 0.2 Nile tilapia m⁻² was tested. All treatments were executed in triplicate in 100 m² ponds and the duration of the experiment was 4.5 months. The results showed that tilapia addition increased nutrient concentrations and reduced total suspended solid concentration and phytoplankton biomass (P<0.05). Tilapia stocking resulted in additional production without affecting the growth and production of rohu and common carp. Supplemental feeding increased the nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations, phytoplankton availability and the growth and production of rohu and common carp (P<0.01). The combination of supplemental feeding and tilapia stocking resulted in a higher net yield than the other treatments (P<0.05). Stocking 1.5 rohu, 0.5 common carp and 0.2 tilapia m⁻² in fed‐ponds is a good culture combination for polyculture farmers in South Asia.     

Replacement of fish meal with co-extruded wet tuna viscera and corn meal in diets for white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei Boone)

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the potential of replacing fish meal with co‐extruded wet tuna viscera and corn meal in diets for juvenile white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Five practical diets were formulated to contain 30% crude protein and 16.6 kJ g^?1. The feeding experiment was carried out in a recirculating seawater system with fifteen 25‐L tanks with 15 shrimp per tank. Each dietary treatment was fed in triplicate in a completely randomized design for 41 days. Percent weight gain (WG%), survival (S%) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated, comparisons of these parameters showed no statistical differences (P>0.05) among treatments. The shrimp almost tripled their weight during the feeding trial. Under the experimental conditions S%, WG% and FCR were either improved or were not significantly influenced by the replacement of fish meal with double co‐extruded viscera+corn, except for a slight increase in feed consumption without affecting FCR. Hence, this product can be included by up to 40% in practical shrimp diets without any detrimental effects.     

Effects of Feeding Levels on Growth Performance, Feed Utilization, Body Composition, and Apparent Digestibility Coefficients of Nutrients for Grouper Epinephelus coioides Juveniles

An experiment was conducted to determine effects of feeding levels on growth performance, feed utilization, body composition, and apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of nutrients for juvenile grouper Epinephelus coioides (initial weight, 10.31 ± 0.36 g). Grouper were fed a practical diet from 0 (starvation) to 3.5% (at 0.5% increments) body weight per day (bw/d) for 8 wk. ANOVA indicated that growth performance, feed utilization, body composition, and ADCs of dry matter, protein, and energy were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by feeding levels. Survival was the lowest for the starvation group and for fish fed a ration of 0.5% bw/d. Final mean body weight, weight gain (WG), specific growth rate, and metabolic growth rate increased with feeding rate from 0 to 2.5% bw/d (P < 0.05) and showed no significant differences above the level (P > 0.05). Feed conversion rate was significantly lower at a feeding level of 2.0% bw/d than above and below the level (P < 0.05). Protein efficiency ratio was markedly highest at the 2.0% bw/d ration level (P < 0.05). Lipid contents of whole body, muscle, and liver increased with increasing feeding rates from 0 to 3% bw/d and showed a slight decline at the feeding level of 3.5% bw/d. Protein contents of whole‐body composition, muscle, and liver remained relatively stable with the different ration amount with the exception of fish fed a ration of 0.5% bw/d, at which grouper possessed significantly lower body protein concentration (P < 0.05). Condition factor, viscerosomatic index, and hepatosomatic index were the lowest for fish fed 0.5% bw/d and tended to increase with the increasing feeding levels. ADCs of dry matter, protein, and energy decreased with increasing feeding levels from 0 to 2.5% bw/d and then remained relatively constant over the level. Based on the broken‐line regression analysis using WG data, the optimum and maintenance feeding levels for grouper were 2.5% bw/d and 0.25% bw/d, respectively.