Transpositional feeding rhythm of loach <Emphasis Type="Italic">Misgurnus anguillicaudatus</Emphasis> from larvae to juveniles and its ontogenesis under artificial rearing conditions

The diel feeding rhythm and ontogenesis during early life stage of loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus were investigated under experimental conditions (light: L 06:00–18:00, D 18:00–06:00 h). Morphological and behavioral developments of loach from newly hatched to 40 days after hatching were observed. Larvae were able to prey on daphnia 3–4 days after hatching at 23 ± 0.5°C. As the larvae grew, they showed an increasing feeding capacity and a distinct feeding rhythm. Feeding intensity and incidence for day-4 larvae were highest at 10:00 and 16:00 h. The highest levels of feeding intensity for day-12 larvae occurred at 08:00, 12:00, and 18:00 h as did feeding incidence. By day 20, when the larvae metamorphosed, the highest levels of feeding intensity occurred at 06:00, 18:00, and 24:00 h and were concurrent with the highest feeding incidence. After metamorphosis, feeding capacity had again increased considerably and, in contrast to the earlier stages before day 20, feeding intensity for day-30 juveniles peaked at 05:00 and 20:00 h, about 1–2 h after the maximum feeding incidence. The feeding rhythm of loach juveniles at day 40 was almost the same as the day-30 juveniles. The estimated maximum daily feeding rates were 43.1%, 33.4%, 19.0%, 12.8%, and 5.8% of body weight on days 4, 12, 20, 30, and 40, respectively. Thus, loach was found to have different feeding rhythms in the pre- and post-metamorphosis stages, with the highest feeding activity in daytime during the larval planktonic stage before metamorphosis, and intensely nocturnal feeding behavior during the juvenile benthic stage after metamorphosis.     

The feeding ecology of larval Pacific hake (Merluccius productus) in the California Current region: an updated approach using a combined OPC/MOCNESS to estimate prey biovolume

A combined optical particle counter (OPC) and multiple opening and closing net and environmental sensing system (MOCNESS) was used to obtain simultaneous measurements of the fine‐scale distribution of ‘prey‐sized’ particles and the vertical distribution of larvae of Pacific hake (Merluccius productus). Physical properties were also measured. The data were used to describe the feeding ecology of Pacific hake larvae, and to explore the effects of prey abundance, time of day, temperature and depth on feeding. Pacific hake larvae consumed a wide variety of prey including copepod eggs, nauplii, copepodites, and euphausiid metanauplii. Calanoid copepodites comprised > 75% of the ingested prey volume. First‐feeding larvae were 2.5–3.0 mm SL. These larvae consumed prey 40–200 μm wide. Larvae 3.0–6.5 mm long ingested prey 40–400 μm wide and larvae > 6.5 mm long ingested prey 400–700 μm wide. There were clear diel patterns in feeding incidence and prey volume ingested. Feeding commenced between 06:01 and 08:00 hours PST and continued until ～ 16:00 hours. Ingested prey items remained in the gut until complete gut evacuation occurred near dawn. The volume of food ingested was estimated using two indices, the cube root of the prey volume (CRPV) and the cube root of the stomach volume (CRSV). Standard length, log elapsed time since gut evacuation, depth and particle biovolume contributed significantly to variation in both indices. Temperature did not contribute to variability in either CRPV or CRSV.     

Impact of environmental and innate factors on the food habit of Chinese perch Siniperca chuatsi (Basilewsky) (Percichthyidae)

Laboratory and field investigations were conducted to study the food habit of Chinese perch Siniperca chuatsi (Basilewsky) from first feeding through adult stage. Only fish larvae were consumed by Chinese perch larvae (2–21 days from hatching), and the presence of zooplankton did not have any significant effect on their survival rate. The ability of Chinese perch to feed on zooplankton is clearly limited by some innate factor. Instead of gill rakers, Chinese perch larvae have well‐developed sharp teeth at the first feeding stage, and are well adapted to the piscivorous feeding habit unique to the larvae of Chinese perch, e.g. they bite and ingest the tails of other fish larvae. At the first feeding stage (2 days from hatching), daily rations were both very low, either in light or complete darkness. Although early‐staged Chinese perch larvae (7–17 days from hatching) could feed in complete darkness, their daily rations were always significantly higher in light than in complete darkness. Late‐staged Chinese perch larvae (21 days from hatching) were able to feed in complete darkness as well as in light, similar to the case of Chinese perch yearlings. Chinese perch yearlings (total length, 14–16 cm) consumed prey fish only and refused shrimp when visual cues were available (in light), but they consumed both prey when visual cues were not available (in complete darkness), suggesting that prey consumption by Chinese perch yearlings is affected by their sensory modality in predation. Both prey were found in the stomachs of similar‐sized Chinese perch (total length, 14–32 cm) from their natural habitat, suggesting that shrimp are consumed by Chinese perch at night. Prey selection of Chinese perch with a length >38 cm, which consumed only fish in the field, appears to be based upon prey size instead of prey type. These results suggest that although environmental factors (e.g. light intensity) affect prey detection by Chinese perch, this fish is anatomically and behaviourally predisposed to prey on live fish from first feeding. This makes it a difficult fish to cultivate using conventional feeds.     

Development of Digestive Enzymes in California Halibut <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralichthys californicus</Emphasis> Larvae

California halibut Paralichthys californicus is an important commercial species with high aquaculture potential in Baja California Sur, México. To optimize the feeding process using live prey and/or inert diets, we evaluated alkaline proteases, pepsin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, leucine aminopeptidase, lipase, α-amylase, and acid and alkaline phosphatase activities on starved larvae and larvae fed live prey. Highest activities were observed for alkaline protease, trypsin, chymotrypsin, leucine aminopeptidase, and alkaline phosphatase in feeding larvae than starved larvae on day 4 after hatching. At day 5, a sizeable increase in all enzymatic activities was detected in feeding larvae. Alkaline protease, trypsin, chymotrypsin, and alkaline phosphatase decreases progressively from day 5 until day 18. At day 18, a slight pepsin activity was observed. This was considered an indicator of the start of digestive system maturation. We concluded that total enzymatic equipment for this species is complete between day 18 and 30 after hatching. Based on this evidence, early weaning from live prey to inert feed would be possible at this time.     

Use of probiotic bacteria in the rearing of Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) larvae

Three candidate probiotics, which had shown antimicrobial activity in vitro against two fish pathogens, were used in the rearing of Senegalese sole larvae and postlarvae. These probiotics improved the survival of starved sole yolk‐sac larvae. A feeding experiment of sole larvae and postlarvae comprised three treatments: A, B and C. Cultures of a Vibrio sp. (2J18) were added to treatment A, whereas a gram‐positive (J84) and a Shewanella sp. strain (2J27), were added to treatment B, while in a control treatment C no bacteria were added. Addition of bacteria in treatment B increased survival of larvae in the first phase of the experiment [0–20 days after hatching (DAH) (P<0.05)] and decreased the numbers of colony‐forming units (CFU) in larval gut 5 DAH compared with the control treatment (P<0.05). No differences were observed in survival (25–47%) during the second phase of the experiment (20–60 DAH). Nevertheless, the total numbers of CFU in fish gut 40 DAH were significantly lower in treatment B (P<0.05). The colonization rates of the added bacteria were the highest 5 and 11 DAH, and the highest average values reached were 65%, 82% and 17% of the total CFU count for the strains 2J18, 2J27 and J84 respectively.     

The Predation of Artemia Nauplii by the Larvae of the Amazon River Prawn,Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller, 1862), is Affected by Prey Density,Time of Day,and Ontogenetic Development

The present study analyzed the effects of prey density, the time of day, and ontogenetic development on the predation of Artemia nauplii by the larvae of the Amazon river prawn, Macrobrachium amazonicum, as well as possible synergy among these factors. Larvae were raised in 120‐L tanks with biological filter systems, and fed on recently hatched Artemia nauplii, using two feeding management protocols: (a) fed once per day at 2000 h (high density – HD) and (b) half of the ration provided at 2000 h, complemented at 0800 h the following day by a replacement of the nauplii consumed up to a maximum of the full ration (low density with replacement – LDWR). Each treatment consisted of six replicates. The consumption of nauplii was estimated prior to the feeding times. Consumption varied according to time of day, ontogenetic development, and feeding protocol. The larvae ingested more nauplii during the daytime at most developmental stages. Ingestion rates were similar during the day under both treatments, but at night the higher density of prey in the HD treatment caused a higher encounter rate and increased ingestion of nauplii by the larvae. Among the performance indicators only survival was greater in HD in comparison with LDWR; productivity and dry weight were similar. The results indicate a circadian trophic rhythm in M. amazonicum, with the encounter rate being an important mechanism for the capture of prey during the night. A second mechanism – probably the visual system – aids the perception of prey during the daytime. Based on these results, we suggest that feeding captive Amazon river prawn larvae only once a day would be appropriate and economically beneficial. Further work is necessary to determine the most effective time that this single feed should be applied.     

Activity pattern of the marine shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone 1931) in laboratory as a function of different feeding frequencies

Management practices on most Brazilian shrimp farms have resulted in high expenses for producers and damage to the environment. Applied ethology could provide information on the pattern of shrimp activity, enabling more efficient feeding frequencies. Behavioural activities of the shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei were recorded during different feeding frequencies. The shrimp were kept in aquariums on a 12:12 h light/dark cycle. They were fed commercial ration three (at 6:00, 12:00 and 18:00 hours), four (at 6:00, 10:00, 14:00 and 18:00 hours) or seven times per day (at 6:00. 8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00 and 18:00 hours). We observed animals at 15 min^?1 aquarium^?1 time periods, recording feeding, substrate exploration, swimming and inactivity. Feeding and exploration were the highest for shrimp fed three times per day, swimming was greatest when animals received four feedings, whereas inactivity was higher for shrimp fed seven times per day. There was greater food ingestion between 12:00 and 14:00 hours for animals fed three and four times per day, whereas swimming was high mainly at 18:00 hours for shrimp fed three and seven times per day. The results indicate higher forage‐related activities (exploration/ingestion) when feed was offered three or four times, suggesting optimization in the pattern of shrimp activities based on these feeding frequencies.     

舟山褐牙鲆（Paralichthys olivaceus）仔鱼摄食和生长的研究

试验研究了褐牙鲆Paralichthys olivaceus仔鱼的摄食和生长。结果表明,仔鱼初次开口摄食时间在6日龄（16～18℃）,初次摄食率为30％,8日龄饥饿仔鱼最大初次摄食率为65％,孵出后第9天达到不可逆点（PNR）,混合营养期为3d左右。初次摄食强度和初次摄食率开始时较低,在卵黄囊耗尽时达最高,然后下降。随着饥饿时间的延长,仔鱼出现“负增长”,孵化第11天存活率仅为10％,12日龄全部死亡。     

舟山褐牙鲆（Paralichthysolivaceus）仔鱼摄食和生长的研究

试验研究了褐牙鲆Paralichthys olivaceus仔鱼的摄食和生长。结果表明,仔鱼初次开口摄食时间在6日龄（16~18℃）,初次摄食率为30%,8日龄饥饿仔鱼最大初次摄食率为65%,孵出后第9天达到不可逆点（PNR）,混合营养期为3 d左右。初次摄食强度和初次摄食率开始时较低,在卵黄囊耗尽时达最高,然后下降。随着饥饿时间的延长,仔鱼出现负增长,孵化第11天存活率仅为10%,12日龄全部死亡。     

Relationship between prey utilization and growth variation in hatchery‐reared Pacific bluefin tuna,Thunnus orientalis (Temminck et Schlegel), larvae estimated using nitrogen stable isotope analysis

In mass culture of Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis, a marked growth variation is observed after they start feeding at 6–7 mm in body length (BL) on yolk‐sac larvae of other species, and the growth variation in tuna larvae is a factor leading to the prevalence of cannibalism. To examine the relationship between prey utilization and growth variation, nitrogen stable isotope ratios (δ¹⁵N) of individual larvae were analysed. A prey switch experiment was conducted under two different feeding regimes: a group fed rotifers (rotifer fed group), and a group fed yolk‐sac larvae of spangled emperor, Lethrinus nebulosus (fish fed group) from 15 days after hatching (6.87 mm BL). The fish fed group showed significantly higher growth than the rotifer fed group. Changes in the δ¹⁵N of the fish fed group were expressed as an exponential model and showed different patterns from those of the rotifer fed group. The δ¹⁵N of fast‐growing tuna larvae collected in an actual mass culture tank after the feeding of yolk‐sac larvae was significantly higher than those of the slow‐growing larvae, indicating that slow glowing larvae depended largely on rotifers rather than the yolk‐sac larvae.     

黄颡鱼早期发育阶段摄食的研究

本实验采用实验生态学的方法,分别对池养9、13、17、23日龄黄颡鱼的食物组成,选食行为和昼夜摄食节律进行了研究。结果表明,黄颡鱼早期发育阶段主要摄食浮游动物,其食物组成随仔稚鱼的生长而变化。摄食初期（黄颡鱼9日龄时）主要食物为枝角类和轮虫,其中枝角类数量和重量百分比分别为86.71%和89.65%,占绝对优势。之后,黄颡鱼的摄食范围进一步扩大,从23日龄开始,由主要选食枝角类转为主要选食桡足类,桡足类所占数量百分比也从初期的3.29%上升到23日龄时的26.68%;而且,从13日龄开始,摇蚊幼虫等底栖动物所占比重呈上升趋势,从初期的54.84%到23日龄的69.52%,始终在食物组成中占主要优势。黄颡鱼摄食具有明显的昼夜节律性,9日龄时摄食高峰值出现在20:00（897.7）,低峰值出现在19:00（161.8）;13、17、23日龄仔稚鱼胃平均饱满指数均于4:00达最高峰（914.1、1113.1和199.7）,于19:00、19:00和16:00达最低值,分别为50.9、60.9和76.6,夜间时段摄食水平显著高于白天时段,黄颡鱼仔稚鱼明显表现为晚上摄食类型。     

延迟投饵对卵形鲳鲹早期仔鱼阶段摄食、成活及生长的影响

利用人工繁殖产生的卵形鲳鲹（Trachinotus ovatus）初孵仔鱼,在水温(26.81.4) ℃、盐度28.20.8条件下,对延迟投饵0~6 d的卵形鲳鲹仔鱼的摄食、生长及其成活情况进行了研究。结果显示,仔鱼于3日龄开口,于开口的当天投饵及延迟投饵1、2、3、4和5 d,投饵后2 h内仔鱼的摄食率分别为15%、30%、50%、25%、15%和5%,每尾鱼的平均摄食量分别为0.4、0.6、1.3、0.6、0.3和0.1个轮虫。延迟投饵6 d一组仔鱼的摄食率均为0。延迟投饵0、1和2 d各组仔鱼的成活率相差不大,但延迟3 d以上仔鱼的存活率急剧下降。卵形鲳鲹仔鱼的初次摄食饥饿不可逆点（PNR）出现在仔鱼开口后4 d,开始投喂饵料的最佳时期应在仔鱼开口后的3 d之内。     

大黄鱼仔鱼摄食节律与生长的初步研究

本文研究了大黄鱼仔鱼的昼夜摄食习性及生长。实验结果表明:全长5.0—5.5mm的大黄鱼仔鱼具有明显的昼夜摄食节律,白天摄食,夜间不摄食。白天有三个摄食高峰,以下午13:00最高,早上9:00和下午17:00次之。仔鱼在12日龄前生长较慢,12日龄后生长明显加快。全长与日龄之间的关系可用方程TL=3.7545e~(0.047D)表示。     

大泷六线鱼仔鱼摄食及生长的研究↑（*）

本文以大泷六线鱼(Hexagrammosotakii)人工孵化所得的卵黄囊期仔鱼为材料,对仔鱼早期阶段的摄食及生长情况作了实验研究。结果表明:在13.5～14℃条件下,大泷六线鱼仔鱼6日龄开始摄食,约8日龄卵黄囊耗尽,10日龄饥饿仔鱼进入PNR期,混合营养期为2d;饥饿仔鱼的开口率(初次摄食率)开始较低,此后上升,到卵黄囊耗尽时达高峰(63%),以后又下降。仔鱼前期的生长率平均为0.254mm/d,饥饿仔鱼生长几乎停止,同期喂食仔鱼的生长率亦下降为0.102mm/d;摄食仔鱼在孵化后20d内的全长(L)和日龄(d)的相关式为L=0.085d 7.04。仔鱼存在昼夜摄食节律,在1昼夜中有2个摄食高峰,分别出现在14:00和20:00。     

Influence of larval co-feeding with live and inert diets on weaning the tongue sole Cynoglossus semilaevis

The tongue sole Cynoglossus semilaevis, an inshore fish in China, has showed great potential in aquaculture recently. However, poor survival was recorded during the period of weaning from live Artemia to artificial diets. In this paper, the influence of co‐feeding larvae with live and inert diet on weaning performance was described. The C. semilaevis larvae were reared at 21 ± 1 °C and fed four different feeding regimes from 6 days post‐hatching (dph): A, Artemia (10 individuals mL^?1); B, Artemia (5 individuals mL^?1); C, mixed diet (10 Artemia individuals mL^?1 and 12 mg L^?1 inert diet); and D, mixed diet (5 Artemia individuals mL^?1 and 12 mg L^?1 inert diet). Rotifers were also supplied in all cases during the first days of feeding. Mixed diets of commercial formulated feed and live prey (rotifers and Artemia) allowed larvae to complete metamorphosis, achieving similar specific growth rate (SGR) (18.5 ± 1.4% and 18.7 ± 1.6%) and survival (40 ± 7.6% and 48.5 ± 6.8%) compared with larvae fed on live feed alone (SGR of 18.3 ± 1.2%, 19.3 ± 1.9% and survival of 41.2 ± 11.3%, 38 ± 4.9%). However, in metamorphosed fish, when live feed was withdrawn on 31 dph, there was significant difference (P < 0.05) in survival and growth among treatments. Metamorphosed fish, previously fed mixture diets during larval stages, had similar survival (62.1 ± 7.6% and 62.8 ± 3.9% for regimes C and D, respectively) but higher than that obtained for fish that previously fed on live feed (49.3 ± 2% and 42.1 ± 3.9% for regimes A and B, respectively) after weaning (day 60). The SGR of weaned fish previously fed live feed was similar (3.1 ± 0.6% and 2.92 ± 0.6% for regimes A and B, respectively) but lower than that recorded for fish that was fed from day 6 to day 30 on the mixed diet (4.5 ± 1.1% and 4.9 ± 0.3% for regimes C and D, respectively). It is suggested that weaning of C. semilaevis from early development would appear to be feasible and larval co‐feeding improves growth and survival.     

Time of first feeding of Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus L., larvae

Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus (L.), eggs originating from one female were evenly distributed between four silos (4.8 m³) shortly prior to hatching. At days 30, 35, 40 and 44 after hatching [i.e. 200, 230, 260 and 290 day-degrees (days^o)], the larvae were successively collected and transferred to indoor start feeding tanks, and larvae were offered a diet of instar II Artemia nauplii which had been enriched short time (24 h). A significant correlation was found between the age of the larvae and onset of first feeding. The larvae transferred to start-feeding incubators at 290 days^o were able to capture Artemia only a few hours after transfer, whereas it took 6 days for the larvae transferred at 200 days^o to reach a corresponding ingestion level. Larval growth was also positively correlated to both larval age and prey consumption. However, there were no differences in survival between the larval groups.     

Visual thresholds for feeding and optimum light intensity for larval rearing of Asian seabass,Lates calcarifer (Bloch)

This study examined the retinomotor responses and prey ingestion rates of 10‐, 15‐, 20‐ and 30‐day‐old Asian seabass Lates calcarifer under different light intensities from 0 to 1000 lx to determine the visual thresholds. Subsequently, two age groups of seabass larvae were reared under light intensities of 10, 100 and 1000 lx to determine the optimum illumination in hatchery tanks. Retinomotor response was absent in 10‐day‐old larvae, but quite marked in 15‐ and 20‐day‐old seabass at 1 lx and higher. Ingestion of Artemia nauplii by 10‐day‐old larvae was almost zero at <1 lx, increased significantly at 1 lx, and was maximal at 10–100 lx. Artemia ingestion under dim light <1 lx improved with age, and older larvae took more prey in complete darkness due to the presence of rod cells (and also free neuromasts). Larvae from 13 to 26 days group had similar survival and growth at 10–1000 lx, however, from 5 to 10 days group showed similar survival rate with highest weight gain at 100 lx. Therefore, we recommend that hatchery rearing tanks be illuminated such that the larvae in the water are exposed to approximately100 lx.     

亚麻酸对卵形鲳鲹幼鱼生长性能、消化酶活性及抗氧化能力的影响

为制定卵形鲳鲹(Trachinotus ovatus)投喂策略,文章研究了卵形鲳鲹昼夜摄食、耗氧规律和胃肠排空时间。摄食节律采用分段式连续投喂法(1昼夜,每隔2 h投料1次,连续3 d);耗氧节律采用流水呼吸法测定(1昼夜,24 h中每2 h测定1次);胃肠排空时间实验采用一次饱食投喂法(1昼夜,每隔2 h取样1次)。结果表明,卵形鲳鲹属于白天摄食类型,分别在10:00和14:00—16:00间出现2个摄食高峰(P<0.05);耗氧高峰期分别在08:00和16:00出现(P<0.05);饱食后,胃内含物比率下降迅速(P<0.05),7 h下降约50%,第15小时出现极低值(P<0.05),19 h后胃内含物为0。在摄食后3 h内全肠内含物比率迅速升高,第11小时达到最大值(P<0.05),之后逐渐降低,在第21小时出现极低值(P<0.05)。研究建议在卵形鲳鲹网箱养殖生产中,宜在光线较强、耗氧和摄食高峰的上午(09:00—10:00)和下午(14:00—16:00)时段进行投喂,投喂频率2~3次·d⁻¹,投喂间隔7~9 h。

     

Comparison of growth,digestive system maturation and skeletal development in sea bass larvae reared in an intensive or a mesocosm system

The quality of development in intensive or mesocosm hatchery‐reared Dicentrarchus labrax larvae was investigated using physiological indicators assessing ontogeny. Larvae were reared in intensive (120 L tanks) and in mesocosm systems (20 m³ enclosures) with the same feeding sequence, excluding the wild zooplankton naturally available in mesocosms. Faster growth was recorded since early development [16 day after hatching (DAH)] in the mesocosm. Maturation of the digestive system also occurred earlier as indicated by the higher amylase secretion ratios, the intestinal maturation index (alkaline phosphatase/leucine–alanine peptidase and aminopeptidase‐N/leucine–alanine peptidase ratios) and the more developed intestinal epithelium at 23 DAH. Nevertheless, the delay in digestive maturation in the intensive system seemed retrieved within few days. In both the groups, the number of vertebrae ranged between 24 and 26, with the dominant class being 25 vertebrae. However, the distributions differed between treatments for meristic characteristics, ossification stages and incidence of malformation types. Loss of a vertebra was more frequent in the intensive system, while the appearance of an additional vertebra was more frequent in the mesocosm. Ossification at 37 DAH was also more advanced in the mesocosm in addition to a lesser rate and severity of skeletal malformations. It is suggested that the early nutritional contribution of mesocosm wild zooplankton, yet at densities of 0.2–0.7 prey mL^?1, had key effects on larvae development since the early stages.     

延迟投饵对卵形鲳鲮早期仔鱼阶段摄食、成活及生长的影响

利用人工繁殖产生的卵形鲳够（Trachinotus ovatus）初孵仔鱼,在水温（26．8±1．4）℃、盐度28．2±0．8条件下,对延迟投饵0～6d的卵形鲳够仔鱼的摄食、生长及其成活情况进行了研究。结果显示,仔鱼于3Et龄开口,于开口的当天投饵及延迟投饵1、2、3、4和5d,投饵后2h内仔鱼的摄食率分别为15％、30％、50％、25％、15％和5％,每尾鱼的平均摄食量分别为0．4、0．6、1．3、0．6、0．3和0．1个轮虫。延迟投饵6d一组仔鱼的摄食率均为0。延迟投饵0、1和2d各组仔鱼的成活率相差不大,但延迟3d以上仔鱼的成活率急剧下降。卵形鲳鲣仔鱼的初次摄食饥饿不可逆点（PNR）出现在仔鱼开口后4d,开始投喂饵料的最佳时期应在仔鱼开口后的3d之内。