Aquaculture Research最新文献

The gaping phenomenon in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) causes profitability problems for the relevant aquaculture industry. To gain insights into the factors affecting gaping in gilthead seabream, the seasonality of gaping intensity and the relative contribution of postmortem physical and chemical factors to the fillet integrity were investigated. Gilthead seabream of commercial weight (400–600 g) were sampled seasonally. Gaping frequencies were evaluated and related to water holding capacity (WHC), muscle pH, proximate composition, ATP breakdown products (K-value), total collagen content, and collagen fractions. With the exception of the K-value, all examined physical and chemical parameters were seasonally affected. Moreover, gaping score frequencies were found to be statistically different among seasons. It was evident that during seasons with high water temperatures (summer and autumn), gaps in muscle tissue of gilthead seabream were more pronounced, while a mitigation of gaping intensity appeared during wintertime. ATP breakdown as a measure of chemical freshness, proximate composition, pH, and collagen levels, showed no correlation with gaping intensity, but a clear negative correlation was observed between high gaping incidences and WHC. There was also a strong correlation between gaping incidences and collagen fractions. A higher amount of acid-soluble collagen (ASC) was observed during summer, highlighting that collagen solubility affects gaping in farmed gilthead seabream. Overall, our results demonstrate that seasonal gaping variability in this species is primarily a result of temperature-driven changes in collagen solubility.

The Procambarus clarkii industry currently faces four major challenges: genetic degradation, disease, unstable prices, and limited breeding methods and modes. Studies on the artificial incubation of P. clarkii embryos can help solve these problems. The purpose of this study was to screen for parameters (disinfectants, embryo stripping stage, embryo hatching density, and attachment) suitable for artificial incubation of P. clarkii embryos and establish a standardized process. The results were as follows: (1) The hatching and survival rates of the essential oil disinfectant and 3000 ppm formaldehyde group were significantly higher than those of the nondisinfection group. The microbial diversity index and levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), acid phosphatase (ACP), and alkaline phosphatase (AKP), indicators of the essential oil disinfectant group, were found to be higher than the other two groups. (2) The hatching and survival rates of the late-stage and mid-stage embryo groups, 200 and 400 embryos/box groups, and the sponge attachment group were significantly higher than those of the early-stage embryo groups, 600 embryos/box group, and the nonsponge attachment group, respectively. (3) Based on the selected suitable parameters, 98 egg-holding crayfish were selected, and a total of 12,935 were hatched, with a hatching rate of 85.52% ± 4.83% and a survival rate of 55.61% ± 7.52%. A standardized process for artificial incubation of P. clarkii embryos was established. In summary, we identified suitable disinfectants, embryo stages, hatching density, and attachment. Through batch artificial incubation tests and the establishment of a standardized process of P. clarkii embryos, the foundation for stable and efficient mass-seedling supply has been laid ready for the future.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of fish oil (FO) replacement by sunflower oil (SFO) on growth performance, serum biochemical indicators, antioxidant ability, lipid metabolism, and inflammation in juvenile large yellow croakers, Larimichthys crocea (LYC). Five formulated diets that varied in the replacement level of FO by SFO (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% named FO, SFO25, SFO50, SFO75, and SFO100, respectively) were fed to experimental fish (initial weight 8.28 ± 0.99 g). The experiment was conducted for 10 weeks. The findings demonstrated that higher replacement of SFO (SFO75 and SFO100) markedly degraded the growth performance compared to the FO groups (p < 0.05). Up to a 50% replacement of FO did not show any significant difference in growth performance and feed efficiency ratio (FER). Nevertheless, SFO substitution significantly elevates liver lipid levels when the proportion of FO replaced exceeds 50% (p < 0.05). Furthermore, SFO75 and SFO100 were observed to substantially raise the n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and diminish the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in both livers and muscles. SFO substitution in dietary regimens was associated with a significant increase of total cholesterol (T-CHO), triglycerides (TGs), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) compared to FO groups (p < 0.05). Moreover, when a higher proportion of SFO was incorporated, the antioxidant capacities of the liver and intestine and the digestive enzymes were markedly diminished. The gene responsible for lipid metabolism and synthesis (fas, srebp-1, cpt1, and aco) revealed that diets SFO75 and SFO100 showed significant degradation compared to the FO group (p < 0.05). The pro-inflammatory genes (il-6, ifnγ, il-1β, and tnfα) follow an increasing trend in higher replacement levels, while anti-inflammatory genes (il-10, arg-1, and tgfβ) revealed a decreasing trend. In summary, SFO25 and SFO50 diets maintain performance, considering growth performance, lipid metabolism, and inflammation, while higher SFOs remarkably impair performance.

Efficient production of the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, requires optimizing grow-out techniques to ensure fast growth and high-quality crops. Biofouling on oyster long-line cages, which can limit flow and reduce animal growth, is typically controlled by various methods to remove or prevent fouling organisms from colonizing cages. However, the effectiveness of these treatments on internal cage conditions and resulting production is poorly understood. Accelerometers were added to stocked oyster long-line cages to understand the physical effects of fouling treatment on the production and quality of cultured oysters in a 2-month study (June–August 2019) when biofouling accumulation was seasonally high. This study compared two biofouling mitigation techniques (24-h weekly desiccation, weekly power washing) against a no-treatment control for three commercial adjustable long-line system (ALS) cage types (Seapa, BST, Hexcyl) to determine how fouling treatment and cage style influence internal jostling, oyster growth, and meat condition. The type of cage used was a stronger effector of biofouling accumulation than the mitigation treatments. Similarly, cage jostling was affected by cage type and mitigation treatment, though there was often a weak, negative correlation between the rate of fouling accumulation and jostling experienced by each cage type. Additionally, oysters in desiccated treatments had a significantly lower average shell height, but a higher condition index (CI) compared to nontreated controls by the end of the field trial, and power-washed cages grew oysters with notably slower shell growth and CI. This suggests that the act of mitigating fouling was likely the cause of the differences in growth rather than the accumulation of fouling itself. We were unable to decipher clear associations between cage jostling and oyster growth performance, requiring the need for more resolved studies over larger spatial scales to better understand the nuances associated with the physical environment and how they relate to oyster growth.

Starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus) (weight: 61.46 ± 16.57 g, length: 16.35 ± 1.33 cm) were exposed to waterborne arsenic (As³⁺) at 0, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 mg /L for 96 h. The lethal concentration 50 (LC₅₀) of Starry flounder P. stellatus exposed to waterborne arsenic was 34.6 mg /L. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cell (RBC) count showed a significant decrease by waterborne arsenic exposure. The mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) (pg) and MCH concentration (MCHC) showed a significant increase, and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was no significant change. The inorganic component, plasma calcium, was significantly increased at 8 mg/L of arsenic, and the plasma magnesium was significantly decreased. The organic components such as plasma glucose, plasma cholesterol, and total protein showed a significant increase. In enzymatic components, the aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were also significantly increased by arsenic exposure. In this study, the results show that exposure to waterborne arsenic can induce toxicity in the survival and hematological physiology of P. stellatus..

The Atlantic salmon aquaculture industry in Norway is frequently confronted by the biological risks associated with the transport, handling, and treatment of live fish in well-boats. The aim of this study was to collect experience-based knowledge from the aquaculture industry about well-boat operations, to make recommendations to lower the biological risk in well-boat operations. Well-boat crew, salmon farmers, fish health personnel, and workers in other relevant professions in the industry participated in semi-structured individual interviews, followed by group interviews and a survey. This study clearly revealed that even though operational/technical factors are critical for lowering the biological risk in well-boat operations, their successful implementation hinges on three fundamental human factors: (1) experienced personnel in key positions having correct focus, (2) communication, and (3) planning/risk assessment. Those factors deserve greater attention, as the present study highlights that they are not always sufficiently taken into account. An array of recommendations to lower the biological risk for Atlantic salmon in well-boat operations is identified and summarized based on the findings from the study and literature.

The current study is a pioneer trial to verify the effectiveness of Petroselinum crispum (parsley) nanoparticles (PNPs) for fortifying physiological and biochemical biomarkers in female African catfish postexposure to bisphenol A (BPA) toxicity. The aim of this experiment is to verify the influence of PNPs for mitigating serum hemato-biochemical alterations as well as antioxidant enzyme, and hormonal changes induced by BPA toxicity in the hepatic and ovarian tissues. Fish were equally allocated into four groups: group I as a control without any treatments, group II received a commercial diet + PNPs (4 g/kg diet). In group III, fish were subjected to 1/10 LC50 (BPA) (1.43 µg/L), while in group IV, fish got 1/10 LC50 BPA (1.43 µg/L) + PNPs (4 g/kg diet) for 60 consecutive days. Exposure to BPA showed macrocytic hypochromic anemia and leukopenia, and a noticeable elevation in glucose, alanine amino-transferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), ALP, urea, creatinine, cortisol, cholesterol, and testosterone (T) hormone. Furthermore, serum AchE, estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), globulin, albumin, and total proteins were significantly decreased in a BPA-exposed group. Alternatively, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and catalase (CAT) were notably augmented in the hepatic tissue and ovaries of the BPA-supplemented fish. While total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels decreased in the equal tissues of exposed fish. PNPs-supplemented diets in combination with BPA alleviated its destructive effects on the tested parameters. In conclusion, the results proved that BPA is an endocrine hormonal disruptor that induces imbalances in blood profile, hepato–renal indicators, and stress parameters, besides the occurrence of oxidative damage and reproductive dysfunction. Interestingly, PNPs have a protective role in attenuating BPA toxicity and modulating all the measured biomarkers, as well as improving the fertility of female Clarias gariepinus.

The Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) is a valuable aquatic species with high economic and nutritional significance in China, and interstrain hybridization is a main breeding technique to improve the production and quality. In this study, we obtained the F5 generation through the process of interstrain hybridization between the Yellow River group (YR, ♂) and the Huai River group (HR, ♀), followed by successive selection to obtain the fifth generation (F5). This study aimed to assess the morphology, genetic diversity, and growth performance of the F5 progeny group. In total, 12 morphological traits were measured and revealed that male F5 progeny had a broad plastron and a long rostrum, whereas female F5 progeny appeared slender with smaller eyes. The contribution rate of the first three principal components (PCs) was 70.695%, primarily manifested in plastron width (PW), snout length (SL) and body height (BH). Genetic diversity was assessed by microsatellite simple sequence repeats (SSR) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) markers (cytochrome b, cyt b). SSR analysis showed that the average observed heterozygosity (H_o), expected heterozygosity (H_e), and polymorphic information content (PIC) for the F5 progeny (0.769, 0.834, and 0.803) were smaller than those of the F0, which exhibited higher genetic diversity. Cyt b analysis showed that the number of haplotypes (h), haplotype diversity (Hd) and nucleotide diversity (Pi) of the F5 progeny (2, 0.125, and 0.0003) were also smaller than those of F0, suggesting significantly low genetic diversity. Cluster trees were constructed based on morphology and SSR results, respectively. The cluster tree based on morphology found that P. sinensis of the same gender were difficult to distinguish and clustered together initially. However, the SSR-based clustering tree grouped the F5 progeny and the paternal into one category, while the maternal group formed a separate category. Based on the cyt b results, it was found that F5 and F0 likely shared the same maternal lineage. The growth performance showed that the feed conversion ratio (FCR) of the F5 progeny was significantly lower than the parents (p < 0.05), and also exhibited the highest survival rate. Collectively, these findings suggest that the F5 progeny share a closer genetic relationship with the paternal parent and display superior growth performance compared to the parental generations. The cultivation of these hybrids has the potential to reduce production costs and facilitate widespread application.

M. Amin, D. S. F. Syahira, and A. T. Mukti, “Conversion of Shrimp Aquaculture Waste Into Nutritious Floc Using Taro Flour With Varied C/N Ratios: A Sustainable Approach for Aquafeed Production,” Aquaculture Research 2025 (2025): 9924354, https://doi.org/10.1155/are/9924354.

In the article titled “Conversion of Shrimp Aquaculture Waste Into Nutritious Floc Using Taro Flour With Varied C/N Ratios: A Sustainable Approach for Aquafeed Production.” There was an error in the author affiliation and the Funding statement. The correct author affiliation and Funding statement as shown below:

Muhamad Amin,^1,2 Denya Safa Fitri Syahira,² and Akhmad Taufiq Mukti²

¹Environmental and Life Sciences Programme, Faculty of Science, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Jalan Tungku Link, Bandar Seri Begawan, Gadong BE1410, Brunei Darussalam

²Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine, Universitas Airlangga, Campus C, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia

Funding

The research was financially funded by Universitas Airlangga with the Grant No. 309/UN3.15/PT/2023 and supported by Universiti Brunei Darussalam with a Grant No. UBD/RSCH/1.4/FICBF/2025/002.

We apologize for these errors.

Land-based recirculating aquaculture systems (RASs) for smolt production are now widely used in the salmon industry, requiring sufficiently high stocking densities to be economically viable. However, elevated densities have often been associated with poor growth and reduced fish condition. Recently, Chinook salmon producers have begun to adopt similar practices, yet the impact of smoltification density on this species at commercially relevant levels remains unstudied. This research evaluated the effects of various smoltification densities (average densities of 20.9–68.5 kg/m³) on growth and survival during smoltification and subsequent seawater transfer. Mortalities were low across all density groups, with the highest density group exhibiting the lowest mortality during the freshwater phase. While slight but significant growth reduction and fin damage were observed at the highest density during smoltification, these effects did not persist after seawater transfer to a lower density that simulated transfer to marine farms. Our findings indicate that Chinook salmon can be smolted at an average density of 55.1 kg/m³, with a maximum density of 80.4 kg/m³, without adverse effects on growth and with minimal density-related injuries in freshwater and post-transfer phases. In cases where freshwater or nursery space is constrained, smoltification at an average density of 68.5 kg/m³ (up to a maximum density of 95.2 kg/m³) may be feasible. These results provide a basis for optimising Chinook salmon RAS operations, balancing production efficiency with fish welfare.