Digestibility,growth and pigmentation of astaxanthin,canthaxanthin or lutein diets in Lake Kurumoi rainbowfish,Melanotaenia parva (Allen) cultured species

New cultured ornamental fish namely Lake Kurumoi rainbowfish Melanotaenia parva (Allen) run into reduced of colour performances when reared in the aquaria, consequently, fish feed must be added with carotenoids as a pigment source. The aim of this study was to evaluate the digestibility, growth and pigmentation of astaxanthin, canthaxanthin and lutein in diet. Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of dry matter, lipid, protein, carotenoids, growth and pigmentation were studied in twenty fish after 14 and 56 days of observation. The single‐dose supplementation of 100 mg/kg of astaxanthin, canthaxanthin, or lutein diets on fish was fed by apparent satiation. The basal diet without carotenoids was used as control. The result showed that the ADC of carotenoids of test diets was higher compared to control. Fish fed astaxanthin diet had higher survival rate (96.67 ± 2.89%), colour measurements of lightness (57.60 ± 7.46%), a*‐values (4.66 ± 1.20), total carotenoids content in skin (33.75 ± 5.02 mg/kg) and muscle (2.16 ± 0.74 mg/kg). Astaxanthin also increased the growth after 14 days (2.00% ± 0.19%/days) but there was no significantly different at the end of experiment. The yellowish‐orange colour performance was more rapidly achieved by fish fed astaxanthin diet after 28 days experimentation. These values suggested that dietary carotenoids were required and astaxanthin diet was superior to other diets for skin pigmentation of Lake Kurumoi rainbowfish.     

Low water exchange Gracilariopsis bailiniae Zhang & B.M. Xia culture in intensive milkfish culture effluents: effects of seaweed density on seaweed production and effluent treatment

This study tested the feasibility of a low-cost seaweed biofiltration system for pond-based aquaculture through an indoor-integrated fish-seaweed culture experiment using weekly nutrient supply regime and different seaweed stocking densities. The culture experiment was conducted in glass aquaria that were stocked with Gracilariopsis bailiniae at 3 densities (low = 0.5 kg m^?2, middle = 2 kg m^?2 and high = 3.5 kg m^?2) and provided either with effluents from intensive milkfish (Chanos chanos) culture or with effluent-free seawater (control) as nutrient source. Stocking density was used as a factor in optimizing nutrient availability for growth and nutrient removal under such low water exchange conditions. Our results showed that G. bailiniae cultivated in milkfish effluents had higher growth, biomass and nitrogen yields than those cultivated in effluent-free seawater. Among the different stocking densities tested, highest growth rate (1.03 % day^?1) was obtained in the middle density. Increasing biomass and nitrogen yields were also obtained at this density until the end of the culture period. Poorer growth rates at low and high stocking densities were attributed to light limitation from phytoplankton and self-shading, respectively. Due to seaweed treatment, average outflow concentration of NH₄ ⁺ was reduced from half of its pretreated level. This study showed that a weekly effluent supply at 2 kg m^?2 seaweed stocking density can sustainably support the growth of G. bailiniae as long as the dissolved nutrients are present at high levels.     

Growth and production of the Amazonian tambaqui in fixed cages under different feeding regimes

Experimental culture of the native Amazonian fish tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum, in fixed cages was carried out over a period of 8 months, in Lake Urubu (Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil), to assess the viability of fixed cage culture of tambaqui and to test the influence of diet on growth rates. Nine synthetic net cages (1 m³) were each stocked with 45-day-old fish (mean weight 3 g; mean total body length 51 mm) at a density of 34 fry m^–3. During the first 2 months of culture, fish were fed a balanced formulated feed on an as-fed basis at the rate of 5% body weight day^–1. During months 3–8 this continued for fish in treatment 1 while those in treatment 2 were fed tropical regional fruits, on a wet weight basis at the rate of 5% body wt day^–1. Fish in treatment 3 were given no supplementary feed. Monthly biometric measurements were made on all fish. Fixed cage fish culture was shown to be a viable and simple technique. Survival in all treatments was 100%. With balanced supplementary feed, production was 14.4 kg m^–3, compared with 4.9 kg m^–3 and 2.1 kg m^–3, respectively, in the treatments where fish were fed with fruits and were not given any supplementary feed.     

Characterization and Film-Forming Properties of Gelatins from Whitemouth Croaker (Micropogonias furnieri) Skin and Bones

The Whitemouth croaker (Micropogonias furnieri), due to its abundance, is considered one of the most traditional and important species fished in the coastal waters and estuaries of South America. The aim of this work was to produce biopolymeric films of gelatins obtained from skin and bones of Whitemouth croaker. The fish gelatins were characterized through the yield, chemical composition, physiochemical, and rheological properties. The films were characterized by tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (EAB), water vapor permeability (WVP), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and optical properties. The values of protein yield, hydroxyproline content, gel strength, melting temperature, gelling temperature, and viscosity of the skin gelatin were higher than the values of the bone gelatin. The films obtained of skin gelatin showed all properties and thermal analysis superior in relation to the films of bone gelatin; this can be justified by the best physicochemical and rheological characteristics of the skin gelatin.     

Routine metabolism of larval green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris Ayres)

Routine metabolic rates of green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) from hatching to 31 days post hatch (dph) were determined under normoxic conditions. During the endogenous feeding stage that comprised period from hatching to 15 dph, the oxygen consumption rate (MO₂, μg O₂ larva⁻¹ h⁻¹) increased 5-fold before yolk reserves became exhausted and MO₂ rates steady. The allometric relationships between MO₂ and body mass had mass exponents greater than 1.0 (b=1.64±0.21) and equal to 1.0 (b=1.04±0.07) during the endogenous and exogenous feeding phases, respectively. The magnitude and changes of MO₂ rates in green sturgeon larvae reflected their early ontogeny, especially during the endogenous feeding phase when the increase in metabolic rates was associated with organogenesis, acquisition of organ functions, and the conversion of yolk sac into new tissues. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Associations between morphometric variables and weight and yields carcass in Pirapitinga Piaractus brachypomus

The objective of this work was to evaluate the association between morphometric variables and carcass characteristics in Pirapitinga. We used a thousand specimens of Pirapitinga with an average weight of 1,200 g, which were stunned, slaughtered, weighed, measured, and processed for morphometric and processing yield analysis, to obtain weights, carcass and fillet yields. Initially, the linearity of the variables was verified. Pearson's simple and partial correlation tests were performed between all metrics. Track analysis was performed considering the weights and yields of carcass and filet as dependent variables and the others as independent variables. Ridge regression models were used to eliminate the effects of multicollinearity among the independent variables. Observations showed that the simple correlations between body weights and yields were superior to the partial ones in terms of magnitude. The length and circumference of the specimens were the measures most linearly associated with weight, carcass weight and fillet with rib weight. As for carcass yield and fillet yield, linear correlation coefficients were low and not significant when associated with body weights. With the path analysis, we could observe significant positive correlations between the morphometric measurements for weight, carcass weight and fillet with rib weight. The standard length, body circumference and body circumference/body height ratio are the most correlated. The latter are the most important variables in the evaluation of body weights in Pirapitinga fish. They can serve as criteria for indirect selection in searching for fish with better carcass characteristics. As for fillet and carcass yields, the morphometric variables have not shown to be efficient for indirect selection.     

Morphological and histological changes inthe genital ducts ofthe male Atlantic stingray, Dasyatis sabina, during the seasonal reproductive cycle

Changes inthe morphology and histologyofthe epididymis and seminal vesicle in male Atlantic stingrays (Dasyatis sabina) were examined in relation tothe seasonal reproductive cycle. Observations onthe size and structureofthese organs were accompanied by analysisof cell proliferation in genital duct epithelia using proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) as a marker for mitotic activity. No signsof reproductive tract growth or histological alteration were apparent duringthe initial stagesof spermatogenesis. However, increased PCNA expression inthe seminal vesicle epithelium was observed during this period, suggesting that this organ begins to undergo preparatory changes at an early stage inthe reproductive cycle. During late spermatogenesis, heightened expressionof PCNA in epithelial cellsofthe epididymis and seminal vesicle was observed in conjunction with dramatic increases in size and semen contentofthese organs. Extensive changes inthe histological architectureofthe genital ducts also were evident at this time, including regressionofthe stroma and an increase in size and secretory activityofthe epithelium. Althoughthe epididymis regressed in size and structure shortly after sperm production was completed,the seminal vesicle retained its appearance and activity forthe durationofthe 7-month copulatory period. Afterwards, immune cell content increased considerably in both ducts, likely reflecting clearanceof residual spermatozoa in preparation forthe subsequent reproductive season.the present study provides a basis for future reports onthe physiological regulationof reproductive tract function in elasmobranchs, and establishes PCNA immunocytochemistry as a novel tool for such investigations.     

Effect of crude oil extracts from trout offal as a replacement for fish oil in the diets of the Australian native fish Murray cod Maccullochella peelii peelii

The efficacy of trout oil (TO), extracted from trout offal from the aquaculture industry, was evaluated in juvenile Murray cod Maccullochella peelii peelii (25.4±0.81 g) diets in an experiment conducted over 60 days at 23.7±0.8 °C. Five isonitrogenous (48% protein), isolipidic (16%) and isoenergetic (21.8 kJ g^?1) diets, in which the fish oil fraction was replaced in increments of 25% (0–100%), were used. The best growth and feed efficiency was observed in fish fed diets containing 50–75% TO. The relationship of specific growth rate (SGR), food conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) to the amount of TO in the diets was described in each case by second‐order polynomial equations (P<0.05), which were: SGR=–0.44TO²+0.52TO+1.23 (r²=0.90, P<0.05); FCR=0.53TO²–0.64TO+1.21 (r²=0.95, P<0.05); and PER=–0.73TO²+0.90TO+1.54 (r²=0.90, P<0.05). Significant differences in carcass and muscle proximate compositions were noted among the different dietary treatments. Less lipid was found in muscle than in carcass. The fatty acids found in highest amounts in Murray cod, irrespective of the dietary treatment, were palmitic acid (16:0), oleic acid (18:1n‐9), linoleic acid (18:2n‐6) and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n‐3). The fatty acid composition of the muscle reflected that of the diets. Both the n‐6 fatty acid content and the n‐3 to n‐6 ratio were significantly (P<0.05) related to growth parameters, the relationships being as follows. Percentage of n‐6 in diet (X) to SGR and FCR: SGR=–0.12X²+3.96X–32.51 (r²=0.96) and FCR=0.13X²–4.47X+39.39 (r²=0.98); and n‐3:n‐6 ratio (Z) to SGR, FCR, PER: SGR=–2.02Z²+5.01Z–1.74 (r²=0.88), FCR=2.31Z²–5.70Z+4.54 (r²=0.93) and PER=–3.12Z²–7.56Z+2.80 (r²=0.88) respectively. It is evident from this study that TO could be used effectively in Murray cod diets, and that an n‐3:n‐6 ratio of 1.2 results in the best growth performance in Murray cod.     

Resistance of 57 greenhouse-grown accessions of Lycopersicon esculentum and three cultivars to Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

The aim of this study was to evaluate resistance to Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) by antixenosis on 57 Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. accessions from the Horticultural Germplasm Bank (HGB) of Universidade Federal de Viçosa and by the three commercial cultivars (Santa Clara, Moneymaker and TOM-601) under greenhouse conditions. A randomized complete block design was used with three replications. Infestations with T. absoluta adults were performed weekly and the following characteristics were evaluated: number of small, large and total mines/leaf and % of leaves mined at days 60, 75 and 90 after planting. Low infestation occurred at days 60 and 75 but at day 90, infestation was sufficient to evaluate insect damage. Based on these data it was concluded that only accessions HGB-674 and HGB-1497 appeared to be the most promising. In addition, to determine possible chemical causes of resistance, hexane extracts were analyzed at day 90 by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and the major peaks identified by a mass spectral database using similarity index. Nine hydrocarbons, viz., hexadecane, heptadecane, eicosane, tricosane, 2-methyltricosane, tetracosane, hexacosane, octacosane and triacontane were identified in the hexane extracts in many samples. Tricosane, tetracosane and hexacosane presented significant correlations with the leaves mined. Only tricosane presented a negative correlation with the number of small mines (r = −0.28), total number of mines (r = −0.27) and % of leaves mined (r = −0.22). However, tetracosane and hexacosane presented significant positive correlations (r = 0.25 and 0.24, respectively) with the % of leaves mined.     

Repeated physical disturbances and the stability of sub‐tropical coral communities in Hong Kong,China

• 1. This paper reports on the dynamics of the coral community structure at A Ma Wan (AMW) and A Ye Wan (AYW) in Tung Ping Chau, Hong Kong, focusing on data collected before and after the summer typhoon seasons in 1997 to 1999. This period (1999) experienced the highest frequency of severe tropical cyclones to hit Hong Kong with one cyclone being the strongest to hit in the last 23 years (1984 to 2006).
• 2. This is part of a long‐term monitoring programme of subtropical coral communities that has been set up in AMW since May 1997 and AYW since May 1998 with nine fixed position 40 m long transects and 0.5 m × 0.5 m permanent quadrats laid at 5 m intervals along each transect. A total of 45 scleractinian coral species from 21 genera (12 families) was recorded, with 40 species in AMW and 32 species in AYW recorded at the beginning of the study.
• 3. Multidimensional scaling ordinations showed distinct spatial variations in the coral communities within and between sites. These variations were probably a result of the differential effects of the repeated cyclone impacts on the communities. Cyphastrea serailia, Goniopora lobata, Montipora peltiformis and Pavona decussata were the dominant species most strongly affected by cyclone impacts at AMW, experiencing a 6.2–16.2% loss of mean area cover during the study period. Some dominant species (e.g. P. decussata) in AYW also experienced a 6.5–14.3% loss of mean area cover within the same period.
• 4. Overall, these coral community structures appeared relatively stable and resistant to repeated physical disturbances. However, they may have low resilience towards more severe disturbances in the future. Preserving the resilience of coral communities/species in Tung Ping Chau should be one of the main goals of coral conservation strategies for the island.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.