Aquaculture International最新文献

To address entity-alignment challenges in aquaculture arising from cross-lingual naming divergence and vernacular ambiguity, while avoiding catastrophic forgetting in conventional fine-tuning of large language models, we proposed MoE-Aquatic, a mixture-of-experts framework for cross-lingual entity alignment. An Internal Prompt mechanism encodes taxonomic path knowledge, while language and domain experts cooperate to perform cross-lingual alignment. On ASFIS_2025 and DBP15K (ZH-EN/JA-EN), Hits@1 reaches 0.881, 0.821, and 0.827. Ablation experiments demonstrate the necessity of each module, with removal of backbone or expert components leading to significant performance degradation. MoE-Aquatic effectively mitigates naming ambiguity and hierarchical deficiencies, providing a novel approach for accurate cross-lingual entity alignment in aquaculture.

The control of toxic nitrogenous compounds such as ammonia and nitrite is well established as part of farm management protocols for indoor Litopenaeus vannamei aquaculture. In comparison, nitrate (NO₃-N) levels are often disregarded due to relative low toxicity to shrimp, as evidenced by the lack of studies on chronic nitrate stress. In the current study, 160 individuals of L. vannamei in the grow-out stage were exposed to 50 mg/L NO₃-N (LN) and 400 mg/L NO₃-N (HN) for 28 days. After exposure, growth performance, physiological stress markers and morphological abnormalities were assessed. Morphological abnormalities and injuries were measured using a health score based on the integrity of antennae, eyes, rostrum, legs (pleopods and pereiopods), uropods/telson, exoskeleton, gills, and hepatopancreas. No difference was detected in the survival rate between treatments. However, HN impacted shrimp growth performance and feed conversion reducing SGR, biomass, daily weight gain and increasing FCR. No significant differences were observed in the physiological parameters analyzed in the hemolymph (glucose, lactate, total proteins, hemocyanin, and hemocyte count) and in the hepatopancreas (superoxide dismutase activity). Congruently, the health index revealed no significant difference, with only the hepatopancreas quality mildly impaired in the HN group. Chronic 400 mg/L NO₃-N exposure reduces growth performance and feed utilization, as energy appears to be redirected to maintain homeostasis, and has a minor impact on shrimp welfare.

Graphical Abstract

Diplomonad flagellates of the genus Spironucleus can cause mass mortalities and substantial economic losses in both ornamental and farmed fish species. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antiparasitic activity of Artemisia absinthium L. essential oil nanoemulsions and ethanol extracts in the control of spironucleosis in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Aerial parts of A. absinthium L. were obtained from local herbal markets and taxonomically identified by a plant specialist. A total of 1200 naturally infected rainbow trout (eight groups, three replicates, 50 fish per tank) were fed for 21 days with diets containing essential oil nanoemulsions (1.0 and 3.0 mL/kg) or ethanol extracts (1.0 and 3.0 g/kg). The therapeutic effect was determined based on fish survival rate and parasite density in the intestine and feces. The chemical composition of A. absinthium L. was analyzed by GC–MS, revealing major constituents including sabinol (42.22%), chrysanthenylacetate (14.73%), epoxy-ocimene (4.97%), thujone (2.19%), d-isothujone (3.97%). The results showed that mortality rates were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in the nanoemulsion and extract groups compared to the negative control. The 3.0 mL/kg essential oil nanoemulsion and 3 g/kg ethanol extract groups showed significantly (p < 0.05) better antiparasitic activity. These findings indicate that both essential oil nanoemulsion and ethanol extract forms of A. absinthium L. can be used in the control of spironucleosis infections in rainbow trout farms.

The farming of the giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) is experiencing steady growth worldwide, driven by rising demand for high-quality protein and diversification in aquaculture, yet productivity gains are hindered by biological and managerial constraints. Critical factors such as water quality (temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, alkalinity), appropriate nutrient and dietary formulation, optimal stocking densities, and an understanding of basic prawn biology (moulting cycles, growth phases, social behaviour) must be balanced to ensure sustainable production. Recent advances have introduced several promising innovations: biofloc technology (BFT) enhances water quality, reduces feed reliance and supports improved feed conversion; monosex culture strategies offer more uniform growth and yield; alternative feed ingredients (e.g. microbial meals, insect protein, plant-derived sources) are being explored to reduce cost and environmental footprint; and survival enhancement techniques such as the use of vertical farming system, various substrate types, and integrated or polyculture systems have demonstrated higher survival and stability. Emerging digital tools, including Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and artificial intelligence (AI), enable real-time monitoring, disease detection, and automated control, further refining system efficiency. However, major challenges remain that include disease outbreaks, inconsistencies in quality seed and broodstock, and the limited skills or knowledge among many farmers restrict adoption of advanced practices. Strengthening institutional support, training, and technology transfer is essential. The adoption of sustainable practices together with advanced technologies that suit regional conditions plays a central role in addressing long-standing challenges and realising the full potential of giant freshwater prawn culture.

Understanding the behavior and feeding selectivity of sandfish (Holothuria scabra) is crucial for assessing the viability of co-culture systems with sea urchins (Tripneustes gratilla). This laboratory study investigated the foraging behavior and growth of sandfish juveniles in sediment areas enriched with feces from caged Sargassum-fed sea urchins. Over a 14-day observation period, four 24-h monitoring periods were conducted to track sandfish distribution relative to the enriched areas, and growth performance was evaluated. By day 14, there was a higher incidence of sandfish under and around the perimeter of the caged sea urchin area during active hours (6 PM to 3 AM), though this pattern was not significantly different compared to other treatments. The significantly higher final weight and absolute growth rate (AGR) of sandfish in the sea urchin feces treatment (CG SU) (10.22 ± 0.11 g; 0.172 ± 0.17 g day⁻¹), compared to cage-only (CG) and control (CTRL) treatments, which both exhibited negative growth rates (− 0.016 ± 0.09 and − 0.036 ± 0.12 g day⁻¹, respectively), suggest that the juveniles were attracted to and foraged more on the feces-enriched sediment. Sediment analysis also revealed that chlorophyll-a and phaeophytin were higher near the cage in CG SU, though differences among treatments were not statistically significant. The highest chlorophyll-a concentration was found in the CG SU treatment near the sea urchin cage (A–F) (1.50 µg g⁻¹) and had a positive correlation with AGR of sandfish. These results demonstrate that sandfish juveniles actively select and consume sea urchin feces-enriched sediment, confirming both the nutritional value of the feces and the potential for integrating sea urchin cage culture into sandfish grow-out systems.

As coastal nations increasingly turn to the oceans for economic opportunity, the blue economy has emerged as a vital driver of sustainable development. In Malaysia, where marine resources are abundant yet unevenly harnessed, understanding the sector’s impact on growth is both timely and essential. This study investigates the asymmetric effects of key blue economy sectors on economic growth in Malaysia over the period 1985 to 2023 using secondary time-series data. Employing a non-linear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) model, the analysis confirms the presence of long-run cointegration among the selected variables. The results reveal that both positive and negative shocks in total fish production significantly enhance economic growth. However, for sectors such as aquaculture and agriculture, forestry, and fishing, only negative shocks exhibit a statistically significant impact, while positive shocks have negligible effects. This asymmetry is largely attributed to the dominance of small-scale operations characterized by low productivity and limited value addition, thereby constraining their contribution to the broader economy. The findings underscore the need for targeted policy interventions to boost sectoral efficiency, support sustainable practices, and align blue economy development with national growth strategies. The study offers practical implications for advancing Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water), which advocates for the responsible utilization of marine and ocean resources to support sustainable economic development.

The present study highlights the first-ever report of β-defensin (TbBD) from the fish silver pompano, Trachinotus blochii. Gene sequence analysis revealed an open reading frame (ORF) of 189 nucleotides, encoding a peptide consisting of 63 amino acids with a molecular mass of 7.2 kDa and a net charge of + 4.5. Phylogenetic analysis indicated a close association of TbBD with β-defensin from Trachinotus ovatus. In silico functional analysis predicted cell-penetrating, anticancer, antibacterial, antiviral, and pro-inflammatory properties, while non-toxicity and thermal stability suggest potential therapeutic applications. Real-time PCR analysis revealed TbBD expression across all developmental stages, peaking at 15 days post-hatch, indicating a protective role during early larval development and continued involvement in host defense. Further scientific investigations into the antimicrobial efficacy of TbBD, either as a synthetic or recombinant peptide, could reveal its usefulness as a viable therapeutic agent in aquaculture and medicine.

Graphical abstract

The dietary inclusion of spray‑dried plasma proteins has been shown to improve animal performance in terrestrial livestock under challenging conditions, but evidence in fish is inconsistent. This 87‑day trial evaluated the effect of 5% Proglobulin®, a spray‑dried porcine plasma protein, in the diet of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) during seawater transfer. Fish (initial weight 53.8 ± 5.9 g) were stocked at 29 fish per 200-L tank (six replicate tanks per diet) in a recirculating aquaculture system. The trial comprised a 17‑day freshwater phase followed by a 70‑day seawater phase (salinity 31.8 ppt). Control and test diets were formulated to similar crude protein (52%) and lipid (19%) levels. Fish were fed automatically eight times daily to excess, with uneaten feed collected and weighed weekly to determine feed intake. Sampling occurred at trial start, before seawater transfer, and at trial end. Compared with controls, fish fed the plasma‑supplemented diet showed a 61% higher feed intake, greater weight gain (62.1 ± 5.4 g vs. 46.0 ± 3.2 g), higher SGR (1.01 ± 0.07% vs. 0.82 ± 0.04%), but not significantly improved survival after seawater transfer (94.7 ± 3.2% vs. 90.2 ± 5.5%). The results indicate that dietary spray‑dried plasma protein can enhance feed intake and growth of Atlantic salmon during the critical seawater transfer period.

A 4-month feeding trial was conducted in 1.5 m³ floating sea cages to determine the optimum dietary protein requirement for cultured golden rabbitfish, Siganus guttatus fed low fishmeal-based diets. Four test diets were formulated to contain different levels of crude protein (CP) at 25, 30, 35, and 40% designated as P25, P30, P35, and P40, respectively. Golden rabbitfish (n = 20) with an initial body weight of 41.9 ± 0.7 g were randomly stocked into 1 × 1 × 1.5 m³ triplicate cages per dietary treatment. Fish were hand-fed three times per day to satiation. The optimum level of dietary CP to produce maximum growth of golden rabbitfish was 35.2% determined by second-order polynomial regression analysis (r = 0.751) for three parameters (specific growth rate, protein retention, and intestinal IGF-1 mRNA expression). Protein retention significantly increased as the protein increased up to 30% and then further decreased as dietary protein increased from 35 to 40% with the maximum value obtained at CP of 33.2% (r = 0.896). Fish fed the P35 diet had the highest IGF-1 mRNA expression level in the intestine, 3.6-fold from the P40 diet and 5.1-fold from the P25 diet with optimal CP was 35.1% to obtain the maximum value (r = 0.776). Based on techniques implemented for the three variables as mentioned above, of SGR (35.2%), PR (33.2%) and IGF-1 (35.1%), the golden rabbitfish required an optimum level of dietary CP at 34.5% when fed SBM based diets and low fishmeal.