Home About us Contact | |||
Earthen Ponds (earthen + pond)
Selected AbstractsProduction and Processing Trait Comparisons of Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish, and Their Hybrids Grown in Earthen PondsJOURNAL OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY, Issue 6 2008Mingkang Jiang Fingerling HS-5 channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, NWAC 103 channel catfish, D&B blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus, HS-5 female channel × D&B male blue catfish F1 hybrids, and NWAC 103 female channel × D&B male blue catfish F1 hybrids were stocked into twenty-five 0.04-ha earthen ponds at 12,500 fish/ha and grown for 277 d. Fish were fed daily at rates from 1.0 to 3.0% biomass based on feeding activity and temperature and adjusted weekly assuming a feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 1.8 and 100% survival. At harvest, 40 fish from each pond were sampled, and all other counted and weighed. Mean survival, growth rate indexes (a), FCR, and skin-on fillet percentages were not significantly different. Mean harvest weights and net production were higher for HS-5 channel and its hybrid than for the NWAC 103 channel, NWAC 103 hybrid, and D&B blue catfish, partially because of their larger mean stocking weights. D&B blue catfish was more uniform in size than NWAC 103 channel and NWAC 103 hybrid. D&B blue catfish was the easiest to seine. HS-5 hybrids and NWAC 103 hybrids had lower mean head percentage and a better processing yield than their parent channel catfish. [source] Effect of Stocking Weight and Stocking Density on Production of Hybrid Striped Bass (Sunshine) in Earthen Ponds in the Second Phase of a 2-Phase SystemJOURNAL OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY, Issue 1 2004Louis R. D'Abramo Sunshine bass from Phase I or pond production were graded into two weight classes, 3 and 5 g, and stocked into experimental earthen ponds at a density of either 8,649/ha or 11,120/ ha in a 2 × 2 factorial design. After stocking, the fish were fed a commercially manufactured feed (43.0-45.5% crude protein) twice daily to satiation for 17 mo. At harvest, mean survival ranged from 67.4 to 84.8% but was highest for the fish stocked at 5g. Average production Tor ponds stocked at 8,649/ha and 11,120/ha, regardless of stocking weight, was 4,506 kg/ha and 5350 kg/ha, respectively. Production and percentages of assigned weight classes were not significantly different among treatments as a result of wide variation among replicates. Using size-dependent market prices assigned to the different harvest size groups, an economic analysis revealed gross receipts, variable costs, and total costs for the 11,120/ha 5-g treatment. Net returns were not significantly different among the four treatments due to large variation among replicates per treatment. These results confirm that the traditional phase II of pond production can be eliminated in favor of a direct stocking of phase I fish into a single production phase and economically competes very well with traditional three-phase growout management. The potential reduction in turnover time of production units achieved through the direct stock practice is an efficiency trait that should translate into significantly higher returns and a greater profit over the long term. Further reduction of stocking density combined with a stocking weight greater than 5 g should translate into greater proportion of larger, higher valued fish at harvest and a growout period of 18-20 mo, rather than the 24-30 mo traditionally needed for the combined phase II and phase III of production. [source] Correlation Between Two Size Classes of Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei and Its Potential Implications for Selective Breeding ProgramsJOURNAL OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY, Issue 1 2000Brad J. Argue Breeders may assume that the largest brood-stock shrimp were also the largest market shrimp. In this study, 120 market shrimp were individually tagged and grown to broodstock in an earthen pond. There was a significant relationship between market and broodstock weight (P < 0.001) but it was not highly correlated (r = 0.42). There was no correlation between market weight and post-market weight gain (P= 0.477; r= 0.08). Of the largest 20 broodstock, only seven were among the top 20 at market weight. If the goal of a breeding program is to select the fastest growing individuals to market, shrimp should be individually selected at market weight and not as broodstock. [source] Feasibility of pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei culture in southern Brazil: effects of stocking density and a single or a double CROP management strategy in earthen pondsAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 2 2010Dariano Krummenauer Abstract Marine shrimp culture at southern Brazil is restricted to the warmer season (November to April). Therefore, farmers must consider culture strategies and competition with shrimp landings from artisanal fishery. The fishing season starts every 1 February; in order to obtain higher prices, farmers may consider shrimp culture in two crops, with a first harvest before the start of the fishing season, and a second harvest after the end of the landings. The present study evaluated the performance and feasibility of Litopenaeus vannamei reared at 10, 25 and 40 shrimp m,2 either in two short consecutive culture cycles or one longer cycle (LC). The experimental design consisted of two sets of nine pens installed in a 3.8 ha earthen pond. In one set of pens, shrimp were harvested after 75 days and pens were restocked for another 75-day-long rearing period. In the second set of pens, shrimp were cultured for 150 days. Shrimp survival and final weight ranged from 79% to 91% and 6.67 to 14.53 g respectively. Feasibility analysis pointed towards culture at higher densities (25 and 40 shrimp m,2) in a LC as productivity (2274,4227 kg ha,1) and shrimp final weight (13.05,13.21 g) resulted in higher profitability (US$7761,12 379). [source] Effects of stocking density and water exchange regimes on growth and survival of juvenile spotted babylon, Babylona areolata (Link), cultured in experimental earthen pondsAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 3 2009Sirusa Kritsanapuntu Abstract The growth and survival of juvenile spotted babylon, Babylonia areolata, were determined at five stocking densities (100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 snails m,2) and three water exchange regimes (7-, 15- and 21-day intervals) in experimental earthen ponds over a 6-month experimental period. The results showed that the growth of spotted babylons was not significantly different among any density treatments (P<0.05). At the end of the experiment, the average growth rates in body weights were 0.59, 0.59, 0.58, 0.42 and 0.41 g month,1 respectively. Growth was significantly different among the different water-exchange treatments (P<0.05). The higher body-weight gains were observed in snails held at water exchanges of 7- and 15-day intervals, when compared with those held at water exchange of 30-day intervals. At the end of the experiment, average body-weight gains were 4.22, 3.67 and 2.68 g for snails held in water-exchange treatments of 7-, 15- and 30-day intervals respectively. This study recommended that stocking densities ,300 snails m,2 and water exchange of 7,15-day intervals are suitable for cultured B. areolata juveniles in earthen pond. [source] Annual sex hormonal profiles, gonad development and age determination of the Mekong giant catfish (Pangasianodon gigas, Chevey)AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 15 2003A Manosroi Abstract Annual sex hormonal profiles, gonad development and age determination of 18 (13,14 kg body weight) and three (145,226 kg body weight) Mekong giant catfish (MGC) (Pangasianodon gigas, Chevey) reared in earthen ponds in Chiang Mai and from the Mekong River in Chiang Rai, Thailand, respectively, were investigated. The hormonal profiles were determined from blood samples of the fish by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay during May to August in 2000. The highest testosterone levels of 0.06 ng mL,1 in both sexes and the highest oestradiol of 47.8 and 14.23 pg mL,1 in females and males, respectively, were observed in May. The gonadosomatic index was found to be 0.07 for males and 0.38 for females from ponds in comparison with 2.27 for males and 8.29 for females from the Mekong River. Higher development stages of spermatocytes and oocytes of the cultured fish in May than in February and November were demonstrated. No mature germ cells were obtained from either the males or females, indicating no sexual maturity. The average age of fish was determined from the annual rings of the cross-section of the pectoral fins by a stereomicroscope. The average age of fish in earthen pond determined from the annual ring was 8 years, which agreed with the actual culture records, while those from the Mekong River were 21 years. This information will be beneficial for the breeding programmes and conservation of the MGC. [source] Production and Processing Trait Comparisons of Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish, and Their Hybrids Grown in Earthen PondsJOURNAL OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY, Issue 6 2008Mingkang Jiang Fingerling HS-5 channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, NWAC 103 channel catfish, D&B blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus, HS-5 female channel × D&B male blue catfish F1 hybrids, and NWAC 103 female channel × D&B male blue catfish F1 hybrids were stocked into twenty-five 0.04-ha earthen ponds at 12,500 fish/ha and grown for 277 d. Fish were fed daily at rates from 1.0 to 3.0% biomass based on feeding activity and temperature and adjusted weekly assuming a feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 1.8 and 100% survival. At harvest, 40 fish from each pond were sampled, and all other counted and weighed. Mean survival, growth rate indexes (a), FCR, and skin-on fillet percentages were not significantly different. Mean harvest weights and net production were higher for HS-5 channel and its hybrid than for the NWAC 103 channel, NWAC 103 hybrid, and D&B blue catfish, partially because of their larger mean stocking weights. D&B blue catfish was more uniform in size than NWAC 103 channel and NWAC 103 hybrid. D&B blue catfish was the easiest to seine. HS-5 hybrids and NWAC 103 hybrids had lower mean head percentage and a better processing yield than their parent channel catfish. [source] Effects of an Extended Hatchery Phase and Vaccination against Enteric Septicemia of Catfish on the Production of Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, FingerlingsJOURNAL OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY, Issue 2 2008Abel A. Carrias The present study was conducted to evaluate production management methods to improve overall survival of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, fry to the fingerling stage by incorporating the use of a live, attenuated vaccine against Edwardsiella ictaluri and employing an extended hatchery phase. In this experiment, four treatments were used. In Treatment 1, 10-d posthatch (PH) fry were vaccinated and then directly stocked into earthen ponds. In Treatments 2 and 3, 10-d PH fry were sham-vaccinated (control) and vaccinated, respectively, kept in nursery tanks for 22 d, and then stocked into earthen ponds. Fry in Treatment 4 were sham-vaccinated at 10 d PH, kept in nursery tanks for 22 d, and then vaccinated prior to stocking into earthen ponds. Mean fingerling yield at harvest ranged from 4716 kg/ha in Treatment 1 to 8112 kg/ha in Treatment 4. Mean individual fish weight ranged from 38.8 g in Treatment 1 to 40.9 g in Treatment 4, and feed conversion ratios (FCR) ranged from 1.15 in Treatment 4 to 1.51 in Treatment 1. Mean survival ranged from 47.5% in Treatment 1 to 73.4% in Treatment 4. In specific comparisons to evaluate the nursery effect (Treatments 1 and 3), yield and overall survival were significantly different (P < 0.05) between these two treatments. In specific comparisons to evaluate the effect of the use of the vaccine (Treatments 2, 3, and 4), overall survival was significantly different (P < 0.05) between Treatment 2 (sham-vaccinated control with nursery phase) and Treatment 4 (vaccinated at 32 d PH with nursery phase). No significant differences (P > 0.05) in yield, average weight, and FCR were observed between treatments. Results indicate that implementing an extended hatchery phase and vaccination strategy with older fry can improve overall survival of fingerling fish. [source] Effect of Multiple-batch Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, Stocking Density and Feeding Rate on Water Quality, Production Characteristics, and CostsJOURNAL OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY, Issue 4 2006Brent E. Southworth To quantitatively define relationships among stocking densities, feeding rates, water quality, and production costs for channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, grown in multiple-batch systems, twelve 0.1-ha earthen ponds were stocked at 8,600, 17,300, 26,000, or 34,600 fingerlings/ha along with 2,268 kg/ha of carryover fish. Fish in all ponds were fed daily to apparent satiation using 32% protein floating feed. Temperature and dissolved oxygen in each pond were monitored twice daily; pH weekly; nitrite-N, total ammonia nitrogen, and Secchi disk visibility every 2 wk; nitrate-N, chlorophyll a, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and chemical oxygen demand monthly; and chloride every other month. The costs of producing channel catfish at different stocking densities were estimated. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) as a result of stocking density among treatment means of (1) gross or net yields, (2) mean weights at harvest, and (3) growth or survival of fingerlings (24,36%) and carryover fish (77,94%). Mean and maximum daily feeding rates ranged from 40 to 53 kg/ha/d and 123 to 188 kg/ha/d, respectively, and feed conversion ratios averaged 1.75. There were no differences in any feed-related parameter as a result of density. Water quality variables showed few differences among densities at samplings and no differences when averaged across the production season. Yield of fingerlings increased as stocking density increased with significant differences between the two highest and the two lowest stocking densities. Breakeven prices were lower at the higher stocking densities as a result of the higher yield of understocked fish and similar mean individual fish weights produced at these higher stocking densities. Overall, varying stocking densities of fingerlings in multiple-batch systems had little effect on production efficiency and water quality. Additional research on managing the population structure of carryover fish in commercial catfish ponds may be warranted. [source] Effect of Stocking Weight and Stocking Density on Production of Hybrid Striped Bass (Sunshine) in Earthen Ponds in the Second Phase of a 2-Phase SystemJOURNAL OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY, Issue 1 2004Louis R. D'Abramo Sunshine bass from Phase I or pond production were graded into two weight classes, 3 and 5 g, and stocked into experimental earthen ponds at a density of either 8,649/ha or 11,120/ ha in a 2 × 2 factorial design. After stocking, the fish were fed a commercially manufactured feed (43.0-45.5% crude protein) twice daily to satiation for 17 mo. At harvest, mean survival ranged from 67.4 to 84.8% but was highest for the fish stocked at 5g. Average production Tor ponds stocked at 8,649/ha and 11,120/ha, regardless of stocking weight, was 4,506 kg/ha and 5350 kg/ha, respectively. Production and percentages of assigned weight classes were not significantly different among treatments as a result of wide variation among replicates. Using size-dependent market prices assigned to the different harvest size groups, an economic analysis revealed gross receipts, variable costs, and total costs for the 11,120/ha 5-g treatment. Net returns were not significantly different among the four treatments due to large variation among replicates per treatment. These results confirm that the traditional phase II of pond production can be eliminated in favor of a direct stocking of phase I fish into a single production phase and economically competes very well with traditional three-phase growout management. The potential reduction in turnover time of production units achieved through the direct stock practice is an efficiency trait that should translate into significantly higher returns and a greater profit over the long term. Further reduction of stocking density combined with a stocking weight greater than 5 g should translate into greater proportion of larger, higher valued fish at harvest and a growout period of 18-20 mo, rather than the 24-30 mo traditionally needed for the combined phase II and phase III of production. [source] Production of Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus and Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii Stocked at Different Densities in Polyculture Systems in BrazilJOURNAL OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY, Issue 3 2002Marcel J. M. dos Santos Twelve 0.01-ha earthen ponds were stocked with 1 tilapia/m2 and 0, 2, 4, or 6 postlarvae prawn/m2. Three replicates were randomly assigned to each prawn density. Postlarval prawns were stocked a week prior to tilapia juveniles and both were harvested 175 d after the beginning of the experiment. Tilapia final average weight, survival, production, and food conversion rates did not differ significantly among treatments (P > 0.05); the averages were 531 g, 67%. 3,673 kg/ha, and 1.91, respectively. Prawn survival rates did not differ for the three stocking densities (mean 90%). However, final weight and production were significantly different (P < 0.05) as follows: 34.0, 23.0, and 14.7 g and 639, 909, and 818 kg/ha, respectively for 2. 4, and 6 prawns/m2 densities. Stocking densities up to 6 prawn/m2 did not affect tilapia production and required neither additional feeding nor significant changes in management. The polyculture system allowed an increase in total production with the same amount of supplied feed, thus improving the system sustainability. [source] Threadfin shad impacts phytoplankton and zooplankton community structures in channel catfish pondsAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 10 2010Bartholomew W Green Abstract Plankton community structure and chlorophyll a concentration were compared in twelve 0.1 ha earthen ponds co-stocked with channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque, 1818) in a multiple-batch culture (initial biomass=5458 kg ha,1) and a planktivore, threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense Güther, 1867; initial biomass=449 kg ha,1), during the April,November growing season. We used a completely randomized design in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement to test the planktivore level (presence or absence of threadfin shad) and channel catfish feeding frequency (daily or every third day). Channel catfish were fed a 32% protein feed to apparent satiation on days fed. The presence of threadfin shad affected phytoplankton and zooplankton community structure more than did feeding frequency, and the impact in ponds was more pronounced after 1 July. The numbers of all major groups of zooplankton were lower in ponds with threadfin shad, but were unaffected by the feeding frequency. Chlorophyll a concentration before 1 July was higher in ponds with threadfin shad and unaffected by the feeding frequency, whereas after 1 July it was higher in ponds without threadfin shad and that were fed daily. Phytoplankton community structure after 1 July was dominated by nuisance algal bloom genera of cyanobacteria in ponds without threadfin shad and by Bacillariophyceae in ponds with threadfin shad. [source] Comparative growth and yield of channel catfish and channel × blue hybrid catfish fed a full or restricted rationAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 9 2010Bartholomew W Green Abstract Growth and yield (kg ha,1) of the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus, Rafinesque, 1818) and the channel × blue hybrid catfish [I. punctatus female ×I. furcatus (Lesueur, 1840) male], which shared the Jubilee strain of channel catfish as the maternal parent, were compared in sixteen 0.1 ha earthen ponds (14 852 fish ha,1) during the April to November growing season. Each fish genetic group was fed a commercially formulated 32% protein feed daily to apparent satiation or at 80% of the mean daily satiation ration. Net yield and individual weight were higher for channel × blue hybrid catfish compared with channel catfish and for fish fed a full ration compared with a restricted ration. When fed a full ration, the channel × blue hybrid catfish grew faster from May to September than did the purebred channel catfish because the hybrid catfish consumed a greater percentage of its body weight at each feeding. Net yield within each fish genetic group was lower when feed ration was restricted. The per cent reduction in net yield in response to feed restriction was similar for each fish genetic group. [source] Chironomid abundance and consumption by juvenile channel catfish in plastic-lined and earthen culture pondsAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 9 2010Bonnie L Mulligan Abstract In 2004, research was conducted to compare chironomid larvae populations and their use by channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) fingerlings in two different culture systems. Over a 4-month culture period, chironomid larvae densities in plastic-lined ponds were significantly less than those in earthen ponds. The consumption of chironomid larvae by channel catfish fingerlings was related to chironomid abundance in earthen ponds. The significance of these findings is the possible relationship among pond type, initial consumption of commercial diets and subsequent survival rates of fingerling channel catfish. [source] Effects of varying dietary compositions using common feed ingredients on growth and feed efficiency of pond-raised channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque)AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 8 2010Menghe H Li Abstract Two experiments were conducted to evaluate various ingredient combinations in a 28% or 32% protein diet for optimum performance of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. All diets contained soybean meal and corn, but with or without cottonseed meal, wheat middlings or fish meal (FM). Channel catfish fingerlings were stocked into 0.04 ha earthen ponds at 18 530 fish ha,1. Fish were fed one of eight diets once daily to apparent satiation for two growing seasons. Results demonstrated that the dietary ingredient composition used had significant effects on fish performance, but magnitude of differences was relatively small. Overall, diets containing FM resulted in greater weight gain (Experiments 1 and 2) and lower feed conversion ratio (Experiment 1) than fish fed all-plant diets. However, certain combinations of plant ingredients provided the similar fish growth as some diets containing FM. There were no significant differences in weight gain between fish fed soybean meal,corn or soybean meal,corn,wheat middlings-based diets with cottonseed meal or FM. The use of wheat middlings in the diet had no significant effects on fish production characteristics. [source] The effect of the introduction of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, L.) on small indigenous fish species (mola, Amblypharyngodon mola, Hamilton; chela, Chela cachius, Hamilton; punti, Puntius sophore, Hamilton)AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 6 2010Sultanul Arafin Shemeen Ahmad Abstract This is the first controlled experiment to quantify the effect of introduced tilapia on indigenous species. This experiment was conducted in small earthen ponds (100 m2) to assess the impact of mixed-sex or all-male Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) on small indigenous species (SIS) commonly found in south Asia, mola (Amblypharyngodon mola), chela (Chela cachius) and punti (Puntius sophore). Ponds were fertilized, then stocked with 0.56 fish m,2 of water surface area in the mixed-sex and all-male tilapia treatments and 0.42 fish m,2 in the treatment without tilapia. No additional nutritional inputs were applied after stocking. Treatments were: mixed-sex tilapia with SIS, mono-sex male tilapia with SIS and SIS without tilapia (control). All treatments were stocked with 14 fish per species. All species reproduced during the 21-month culture duration. The number of recruits varied by species, Tilapia reproduced in greater numbers than SIS. Tilapia numbers at harvest were the highest (451 ± 25/100 m2) in the mixed-sex treatment compared with mola (221 ± 22/100 m2), chela (94 ± 8/100 m2) and punti (100 ± 7/100 m2). The number of mola was higher (399 ± 33/100 m2) in the all-male tilapia treatment. There was reduction in the number of mola and chela in the treatment containing mixed-sex tilapia. Gut content analysis combined with water sampling revealed that all fish species fed selectively. Significant interspecies dietary overlap was found between Nile tilapia and SIS and among SIS. Thus, there is potential for tilapia to compete with indigenous fish species when space and other resources are limiting, but a longer duration study with varying level of management is needed to determine how successfully tilapia competes with locally adapted SIS. [source] Feasibility of pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei culture in southern Brazil: effects of stocking density and a single or a double CROP management strategy in earthen pondsAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 2 2010Dariano Krummenauer Abstract Marine shrimp culture at southern Brazil is restricted to the warmer season (November to April). Therefore, farmers must consider culture strategies and competition with shrimp landings from artisanal fishery. The fishing season starts every 1 February; in order to obtain higher prices, farmers may consider shrimp culture in two crops, with a first harvest before the start of the fishing season, and a second harvest after the end of the landings. The present study evaluated the performance and feasibility of Litopenaeus vannamei reared at 10, 25 and 40 shrimp m,2 either in two short consecutive culture cycles or one longer cycle (LC). The experimental design consisted of two sets of nine pens installed in a 3.8 ha earthen pond. In one set of pens, shrimp were harvested after 75 days and pens were restocked for another 75-day-long rearing period. In the second set of pens, shrimp were cultured for 150 days. Shrimp survival and final weight ranged from 79% to 91% and 6.67 to 14.53 g respectively. Feasibility analysis pointed towards culture at higher densities (25 and 40 shrimp m,2) in a LC as productivity (2274,4227 kg ha,1) and shrimp final weight (13.05,13.21 g) resulted in higher profitability (US$7761,12 379). [source] Seasonal variation in osmoregulatory and metabolic parameters in earthen pond-cultured gilthead sea bream Sparus auratusAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 11 2009Luis Vargas-Chacoff Abstract Seasonal variations in osmoregulatory and metabolic parameters were assessed in juvenile gilthead sea bream (Sparus auratus) cultured in earthen ponds under a natural photoperiod and temperature. Specimens were sampled, and the plasma, gill, kidney and liver were collected during winter 2005 and 2006 (January), spring 2005 (April), summer 2005 (July) and autumn 2005 (October). Plasma osmoregulatory parameters showed higher values in summer, while metabolic parameters presented different patterns of variations. Gill Na+,K+ -ATPase activity decreased significantly in winter, while gill metabolite levels showed different patterns of variations among seasons. The enzymatic activities tested did not present a clear pattern of variation [(glutamate dehydrogenase (EC 1.4.1.2) (GDH) and hexokinase (EC 2.7.1.11) (HK)] or significant differences along seasons [glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.49)]. Kidney Na+,K+ -ATPase activity decreased during summer and autumn. Different patterns of variation were observed in kidney metabolite levels while all the enzymatic activities assessed [lactate dehydrogenase-oxidase (EC 1.1.1.27) (LDH-O), HK and GDH] presented the highest values during summer. In the liver, metabolite levels and enzymatic activities did not show significant variations or present clear patterns of variation along different seasons. These results indicated seasonal variations in the osmoregulatory and metabolic parameters of different organs (blood, gill, kidney and liver) in earthen pond-cultured gilthead sea bream (S. auratus), which could be mainly attributed to seasonal changes in temperature. [source] Gonadal structure analysis of Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller, 1862) from a wild population: a new insight into the morphotype characterizationAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 7 2009Gicelle Maria Farias Da Silva Abstract The aim of this work is to correlate the histological gonad analysis of adult male Macrobrachium amazonicum of a wild population with morphotypes identified in populations reared in earthen ponds. A total of 500 adult male specimens were collected in the Mosqueiro Island, Municipality of Belém, State of Pará, Brazil. The animals were classified on the basis of body and cheliped colour, second right cheliped spination, total length, cheliped length and weight. The gonads of each morphotype were fixed, processed by histological techniques and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. All four morphotypes, translucent claw (TC), cinnamon claw (CC), green claw 1 (GC1) and green claw 2 (GC2), were identified in the wild population, indicating the same population structure described for cultured animals. The M. amazonicum testes are composed of multiple lobes. The TC gonads showed a population of germ cells in the eccentric portion of the seminiferous tubule and few spermatozoa in the central region. Cinnamon claw males exhibited a large cell population with intense meiotic activity and sparse spermatozoa. Regardless of the different external morphologies of GC1 and GC2, no histological differences were found in their gonads; both had a large number of gametes and similar spermatogenic cell population. Despite the external morphological evidences of the four morphotypes, the histological criteria indicate the existence of only three morphotypes: TC, CC and green claw (GC). [source] Growth performance of mixed sex, hormonally sex reversed and progeny of YY male tilapia of the GIFT strain, Oreochromis niloticusAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 6 2009Norhidayat Kamaruzzaman Abstract The growth performance of three experimental groups consisting of mixed sex fish (control), hormone-treated fish and progeny of YY male tilapia, all originated from the genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT) strain was evaluated. Masculinization of sexually undifferentiated fry was achieved by providing a supplement of 5 mg of 17-,-methyltestosterone per kg of feed over a period of 21 days (after sac absorption). Both mixed sex and progeny of YY male groups were fed a standard commercial ration. Mixed sex fish did not deviate significantly (P>0.05) from the 1:1 male to female ratio. Percentages of male averaged 75% in hormone-treated fish and 95% in YY male group over the sampling periods and at final harvest. The effect of sex on weight and length was statistically significant (P<0.001). The model used to analyse weight and length included experimental group and sex in each culture period as the fixed effects, and replicate cages as the random effect. Over the culture period of 141 days, there were no statistical differences (P>0.05) in body weight and length between mixed sex, hormonally treated and progeny of YY males. There were also no significant differences in level of variability in harvest weight between three groups of fish when the data were classified into five categories (=<100, 100 to <150, 150 to <200, 200 to <250 and ,250 g). It is concluded that monosex culture of all male tilapia would be of no advantage over mixed sex culture for the GIFT strain under conditions of cages suspended in earthen ponds. [source] Effects of stocking density and water exchange regimes on growth and survival of juvenile spotted babylon, Babylona areolata (Link), cultured in experimental earthen pondsAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 3 2009Sirusa Kritsanapuntu Abstract The growth and survival of juvenile spotted babylon, Babylonia areolata, were determined at five stocking densities (100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 snails m,2) and three water exchange regimes (7-, 15- and 21-day intervals) in experimental earthen ponds over a 6-month experimental period. The results showed that the growth of spotted babylons was not significantly different among any density treatments (P<0.05). At the end of the experiment, the average growth rates in body weights were 0.59, 0.59, 0.58, 0.42 and 0.41 g month,1 respectively. Growth was significantly different among the different water-exchange treatments (P<0.05). The higher body-weight gains were observed in snails held at water exchanges of 7- and 15-day intervals, when compared with those held at water exchange of 30-day intervals. At the end of the experiment, average body-weight gains were 4.22, 3.67 and 2.68 g for snails held in water-exchange treatments of 7-, 15- and 30-day intervals respectively. This study recommended that stocking densities ,300 snails m,2 and water exchange of 7,15-day intervals are suitable for cultured B. areolata juveniles in earthen pond. [source] Growth performances for monoculture and polyculture of hatchery-reared juvenile spotted babylon, Babylonia areolata Link, 1807, in large-scale earthen pondsAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 14 2008Sirusa Kritsanapuntu Abstract This study was conducted to determine the feasibility of growing out hatchery-reared spotted babylon juvenile (Babylonia areolata) in earthen ponds. The growth, survival and water quality for monoculture of spotted babylon were compared with the two polyculture trials with sea bass (Lates calcarifer) or milkfish (Chanos chanos). This study provided good results for growth and survival of spotted babylon in earthen ponds. The mean body weight gain of snails held in the monoculture was 5.39±0.08 g, and 4.07±0.16 and 4.25±0.11 g for those held in the polyculture with sea bass or milkfish respectively. Food conversion ratios (FCR) were 2.69, 2.96 and 2.71 for snails held in the monoculture and polyculture with sea bass and milkfish, respectively, and the final survival rates were 84.94%, 74.30% and 81.20% respectively. There were no significant differences in each parameter of water quality among the treatments but significant differences among the culture period were present (P<0.05). Salinity and total alkalinity showed the greatest changes during the culture period for all treatments. Seawater temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrite,nitrogen and ammonia,nitrogen gradually changed over the culture period for all the treatments. The present study indicated the technical feasibility for monoculture and polyculture of B. areolata to marketable sizes in earthen ponds. [source] Introduction of jundia Rhamdia quelen (Quoy & Gaimard) and Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus) increases the productivity of carp polyculture in southern BrazilAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 5 2008Leonardo Bolognesi Da Silva Abstract Fish polyculture is based on the assumption that each species has its own feeding niche and may increase the maximum standing crop of a pond by exploring a wider range of available food and ecological niches. In order to identify the better species ratio and to introduce jundia (JN) (Rhamdia quelen Quoy & Gaimard) and Nile tilapia (NT) (Oreochromis niloticus Linnaeus) in to the carp polyculture practiced in South Brazil, a 162-day experiment was conducted, in 12 250-m2 earthen ponds (1.2 m deep). Treatment I (T-I) contained 35% common carp, Cyprinus carpio (L.) (CC); 35% grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella Valenciennes (GC); 15% silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Valenciennes (SC); and 15% bighead carp, Aristichthys nobilis Richardson (BC). Treatment II (T-II) consisted of three ponds stocked at the following ratio: 17.5% CC, 35% GC, 15% SC, 15% BC and 17.5% JN. Treatment III (T-III) consisted of three ponds with 35% CC, 35% GC, 7.5% SC, 7.5% BC and 15% NT. Treatment IV (T-IV) consisted of three ponds with 17.5% CC, 35% GC, 7.5% SC, 7.5% BC%, 17.5% JN and 15% NT. No significant correlation was found between the treatments with different species ratio and water quality parameters. The final weight of different species, in different treatments, was statistically different. The major result was the clear positive effect on growth parameters observed by the introduction of JN and/or NT in to the carp polyculture. The yield per hectare was 2083.33±183 kg ha,1 for polyculture with carp species; 2476.67±139.88 kg ha,1 following the introduction of JN only; 2801.67±111.42 kg ha,1 for isolated introduction of NT; and 2506.67±422.31 kg ha,1 for simultaneous introduction of JN and NT. The introduction of JN and/or NT had a positive effect on growth parameters when compared with carp-only polyculture. The reduction in CC ratio also had a positive effect on growth parameters. [source] Stocking strategies for production of Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) in amended freshwater in inland pondsAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 1 2008Bartholomew W Green Abstract The performance of the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) under various stocking strategies was evaluated in earthen ponds filled with freshwater amended with major ions. Six 0.1-ha earthen ponds located in Pine Bluff, AR, USA, were filled with freshwater in 2003 and 2004, and potassium magnesium sulphate added to provide 50 mg K+ L,1 and stock salt added to provide 0.5 g L,1 salinity. In 2003, three ponds either were stocked with PL15 shrimp (39 PL m,2) for 125 days of grow out or with PL25 shrimp for 55 days (23 PL m,2) followed by a 65-day (28 PL m,2) grow-out period. In 2004, ponds were stocked with 7, 13 or 30 PL15 m,2 for 134 days of grow out. Salinity averaged 0.7 g L,1 during both years, and concentration of SO4,2, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ was higher, and Na+ and Cl, was lower in amended pond water than in seawater at 0.7 g L,1 salinity. Potassium concentration in amended water was 52,61% of the target concentration. Shrimp yields ranged from 3449 kg ha,1 in 2003 to 4966 kg ha,1 in 2004 in ponds stocked with 30,39 PL15 m,2 for a 125,134-day culture period. At harvest, mean individual weight ranged from 17.1 to 19.3 g shrimp,1. In ponds stocked with PL25 shrimp, yields averaged 988 and 2462 kg ha,1 for the 1st and 2nd grow-out periods respectively. Gross shrimp yield in 2004 increased linearly from 1379,4966 kg ha,1 with increased stocking rate. These experiments demonstrated that L. vannamei can be grown successfully in freshwater supplemented with major ions to a final salinity of 0.7 g L,1. [source] Experimental evaluation of co-culture of juvenile sea cucumbers, Holothuria scabra (Jaeger), with juvenile blue shrimp, Litopenaeus stylirostris (Stimpson)AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 5 2006Steven W Purcell Abstract The co-culture of juvenile sea cucumber Holothuria scabra (Jaeger), or ,sandfish', with juvenile blue shrimp Litopenaeus stylirostris (Stimpson) was tested by growing groups in co-culture and monoculture for 3 weeks in tanks with enriched sand substratum. Feed was supplied on trays, accessible only to shrimp. Survival of shrimp and sandfish was high in all treatments (73,100%). Growth of shrimp did not differ between monoculture and co-culture, but sandfish grew significantly slower in co-culture (P=0.03), although their sand burying and surface foraging were apparently unaffected by shrimp (P=0.76). However, shrimp increased the levels of total ammonia-N in tanks, which related inversely with sandfish growth (P=0.04). Conversely, sandfish did not appear to lower the water quality for shrimp culture. While sandfish bioturbate sediments and eat organic deposits, the juveniles did not significantly reduce the organic content of sand in tanks. Co-culturing juveniles of the two species in earthen ponds appears feasible, with no detriment to shrimp production, presenting a cost-effective method for growing sandfish to larger sizes for restocking. These findings underpin further studies to test the viability of commercial co-culture of sandfish with blue shrimp at later stages in the production cycle of shrimp. [source] Annual sex hormonal profiles, gonad development and age determination of the Mekong giant catfish (Pangasianodon gigas, Chevey)AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 15 2003A Manosroi Abstract Annual sex hormonal profiles, gonad development and age determination of 18 (13,14 kg body weight) and three (145,226 kg body weight) Mekong giant catfish (MGC) (Pangasianodon gigas, Chevey) reared in earthen ponds in Chiang Mai and from the Mekong River in Chiang Rai, Thailand, respectively, were investigated. The hormonal profiles were determined from blood samples of the fish by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay during May to August in 2000. The highest testosterone levels of 0.06 ng mL,1 in both sexes and the highest oestradiol of 47.8 and 14.23 pg mL,1 in females and males, respectively, were observed in May. The gonadosomatic index was found to be 0.07 for males and 0.38 for females from ponds in comparison with 2.27 for males and 8.29 for females from the Mekong River. Higher development stages of spermatocytes and oocytes of the cultured fish in May than in February and November were demonstrated. No mature germ cells were obtained from either the males or females, indicating no sexual maturity. The average age of fish was determined from the annual rings of the cross-section of the pectoral fins by a stereomicroscope. The average age of fish in earthen pond determined from the annual ring was 8 years, which agreed with the actual culture records, while those from the Mekong River were 21 years. This information will be beneficial for the breeding programmes and conservation of the MGC. [source] |