Dietary leucine requirement of Juvenile Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary leucine on growth performance, feed utilization, body composition and non‐specific immune responses of juvenile Nile tilapia. Five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated to contain graded levels of L‐leucine (5.3, 8.1, 10.9, 13.2, 15.6 and 18.1 g kg^?1 diet, respectively) from dietary ingredients and crystalline L‐leucine. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 20 juvenile fish (1.94 ± 0.01 g) three times daily to apparent satiation. Results showed that the weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) increased as dietary leucine concentrations increased from 5.3 to 13.2 g kg^?1 and then decreased slightly with further increase in dietary leucine concentrations. Quadratic regression analysis (y = ?522.6x² + 1304.x + 132.6, R² = 0.684) on weight gain against dietary leucine levels indicated that the optimal dietary leucine requirement was estimated to be 12.5 g kg^?1 diet (corresponding to 43.1 g kg^?1 of dietary protein). Leucine supplementation had no impact on the survival and body composition of tilapia. Serum lysozyme activity of fish fed diet containing 13.2 g kg^?1 leucine significantly increased compared to fish fed diet containing 5.3 g kg^?1. Serum superoxide dismutase activity and immunoglobulin M (IgM) concentration were not significantly affected by dietary leucine supplementation.     

Economic profitability of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) production in Kenya

Economic profitability of Nile tilapia production in Kenya was analysed using a model that simulated individual fish growth and took fish population dynamics in the pond into account. The results suggest that the currently practiced mixed‐sex tilapia culture is economically unsustainable. It is suggested that research and extension efforts be geared towards developing monosex Nile tilapia production systems. Nile tilapia culture with African catfish predation should be viewed as an intermediate step towards all‐male Nile tilapia culture. This will allow accumulation of both physical and human capital to support all‐male tilapia culture. Under all‐male culture, economic returns are high enough to justify investment in Nile tilapia culture using borrowed capital. However, the success of monosex culture will depend on the availability and affordability of quality fingerlings and low‐cost fish feeds. The results have a wide application in Sub‐Saharan Africa where mixed‐sex Nile tilapia culture is common.     

Test of size-specific mass selection for Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L., cage farming in the Philippines

One generation of mass selection based on the collimation procedure (early culling of large fry) was applied on Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L., in net cages set in Laguna de Bay, Philippines. The objective was to test the effectiveness of a low-cost, small-scale broodstock improvement procedure in this culture environment. Directional selection was performed in two steps after initial removal of large fry at 21 days. Selection of parents and testing of the offspring were also conducted in hapa net cages set up in Laguna de Bay. The selection resulted in a significant positive response of 3% relative to the control, which represents a projected 34% gain over 5 years in Laguna cage culture. The realized heritability is ≈16%.     

Genetic changes during mass selection for growth in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), assessed by microsatellites

Two control (C1 or first control generation, and C4 or fourth control generation) and three selected (S1 or first selected generation, S2 or second selected generation, S4 or fourth selected generation) stocks of Chitralada Nile tilapia were analysed for microsatellite variation to determine the effect of size‐specific mass selection on genetic variability. Genetic variation based on five microsatellite loci (UNH123, UNH147, UNH172, UNH222 and UNH216) showed a slightly higher allelic diversity in the selected stocks (7.4–10 alleles) than in the control stocks (6.8–8.8 alleles). Apparent reductions in the mean number of alleles and H_e values were noted in successive generations of both control and selected lines. Significant deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium because of an excess of homozygotes indicated inbreeding in all control and selected stocks. Although estimated inbreeding levels were not significantly different among selected and control lines based on Welch's t‐tests, the increase in the degree of inbreeding within the selected line was higher (107.9%) than the control line (64.2%) after four generations. The implications of these results on the management and conservation of genetic diversity in improved breeds are discussed, while the importance of monitoring and minimizing inbreeding are likewise emphasized.     

Effect of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), size on phytoplankton filtration rate

Four different‐sized (390±3, 140±2, 40±2, 16±1 g) Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), stocked at the same biomass in timed pulse feeding chambers were provided 27–29°C water dominated by Microcystis (82%) and Scenedesmus (18%) to determine the effect of fish size on filtration rates. The number of Microcystis and Scenedesmus units filtered from the water decreased significantly with increasing tilapia size. The shaping constants and maximum filtration rates for Ivlev's feeding model used to describe the relation between filtration rates and the suspended particulate organic carbon (POC) concentrations were significantly different among the four sizes. Filtration rates of 763, 671, 512 and 300 mg C kg^?1 h^?1, which correspond to 70%, 82%, 86% and 90% saturation levels, were achieved at POC levels of 30, 32, 32 and 33 mg C L^?1 for 16, 40, 140 and 390 g Nile tilapia respectively. Smaller tilapia achieved these rates at lower POC concentrations than larger tilapia.     

Optimum selenium requirement of juvenile Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

A feeding experiment was conducted to determine the optimum selenium requirement in juvenile Nile tilapia. Each of six purified diets with Se‐methionine levels at 0.05, 0.21, 0.41, 0.57, 0.79 and 1.00 mg/kg was assayed in triplicate with initial body weight of 3.00 ± 0.01 g for 8 weeks. The growth of fish was obviously increased when the dietary Se was less than 0.57 mg/kg diet and reached a plateau when the dietary Se was ≥0.57 mg/kg. Serum and hepatopancreatic glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity increased markedly when the dietary Se was less than 0.57 mg/kg, but then decreased when the dietary Se was higher than 0.57 mg/kg. The malondialdehyde contents in hepatopancreas were significantly decreased when the dietary Se was higher than 0.79 mg/kg. No significant differences were observed in hepatopancreatic total antioxidant capability (T‐AOC) among the groups (p > .05). The results of this study indicated that Se addition as Se‐methionine was essential, while both the deficiency and excess levels of dietary Se would cause negative effects on growth or antioxidant capability in juvenile Nile tilapia. Based on broken‐line regression of WG and piecewise regression of liver GPx, the optimum requirement of Se for juvenile Nile tilapia is 0.57 mg/kg diet.     

Comparative digestion efficiencies in conventional, genetically improved and genetically male Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

Apparent digestibility of dry matter, protein, lipid and energy of a fishmeal‐based feed (41% crude protein, 9% crude lipid and 19 kJ g⁻¹ gross energy) was compared in genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT), genetically male Nile tilapia (GMNT) and conventional Nile tilapia (CNT) (Oreochromis niloticus). The experimental fish were reared individually under standardized conditions in a recirculation system at 27±0.1°C for 10 weeks. Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) was used as a marker. Faeces of individual fish were collected daily by siphoning and stored at −18°C before analysis. No significant differences (P<0.05) were observed in the digestibility coefficients of feed dry matter (78.2±3.4%, 77.7±4.4% and 76.4±3.7%), protein (87.9±3.0%, 88.4±2.8% and 88.0±3.3%), lipid (90.0±2.5%, 91.0±2.1% and 89.4±3.0%) and energy (90.4±1.9%, 90.7±2.0% and 89.4±2.3%) in GIFT, GMNT and CNT respectively. At the end of the experiment, there were no significant differences (P<0.05) in average percentage growth (82.2±7.2, 87.3±7.7 and 74.7±4.1 respectively for GIFT, GMNT and CNT), growth rates or feed utilization efficiencies between the three tilapia groups. We conclude that the higher growth claimed for improved GIFT and GMNT as compared with CNT, if ever existing, cannot be attributed to higher nutrients or energy digestibility.     

Dietary valine requirement of juvenile Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to quantify the dietary valine requirement of cultured juvenile Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Six isonitrogenous (280 g/kg crude protein) and isoenergetic (16.06 MJ/kg gross energy) diets with graded levels of valine (amounting to 4.1, 7.2, 9.9, 12.7, 15.6 and 18.8 g/kg of dry diet) were formulated. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 20 fish (6.48 ± 0.06 g). Results showed that the weight gain, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio and protein retention efficiency all increased with an increasing level of dietary valine up to 12.7 g/kg, but remained relatively constant for fish fed higher levels of dietary valine. In addition, the total protein concentration and aspirate aminotransferase activity in plasma, hepatic lysozyme and catalase activities were all significantly (p < .05) improved by dietary valine supplementation. Based on the broken‐line regression analysis of weight gain and protein retention efficiency, the optimal dietary valine requirement for juvenile Nile tilapia occurred between a level of 11.5 g/kg of diet (equivalent to 41.1 g/kg of dietary protein) and 12.7 g/kg of diet (equivalent to 45.3 g/kg of dietary protein).     

Spontaneous diploidization of the maternal chromosome set in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) eggs

Spontaneous diploidization of the maternal chromosome set (SDM) in Oreochromis niloticus is described here for the first time. The SDM phenomenon was observed in progeny of only one XY neofemale out of 11 such neofemales from which eggs had been fertilized with UV‐irradiated sperm: this treatment produced only the expected haploid embryos from the other females. SDM progeny were produced from three different batches of eggs from this female. No significant differences in survival at different stages of embryonic development were observed between the SDM and the diploid control group. The maternal inheritance of SDM progeny was verified using multilocus DNA fingerprinting. Only diploid karyotypes were observed in these fish and diploid control groups. In both the SDM and control groups, sex ratios were significantly skewed towards males (93.3% and 65.0% males respectively). The actual mechanism of SDM in eggs from this particular female remains unknown.     

Selection response for Streptococcus agalactiae resistance in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

The potential of selection to improve resistance to streptococcosis was evaluated in a commercial population of Nile tilapia in Thailand. The base generation (G0) consisted of offspring from 98 sires and 149 dams using a partly nested design. At 60 days post‐hatch, 30 fish from each family were injected intraperitoneally with a Streptococcosis agalactiae solution (1 × 10⁹ CFU/ml) and evaluated for 14 days. Disease resistance was recorded as the number of days from challenge until death (DD) and as a binary (BIN) trait (dead/alive) on day 14. Three models were used for genetic analyses: Cox frailty model for DD; animal model for DD; and animal model for BIN. Age at challenge was fitted as a covariate and contemporary group as fixed or random effect, depending on the model. Fish from the 18 most resistant families were selected to produce the first generation (G1). Heritability estimates for G0 were 0.22, 0.14 ± 0.02 and 0.11 ± 0.02 for the Cox, linear DD and linear BIN models, respectively. Selection response indicated that the risk of death decreased to 54%, survival time increased to 3.4 days and survival rate increased to 21%. These results suggest that genetic improvement is possible for this population.     

Partial and complete replacement of fish meal by broad bean meal in feeds for Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, L., fry

A 16‐week feeding experiment was conducted to study the feasibility of using broad bean meal (BBM) as a replacement for fish meal (FM) for Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus fry, initial average weight 1.9±0.18 g. FM (50% of the diet) was used as sole sources of animal protein in the control diet 1. The replacement levels of BBM in diets (2–5) were 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of the FM. Methionine (1%) and lysine (0.5%) were added to each diet except the control diet. Three groups of fish were fed each of five isonitrogenous (31.2% CP) and isocaloric (20.1 kJ g^?1), and performance was compared against a nutritionally balanced control diet at the end of the experiment. Nile tilapia fed the diet containing 50% BBM exhibited comparable growth with those fed the FM‐based control diet. Digestibility of protein, energy and lipid decreased with increasing levels of BBM above 50% of total replacement FM into the diet. Incorporation of BBM in the diets significantly affected the moisture, fat and energy of whole fish body. These results suggest that BBM can replace 50% of the FM in diet for Nile tilapia fry, without adverse effects on fish performance.     

Effect of water temperature on energy budget of Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

A 21‐day growth trial was undertaken to investigate the effect of water temperature (25, 28, 31, 34, 37 °C) on growth, feed utilization and energy budget of juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) (initial body weight around 12 g) with four replicates at each temperature. Feed intake energy (IE), recovered energy (RE), faecal energy (FE), excretory energy (UE + ZE) and heat energy (HE) were calculated to obtain the energy budget. The results showed that feeding rate and ammonia excretion were not significantly affected by water temperature. Specific growth rate in wet weight (SGRw) and FE was significantly lower in the fish reared at 37 °C while no significant difference was observed between the fish reared at 25–34 °C. Protein retention efficiency was highest at 28 °C and lowest at 37 °C. The proportion of IE channelled into RE and UE + ZE was lower while those lost in HE was higher in the fish reared at 37 °C. The optimal growth temperature was estimated as 30.1 °C based on the regression of SGR and water temperature. Energy budget at maximum growth (34 °C) was: 100 IE = 27.0 RE + 1.1 (ZE + UE) + 10.6 FE + 59.2 HE. HE accounted for 69.3% and RE for 30.7% of metabolizable energy.     

Evaluation of the link between gyrodactylosis and streptococcosis of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

Streptococcus iniae and Gyrodactylus niloticus are two common pathogens of cultured Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. We studied concurrent infection of tilapia by G. niloticus and S. iniae and evaluated whether parasitism in tilapia with Gyrodactylus increased susceptibility and mortality following immersion infection with S. iniae. Results showed that death mainly occurred in fish with G. niloticus and challenged with S. iniae (G-S group). The accumulative mortality (42.2%) was significantly higher in the G-S group than in fish not infected by the parasite (6.7%), but exposed to S. iniae. Bacteriological examination revealed S. iniae from > or =92% of dead or moribund fish challenged with S. iniae. Gyrodactylus not only damaged fish epithelium and provided entry for invasive bacteria but also was found to harbour viable cells of S. iniae for 24 and 72 h. Streptococcus iniae was isolated from 60% and 40% of G. niloticus collected from fish infected by intraperitoneal injection or immersion, respectively, at 24 h post-challenge. The present study confirms that parasitism of tilapia by G. niloticus increased host mortality following exposure to the bacterial pathogen S. iniae.     

MyoD,myogenin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression in growing Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.)

In the present study, immunohistochemical and morphometric analysis was used to characterize variations in muscle growth performance during muscle fibre recruitment and hypertrophy. As in fisheries, fish were classified into four age stages: alevin 35 days (0.65±0.08 g); juvenile 60 days (13.67±1.35 g); adult 90 days (73.18±4.70 g) and adult 190 days (349.76±34.62 g). The number of nuclei expressing MyoD and myogenin was similar in alevin, juvenile and adult 90 days; however, in adult 190 days, the number of nuclei expressing myogenin was higher than the number expressing MyoD. The number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen‐stained nuclei in each stage was higher than MyoD and myogenin staining with peaks in alevin and adult 90 days. These data suggest that growth per se stimulated cellular proliferation and nuclei accretion of Nile tilapia muscle fibres in alevin, juvenile and adult 90 days. Muscle fibre differentiation was more pronounced in adult 190 days.