The impact of light intensity and algal-induced turbidity on first-feeding Seriola lalandi larvae

Feeding performance (intensity and incidence) of first‐feeding yellowtail kingfish larvae was evaluated under a range of light intensities and algal‐induced turbidities. Larvae were fed with varying degrees of success under all light intensities tested (0–17 μmol s^?1 m^?2), in both clearwater and greenwater (8 × 10⁴ cells mL^?1). There was a consistent trend for feeding performance to increase with larval age and light intensity in both clearwater and greenwater conditions, demonstrating that visual proficiency increases with larval age. Feeding intensity remained low over the first 3 days of first feeding across all light intensities tested. Days 6 and 7 post‐hatch larvae showed considerably higher feeding intensities particularly at 8 and 17 μmol s^?1 m^?2. This improvement indicates an ontogenetic shift in sensory or locomotor competence. First‐feeding larvae performed equally well in both clearwater and greenwater (8 × 10⁴ cells mL^?1) conditions, although at the lowest light intensity tested (0.1 μmol s^?1 m^?2) feeding performance was noticeably reduced. Feeding performance was severely diminished across all larval ages at an algal cell density of 32 × 10⁴ cells mL^?1, demonstrating that for this species algal‐induced turbidities >16 × 10⁴ cells mL^?1 adversely affect the ability to capture free‐swimming prey during the first‐feeding window.     

Demand-feeding behaviour of sea bass kept in ponds: diel and seasonal patterns,and influences of environmental factors

Feeding activity was investigated from June to October in a group of 60 sea bass, Dicentrachus labrax. The fish were kept in an earthen pond in a maritime wetland subject to the fluctuations of the natural environment. The fish fed by operating a demand feeder connected to a data logger which recorded each feeding act with a time reference. Meteorological and hydrological data were also recorded. Diurnal rhythms in feeding activity changed as the months progressed. Fish fed during daylight, preferentially at dawn in June, but in the middle of the day from August to October. Most feeding took place during subdued light. Feeding was closely and positively correlated to both daylength and water temperature; daylength being the most related factor associated with rainfall and East-West wind direction.     

Accuracy of a machine-vision pellet detection system

Video cameras are employed on net pen fish farms for monitoring food pellet levels near the cage bottom. Herein, the accuracy of a new machine-vision system for the identification of a feed-wastage event and its response time are reported. Research involved novel tests and definitions, video footage recorded under different stocking and environmental conditions, and numerical filters to reduce the effects of misclassifications and patchiness of the pellet wastage record on overall system accuracy. Single-frame food pellet detection accuracy was based on the difference between computer-generated and actual frame counts of pellets greater than 30 pixels in size. A pellet wastage event was defined as a median of three or more visible pellets per frame. During tests on still video frames from different feeding events, the system missed 0.1±0.1 to 1.3±0.4 pellets frame⁻¹, and miss-classified as pellets 0±0.1 to 2.3±0.5 objects frame⁻¹ (n=264). Most missed pellet images were on top of fish images. Waste matter accounted for 65% of the misclassifications, while particles associated with poor camera maintenance accounted for approximately 24%. The average response time to a pellet wastage event was 5.1 and 11.4 s for sampling rates of 2 frames s⁻¹ and 0.5 frames s⁻¹, respectively (n=20 different pellet wastage events). The longest response time (26 s) occurred when fish were amassed against the camera and/or covering pellets. Using appropriate camera lens, camera positioning and/or ‘warning’ software can address fish-interference problems.     

Rearing of pike-perch larvae using formulated diets – first success with starter feeds

The present study evaluated the performance of two commercial diets: AgloNorse (AN) and BioKyowa (BK), and two experimental, formulated diets based on casein (C) or casein plus casein hydrolysates (CH) in rearing of pike‐perch larvae (Sander lucioperca L.). All fish were 5 day old and control group was fed live Artemia nauplii. Fish were sampled periodically for histological comparison of morphological changes in the digestive tracts. Survival of fish fed Artemia nauplii, BK and AN was similar: 54.4%, 50.8% and 52.4%, respectively, while the fish fed formulated diets C and CH showed considerably lower survival: 28.4% and 21.6% respectively. After 5 weeks of rearing, the average body mass of fish ranged from 212±32 mg in Artemia fed group to 53.8±6.8 mg in C diet fed group. A considerable vacuolization of supranuclear zone in enterocytes of posterior intestine was observed in the larvae fed commercial diets. No anomalies in liver development were found. Hepatocytes of fish fed BK diet showed larger glycogen storage areas, compared with those occupied by lipids. The highest zymogen accumulation of pancreatic cytoplasm was observed in fish fed Artemia. In fish fed C and CH diets, anomalies in digestive system development were indicated by lower and less numerous intestinal folds, smaller hepatocytes, retarded development of gastric glands, and in CH group – also local fatty degeneration of liver.     

Role of free neuromasts in larval feeding of willow shiner Gnathopogon elongatus caerulescens Teleostei, Cyprinidae

ABSTRACT:   It has been reported that the larvae of willow shiner Gnathopogon elongatus caerulescens have many free neuromasts on their body surface. This study examined the ability of the willow shiner larvae to feed on zooplankton by mechanoreception by the free neuromasts. Feeding experiments using untreated larvae and larvae treated with streptomycin, which impairs free neuromast function, were conducted under light and completely dark conditions. The larvae were put into Petri dishes, then nauplii of Artemia salina were introduced. The average number of Artemia eaten by the larvae was expressed as the average ingestion rate of Artemia /10 min. The ingestion rate of Artemia for untreated larvae was 12.3 under light conditions and 10.6 Artemia /10 min. even in complete darkness. The ingestion rate in the larvae treated with streptomycin was 11 under light conditions and only 0.8 Artemia /10 min under dark conditions. The low rate in the treated larvae under dark conditions must be due to impairment by the streptomycin. Therefore, the high ingestion rate for the untreated larvae under dark conditions would be surely dependent on mechanoreception. The results indicate that larval willow shiner is able to feed on zooplankton under limited light conditions.     

Divergent, genetically based feeding behaviour of two sympatric Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), morphs

Abstract –  Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), is one of the several northern fishes that show resource polymorphisms in postglacial lakes. Two reproductively isolated morphs of Arctic charr coexist in distinct ecological niches in the subarctic lake Fjellfrøsvatn, North Norway. Offspring of the two morphs (termed littoral charr and profundal charr) were reared separately but under identical conditions. Their feeding behaviour was compared experimentally using different kinds of live prey. The fishes had no experience with natural prey before the experiments. The littoral morph were more effective in eating live plankton ( Daphnia ) and littoral benthos ( Gammarus ), and had a higher attack rate against pleuston (surface prey, Gerris ) compared with the profundal morph. The two morphs behaved in accordance with expectations from their in situ niche utilisation towards the three prey types. This indicates a case of incipient ecological speciation where divergence in resource utilisation in contrasting niches has evolved adaptations in feeding behaviour by natural selection.