Reduction of skeletal anomalies in meagre (Argyrosomus regius,Asso, 1801) through early introduction of inert diet

The consolidation of meagre (Argyrosomus regius) in aquaculture requires an understanding and optimization of larval rearing and nutritional conditions. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of an early introduction of inert diets during larval rearing, on growth performance, digestive enzymes activity and development of skeletal anomalies. This study evaluated the effects of three different timings for the introduction of inert diet during larval rearing: a control group (CTRL) where inert diet was initiated at 14 days after hatching (DAH) and two treatment groups that had an earlier introduction of inert diet at 8 DAH (T1) and 11 DAH (T2). Meagre larvae exhibited similar pancreatic and intestinal enzymatic activities among the different dietary treatments. No differences in the overall prevalence of anomalies were observed between treatments at 25 or 50 DAH, however, a significant reduction was observed in all groups with the transition from larval to juvenile stage. The precocious introduction of inert diet shifted the distribution of vertebral anomalies to a more anterior vertebral column region. Altogether, this study shows that earlier introduction of inert diets in meagre hatcheries can be beneficial for meagre production in aquaculture.     

First approach to studying the genetics of the meagre (Argyrosomus regius; Asso, 1801) using three multigene families

The meagre (Argyrosomus regius) is a commercially important species for fisheries, and aquaculture production has been increasing in recent years. However, this growing importance has not been matched by increased genetic knowledge of the species. For this reason, an initial approach has been made to understanding the genetics of the meagre, using three particular multigene families (45S and 5S ribosomal DNA and U2 snRNA gene) as both molecular and cytogenetic markers. Only one type of 5S rDNA and only one ITS‐1 (from 45S rDNA) were obtained, and these therefore could provide the basis for the development of genetic markers for this species. However, the U2 snRNA gene produced a multi‐band electrophoretic pattern, and some of these bands were demonstrated to be linked with the U1 snRNA gene. This linkage could also provide a good species‐specific marker which could be useful for tracing the evolutionary history of the Sciaenidae family. In this study, we have described for the first time the karyotype of the meagre: this is composed of 48 acrocentric chromosomes. Each of the three gene families were localized on different chromosome pairs, although the U2 snRNA gene probe was also located scattered throughout the genome of the meagre, as expected by the amplification pattern.     

Use of Ox‐Aquaculture© for disinfection of live prey and meagre larvae,Argyrosomus regius (Asso, 1801)

Live prey used for marine larval fish (rotifers and Artemia) as well as intensive larval rearing conditions are susceptible to the proliferation of bacteria that are the cause for reduced growth and larval mortality. Hydrogen peroxide has been recently proved a good disinfectant in aquaculture, either for eggs, larvae or live prey. In this study the effects of a hydrogen peroxide‐based product, Ox‐Aquaculture^©, on live prey (rotifers and Artemia) and meagre larvae bacterial load, composition and final status have been tested. A 34.6% reduction of total heterotrophic bacteria and 59.7% of Vibrionaceae were obtained when rotifers were exposed for 15 min to 40 mg L^?1 of the product. A 34.3% reduction of total heterotrophic bacteria and 37.7% of Vibrionaceae were obtained when Artemia were exposed for 5 min to 8000 mg L^?1 of the product. More than 95% reduction of total heterotrophic bacteria and 75% of Vibrionaceae were obtained when meagre larvae were exposed for 1 h to 20 mg L^?1 of the product. Furthermore, disinfection of enriched live prey with the product did not change the fatty acid composition and survival of the live prey and improved final larval survival.     

Effect of different enrichment products rich in docosahexaenoic acid on growth and survival of meagre,Argyrosomus regius (Asso, 1801)

Live prey used in aquaculture to feed marine larval fish – rotifer and Artemia nauplii – lack the necessary levels of n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 PUFA) which are considered essential for the development of fish larvae. Due to the high voracity, visual feeding in conditions of relatively high luminosity, and cannibalism observed in meagre larvae, a study of its nutritional requirements is needed. In this study, the effect of different enrichment products with different docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) concentrations used to enrich rotifers and Artemia metanauplii have been tested on growth, survival, and lipid composition of the larvae of meagre. The larvae fed live prey enriched with Algamac 3050 (AG) showed a significantly higher growth than the rest of the groups at the end of the larval rearing, while the larvae fed preys enriched with Multigain (MG) had a higher survival rate. DHA levels in larvae fed prey enriched with MG were significantly higher than in those fed AG‐enriched prey. High levels of DHA in Artemia metanauplii must be used to achieve optimal growth and survival of meagre larvae.     

Acute toxicity of ammonia in Meagre (Argyrosomus regius Asso, 1801) at different temperatures

Argyrosomus regius (3.0 ± 0.9 g) were exposed to different concentrations of ammonia in a series of acute toxicity tests by the static renewal method at three temperature levels (18, 22 and 26°C) at a pH of 8.2. Low temperature clearly increased the tolerance of the fish to total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) and unionized ammonia (NH₃) (P < 0.05). While the 96‐h LC₅₀ values of TAN were 19.79, 10.39 and 5.06 mg L^?1, the 96‐h LC₅₀ of NH₃ were 1.00, 0.70 and 0.44 mg L^?1 at 18, 22 and 26°C respectively. The safe levels of NH₃ for A. regius was estimated to be 0.10, 0.07 and 0.04 mg L^?1 at 18, 22 and 26°C respectively (P < 0.05). This study clearly indicates that A. regius is more sensitive to ammonia than other marine fish species cultured on the Mediterranean and Eastern Atlantic coasts.     

The importance of dietary HUFA for meagre larvae (Argyrosomus regius; Asso, 1801) and its relation with antioxidant vitamins E and C

Despite the interest of meagre (Argyrosomus regius) as a fast‐growing candidate for Mediterranean aquaculture diversification, there is a lack of information on nutrition along larval development. Importance of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) and the antioxidant vitamins E and vitamin C has not been investigated yet in this species. Six diets with two levels of HUFA (0.4% and 3% dw), two of vitamin E (1500 and 3000 mg kg^?1) and two of vitamin C (1800 and 3600 mg kg^?1) were fed to 15 dah meagre larvae. Larval growth in total length and dry body weight was significantly lowest in larvae fed diet 0.4/150/180 and showed few lipid droplets in enterocytes and hepatocytes and lower HUFA contents than the initial larvae. Increase in dietary HUFA up to 3%, significantly improved larval growth and lipid absorption and deposition. Besides, among fish fed 3% HUFA, increase in vitamin E and vitamin C significantly improved body weight, as well as total lipid, 22:6n‐3 and n‐3 fatty acids contents in the larvae. Thus, the results showed that 0.4% dietary HUFA is not enough to cover the essential fatty acid requirements of larval meagre and a high HUFA requirement in weaning diets is foreseen for this species. Besides, the results also pointed out the importance of dietary vitamin E and C to protect these essential fatty acids from oxidation, increase their contents in the larvae and promote growth, suggesting high vitamin E and C requirements in meagre larvae (higher than 1500 and 1800 mg kg^?1 for vitamin E and vitamin C respectively).     

Effect of Temperature on Acute Toxicity of Nitrite to Meagre,Argyrosomus regius (Asso, 1801)

Meagre, Argyrosomus regius, is a candidate marine fish species for aquaculture diversification, presenting a high economic value in the Mediterranean. Tolerance of juvenile meagre to nitrite (NO₂‐N) was determined relating to temperature. Fish (3.2 ± 0.6 g and 5.4 ± 0.9 cm) were exposed to different NO₂‐N concentrations in a series of acute toxicity tests by the static renewal method at three temperatures (18, 22, and 26 C) at a pH of 8.0. Low temperature clearly increased tolerance to NO₂‐N (P < 0.05). The 96‐h median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) values of NO₂‐N were 177.63, 139.55, and 49.61 mg/L, at 18, 22, and 26 C, respectively. The safe levels of NO₂‐N for juvenile meagre were estimated to be 17.7, 13.9, and 4.9 mg/L at 18, 22, and 26 C, respectively (P < 0.05). This study indicates A. regius is more sensitive to nitrite than other marine fish species cultured in the Mediterranean.     

Systemic nocardiosis in a Mediterranean population of cultured meagre,Argyrosomus regius Asso (Perciformes: Sciaenidae)

Marine cultured meagre, Argyrosomus regius Asso, in central and western Greece were affected by an outbreak of systemic granulomatous disease subsequently demonstrated to be nocardiosis. The fish were originally imported as juveniles from hatcheries in France and Italy and on‐grown in Greece, the latter also providing broodstock for a small number of local Greek hatcheries for the production of second‐generation juveniles. The disease in cage reared fish had been present throughout the year, particularly in the 1+ and 2+ year old fish with a low to variable morbidity and 1–4% total mortality. Multiple lesions were visible externally on the skin of affected fish, with severe ulcerations and necrosis. Internally, multifocal yellowish‐white nodules, 0.1–0.5 cm in diameter, were visible on the surface of several internal organs. Histopathology revealed systemic granulomatous inflammation. Fite‐Faraco staining clearly demonstrated the presence of Nocardia‐like organisms which were Gram‐positive, long, rod to beaded filamentous bacteria. Nocardia genus‐specific 16s RNA primers NG1 and NG2 were used to generate a 600 bp fragment recovered from affected tissue, confirming the diagnosis of Nocardia spp. To our knowledge, this is the first report of nocardiosis in meagre.     

Prevalence and effects of the cymothoid isopod (Ceratothoa oestroides,Risso 1816) on cultured meagre (Argyrosomus regius,Asso 1801) in the Eastern Adriatic Sea

Meagre (Argirosomus regius) is a relatively new farmed fish species in Croatian mariculture. This study is the first attempt to determine the prevalence of cymothoid isopod parasite Ceratothoa oestroides and its effects on cultured meagre in the Mediterranean area. When analysing growth of meagre at two sites in the central part of the Eastern Adriatic Sea, the greatest difference in total fish length was recorded in March 2016, when fish with parasites were 33% smaller than fish without parasites (24.47 ± 3.29 vs. 16.28 ± 1.01 cm; p < .001). The largest difference in mass was also recorded during sampling in March, when parasitized fish was 74% lighter than the unparasitized fish (171.75 ± 72.96 vs. 44.77 ± 6.57 g; p < .001). The presence of the cymothoid isopod in the buccal cavity was observed, and caused fish deformation throughout the entire duration of the study. Also, female parasites with pulli II in marsupium were found. Based on the determined prevalence and effects on production and health status, monitoring of the interaction between C. oestroides and meagre should be considered in future management plans for cultivation of this promising species for Mediterranean aquaculture.     

Review of the principal diseases affecting cultured meagre (Argyrosomus regius)

Argyrosomus regius was recently introduced in European aquaculture as a promising species for diversification and with high potential for expansion in the coming years. The reports on pathologies affecting this species are still scarce in the bibliography, however, they can severely affect production and result in major economic losses. Some few reports were made on outbreaks and mortalities associated with the presence of bacteria such as Vibrio anguillarum and Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida. Although no viral diseases have been recognized as affecting meagre, it is known that meagre can be an asymptomatic carrier of two genotypes of nodavirus, the striped jack nervous necrosis virus and red‐spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus. Up‐to‐date, parasites affecting meagre are included in the genera Monogenea, Nematoda and Dinoflagelate, but without major mortality outbreaks associated to this type of infections. Osteological deformities have been observed in all life stages particularly affecting the axial system in larval and early juvenile specimens, with a higher incidence in the vertebral column, being affected by vertebral fusions, lordosis and kyphosis. With this review the authors provide an overview of all the pathological and non‐pathological diseases affecting aquaculture produced meagre and provide a comprehensive overview of possible problems for the industry.     

Evaluation of different extenders for the cold storage of meagre (Argyrosomus regius) semen

Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) is considered a potential candidate for aquaculture diversification in southern Europe. The main objective of this experiment was to develop a cold storage protocol for meagre semen to facilitate artificial reproduction techniques. Three extenders (non‐activating medium, 0.9% NaCl, and 0.9% NaCl with glycine and glucose) in three different sperm:extender dilutions (1:4, 1:9 and 1:19) were tested in a full factorial design. The quality parameters assessed along the storage time were the sperm motility, viable sperm percentage, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content, and bacterial growth. The 0.9% NaCl and 0.9% NaCl with glycine and glucose extenders and the 1:4 and 1:9 dilutions maintained a higher sperm motility and a higher sperm linearity for a longer period time. Sperm viability was maintained at a higher value over a longer period with the 0.9% NaCl and 0.9% NaCl with glycine and glucose extenders. Sperm motility and viability appeared to be the main parameters showing the loss of semen quality during cold storage. Meagre semen demonstrated an ability to be stored for up to 10 days at 4°C when using 0.9% NaCl in a 1:4 dilution. These results contribute to a better understanding of the causes of fish semen quality deterioration during cold storage.     

Rapid dispersion of escaped meagre (Argyrosomus regius) from a coastal Mediterranean fish farm

Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) is an emerging species in aquaculture considered a locally absent species in the Western Mediterranean. Little is known about meagre escape incidents from farms. To evaluate escape impacts and develop mitigation measures, knowledge about the behaviour of escaped meagre is necessary. In this study, a rapid dispersion of escaped meagre was observed following a simulated escape incident in a coastal Mediterranean farm, using acoustic telemetry (acoustic tag: AT) and mark‐and‐recapture techniques (external tag: ET). A small proportion of AT meagre (22.7%) remained within the farm boundaries 24 h after the simulated escape. A total of 84 meagre (9.2%) were captured by local trammel netters nearby the farm facility within the first 48 h after escape. Only two AT individuals (15.3%) were detected by acoustic receivers located in coastal areas within 2 days after dispersal from the farm and eight ET meagre (0.8%) were recaptured along the shoreline during the first week. Two AT individuals (15.3%) were considered to be dead by predation few hours after escape. The rest of the AT individuals (N = 6, 46.2%) left the facility alive, and they were never detected by receivers nor reported back by fishermen. Thus, our results highlight the necessity of establishing escape mitigation strategies at Mediterranean fish farms, i.e. recapture programmes 24–48 h after the escape incident in collaboration with local fishermen, to diminish potential impacts related to meagre escapees.     

Effects of salinity level on the survival,growth, feed utilization,carcass composition,haematological and serum biochemical changes of juvenile Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) (Asso, 1801) grown in ground saltwater

A study was performed to examine the effects of salinity on water quality, fish performance, carcass composition and haemato‐biochemical parameters in juvenile meagre, Argyrosomus regius. Fish (5.0 g) were stocked in fibreglass tanks at four salinity levels: 8‰, 16‰, 24‰ and 32‰, and fed a pelleted diet (47/17 protein/lipid) for 56 days. Results indicated that the growth, feed utilization, carcass composition and haemato‐biochemical parameters of meagre gradually improved with the increase in salinity up to 24‰ and then significantly (p ≤ .05) decreased at 32‰. The survival per cent showed a significant decrease when A. regius exposed to 8‰ salinity. An improvement with 32%, 47% and 34.1% of FCR, protein productive value and energy utilization was detected at 24‰ compared with 8‰ salinity respectively. The highest content of protein and the lowest of lipids were recorded in fish carcass at 24‰ compared with the opposite trend at 8‰ salinity. The 24‰ salinity treatment exhibited the highest value of haemoglobin (4.9 g/dl) and the lowest ratio (0.73) of albumin/globulin. The serum total protein, albumin and globulin were significantly higher at 24‰ and 32‰ salinity than those at 8‰ and 16‰ salinity groups. These findings indicate that 24‰ salinity level might be the best for meagre.     

Reproductive development, GnRHa-induced spawning and egg quality of wild meagre (Argyrosomus regius) acclimatised to captivity

The objective of the study was to acclimatise wild-caught meagre (Argyrosomus regius) to captivity to produce viable eggs for aquaculture production. Twelve meagre (3 males and 9 females, mean weight?=?20?±?7?kg) were caught and transported to a land-based facility on 26 October 2006. During, March to June 2007, all three males were spermiating and five of the nine females were in vitellogenesis with mean maximum oocyte diameter ≥550?μm. No spontaneous spawning was observed. Two hormone treatments, either a single injection of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa, 20?μg?kg(-1) for females and 10?μg?kg(-1) for males) or a slow-release implant loaded with the same GnRHa (50?μg?kg(-1) for females and 25?μg?kg(-1) for males), were used to induce spawning on three different dates on 26 March 2007, 4 May 2007 and 18 April 2008. From each spawning event, the following parameters were determined: fecundity, number of floating eggs, egg size, fertilisation and hatching success, unfed larval survival, and proximal composition and fatty acid profile of the eggs. In 2007, two females that were injected on 26 March and 4 May spawned a total of 5 times producing 9,019,300 floating eggs and a relative fecundity of 198,200 eggs?kg(-1) and two different females that were implanted on the same dates spawned 14 times producing 12,430,000 floating eggs and a relative fecundity of 276,200 eggs?kg(-1). In 2008, a pair that was implanted spawned five times producing a total of 10,211,900 floating eggs and a relative fecundity of 527,380 eggs?kg(-1). The latency period was 48-72?h. Parameters were compared between hormone treatments, date of hormone induction and parents determined by microsatellites. Percentage hatch and egg size were 70?±?0.3% and 0.99?±?0.02?mm, respectively, for GnRHa-implanted fish and were significantly higher (P?相似文献   

Changes in digestive enzyme activities during the early ontogeny of the South American cichlid (Cichlasoma dimerus)

Fish Physiology and Biochemistry - Cichlasoma dimerus is a neotropical cichlid that has been used as a biological model for neuroendocrinology studies. However, its culture is problematic in terms...     

Digestive enzyme activity and nutrient digestibility in meagre (Argyrosomus regius) fed increasing levels of black soldier fly meal (Hermetia illucens)

The effect of partially replacing fishmeal (FM) by black soldier fly larvae meal (Hermetia meal—HM) in meagre (Argyrosomus regius) diet was evaluated for nutrient digestibility and digestive enzyme activity. For that purpose, triplicate groups of fish (18.0 ± 0.02 g) were fed during 48 days either a control diet (CTR), without HM, or one of three diets including 100, 200 and 300 g/kg of HM, replacing 17, 35 and 52% of FM, respectively. Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of dry matter, energy, protein, lysine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, alanine, glutamate, glycine and serine presented a decreasing response with increased HM inclusion. Chitin ADC was null, independent of dietary HM inclusion. Total alkaline protease activity increased while trypsin activity decreased with dietary HM inclusion. No intestinal chitinolytic activity was detected. Intestinal alkaline protease zymogram revealed nine bands with proteolytic activity against casein, with molecular weights ranging between 15 and 75 kDa. Anti‐protease activity in the intestine was not affected by dietary inclusion of HM compared to the CTR diet. Overall, it is concluded that replacement of up to 17% FM with HM (100 g/kg HM inclusion level) in meagre diets has no major adverse effects in diet digestibility and digestive enzyme activity.     

Effect of increased dietary protein level in meagre (Argyrosomus regius) juvenile growth and muscle cellularity

In this study, two different dietary protein levels were tested (500 and 600 g/kg) in meagre juveniles of approximately 2 g, to determine whether a higher body protein diet would favour muscle growth. Results showed that meagre survival and growth were not affected by different levels of dietary protein. However, a higher content of protein was observed in the body composition of meagre fed the P60 diet (656 g/kg versus 624 g/kg). When fish were 82 days after hatched (DAH), protein retention efficiency was significantly higher in fish that were fed the P50 diet (37.1% versus 32.5%). Muscle cellularity changed considerably from the beginning to the end of the trial. The contribution of fibre hyperplasia to muscle growth was reduced although still accounted for 30% in 96 DAH meagre. Several differences were found in the frequency of fibres with areas between 1,000 μm² and 2,200 μm² between younger and older meagre, but no effect was found associated with dietary protein. This study suggests that neither growth nor muscle cellularity of fast‐growing juvenile meagre is positively affected by an increased dietary protein levels.     

Effect of protein and lipid dietary levels on the growth of juvenile meagre (Argyrosomus regius)

This study investigates the effects of dietary lipid and protein levels in the growth, feed utilization and body composition of meagre (Argyrosomus regius). Triplicate groups of juvenile fish (23.4 ± 4.9 g average weight ± SD) were fed four isolipidic diets (17.5% crude lipids) containing 40, 45, 50 and 54% of protein, while in a separate experiment, fish (21.8 ± 3.7 g average weight ± SD) were fed four isonitrogenous (50% crude protein, dry matter) each containing 12, 15, 17 or 20% of crude lipids. In the protein requirement experiment, the increase in crude protein in the diet from 40 up to 50% positively affected SGR (Specific growth rate) and FCR (Feed conversion ratio). The increase in crude lipids in the diet from 12 up to 17% showed a tendency for improvement in SGR and FCR. In both experiments, the fastest growing fish exhibited higher lipid depots. Overall, the present investigation showed that juvenile meagre has an estimated protein requirement of 50% and it does not seem to require high dietary lipid levels.     

Digestive enzyme activities during early ontogeny in Common snook (Centropomus undecimalis)

Common snook (Centropomus undecimalis) is one of the most important marine species under commercial exploitation in the Gulf of Mexico; for this reason, interest in developing its culture is a priority. However, larviculture remains as the main bottleneck for massive production. In this sense, our objective was to determine the changes of digestive enzymes activities using biochemical and electrophoretic techniques during 36?days of Common snook larviculture fed with live preys (microalgae, rotifers, and Artemia). During larviculture, all digestive enzymatic activities were detected with low values since yolk absorption, 2?days after hatching (dah) onwards. However, the maximum values for alkaline protease (6,500?U?mg?protein^?1), trypsin (0.053?mU?×?10^?3?mg?protein^?1), and Leucine aminopeptidase (1.4?×?10^?3?mU?mg?protein^?1) were detected at 12 dah; for chymotrypsin at 25 dah (3.8?×?10^?3?mU?mg?protein^?1), for carboxypeptidase A (280?mU?mg?protein^?1) and lipase at 36 dah (480?U?mg?protein^?1), for ??-amylase at 7 dah (1.5?U?mg?protein^?1), for acid phosphatases at 34 dah (5.5?U?mg?protein^?1), and finally for alkaline phosphatase at 25 dah (70?U?mg?protein^?1). The alkaline protease zymogram showed two active bands, the first (26.3?kDa) at 25 dah onwards, and the second (51.6?kDa) at 36 dah. The acid protease zymogram showed two bands (RF?=?0.32 and 0.51, respectively) at 34 dah. The digestive enzymatic ontogeny of C. undecimalis is very similar to other strictly marine carnivorous fish, and we suggest that weaning process should be started at 34 dah.