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.     

Developing a low fishmeal diet for juvenile Pacific white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei,using the nutritional value of FM as the reference profile

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of fish‐meal replacement on growth performance, antioxidative ability, immune capacity and haemolymph metabolites of Litopenaeus vannamei. A 250 g/kg fish‐meal diet was used as control (Diet 1). Other two diets contained 100 g/kg fishmeal, Diet 2 was supplemented with three indispensable amino acids, and Diet 3 was supplemented with microbalance components and phytase. Weight gain was lower in shrimp fed the Diet 2 than shrimp fed the Diet 1. Feed efficiency, protein efficiency ratio and survival were higher in shrimp fed the Diet 1 than other groups. Glutathione and nitric oxide contents in haemolymph were decreased in shrimp fed the Diet 2, and nitric oxide synthetase, phenoloxidase, acid phosphatase and myeloperoxidase activities showed the similar tendency. In hepatopancreas, antioxidative ability and immune capacity also lower in shrimp fed the Diet 2. In haemolymph, 21 differential metabolites were identified, and 13 metabolism pathways were affected by different diets. Generally, the fishmeal inclusion level could be reduced from 250 g/kg to 100 g/kg without affecting the growth performance of L. vannamei, and meanwhile, the protein utilization efficiency and antioxidative ability of shrimp fed the low fishmeal diets should be more focused on in future studies.     

Feed Containing Novacq Improves Resilience of Black Tiger Shrimp,Penaeus Monodon,to Gill‐associated Virus‐induced Mortality

The ability of Novacq to improve resilience of black tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon, to infection and mortality induced by gill‐associated virus (GAV) was investigated. Over a 26‐d period, shrimp were fed pellets with or without 10% Novacq. Following this, four replicate tanks, each containing 10 shrimp that had been fed either diet, were maintained as‐is, injected with saline or injected with GAV inoculum (i.e., 40 shrimp for each of the six groups). For shrimp (n = 20) in two of each group of four tanks, survival was monitored daily over 14 d and a pleopod was sampled from each shrimp on Days 0 and 14. For the other two tanks, a pleopod was sampled from each shrimp on Days 0, 3, 7, 10, and 14 to track changes in GAV loads over time. Survival was significantly higher (P < 0.05) from Day 7 onward among the group fed Novacq. GAV infection loads appeared to vary more between individuals in the Novacq diet cohort, but overall were not reduced significantly at any time points post‐challenge compared to shrimp tested from the Control diet cohort.     

Demonstration that Feeds Containing <1% Fishmeal Can Support Grow‐out of Large Juvenile Red Drum,Sciaenops ocellatus,and Reduce Nutrient Waste

We conducted a 16‐wk feeding trial with large juvenile red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus. Four diets were randomly assigned to six replicate tanks per treatment. Three isonitrogenous (ca. 44.5% protein) and isolipidic (ca. 14.1% lipid) extruded diets were formulated to compare a fishmeal‐based diet with diets using alternative protein sources. Diet 1 contained 19.60% fishmeal and 21.42% poultry meals as primary protein sources. Two alternative diets were formulated reducing the fishmeal to 0.61% by substituting poultry meals (33.85%) and soybean protein concentrate (11.55% in Diet 2 and 11.70% in Diet 3). Diet 3 also included Allzyme Vegpro® and Allzyme® SSF at 0.04%. Diet 4, a natural diet consisting of chopped cigar minnows, squid, and shrimp, was used as a positive control to compare growth rates of formulated feeds to near maximum growth under these culture conditions. We found that reducing the amount of fishmeal to <1% by using alternative protein sources did not affect the growth rate, survival, or health of red drum but improved assimilation of phosphorus, reduced potential release of P to the environment, and significantly lowered the amount of feeder fish needed in feed. The control diet identified performance benchmarks for future feeds development work.     

Effects of different dietary copper sources on the growth and intestinal microbial communities of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary copper sources on growth performance and intestinal microbial communities of juvenile Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Four isonitrogenous (420 g/kg crude protein) and isolipidic (70 g/kg crude lipid) experimental diets were formulated to contain different copper sources, Diet NSC (no‐supplemented copper), Diet CS (copper sulphate), Diet Availa (copper amino acid complex from Availa^®Cu100) and Diet M (1:1, copper sulphate + copper amino acid complex). A total of 360 Pacific white shrimp juveniles (initial weight: 1.86 ± 0.03 g) were randomly allocated into four groups, with three replicates per group and 30 shrimps each replicate. An Illumina‐based sequencing method was used to analyse the intestinal bacterial composition of shrimp juveniles. The results revealed that shrimps fed Diet M had significantly higher percent weight gain (PWG) than that fed Diet NSC and Diet CS, while there were no significant differences between Diet M and Diet Availa. Survival was not affected by the dietary copper sources. Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were dominant in the intestines of Pacific white shrimp. Shrimps fed Diet M and Diet Availa had higher bacterial richness and diversity than those fed Diet NSC and Diet CS with no significant differences among all treatments. Furthermore, Diet M and Diet Availa which contained copper amino acid complex reduced the relative abundance of Vibrionaceae in shrimp intestinal tract. This study indicated that dietary copper sources could affect the intestinal microbial communities and diets supplemented with Availa^®Cu100 could have a positive impact on the growth performance and decrease the potential risk of disease in Pacific white shrimp.     

A Methodology for Evaluation of Dietary Feeding Stimulants for the Pacific White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei

A simple and practical method for quantification of feeding stimulation of shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei was developed using feed preference as an index of comparison. Feed preference was defined as the percentage of shrimp observed in each feeding tray. Preliminary trials were undertaken with two commercial feeds (45% protein with 5% squid meal and 40% protein without squid meal). Results indicated the following criteria were suitable for use as methodology for evaluating feeding stimulation in 5-m diameter static flow tanks: shrimp density (2.5 shrimp/m2); observational period (1 or 2 h post-addition of feed to trays), feed rate (2%), and between-trial feed rate (2%). A further investigation was undertaken to evaluate the influence of protein level and source on feed preference using a basal diet consisting of wheat flour, casein, carboxymethyl cellulose binder, and limestone, with or without krill meal as a feeding stimulant. A significant difference was shown in feeding preference for the 16% protein/4% krill meal vs. one without krill meal; however, this relationship was not shown in 45% protein feed comparisons. A second trial comparing 0, 16,30, and 45 % protein/casein-based feeds showed similar results. From these findings, it was postulated that casein, itself, also serves as a feeding stimulant at high dietary inclusion levels. A third trial comparing 16% protein/casein or wheat gluten-based feeds Indicated a delay of at least 2 h in maximum feeding preference response in feeds in which 4% krill meal was added as a feeding stimulant. It was postulated that chemical stimulants from krill meal were more slowly released in wheat gluten-based feeds. Our methodology appears suitable for evaluation of potential feeding stimulants when incorporated into low-protein casein-based or wheat-gluten-based feeds.     

Apparent digestibility of selected feed ingredients for white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei,Boone

Apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter (DM), crude protein, crude lipid, gross energy, phosphorus and amino acids in Peruvian fish meal (FM), fermented soybean meal, extruded soybean meal, soybean meal, peanut meal, wheat gluten meal, corn gluten meal, shrimp byproduct meal, meat and bone meal (MBM), poultry meat meal and plasma protein meal (PPM) were determined for white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). A reference diet (RF) and test diets (consisting of 70% RF diet and 30% of the feedstuff) were used with 0.5% chromic oxide as an external indicator. A total of 1440 shrimp (initial mean body weight 1.05 ± 0.01 g) were randomly stocked into thirty‐six 500‐L fibreglass tanks with 40 shrimp per tank and three tanks per diet. Faeces were collected from triplicate groups of shrimp by a faecal collection vessel attached to the shrimp‐rearing tank. The shrimp were fed to apparent satiation four times a day and the feeding experiment lasted for 6 weeks. Statistics indicate that apparent DM digestibilities for white shrimp (L. vannamei) were the highest for FM, ranged 52.83–71.23% for other animal products and 69.98–77.10% for plant products. The protein and lipid from plant and animal sources were well digested by white shrimp. Apparent protein and lipid digestibility were in the range 87.89–93.18% and 91.57–95.28%, respectively, in plant products, and 75.00–92.34% and 83.72–92.79%, respectively, for animal products. The white shrimp demonstrated a high capacity to utilize phosphorus in the ingredients. The apparent phosphorus digestibility ranges of animal feedstuffs and plant feedstuffs were 58.90–71.61% and 75.77–82.30% respectively. Amino acid availability reflected protein digestibility, except that in MBM, for which the availability of some amino acid was lower, possibly due to protein damage during processing. Digestibility information could promote the use of ingredient substitution in least‐cost formulated diets for white shrimp.     

Use of plant‐based protein concentrates as replacement for fishmeal in practical diets for the Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) reared under high stocking density and low salinity conditions

Two feeding trials were conducted to investigate the effect of replacing fishmeal with a combination of soy and corn protein concentrate (1:1 ratio) on growth performance of the Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). A basal diet containing 200 g/kg fishmeal was systematically reduced (200, 150, 100, 50 and 0 g/kg) with protein concentrate on an isonitrogenous basis. Additionally, two diets containing 0 or 50 g/kg fishmeal were supplemented with lysine and methionine to evaluate possible limitations in EAAs. Each diet was randomly fed to five replicate tanks (15 shrimp per 75 L aquaria) reared in an indoor clear water system (Trial 1), or four replicate circular tanks (100 shrimp per 800 L) reared in outdoor green water system (Trial 2). In trial 1, results indicated a slight decrease in shrimp performance as fishmeal was replaced at the highest levels. Meanwhile, the supplementation of lysine and methionine to the diets did not result in shifts in survival, growth or FCR. In trial 2, there were no significant differences in growth performance across the tested diets. This study demonstrated that plant‐based protein concentrates can be used to replace fishmeal in practical shrimp diet in clear and green water under high stocking density.     

Experimental evaluation of co-culture of juvenile sea cucumbers, Holothuria scabra (Jaeger), with juvenile blue shrimp, Litopenaeus stylirostris (Stimpson)

The co‐culture of juvenile sea cucumber Holothuria scabra (Jaeger), or ‘sandfish’, with juvenile blue shrimp Litopenaeus stylirostris (Stimpson) was tested by growing groups in co‐culture and monoculture for 3 weeks in tanks with enriched sand substratum. Feed was supplied on trays, accessible only to shrimp. Survival of shrimp and sandfish was high in all treatments (73–100%). Growth of shrimp did not differ between monoculture and co‐culture, but sandfish grew significantly slower in co‐culture (P=0.03), although their sand burying and surface foraging were apparently unaffected by shrimp (P=0.76). However, shrimp increased the levels of total ammonia‐N in tanks, which related inversely with sandfish growth (P=0.04). Conversely, sandfish did not appear to lower the water quality for shrimp culture. While sandfish bioturbate sediments and eat organic deposits, the juveniles did not significantly reduce the organic content of sand in tanks. Co‐culturing juveniles of the two species in earthen ponds appears feasible, with no detriment to shrimp production, presenting a cost‐effective method for growing sandfish to larger sizes for restocking. These findings underpin further studies to test the viability of commercial co‐culture of sandfish with blue shrimp at later stages in the production cycle of shrimp.     

Effects of Gender and Size on Feed Acquisition in the Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, are sexually dimorphic for growth, where subadult and adult females typically are larger than males of the same age. This character may be attributed to physiological and/or behavioral differences between the sexes. To determine if growth differences are the result of a more aggressive feeding behavior by females, four concurrent feeding trials were conducted to study the effects of gender and size on feed acquisition time. Feeding trials consisted of tanks (three replicate tanks per trial) stocked with (1) all females with small‐ and large‐size groups, (2) all males with small‐ and large‐size groups, (3) a random selection of males and females (resulting in larger females than males), and (4) males and females of equal size. Depending on the trial, tanks were stocked with either an equal number of males and females or small and large shrimp. Shrimp were fed a limited ration of squid, and the total feeding time (TFT) of shrimp between groups within a tank was compared. Results show that both gender and size are important factors in TFT as large shrimp out‐competed small shrimp in both all‐female and all‐male feeding trials. Gender is more important than size as males out‐competed females for feed even when they were smaller than competing females. These results suggest that sexual growth dimorphism is not the result of more aggressive feeding by females. In fact, males have a competitive advantage over females in acquiring feed. These results are counterintuitive because females typically are larger than males. Additional research is needed to investigate the physiological basis for sexual growth dimorphism in this commercially important shrimp.     

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.     

摄食促进剂对对虾生长的影响

IntroductionMeasures to assure that all feed offered to animals in commercial operation is consumed and to reduceformulated feed waste pollution,have been considered as some of the most relevant for lowering productioncosts in aquaculture.Considering the importance of chemical stimulant in development of the crustacean lifecircle,it is logical to assume that by adding attractants to the feed,the animal would rapidly find potentialfeed and ingest it.Additionally,measures involving the incorpora…     

Different preference is modulated by the feeding stimulants supplementation in different Chinese soft‐shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) basic diets

Five 2‐week feeding trials were conducted to investigate five stimulants on P. sinensis. Two isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated, one contained 600 g kg^–1 fishmeal (FM diet) and the other contained 420 g kg^–1 fishmeal and 225 g kg^–1 animal protein blend (APB diet), and each tested one stimulant with four levels. The feeding stimulant candidates were betaine, 2‐carboxy‐ethyl dimethyl sulphonium bromide (DMPT), inosine‐5′‐monophosphate (IMP), taurine and squid extract. In the experiment on each stimulant, turtles (10.85 ± 0.10 g) were equally divided into FM and APB groups and fed with an equal mixture of corresponding diets containing four levels of stimulants, respectively. Each diet contained a unique rare earth oxide as inert marker. Turtles were fed twice daily (8:00 and 17:00), and faeces were collected. Preference for each diet was estimated based on the relative concentration of each marker in the faeces. In the FM group, only IMP showed the enhanced attraction. But in APB groups, all the stimulants, except IMP, showed higher preference than basal diets for at least one inclusion level, and the optimum level was 10 g kg^–1 for betaine, 0.1 g kg^–1 for DMPT, 0.1 g kg^–1 for IMP, 5 g kg^–1 for taurine and 10 g kg^–1 for squid extract, and the squid extract had the strongest stimulating effect among the stimulants.     

An acoustic based approach to evaluate the effect of different diet lengths on feeding behavior of Litopenaeus vannamei

Studying shrimp feeding behavior is challenging and, traditionally, studies have been using direct visual observation or video recordings with image analysis under laboratory conditions. Passive acoustics monitoring (PAM) is a non-invasive approach to study feeding behavior of penaeids, as their mandibles emit clicking sounds during feed ingestion. Considering the wide variation available in shrimp diet lengths, our knowledge is still limited about their effects on feeding behavior. The present study was designed to use acoustics to evaluate the feeding behavior of Litopenaeus vannamei fed different diet lengths. A commercial pelleted diet with similar diameter (2.4 mm) and three different lengths was used as treatments “small” (2.35 mm), “medium” (4.26 mm) and “large” (8.42 mm). Three separate trials were performed with fastened shrimp (20 g), using omnidirectional hydrophones and external audio recorders. Our approach started with the characterization of the click acoustic parameters produced by three shrimps when fed the different diet lengths in anechoic chambers (15 L). We then analyze the number of clicks produced per pellet and duration of the clicking activity when shrimp fed a single pellet in individual tanks (1 L). Finally, the acoustic energy of feeding activity and feed consumption, as well as theirs relationship to predict feed intake was evaluated in aquaria (70 L) with five shrimps. The acoustic parameters of isolated clicks were not affected by the different diet lengths, however, doubling the length of the pellet resulted in doubling the number of clicks emitted during feeding activity. The duration of clicking activity per pellet indicated that small pellets are consumed 2.9 and 4.7 times faster than medium and large pellets, respectively. Furthermore, feeding acoustic energy of small pellets decreased rapidly after feed offer, as their faster consumption probably contributed to shrimps achieved satiety earlier than larger diets. Feed consumption was similar among diets length, but significantly correlated with the feeding acoustic energy emitted by L. vannamei, which is a breakthrough in feeding behavioral research. The results highlight the potential and possibilities of an acoustic approach to estimate feed consumption, as well as an alternative to traditional methods in feeding behavioral studies to improve efficiency of feed management.     

Methionine Requirement in Practical Diets of Juvenile Nile Tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

Two feeding experiments were conducted to confirm methionine requirement in practical diets of juvenile Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Test diets used in both experiments contained 414 kcal gross energy, 28 g protein, and 5 g lipid per 100 g diet. In the first experiment, seven diets were made using cottonseed meal (CSM), dehulled solvent‐extracted soybean meal (DSESM), and gelatin as intact protein sources. Methionine was added to five of these diets at 0.03 or 0.06% increments to produce methionine levels ranging from 0.33 to 0.57% of the diet. Each diet was fed to four replicate groups of male juvenile Nile tilapia (5.62 ± 0.13 g) in a recirculation system for 8 wk. Broken‐line regression analysis of weight gain indicated that methionine requirement of juvenile Nile tilapia was 0.49% of the diet or 1.75% of dietary protein at cystine level of 0.45% of the diet. The second experiment was designed based on methionine requirement determined in the first experiment and also contained seven test diets. The first six diets contained CSM and DSESM as protein sources. Methionine was added to five of these diets at an increasing rate of 0.06% to produce methionine levels ranging from 0.49 to 0.79% of the diet. In the last diet (Diet 7), a portion of DSESM was replaced by gelatin to reduce methionine level to 0.33% of the diet in order to test whether methionine is limited. Each diet was also fed to four replicate groups of male juvenile Nile tilapia (2.32 ± 0.06 g) in a recirculation system for 9 wk. At the termination of the second experiment, there were no significant differences in terms of weight gain, survival, and feed efficiency ratio (FER) among the fish fed the first six diets. However, weight gain and FER of the fish fed these diets were significantly better than those fed Diet 7, confirming the methionine requirement value as has been determined in the first experiment.     

Effects of a yeast‐based additive on growth and immune responses of white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931), and aquaculture environment

A 60 days feeding experiment was conducted to determine the effects of YK‐6 (a yeast culture feed supplement) on growth and immune responses of white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei and aquaculture environment in commercial scale farms composed of nine ponds. Three treatments (control, Diet 1 and Diet 2) were designed to contain YK‐6 levels of 0.0, 1.0 and 1.5 g kg^?1 respectively. At the end of the test, the mean production of Diet 1 (0.649 ± 0.030 kg m^?2) and Diet 2 (0.648 ± 0.033 kg m^?2) were significantly higher than that of the control by 29.5% and 29.3% respectively. The feed conversion ratio decreased significantly by 12.3% (Diet 1) and 8.5% (Diet 2) compared with the control group respectively. The environmental indices indicate that the quality of water and pond sediment was improved. The endotoxin concentrations, the number of Vibrios and heterotrophic bacteria in the shrimp intestine of the treatment groups were significantly lower than that of the control, particularly in the later stage of the farming period. The YK‐6 extended positive effects on growth, improved sediment quality, reduced endotoxin in shrimp intestine, and enhanced activities of lysozyme and phenoloxidase.     

Method for determining the physical stability of shrimp feeds in water

Three methods for measuring the water stability and leaching characteristics of shrimp pelleted feeds were developed and tested: static water method, horizontal shaking method and vertical shaking method. Each method was tested using a commercial and experimental pelleted shrimp feed. Both feeds had a pellet size of 2.4 mm × 5.0 mm with similar proximate composition (35% protein and 9% fat). Each test run consisted of leaching c. 2 g of feed at six intervals of immersion time (0, 30, 60, 120, 240, 360 min), two concentrations of salinity (0, 34 ppt), and three different water temperatures (15, 25, 35 °C). A refrigerated circulating water bath was used to maintain the desired level of water temperature. For the static water and horizontal shaking methods, a Buchner filtration apparatus with Whatman filter paper no. 3 (5 μ) was used to separate the remaining pellets from leached water. The vertical shaking method (VanKel) utilized a perforated stainless‐steel basket (381 μ) for leaching and serving as a filter to separate pellets from leached water. For all three methods, the leached feed and original feed samples were dried in a convection oven at 105 °C for 24 h and then cooled in a desiccator. Dried feed samples were weighed and analysed for dry matter retention. Pellet stability was calculated as the ratio of dry matter retention after leaching and dry matter of original samples expressed as a percentage. Results indicated that any method for pellet stability analysis should take into account water temperature and salinity in addition to actual pellet agitation rate to obtain accurate and consistent measurement of pellet disintegration and nutrient leaching. Dry matter retention was different for each shrimp feed with experimental feed (72.8%) showing lower retention than commercial feed (88%) after 6 h of VanKel leaching under normal shrimp culture conditions. The three methods provided reproducible results with both horizontal and vertical shaking methods recommended for routine laboratory analysis because they could provide different degrees of pellet agitation that simulate actual indoor and outdoor shrimp culture conditions.     

Optimal dietary lipid requirement of postlarval white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei in relation to growth performance,stress tolerance and immune response

A 25‐day experiment was conducted to evaluate the optimal lipid level for postlarval Litopenaeus vannamei. Shrimp (1.7 mg) were fed five isonitrogenous diets containing grade levels of lipid (96.6, 114.3, 128.5, 136.5 and 154.5 g/kg diet, respectively). Each diet was assigned to four tanks (500 shrimp), and shrimp were fed six times a day. Weight gain was increased with the increasing dietary lipid levels, and the highest weight gain was observed in shrimp fed diet with 154.5 g/kg lipid (p < 0.05). On the contrary, the survival was lowest in shrimp fed the L15.45 and highest in shrimp fed the L11.43. Triglyceride in hepatopancreas was increased, and cholesterol was decreased with the increasing dietary lipid. Pyruvate kinase and AMPK mRNA expression were highest in shrimp fed the L12.85. Malondialdehyde in whole body was positively correlated with the dietary lipid levels. The mRNA expression of SOD and Caspase 3 was highest in shrimp fed the L12.85. After hypoxia stress, shrimp fed the L12.85 showed highest survival. The mRNA expression of superoxide dismutase and Akirin was highest in shrimp fed the L11.43 and L15.45, respectively. Based on the survival after 25‐day feeding trail and after the hypoxia stress, the optimal dietary lipid for postlarval L. vannamei should be 118–124 g/kg.     

Digestibility of Dry Matter, Protein, Lipid, and Organic Matter of Two Fish Meals, Two Poultry By-product Meals, Soybean Meal, and Distiller's Dried Grains with Solubles in Practical Diets for Sunshine Bass, Morone chrysops ×M. saxatilis

Limited information is available on digestibility of nutrients in various practical ingredients used in diets for commercially important finfish species, such as hybrid striped bass. This information is especially needed for sunshine bass, Morone chrysops × M. saxatilis , to improve least-cost diet formulations and to allow effective substitution of feedstuffs. A study was conducted with large (867 g) sunshine bass to determine the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) for moisture, protein, lipid, and organic matter (OM) in a variety of ingredients in floating, extrusion-processed, diets. The practical ingredients tested were menhaden (MEN) fish meal (FM), anchovy (ANCH) FM, pet-food grade poultry by-product meal, feed-grade poultry by-product meal, dehulled soybean meal (SBM), and distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS). Test diets consisted of a 70:30 mixture of reference diet to test ingredient with chromic oxide (1.0%) as the inert marker. Reference and test diet ingredients were mixed and extruded on a Wenger X85 single-screw extruder to produce floating pellets. The digestibility trials were conducted in twelve 1200-L circular tanks. Diets were randomly assigned to tanks of 30 sunshine bass and were fed once daily to satiation. Protein digestibility coefficients were significantly ( P  < 0.05) different among test ingredients and ranged from 86.42% for MEN to 64.94% for DDGS. Lipid ADCs were significantly different ( P  < 0.05) among test ingredients and ranged from 92.14% for MEN to 57.11% for SBM. OM ADCs were significantly different ( P  < 0.05) among test ingredients and ranged from 89.41% for MEN to 16.94% for DDGS. This information will assist in the formulation of more efficient, economical diets for sunshine bass.     

Turbidity related to shrimp size in tanks with soil substrate

Water turbidity was monitored daily during a 63-day growth trial with juvenile Penaeus vannamei in indoor laboratory tanks. The tanks contained a 2.5 cm layer of soil substrate collected from 14 ponds representing five shrimp farms in Texas. A linear regression model relating turbidity to estimated shrimp length accounted for 49–83% of the total variation in turbidity for the 14 soil groups. For averages of daily turbidity and shrimp length over the 14 soil groups, the linear regression model yielded an r² = 0.92. Turbidity increased with shrimp length (75–135 mm), apparently because the elevated locomotory or feeding activity of the larger shrimp increased the suspension of soil particles. These results suggest the potential of using water turbidity as a tool for estimating shrimp biomass in ponds.