A Survey of Trout Fin Erosion, Water Quality, and Rearing Conditions at State Fish Hatcheries in Utah

A total of 600 hatchery trout were examined for signs of fin erosion including rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss , cutthroat trout O. clarki , brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis and brown trout Salmo trutta . A scoring system was used to evaluate erosion on all fins from 20 fish samples. Water quality and hatchery rearing variables were also determined for corresponding raceways or ponds. For rainbow trout groups ( N = 24), stepwise multiple linear regression was used to interpret the relationship between fin erosion and the other variables. These fish groups averaged between 92 and 243 mm in total length and no significant correlation was observed between length and a fin erosion index ( r = 0.045). The best-fit regression model (adjusted R² = 0.689) suggested that fin erosion was correlated with lower alkalinities, unnatural bottom substrates (concrete or steel), higher unionized ammonia levels, and higher fish densities. Despite significant variation between hatcheries, fin condition was significantly better in rainbow trout than in cutthroat trout in three of four hatcheries containing both species and the same substrate. Fin erosion in rainbow trout occurred primarily on dorsal fins, followed in order of decreasing severity, by pectoral, caudal, anal, and ventral fins.     

中国南海银鲈科鱼类——新记录

2008年11月在广西北海市侨港镇码头采获银鲈科Gerreidae、银鲈属Gerres鱼类标本两尾,经鉴定为大棘银鲈Gerres macracanthus Bleeker,1854,系我国南海鱼类一新记录。其主要特征为：体长卵圆形,侧扁,体长为体高的2.2～2.3倍;体背腹缘均呈弧状隆起,体高以背鳍起点处最高。口小,能活动,伸出时略向下倾斜。体被薄圆鳞,易脱落;侧线鳞41～43枚。背鳍鳍棘部与鳍条部相连;背鳍IX-10,第2鳍棘延长呈丝状,压倒时末端伸达尾柄;臀鳍Ⅲ-7,以第3鳍棘最长;胸鳍长,末端可达臀鳍起点上方;尾鳍叉形。新鲜标本体背部银灰色,腹部银白色,体侧有7～10条青灰色横带;背鳍灰白色,第2鳍棘黑色;臀鳍、胸鳍和腹鳍淡黄色;尾鳍灰黄色,上、下叶内缘暗色,下叶外缘白色。     

瓯江产唇(鱼骨)的早期形态发育研究

试验结果表明,受精卵授精后120 h,仔鱼开始出膜,初孵仔鱼(体长5.6~6.8 mm,平均体长6.35 mm)鱼体透明,体表和卵黄囊均无黑色素分布,尾鳍透明光滑,具口凹和眼色素并形成胸鳍原基,至卵黄被完全吸收时胸鳍鳍条开始形成,至28日龄时仔鱼各鳍发育完全,肌节数38~42。根据卵黄囊存在的情况和脊索的弯曲程度将仔鱼划分为卵黄囊仔鱼、前弯曲期仔鱼、弯曲期仔鱼、后弯曲期仔鱼。仔鱼眼径与头长比呈递减趋势,进入后弯曲期,体长迅速增加(≥11.8 mm)。唇鱼骨仔鱼体背与体侧黑色素由背鳍下方向尾部扩散,继而由中部至头部扩散。胸鳍附近最早出现鳞片,然后向后侧覆盖,最后在腹部出现鳞片。     

Identification of hatchery-reared and naturally produced Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., juveniles based on examination of otoliths

. Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., parr and smolts from three Norwegian rivers were examined with respect to whether or not they had been released from a hatchery. The hatchery background was known for some released fish and could be ascertained for others from their aberrant body morphology and eroded fins. Fish released after one winter in a hatchery had opaque otoliths like the fish examined from two hatcheries. Naturally produced fish showed a distinct, seasonal growth pattern in the otoliths, alternating between opaque summer zones and hyaline winter zones. Fish released as fry showed an otolith pattern similar to that of naturally produced fish. A test revealed little discrepancy between two independent otolith readings even though the test reading was conducted without any information about the fish accompanying the otoliths. The results suggest that examination of otoliths may help distinguish between juveniles that are hatchery-reared and juveniles that are naturally produced in the river, provided that the hatchery-reared fish have a 1-year history in the hatchery prior to release.     

A simple non-destructive biometric method for estimating fat levels in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., parr

Abstract. Simple body measurements were used to predict the fat content of Atlantic salmon parr. For three different sizes (wet weights 18–98g, 44–207g and 137-151·8g) at two times of year (November/December and July) the percentage body fat (as measured by lipid extraction) could be predicted accurately using multiple regressions based on a combination of the following measurements: wet weight, fork length, opercular height, dorsal height, opercular width, dorsal width, anal width, adipose fin length and condition factor. In every case predictions based on multiple regression equations were more accurate than condition factor alone. This biometric method is easily employed and can potentially be used both in biological studies and on fish farms to assess body condition of individual fish. Since it is non-destructive it has the additional advantage of allowing repeated monitoring of fat levels in the same fish.     

Pigment deposition and in vitro screening of natural pigment sources for enhancing pigmentation in male Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens Regan, 1910)

Distribution in pigment deposition was studied in male Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens Regan, 1910) of solid Blue and solid Red phenotypes. Growths were similar, and also indicated by similar activity ratio of trypsin to chymotrypsin. Growth strategy was different at maturing stage, whereas trypsin expression decreased in solid Blue while chymotrypsin expression decreased in solid Red (P ≤ 0.05). Ranking of total pigment contents was muscle > skin > caudal fin > anal fin > dorsal fin > pelvic fin > pectoral fin. Immature fish had similar total contents and concentrations of pigments, except solid Blue had higher total contents in dorsal fin than solid Red. At maturing stage, solid Blue showed higher total pigment contents than solid Red due to higher contents in the fins. Solid blue had higher concentration in pelvic fin, while solid Red had higher in pectoral and dorsal fins. Age, phenotype and their interaction influenced pigment deposition. Determinations of pigment levels, high temperature tolerant of pigments and in vitro digestibilities of pigments, protein and carbohydrate from twenty natural sources indicated that fermented red rice was the most suitable pigment source, following with Chlorococcum sp.     

Ontogeny of the shi drum Umbrina cirrosa (Linnaeus 1758), a candidate new species for aquaculture

The ontogeny of shi drum Umbrina cirrosa (Linnaeus 1758), a candidate new species for aquaculture, was studied throughout the entire larval phase. Geometric morphometric analysis revealed two clear inflection points (7.0 and 12.7 mm total length, TL) in the shape ontogeny of this species, separating the studied period into three phases of different allometric priorities. Spline graphs demonstrated that the major non‐uniform shape ontogeny correlated with the development of the fins, the anterior dorsal area of the body, the caudal peduncle, the eye and the mouth. Concerning the morphological features, shi drum larvae are characterized by an upward anterior bending of the notochord. The ontogeny of the fins began with the formation of the pectoral buds (2.9 mm TL), continued with the notochord flexion (4.3 mm TL, associated with the caudal fin development), the appearance of the pelvic buds, the first anal rays (4.5 mm TL) and the first dorsal rays (4.8 mm TL). Shi drum juveniles presented 25 vertebrae and the following dominant fin types: D XI,23, AII,6, VI,5, P17 and C17.     

美洲鲥仔稚鱼脊柱及附肢骨骼系统的早期发育

使用软骨-硬骨双染色技术,描述了美洲鲥(Alosa sapidissima)仔稚鱼(1~51日龄)脊柱、胸鳍、尾鳍、背鳍等附肢骨骼的形态发育特征。结果显示,脊柱的发育开始于10日龄仔鱼尾部的髓弓、脉弓和尾下骨的出现,16日龄髓弓和脉弓延伸形成髓棘和脉棘,19日龄脊柱出现分节的硬骨环,23日龄所有椎体形成。各附鳍支鳍骨发育顺序先后依次为胸鳍、尾鳍、背鳍、臀鳍和腹鳍。胸鳍在2日龄时出现乌喙骨,13日龄形成软骨质的胸鳍支鳍骨,19日龄仔鱼肩带和上匙骨开始骨化;尾鳍的尾下骨最早出现在5日龄,12日龄尾鳍形成2枚尾上骨、1枚尾杆骨和6枚尾下骨,19日龄仔鱼尾椎和尾鳍率先开始骨化,直至23日龄尾鳍骨骼系统钙化完全。最终背鳍和臀鳍分别形成18和22根鳍条。美洲鲥骨骼发育研究对其早期发育功能趋向、环境优化及分类鉴定有重要作用。     

嘉陵江不同江段蛇的形态差异比较

为探讨嘉陵江不同江段蛇鮈群体的形态表型特征及其差异性,本研究对采至嘉陵江上游、中游和下游共120尾样本进行了传统形态测量和地标点几何形态学测量分析。形态分析结果表明：嘉陵江不同江段蛇鮈群体间形态表型存在的显著差异。差异主要集中于头部、鳍和尾柄;其中上游群体的蛇鮈最为纤长（叉长、胸腹距、躯干距最大）,眼间距、背鳍基长、头高和口角须长也最长;中游群体的胸鳍、腹鳍、尾鳍最长,尾柄也最为粗壮（尾柄宽,尾柄高最大）,头长、体宽、胸鳍前距最大;下游群体的肛臀距和头宽最大。但主成分分析结果显示：无法有效将不同江段蛇鮈群体区分。性状差异性分析结果表明,不同江段蛇鮈群体形态表型差异均属于种内差异。这些表型差异可能是蛇鮈对嘉陵江不同江段环境（如流速、水温、饵料类型）多样性的适应性表现。     

长尾琉金金鱼形态性状的相关与通径分析

测定了637尾1龄长尾琉金金鱼体重、体长、体高、头长、尾柄长、尾柄高、胸鳍长、腹鳍长、背鳍高、臀鳍长、尾鳍长等11个性状,计算性状间的相关系数,同时采用通径分析方法计算以形态性状为自变量对尾鳍长作依变量的通径系数、决定系数,对各性状的影响大小进行削分.结果显示,尾柄高对尾鳍长的直接影响最大,胸鳍长和尾柄长对尾鳍长的直接...     

鳜仔稚鱼骨骼系统骨化发育

采用软骨―硬骨双染色技术,描述了鳜(Siniperca chuatsi)仔稚鱼(1～35日龄)头骨、脊柱、附肢骨骼的骨化发育特征。结果显示:(1)头骨前鳃盖骨于14日龄最先骨化, 15日龄上下颌骨骨化,且上下颌骨相对长度呈现连续变化过程。17日龄后,颌齿、关节骨、舌颌骨骨化;19日龄,隅骨、间鳃盖骨、鳃盖骨、鳃条骨、额骨骨化。20日龄后,方骨、下鳃盖骨、辅上颌骨等骨化; 35日龄,头骨骨化基本完成。(2)脊柱于15日龄由前向后骨化, 20日龄背肋与腹肋由基部向末端骨化, 29日龄骨化完成。脉弓与脉棘、髓弓与髓棘均由前向后、由基部向末端骨化,脉棘与髓棘骨化时间晚于相应的椎体。(3)附肢骨骼骨化顺序依次为胸鳍、背鳍、臀鳍、腹鳍、尾鳍。胸鳍匙骨于16日龄骨化,乌喙骨与肩胛骨于25日龄骨化;背鳍、臀鳍分别于18日龄、20日龄骨化,骨化方式相似;腹鳍于23日龄骨化,骨化方式与胸鳍相反;尾杆骨、尾下骨于25日龄骨化,附肢骨骼于35日龄基本骨化完成。结果表明,鳜骨骼骨化发育与其早期运动、摄食与御敌等行为密切相关。     

Impact of Background on Color Performance of False Clownfish,Amphiprion ocellaris,Cuvier

Color performance of false clownfish, Amphiprion ocellaris, Cuvier was first examined at four color backgrounds (blue, green red, and white) for 4 wk, then all fish were transferred to a white background for another 4 wk to test whether the impact of background colors on fish skin could have a lasting effect when the environment colors are changed. The experiment was conducted in 10‐L rectangular plastic buckets with three replicates. Thirty fish were stocked in each bucket and three fish were randomly sampled from each tank in Weeks 1, 4, and 8. The color hue, saturation, and brightness were quantified using image analysis. In addition to the whole body analysis, each fish image was divided into ventral and dorsal parts to examine the body position‐dependent response. Furthermore, color differences among the dorsal fin, anal fin, ventral fin, and caudal fin were also quantified. Blue or green background enhanced red orange color on fish skin, whereas white background made fish color brighter. Irrespective of background color, the dorsal side of fish exhibited more red orange, but the color was less bright and less saturated than that of ventral side. Upper fins (dorsal and caudal fins) were more red orange in a blue background than in a white background. Transferring fish from colored backgrounds to a white background made the fish skin and fins brighter, the color of ventral body and ventral fins less saturated, and the bottom fins more yellow orange. The results indicate that blue or green background could strengthen the orange color, whereas white background made fish color less saturated but brighter. The impact of background on the performance of fish color is temporary and likely to disappear when environmental color changes.     

大泷六线鱼的外形特征与消化系统结构

观察并描述了大泷六线鱼的外部形态特征,详细测量了30个个体的大泷六线鱼外部形态参数,进行了相关关系分析;并解剖观察了其消化系统结构特征。外部形态参数全长(LT)与体长(LB)相关关系为LB=0.8489LT+1.0309(R2=0.978),体长与体重的关系为W=0.0211LB2.9927,(R2=0.8337),其余形态参数相关性较低;可数性状背鳍、臀鳍、腹鳍、胸鳍、尾鳍鳍条数分别为38～43、18～22、5～7、17～18、13～15;侧线5条;第3侧线鳞数80～128;第1鳃弓鳃耙数16～19;消化系统结构特征:口咽腔较小,颌齿发达;食道短粗;胃发达,具有27～36个幽门盲囊;胃发达且分化明显,肠在腹腔内呈两个盘曲,肠长/体长为0.801±0.01,表明大泷六线鱼为典型的肉食性鱼类。     

Genetic basis of pectoral fin deformities in the African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822), Heterobranchus longifilis (Valenciennes 1840) and their hybrids

Morphological aberrations of the pectoral fins in nine mating combinations involving Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822), Heterobranchus longifilis (Valenciennes, 1840) and their hybrids were investigated to determine the level and genetic basis of occurrence. The highest mean percentage survival in a Clarias× Clarias group was 75%, whereas the least mean percentage survival was 2% in the same group. The least mean percentage survival (40.3%) in the remaining three groups occurred in the cross of female hybrid (right pectoral fin absent) × male C. gariepinus (right pectoral fin absent). A maximum of nine types of aberrations was observed in the four mating groups – double dorsal fin, curved posterior dorsal fin, spineless right pectoral fin, right pectoral fin absent, left pectoral fin absent, rudimentary pectoral fin, both pectoral fins absent, double anal fin and curved anterior dorsal fin. These nine aberration types were recorded in the Clarias× Clarias group, with a total frequency ranging from 7.14% to 75.00%. The least number of aberrations was observed in the hybrid ×Clarias group (double dorsal fin and both pectoral fins absent) with a frequency range of 1.47–5.55%. No aberration was observed in two crosses involving female hybrid (right or left pectoral fin absent) × female C. gariepinus (normal). The level of aberrations in some of these crosses indicates the involvement of genotype rather than the influence of environment.     

Saddleback: a dominant, lethal gene in Sarotherodon aureus (Steindachner) (=Tilapia aurea)

Abstract. S , a dominant, lethal, atitosomal gene, was discovered in Auburn University's population of Surotherodon aureus (= Tilapia auera ). When present in the heterozygous state ( S +). the S gene produces the saddleback phenotype. Saddlebacks are missing part of or all of the dorsal fin. Some fish thai are missing most of or the entire dorsal fin have additional fin disorders and are missing various combinations of the pectoral, pelvic, and anal fins. Each fin disorder is associated with gross skeletal anomalies. Viability in saddlebacks is reduced by 67% during the first three months of life. Those that survive are less resistant to stress and subsequent infection than normal fish. When challenged by Saprolcegnia sp., saddlebacks were far more susceptible to infection ( P <0.01). When present in the homozygous state ( SS ), the gene causes death in fry prior to swim-up. Thus, a single S gene reduces viability by 67%, and two S genes reduce viability by 100%. The S gene did not affect early growth or dressing percentage. Because it is a dominant gene, the S gene can be eliminated from any population in one generation by culling all saddlebacks.     

Comparing skeletal development of wild and hatchery-reared Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis, Kaup 1858): evaluation in larval and postlarval stages

The Senegalese sole is a marine pleuronectiform that naturally occurs in Southern Europe and Mediterranean region where it is being produced in aquaculture, in particular in Portugal and Spain. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of hatchery-reared larvae in comparison with those reared in the wild, and determine to which extension wild growing larvae are also affected by skeletal deformities. The main structures affected included those forming the axial skeleton, the caudal fin complex and both anal and dorsal fins, with the most prevalent anomalies affecting caudal vertebrae and arches. Hatchery-reared fish presented a higher incidence of deformities (79%) compared with the 19% observed in wild specimens. In wild postlarvae collected in Autumn no deformities were observed. This work clearly shows that wild Senegalese sole present less skeletal deformities than those hatchery-reared during larval stages, indicating a selective mortality of wild deformed fish and/or an effect of aquaculture-related rearing conditions in the development of skeletal deformities in sole.     

A critical appraisal of appendage disparity and homology in fishes

Fishes are both extremely diverse and morphologically disparate. Part of this disparity can be observed in the numerous possible fin configurations that may differ in terms of the number of fins as well as fin shapes, sizes and relative positions on the body. Here, we thoroughly review the major patterns of disparity in fin configurations for each major group of fishes and discuss how median and paired fin homologies have been interpreted over time. When taking into account the entire span of fish diversity, including both extant and fossil taxa, the disparity in fin morphologies greatly complicates inferring homologies for individual fins. Given the phylogenetic scope of this review, structural and topological criteria appear to be the most useful indicators of fin identity. We further suggest that it may be advantageous to consider some of these fin homologies as nested within the larger framework of homologous fin‐forming morphogenetic fields. We also discuss scenarios of appendage evolution and suggest that modularity may have played a key role in appendage disparification. Fin modules re‐expressed within the boundaries of fin‐forming fields could explain how some fins may have evolved numerous times independently in separate lineages (e.g., adipose fin), or how new fins may have evolved over time (e.g., anterior and posterior dorsal fins, pectoral and pelvic fins). We favour an evolutionary scenario whereby median appendages appeared from a unique field of competence first positioned throughout the dorsal and ventral midlines, which was then redeployed laterally leading to paired appendages.     

Possible use of taxonomic characters to identify Newfoundland and Scottish stocks of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.

Abstract. Based on a pooled sample of 367 specimens of juvenile Atlanlic salmon, Salmo salar L., from eight geographically distinct home rivers, stocks from Scotland and Newfoundland can be distinguished by meristic and morphometric character sets using discriminant analysis procedures. Reduced character sets require meristic counts of pectoral fin rays, dorsal fin rays, gill rakers and vertebrae, and morphometric measurements of standard length, pectoral and pelvic fin lengths, body depth and gape width. Regional differences based on these morphometric and meristic sets are substantiated by monomorphism at each MDH locus in Scottish fish in contrast to polymorphism at the MDH-1 and MDH-3 loci in Newfoundland fish. Only the morphometric discriminant function is highly accurate (>80%) in identifying home river origins of the fish examined with the discriminating power increasing with increased fish size. These findings for juvenile fish indicate that, while meristic, morphometric and electrophoretic criteria provide a likely means for distinguishing regional fish stocks, morphometric character sets would seem to offer the best possibility for identifying home river origins of adult Atlantic salmon in mixed fisheries.     

卵形鲳鲹仔稚鱼异速生长的研究

以传统的理论生物学研究方法,对孵化后卵形鲳鲹1~36日龄仔、稚鱼各器官测量和分析,研究其在早期环境适应上的异速生长及其生态学含义,以期为卵形鲳鲹的人工繁殖、育苗提供参考。试验结果表明,卵形鲳鲹仔、稚鱼的感觉、呼吸、摄食和游泳等器官快速分化,均存在异速生长现象。在头部器官中,吻长、口宽、眼径和头高在仔鱼期均为正异速生长,稚鱼期头高为等速生长,吻长、眼径和口宽为负异速生长。在身体各部位中,仔鱼期头长、体高和尾长为正异速生长,躯干长为负异速生长;稚鱼期各部分皆为等速生长;在游泳器官中,仔鱼期卵形鲳鲹胸鳍长、尾鳍高和臀鳍长为正异速生长,尾鳍长为等速生长,背鳍长为负异速生长;稚鱼期背鳍长和臀鳍长为正异速生长,胸鳍长、尾鳍长和尾鳍高为等速生长。卵形鲳鲹这些关键部位的快速发育,使外源性营养开始后以最小的代谢损耗获得了生存能力的显著提升,对适应复杂的生存压力具有重要的生态学意义。