Opto-electronic counters for postlarvae and juveniles of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man); design and tests of Type B counter

The disadvantages of hand counting hatchery produced juveniles of Macrobrachium rosenbergii have been overcome by development of a high speed opto-electronic counter. The hydraulic, mechanical and electronic designs of the Type B counter are described. The counter, extremely fast in principle, is being used and tested under commercial hatchery conditions. Its practical speed of operation and accuracy are expected to exceed 100 000 juveniles per hour and 95%, respectively.About 80% of juveniles show some morphological damage but most of this probably originates in the hatchery rearing tanks. Tests show that slight additional damage is caused only to the antennules of juveniles passing through the counter but this does not affect their subsequent growth rate and survival. It is suggested that density dependent aggression in hatchery tanks is the principal cause of damage. Counter B is shown to be suitable and safe for counting freshwater prawn juveniles. This counter could be adapted to count other macroscopic aquatic organisms via suitable dimensional scaling. No other counters of this type and purpose appear to exist.     

Opto-electronic counters for postlarvae and juveniles of Machrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man); design and tests of Type A counter

Postlarvae or juveniles of Macrobrachium rosenbergii produced in Mauritius are sold at unit price to prawn farmers and are counted individually by hand. This process is time consuming, labour intensive, subject to error and may stress the juveniles; safe rapid electronic counting would be highly advantageous.The design of the hydraulic component of a successful counter prototype, Type A, is described. The counter has 10 parallel channels through which juveniles are carried in a water current. The detection of juveniles passing through these channels can be done photo-electrically. The counter accepts juveniles up to 15 mm in length (eye orbit to tip telson) and has the significant advantage that it can be constructed using only simple hand tools.Survival and growth rate tests, and microscopic examination for damage to appendages of juveniles were done on machine counted and hand counted juveniles. There was no reduction of growth or survival caused by passage through the counter by comparison with the hand counting method, and it is concluded that the counter is not detrimental to juvenile prawns.About 70% of all juveniles tested showed highly variable amounts of damage. The great majority of this damage appears to originate in the hatchery tanks, prior to the experimental treatments. Only in the case of antennules could the use of the counter be shown to increase damage significantly, i.e. from 25% to 38%, but this has no detectable effect on subsequent survival or growth.This appears to be the first counter made specifically for counting macroscopic crustacean juveniles, and via suitable scaling, adaptation to counting other species of crustaceans, fish larvae, etc., should be possible.     

Toxic levels of mercury for sequential larval stages of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man)

The toxicity of mercury for sequential stages of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man) larvae was studied under static water conditions at a salinity of 12‰ and temperature of 25.5 – 27.0°C. The results revealed that stage 1 larvae had the lowest threshold lethal concentration (TLC) of mercury, 0.041 ppm Hg, while the post-larvae had a TLC of 0.325 ppm Hg. There was an abrupt increase in the TLC of mercury after the larvae had reached stage 5. The lower TLC prior to stage 5 is most probably due to the more frequent moulting and the relatively thinner cuticle of the larvae.     

A comparative study on larviculture techniques for the giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man)

Comparative studies of larviculture of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man) were made for three systems: (1) the static water system with partial changes of water, (2) the closed recirculating water system with a separate subsand filter unit, and (3) the closed recirculating water system with a subsand filter inside the rearing tank. The mean production of juveniles per unit volume of water of these three systems was comparable (3.2, 1.9, and 2.9, respectively). Production fluctuated more in the static system than in the closed recirculating system. A significant asymptotic relationship between the stocking density and the survival of prawn larvae was observed in the first type of the closed recirculating system; higher stocking density resulted in lower survival. A stocking density of 20 larvae/l in the closed recirculating system was considered to be good for growth and survival. The intermittent high nitrite level was a problem encountered in the static system but not in the closed recirculating system. The operational costs of these three systems were discussed.     

Feeding trials with hatchery produced white sturgeon juveniles (Acipenser transmontanus)

Growth and survival of white sturgeon larvae were examined at ad libitum feeding with three commercial salmonid diets, and experimental crustacean diet, and a live food control (cubifex). The results demonstrated that some manufactured diets, particularly a semi-moist ration, can be used to rear white sturgeon during the first 40 days of feeding. Although specific growth rates of fish fed a semi-moist feed were 40% lower than those fed live foods, survival rates were similar. The high mortality previously associated with later transfer of fish from live foods to manufactured diets was avoided. Dry diets were not well accepted and resulted in lower rates of growth and survival.     

Shipping studies with juvenile and adult Malaysian prawns Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man)

Four studies examined shipping factors of packing technique, density, duration, type of water and use of habitat material for shipping juvenile and adult prawns Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Prawns were shipped in double polyethylene lined 38 × 38 × 20 cm deep styrofoam boxes containing oxygenated water. At temperatures of 19–20°C, 17 g prawns could be shipped safely for 42 h at a density of 10–12 prawns per box (12–15 g liter⁻¹ shipping water). Juveniles, mean size about 6 g, could be shipped at a density of 40 per box (18 g liter⁻¹) for 24 h or 20–25 per box (9–11 g liter⁻¹) for 48 h. Use of mesh material to increase surface area in the box did not appear beneficial nor did shipping in brackish water (salinity8‰). Adults packed unrestricted resulted in survival rates substantially higher than those obtained from immobilized prawns wrapped in mesh.

During the shipment, pH and dissolved oxygen concentrations decreased whereas ammonia concentrations increased. The decreased pH levels may have reduced the ammonia toxicity by decreasing the amount of toxic unionized ammonia (NH₃) in solution. In general, dissolved oxygen concentrations appeared more closely related to survival rates than did other water quality parameters which were measured.     

Observations on the breeding and growth of the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man) in the laboratory

Three male and 20 female prawns, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man), were observed for 390 days. They were maintained in brackish water (5%. salinity) at 28°C which was recycled continuously through a percolating biological filter. Illumination was artificial and did not exceed 10 lm/ft² (approx. 0.1 m²) at the water surface. Mating readily occurred in the experimental tanks (48 × 28 × 25 cm deep). Eggs were incubated for 20 days; the mean number of larvae per brood was 24 000 (range 50–98 100). Over 750 000 larvae were hatched during the experiment. Larger females had proportionately larger broods and larvae from seven broods were cultured to the post-larval stage at intervals throughout the experimental period, which demonstrated their viability.The increase in length of the adults at each moult was constant (arithmetic growth) and did not alter when ova were maturing in the ovary.Prawns achieved larger mean length increments after the environmental conditions were improved. The moulting frequency was very variable and, with one exception, did not change proportionately with length or age of the prawns.Females grew from 115 to 205 mm and males from 145 to 230 mm total length.Three females spawned more than four times in successive intermoult periods, and one produced viable larvae five times in succession.Two of the males sired viable larvae four and seven times respectively during one intermoult period.     

Salinity effects on reproduction of giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man)

Understanding the role of salinity in breeding and growth has the potential to enhance production of giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii. This study investigated the reproduction of females reared in salinities of 0, 6, 12, and 18 g L^− 1. Mean weight of females decreased with increased salinity (31.40 ± 1.54, 25.14 ± 1.16, 20.80 ± 0.81, and 16.62 ± 1.04 g at 0, 6, 12, and 18 g L^− 1, respectively). Larval production was delayed by 2 months in females reared in 12 g L^− 1 compared to 6 and 0 g L^− 1 and the cumulative number of berried females decreased with increased salinity. The number of larvae produced was positively correlated to weight of female. A larval production not only differed between salinity treatments, but also that larval production per gram of female differed between treatments. Females reared in lower salinity of 0 and 6 g L^− 1 produced larger numbers of larvae (12,155 ± 480 and 6519 ± 323, respectively) compared to 12 and 18 g L^− 1 (3751 ± 256 and 0, respectively). The number of larvae produced per gram of female was inversely related to the salinity levels (Y = − 37.54X + 685.65, n = 339, r² = 0.995, p < 0.05). Survival of larvae from females reared at 0 and 6 g L^− 1 was higher than those from females reared in 12 g L^− 1. This study clearly shows that female broodstock reared in lower salinity was larger, reproduced early, and produced more offspring than at higher salinity and this could significantly impact coastal prawn culture where seasonal fluctuation of salinity in the hatchery is common.     

Improvement of the stability of commercial feed pellets for the giant shrimp (Macrobrachium rosenbergii)

Different feed pellets for the giant shrimp, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, were compared with respect to water stability, food conversion ratio and growth rate. Pellet stability was observed under tank conditions with and without animals, and leaching rates were measured. Purina Marine Ration M20 was repelletized with Kelco HV algin binder at 0.5% level (designated RM20-0.5%), 1.0% level (RM20-1.0%), and 2.0% level (RM20-2.0%). The base commercial pellet was also tested unaltered and with 0.5% Kelco HV algin encapsulation. Recording of pellets presented and pellets apparently consumed by individual animals was maintained on a daily basis for each treatment.The RM20-2.0% bound pellet gave the best results in both physical stability and efficient biological utilization. The RM20-2.0% was followed in quality by the 0.5% encapsulated and 1.0% bound pellets. The unaltered M20 commercial pellet and 0.5% bound pellet were deemed unsatisfactory by the same criteria.     

Effects of dissolved oxygen on hemolymph parameters of freshwater giant prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man)

Profiles of changes in physiological parameters of freshwater giant prawns, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, exposed to various dissolved oxygen (DO) levels of 7.75, 4.75, 2.75, and 1.75 mg l⁻¹ are reported. The parameters involved in osmoregulation and oxygen transport were monitored for a 6-day period. Notable depressions in hemolymph osmolality, Na⁺, K⁺, and Cl⁻ contents were observed within 24 h after exposure to hypoxia at 2.75 and 1.75 mg O₂ l⁻¹, and thereafter remained at rather steady levels, which were significantly lower than those under normoxic conditions (4.75–7.75 mg O₂ l⁻¹). The extent of depression of osmotic-related constituents, hemolymph osmolality and Cl⁻ in particular, increased with decreased DO.

Oxyhemocyanin constituted 65.46–65.84% of total hemolymph proteins under the various DO levels examined; both hemolymph oxyhemocyanin and proteins showed notable elevations 24 h after exposure to hypoxic conditions, and reached the highest and constant level by 48 h after exposure. The compensatory responses of prawns to reduced O₂ were manifested by increased O₂ uptake through augmentation of hemocyanin, which results in enhancement of oxygen binding capacity of the hemolymph. In the same period, a significant surge of the respiratory products, PCO₂ and HCO₃⁻, was also demonstrated 6 h after exposure to hypoxic conditions which resulted in hemolymph alkalosis. These processes likely resulted in an increase in water influx and consequent declines in hemolymph osmolality and ion composition. Furthermore, hyperventilation and respiratory alkalosis, indicated by increased oxyhemocyanin and pH, respectively, were found to be predominant responses of M. rosenbergii to hypoxic stress.     

Induced thermotolerance and stress resistance in larvae of the freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man, 1879)

Optimal conditions for heat shock (HS) were used to demonstrate induced thermotolerance (ITT) in larvae of the prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Larvae from three different broodstock nutritional regimes exhibited comparable degrees of ITT, which remained high for about 4 days. Survival and growth of larvae given the standard HS treatment (37 °C for 30 min) were not statistically different from those of controls, so the cost of mounting a heat shock response was not sufficient to reduce those parameters. However, the percentage of heat-shocked larvae undergoing metamorphosis appeared to be slightly lower than that of controls. Previously heat-shocked larvae withstood hypersalinity exposures much better than control larvae, but showed the same survival level when both were challenged with ammonia toxicity. We suggest that the use of induced thermotolerance might provide a means to improve the performance of larvae during transport and/or initial inoculation into grow-out ponds. The present paper provides the basis upon which that suggestion might be examined.     

Culture of giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) in a small reservoir

Juvenile M. rosenbergii of three sizes were stocked in a reservoir, using net pens of two sizes and varying the stocking density. Prawns of 3.94 cm length at stocking grew faster than 11.24-cm prawns, matured in 9 months and showed at least 22% survival, an economically justifiable level. Smaller prawns (2.45 cm long) suffered total mortality.     

Usage of electrolytic water system in the giant freshwater prawn,Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man) larval hatchery system

The purpose of this study was to use an electrolytic oxidizing (EO) water system in a prawn hatchery. The results of the EO water generation efficiency showed that available chlorine in the EO water increased as the salinity and electric power increased, but was reduced as the water flow rate increased. A bactericidal activity assay showed that the growth of six aquatic pathogens was well inhibited by incubation with EO water containing 1 mg L^?1 of available chlorine. The removal of NH₃‐N and NO₂‐N by electrolysis at 15‰ and 5 W had significant effects, and the removal rate of NO₂‐N was much faster than that of NH₃‐N. Prawn zoea (Z) reared in EO water with different levels of available chlorine at 0 (control), 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 mg L^?1 had mortalities of 0%, 12%, 27% and 42%, respectively, after 72 h. However, Z were able to well survive in activated carbon‐treated EO water for 1 week. For the on‐farm use of the EO water system in a prawn hatchery, larvae in the EO water group had faster development and higher survival than those in the activated carbon group. From these results, we believe that the EO water group had excellent water quality and lower bacterial counts resulting in increased larval development and survival.     

Effect of feed restriction on the growth performance of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.) juveniles under commercial rearing conditions

Two trials were performed to study the effect of periodic feed deprivation (trial 1) or feed restriction, followed by satiation feeding (trial 2) on the growth performance of turbot juveniles under commercial rearing conditions. In trial 1, duplicate groups of 350 fish with an initial weight of 62 g were fed a commercial diet to apparent visual satiation for 7, 6, 5 or 4 days a week for 83 days. At the end of the trial, fish weight was directly related to the number of feeding days but feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio were not affected by treatments. At the end of the trial, there were no differences in whole‐body composition among groups. In trial 2, duplicate groups of 500 fish with an initial weight of 33 g were fed a commercial diet to satiation (100%) or feed restricted to 90%, 80% and 70% of satiation for 90 days. Thereafter, all groups were fed to satiation for 34 days. During the feed restriction period, growth was directly related to feed intake, while during the satiation feeding period, it was inversely related to the previous feeding level. At the end of the trial, the final weight was not different among groups. At the end of the feed restriction period, whole‐body lipid content showed a trend to decrease with an increase in the feed restriction level. The results of this study indicate that under practical conditions, turbot juveniles should be fed daily as even cycles of short periods of feed deprivation negatively affect growth, while not improving feed efficiency. On the contrary, even after a relatively long feed restriction period, fish shows compensatory growth, and this may be used as a feed management strategy for controlling fish production in commercial farms.     

Utilization of monounsaturated fatty acid (18:1n-9, oleic acid) by freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man) juveniles

The utilization of oleic acid as an energy source and the effects of oleic acid levels and/or dietary soy bean lecithin (SBL) on oleic acid utilization, growth and survival, and lipid class and fatty acid compositions of freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man), juveniles were determined.
Increase in levels of dietary oleic acid from 10 to 80 g kg⁻¹ significantly ( P ≤ 0.05) reduced growth, survival and feed conversion efficiency of M. rosenbergii juveniles during the 40-day feeding period. Inclusion of 20 g kg⁻¹ SBL had no significant effect ( P ≥ 0.05) on growth and survival, nor was there any interactive effect between dietary SBL and oleic acid levels.
Body fatty acid profile of prawns reflected dietary fatty acid quantity. The fatty acid composition of prawns fed diets containing 80 g kg⁻¹ oleic acid had tremendously high proportions of oleic acid. Polar lipids, mostly phosphatidylcholine (PC), constituted the bulk of the extracted total lipids. Prawns fed with SBL had significantly ( P ≥ 0.05) higher PC content.
Oleic acid was metabolized for energy by M. rosenbergii juveniles at the same rate regardless of dietary level of SBL and/or oleic acid. Expired ¹⁴CO₂ accounted for half of the ingested radioactivity 48 h after feeding with labelled diets. No significant difference in the amount of ¹⁴CO₂ expired by prawns fed the labelled test diets was found. Per cent radioactivity ingested and absorbed into the body was also not significantly different in prawns of the different dietary treatments.     

Correlation of in situ respiration rates and microbial biomass in prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) ponds

Microbial biomass estimates (based on ATP concentrations) were highly correlated with water and sediment respiration rates in freshwater prawn ponds. Water column biomass-specific respiration rates (x ± 1 SD, 572.4 ± 410.6 μl O₂ μg ATP^?1 day^?1) were higher than sediment rates (11.5 ± 8.1 μl O₂ μg ATP^?1 day^?1). Phytoplankton cells dominated the seston, with nutrient-saturated, light-limited growth in the range 75–80%μ_max. Doubling times of phytoplankton ranged from 0.4–19 days. Measurement of benthic ATP biomass is recommended as a diagnostic water quality parameter for commercial freshwater prawn culture.     

Routine oxygen consumption rates of california halibut (Paralichthys californicus) juveniles under farm-like conditions

Fish oxygen requirement is a fundamental variable of aquaculture system design and management, as it is the basis for determining water flow rates for sustaining stock. A study on oxygen consumption of California halibut (Paralichthys californicus) between 3.2 and 165.6 g was conducted in small raceways (2.41 m long, 0.28 m wide, and 0.22 m high; operational water depth between 0.05 and 0.10 m with a quiescent zone 19 cm long in the effluent section) working as open respirometers in a recirculating system under farm-like conditions. The fish were fed commercial dry pelleted feeds at a ratio of ∼0.70–3.00% of body weight (BW) and stocked at densities between 94% and 316% percent coverage area (PCA). Oxygen consumption rates were determined by mass balance calculations. The mean and maximum oxygen consumption rates (g O₂/kg fish/day) for juvenile California halibut under the conditions tested can be expressed by M_day = 15.077W^−0.2452 and M_day = 17.266W^−0.2033, respectively, where W is fish weight in grams. The determination of oxygen consumption by California halibut in farm-like conditions provides valuable information on the oxygen requirement of these fish in an aquacultural setting. This information can be used for designing and sizing a rearing facility for the intensive culture of California halibut.     

Routine oxygen consumption rates of california halibut (Paralichthys californicus) juveniles under farm-like conditions

Fish oxygen requirement is a fundamental variable of aquaculture system design and management, as it is the basis for determining water flow rates for sustaining stock. A study on oxygen consumption of California halibut (Paralichthys californicus) between 3.2 and 165.6 g was conducted in small raceways (2.41 m long, 0.28 m wide, and 0.22 m high; operational water depth between 0.05 and 0.10 m with a quiescent zone 19 cm long in the effluent section) working as open respirometers in a recirculating system under farm-like conditions. The fish were fed commercial dry pelleted feeds at a ratio of ～0.70–3.00% of body weight (BW) and stocked at densities between 94% and 316% percent coverage area (PCA). Oxygen consumption rates were determined by mass balance calculations. The mean and maximum oxygen consumption rates (g O₂/kg fish/day) for juvenile California halibut under the conditions tested can be expressed by M_day = 15.077W^?0.2452 and M_day = 17.266W^?0.2033, respectively, where W is fish weight in grams. The determination of oxygen consumption by California halibut in farm-like conditions provides valuable information on the oxygen requirement of these fish in an aquacultural setting. This information can be used for designing and sizing a rearing facility for the intensive culture of California halibut.     

Uniform maternal age/size and light restrictions mitigate cannibalism in Clarias gariepinus larvae and juveniles reared under production-like controlled conditions

Individual size, size variability, cannibalism, total mortality and biomass production were studied in Clarias gariepinus in two experiments. In the Experiment 1st (duration 7 weeks) larvae originated from three females 1, 2 and 4 years old (females A, B and C, respectively). Three sibling (AA, BB and CC) and three mixed (AB, AC and BC, 1:1) larval groups were reared at a 12L:12D, 50 lux light regime. Initial individual weight of larvae in the sibling groups was strongly positively related to female age, this was preserved during 7 weeks of rearing. Initial coefficient of variation for weight was moderate in the sibling groups from young females AA and BB (30-33%), whereas it was elevated in the mixed groups (48-79%), especially in the group AC. Cannibalism was the major component of total mortality. Cannibalism in progeny of young females AA, AB and BB was reduced compared to the groups BC, AC and CC. Final biomass of small larvae issued from young females was higher than the final biomass of large progeny of the oldest female because of reduced cannibalism in the former. In a 6 week Experiment 2nd progeny of one female was reared at three light regimes: L (continuous light, 400 lux), N (“normal” 12L:12D, 50 lux) and D (continuous darkness). The final individual weight of fish was the lowest in the L group, highest in the D group, and intermediate in the N group. Final coefficient of variation for weight, cannibalism and total mortality were significantly reduced by light restrictions. The resulting final biomass was the lowest in the L group, intermediate in the N group and the highest in the D group in which it was higher by a factor 3.8 compared to the L group. Based on the results of present work and on literature overview several pathways were identified along which biomass size may be modified in populations of young fish that exhibit cannibalistic propensity. Selection of young female spawners of uniform age, and light restrictions, are recommended to mitigate cannibalism.     

Induced ovulation of female chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) at a production hatchery

A simple, low-cost method for inducing ovulation in hatchery-held adult chinook salmon was developed. Use of this method resulted in an increase in the number of eggs collected, by circumventing losses due to prespawning mortality.One hundred and twenty 4-year-old chinook salmon which had returned to the Capilano hatchery prior to 1 October were used as a stock population. Three weeks before the peak spawning period, 36 fish were divided into two groups. The control group received two injections of 0.65% saline spaced 3 days apart. The test group received a 0.1-mg/kg SG-G100 (salmon gonadotropin) injection, followed on the third day by a 2.5-mg/kg SG-G100 injection. By Day 8, 73% of the treated group and 0% of the control group had ovulated. Prespawning mortality accounted for 22% of the treated fish and 83.4% of the control fish. Treatment resulted in a net gain of 16,000 eggs over the control. The second experiment began 3 days before the peak spawning period. The 32 fish which remained in the stock population were divided into three groups and received two injections 3 days apart. The two treatment groups received either 0.1 mg SG-G100/kg followed by 2.0 mg SG-100/kg, or 0.1 mg SG-G100/kg followed by 50.0 mg salmon pituitary extract (SPE)/kg. The control group was injected with 0.65% saline. By Day 8, 73% of the SPE group, 82% of the SG-G100 group, and 40% of the control group had ovulated. Treatment resulted in a net gain of 16,000 eggs for the SG-G100 group and 19,000 eggs for the SPE group over the control. No significant differences in egg size or percent survival to the eyed stage were found between test and control groups. The misjudgment of maturity led to the stripping of several fish before their eggs were completely ovulated. The factors leading to these partial ovulations are discussed.