Preliminary investigation of feeding performance of larvae of early red-spotted grouper, Epinephelus coioides, reared with mixed zooplankton

Larvae of red-spotted grouper, Epinephelus coioides, were reared inoutdoor tanks with nauplii of copepods (mainly Pseudodiaptomus annandaleiand Acartia tsuensis) and/or rotifers, Brachionus rotundiformis. Grouperlarvae successfully started feeding on early stage nauplii even though theirabundance was as low as approximately 100 individuals l^–1 andshowed better survival and growth thereafter compared to those fed withrotifers only. Incidence of feeding reached 100% on day 4 whennauplii were available and only on day 9 when rotifers were given alone.Larvae seemed to be poor feeders at the onset of feeding, attempting tocapture any food organisms in the tank water. Selective feeding ability oflarvae started from day 4 and the larvae then preferred to feed on medium-and large-size nauplii rather than on rotifers as they grew. Larvae appearedto have a better chance at surviving in the presence of early stage nauplii,which were probably caught more easily than rotifers.     

Larval diet influence on oviposition behaviour inSpodoptera littoralis

Females ofSpodoptera littoralis Boisd. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) with different feeding experiences during their larval development were tested for their ovipositional response to methanol extracts of larval frass and semisynthetic diets. The effect of the following frass, diet and diet component extracts was tested: (a) frass fromS. littoralis orAgrotis segetum larvae fed on a potato-based diet; (b) frass fromS. littoralis larvae fed on a wheat germ-based diet; (c) potato and wheat germ-based diets; and (d) potatoes and wheat germ. Ovipositing females without prior experience of the potato diet were deterred by extracts of: (1) larval frass from either species fed on potato diet; (2) the potato-based diet; (3) potato. Also females with experience of the potato diet during only a part of their larval development were deterred from oviposition by frass of larvae reared on the potato diet and by the diet itself. However, for females reared on the potato diet for their entire larval development, oviposition was no longer deterred by either of the three extracts listed above. Extracts of: (1) frass from larvae of either species reared on wheat germ diet: (2) the wheat germ diet; or (3) wheat germ did not significantly affect oviposition. Females with ablated antennae were still deterred by frass extracts from larvae fed on potato diet, when they had been reared on the wheat germ diet. In feeding experiments, larvae of larval stage one and of larval stage three-four reared on either of the two diets preferred to feed on the wheat germ diet. However, the preference was significantly stronger for larvae with no prior contact with the potato diet. The effect of larval experience on the loss of oviposition-deterring activity by extracts of larval frass, diets and diet components is discussed in view of induction and selection.     

Growth and respiration of embryos and larvae of the rabbittish Siganus randalli (Pisces, Siganidae)

Growth and respiration of larval rabbitfish from Guam were examined. Larvae were reared from eggs in 2- to 10-ton tanks and were fed rotifers, Anemia , and artificial feed in succession as development proceeded through metamorphosis. Growth in length was rapid during the 12 h after hatching, then slowed until the larvae began to feed. The yolk sac was usually absorbed by 36 h after hatching. Rates of respiration of larvae and eggs were determined with a dissolved oxygen electrode at various times through development. Larval metabolism increased steadily during the embryonic stages culminating in a metabolic burst immediately after hatching. Respiration rates remained relatively stable from shortly after hatching until the onset of exogenous feeding, after which respiration rates increased with larval size. The respiration rates of post-yolk-sac larvae scaled isometrically with larval dry mass. Daily growth of feeding larvae was 27 to 28% of larval dry mass.     

Use of freeze-dried microalgae for rearing gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata L., larvae. II. Biochemical composition

The objectives of this study were to test whether freeze-dried microalgae are nutritionally adequate for rearing rotifers as food for gilthead seabream larvae. The elemental composition (C, N, H) and fatty acid composition were analysed in larvae of gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata L., rotifers Brachionus plicatilis and Brachionus rotundiformis and freeze-dried microalgae Nannochloropsis oculata. Four larval feeding treatments were tested: (A) larvae fed rotifers cultivated with freeze-dried microalgae and daily addition of freeze-dried microalgae to the larval tanks; (B) larvae fed rotifers cultivated with freeze-dried microalgae and daily addition of live microalgae to the larval tanks; (C) larvae fed rotifers cultivated with freeze-dried microalgae, without addition of microalgae to the larval tank and (D) larvae fed rotifers cultivated with live microalgae and daily addition of live microalgae to the larval tanks. No significant differences were observed between the biochemical composition of larvae with treatment A (with freeze-dried microalgae) and the composition of larvae in treatment D that were obtained with the acceptable methods for culture systems (with live microalgae).     

Rotifers as food in aquaculture

The rotifer Brachionus plicatilis (O.F. Muller) can be mass cultivated in large quantities and is an important live feed in aquaculture. This rotifer is commonly offered to larvae during the first 7–30 days of exogenous feeding. Variation in prey density affects larval fish feeding rates, rations, activity, evacuation time, growth rates and growth efficiencies. B. plicatilis can be supplied at the food concentrations required for meeting larval metabolic demands and yielding high survival rates. Live food may enhance the digestive processes of larval predators. A large range of genetically distinct B. plicatilis strains with a wide range of body size permit larval rearing of many fish species. Larvae are first fed on a small strain of rotifers, and as larvae increase in size, a larger strain of rotifers is introduced. Rotifers are regarded as living food capsules for transferring nutrients to fish larvae. These nutrients include highly unsaturated fatty acids (mainly 20: 5 n–3 and 22: 6 n–3) essential for survival of marine fish larvae. In addition, rotifers treated with antibiotics may promote higher survival rates. The possibility of preserving live rotifers at low temperatures or through their resting eggs has been investigated.     

Survival, growth and condition of tench Tinca tinca (L.) larvae fed live food for 12, 18 or 24 h a day under controlled conditions

The present 20‐day trial was performed in order to improve growth of tench Tinca tinca (L.) larvae reared intensively in a controlled environment. Larvae of 4.53 mm initial length, 45 per dm³, were fed each day with live Artemia nauplii for 12, 18 or 24 h at 28°C. Final survival rates were very high in all treatment groups, ranging from 88.9 to 91.8%. Duration of daily feeding significantly affected growth and final condition, expressed by Fulton's coefficient (K) (P ≤ 0.05, Duncan's test). The fastest larval growth (17.6 mm total length, TL; 88.8 mg body weight, BW) and the best condition (K = 1.54) were recorded in the group fed 24 h each day. The second best results were attained with the larvae fed 18 h a day (16.5 mm TL, 67.9 mg BW, K = 1.40) whereas those fed 12 h daily grew the slowest (13.5 mm TL, 31.7 mg BW) and showed the worst condition (K = 1.19). Thus, to maximize growth and condition of tench larvae being reared at the optimal growth temperature, intensive 24 h feeding is necessary.     

二种改进人工饲料对红脉穗螟生长发育和繁殖的影响

在温度(29±1)℃和相对湿度75%±5%条件下,研究了2种改进人工饲料和天然饲料椰子幼果对红脉穗螟Tirathaba rufivena Walker生长发育、繁殖力和营养的影响。结果表明:与天然饲料相比,用改进人工饲料饲养的红脉穗螟幼虫生长发育速度、幼虫存活率、蛹重及产卵量均提高;幼虫相对生长率(RGR)、食物利用率(ECI)及食物转化率(ECD)均显著提高,而相对取食量(RCR)则显著降低。表明红脉穗螟幼虫对2种人工饲料有很好的适应性,可用于大量饲养。     

Trypsin activity and physiological aspects in larval rearing of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) using live prey and compound diets

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of a compound diet as a live prey substitute for feeding European sea bass larvae ( Dicentrarchus labrax L.). The effect of a commercial diet (Nippai ML feed) and live prey ( Artemia nauplii) on tryptic enzyme activity, protein content, growth (standard length) and survival rates of sea bass larvae were tested during a 27-day rearing experiment. Sea bass larvae were divided into two groups. The live food group (control group) was fed exclusively on newly hatched Artemia nauplii (Inve AF grade), the test group was fed exclusively with the compound diet from day 15 onwards. As trypsin has been demonstrated to be a useful indicator for evaluating digestibility of food and the nutritional condition of fish larvae, individual tryptic enzyme activity was determined in both feeding groups. Larvae older than 14 days after hatching and fed on live food showed a significantly higher tryptic enzyme activity than larvae fed the compound diet. A similar relationship between tryptic activity and standard length in both test groups was detected only in small larvae (standard length < 7 mm). The usefulness of proteolytic enzyme activity measurements in larval fish research, as well as its use in aquaculture nutrition research, was confirmed. Protein content, increase in length and survival rates of the sea bass larvae were additionally determined in order to evaluate an influence on the diet. The protein content of larvae fed the Artemia nauplii was higher and the growth of larvae fed the compound diet was reduced. Larval mortality was not affected by the diet given.     

鲥鱼仔幼鱼食性与生长的初步研究

本文主要描述鲥鱼仔幼鱼阶段有关摄食、消化器官的发育、不同大小仔幼鱼食物组成特点、摄食量及其昼夜摄食节律。此外,还就仔幼鲥鱼人工饲养条件与天然状况下的生长作了比较。结果表明,只要供饵正常,孵化环道内生活的仔幼鲥生长速度可以略快于鄱阳湖同期天然生长个体的速度,为今后人工培育仔幼鲥进行放流和增殖提供资料。       

Effects of starvation on the formation of daily growth increments in the otoliths of milkfish, Chanos chanos (Forsskål), larvae

The effects of starvation on daily growth and increment formation in the otolith were examined using a double oxytetracycline-labelling method on larval milkfish, Chanos chanos (Forsskål), reared under different feeding regimes. The results indicated that the differences in body and otolith growth between the larvae fed once and three times a day were not significant, and that the otolith growth increment was deposited daily in both groups of fed larvae. In contrast, the starved larvae grew at a slower rate than fed larvae in body length and otolith dimensions, and the otolith growth increment in the starved larvae was not deposited on a daily basis. After undergoing starvation, the larvae were unable to recover their normal growth either in otolith increment deposition or in body and otolith growth even though they were fed. Therefore, the application of ageing techniques based on counting otolith growth increments seems to be inaccurate for starved larvae.     

Effects of live food and formulated diets on survival, growth and protein content of first-feeding larvae of Plelteobagrus fulvidraco

In recent years, much progress has been made in the rearing of fish larvae fed only artificial diets. A preliminary study was made in an attempt to evaluate the effects of live food and formulated diets on survival, growth and body protein content of first‐feeding larvae of Plelteobagrus fulvidraco. Three test diets varying in protein level were formulated: Feed 1 containing 45% protein, Feed 2 with 50% protein and Feed 3 with 55% protein. Larvae fed live food (newly hatched Artemia, unenriched) were the control. The experiment started 3 days post‐hatch and lasted for 23 days. At the end of the 23‐day trial, survival was best in the control group (65.6%) whereby the final body weight and specific growth rate (SGR) were significantly lower than those in the test feed groups. At the same time, coefficients of variation for SGR and final body weight in the test groups were significantly higher than those in the control. Whole body protein content in all treatments showed a similar tendency during development: significantly higher 3 days post‐hatch, then decreasing significantly, and then increasing unstatistically 10 days post‐hatch. All results suggest that live food is still better for first‐feeding larvae of P. fulvidraco, since live food leads to healthier larvae growth.     

Biological evaluation of frozen zooplankton as food for milkfish (Cbanoschanos) fry

Milkfish fry with an average standard length and weight of 13.88 mm and 3.95 mg, respectively, were reared for 30 days using live and frozen Moina macrocopa and Brachionusplicatilis at feeding densities of 10–20 individuals per ml. Growth, survival and yield were used as indicators of the overall performances of the various treatment groups. Fry fed live M. macrocopa showed gains (both length and weight), growth and survival rates and yields significantly higher than fry fed with other treatment groups (P < 0.05). However, significant reductions in growth and survival rates resulted when fry were fed frozen M. macrocopa. On the other hand, there were no significant differences in growth and survival rates (P < 0.05) in fry fed live or frozen B. plicatilis. The results of the current study showed that although milkfish fry could be grown successfully using B. plicatilis, feeding with live Moina significantly improved growth, survival rate and yield (P lt; 0.05). Frozen Moina was found to be unsuitable as a feed for rearing milkfish fry because it reduced growth rates and increased mortality. Comparisons between live and frozen rotifers have proven the suitability of frozen rotifers as feed for rearing milkfish fry. By freezing surplus rotifers this would permit short term storage in anticipation of high hatchery demand and overcome any unpredictable failures with live cultures.     

Growth and survival of river catfish Mystus nemurus (Cuvier & Valenciennes) larvae fed isocaloric diets with different protein levels during weaning

The growth of river catfish Mystus nemurus (Cuvier & Valenciennes) larvae fed four isocaloric diets (4200 kcal kg^?1) with different protein levels during weaning was determined. Diets containing 45, 50, 55, and 60% protein were formulated by linear programming using amino acid profiles based on that of 2‐day‐old river catfish larvae. Artificial diets were fed to the larvae beginning at day 5 after being initially fed Artemia nauplii for 4 days. The larvae thrived solely on artificial diets from day 8 to day 16. On the other hand, the control larvae were fed Artemia nauplii from day 1 to day 16. Results of the feeding trial showed that growth and survival of M. nemurus larvae given the diet containing 60% protein were high and comparable to those of the larvae given only live food (control). Larvae fed the 55% protein diet had significantly lower growth and survival than the larvae on the control and 60% diets but significantly higher growth and survival rates than did larvae fed with 45 and 50% protein diets. Carcass moisture and total lipids after 16 days of feeding did not differ significantly (P > 0.05), but body protein increased with increasing dietary protein. Body protein of the control larvae was similar to that of larvae given the 60% protein diet.     

Effects of food concentration and availability on the incidence of cloning in planktotrophic larvae of the sea star Pisaster ochraceus

A decade ago, cloning was first observed in the planktotrophic larvae of sea stars obtained from plankton tows. However, no controlled experimental studies have investigated what factors may regulate this remarkable phenomenon. In the present study we offer the first documentation of cloning in the planktotrophic larvae of Pisaster ochraceus from the northern Pacific coast. This species was used as a model system to investigate three factors that may influence the incidence of asexual reproduction (cloning) in planktotrophic sea star larvae. In an initial experiment, larvae were reared under nine combinations of three temperatures and three food (phytoplankton) concentrations. Larvae reared at 12-15 degrees C and fed the highest food concentrations grew larger than the other larvae and produced significantly more clones. In a second experiment, qualitatively different algal diets were fed to larvae reared under the conditions found to be optimal in the initial experiment. Up to 24% of the larvae consuming a mixed phytoplankton diet of Isochrysis galbana, Chaetocerous calcitrans, and Dunaliella tertiolecta cloned, and significantly more clones were produced by these larvae than by those fed monospecific diets. Our experiments indicate that cloning generally occurs after larvae have attained asymptotic body length and only when food is abundant and of high quality. Since larval mortality is considered to be extremely high for marine invertebrates with planktotrophic larvae, production of clones under optimal conditions of temperature and food may serve to increase larval populations when the environment is most conducive to larval growth.     

Effect of feed on larvae of Macrobrachium malcolmsonii (H. Milne Edwards) reared in synthetic brackishwater

Freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium malcolmsonii, has potential for aquaculture. Larvae of M. malcolmsonii were reared in synthetic brackishwater using commercial salts. Live and artificial feeds were provided to larvae either individually or in combination. Survival was significantly higher when larvae were fed with live feed only. However, larvae fed with artificial feed showed significantly lower survival. Survival was significantly higher when Artemia combined together with other feeds. Despite its limitations, synthetic brackishwater can be used for freshwater prawn seed production.     

Relating the ontogeny of functional morphology and prey selection with larval mortality in Amphiprion frenatus

Survival during the pelagic larval phase of marine fish is highly variable and is subject to numerous factors. A sharp decline in the number of surviving larvae usually occurs during the transition from endogenous to exogenous feeding known as the first feeding stage in fish larvae. The present study was designed to evaluate the link between functional morphology and prey selection in an attempt to understand how the relationship influences mortality of a marine fish larva, Amphiprion frenatus, through ontogeny. Larvae were reared from hatch to 14 days post hatch (DPH) with one of four diets [rotifers and newly hatched Artemia sp. nauplii (RA); rotifers and wild plankton (RP); rotifers, wild plankton, and newly hatched Artemia nauplii (RPA); wild plankton and newly hatched Artemia nauplii (PA)]. Survival did not differ among diets. Larvae from all diets experienced mass mortality from 1 to 5 DPH followed by decreased mortality from 6 to 14 DPH; individuals fed RA were the exception, exhibiting continuous mortality from 6 to 14 DPH. Larvae consumed progressively larger prey with growth and age, likely due to age related increase in gape. During the mass mortality event, larvae selected small prey items and exhibited few ossified elements. Cessation of mass mortality coincided with consumption of large prey and ossification of key elements of the feeding apparatus. Mass mortality did not appear to be solely influenced by inability to establish first feeding. We hypothesize the interaction of reduced feeding capacities (i.e., complexity of the feeding apparatus) and larval physiology such as digestion or absorption efficiency contributed to the mortality event during the first feeding period. J. Morphol., 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Influence of whorl region from resistant and susceptible corn genotypes on fall armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) growth and development

The effect of diets prepared from whorl tissue of resistant and susceptible corn genotypes, Zea mays L., on the larval growth, development, and physiology of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), was analyzed. Larvae reared on an optimized artificial diet had a higher growth rate and developed faster than those reared on lyophilized whorl tissue from resistant and susceptible genotypes. Larvae reared on the resistant material were smaller and had a longer developmental period. Larvae reared on yellow-green and green whorl sections from resistant plants were significantly smaller than those reared on the same sections of susceptible plants. There was no significant difference in weight when larvae were reared on the yellow whorl regions from either resistant or susceptible lines. Physiological indices were determined for larvae fed resistant and susceptible lyophilized and fresh whorl material. Larvae fed resistant lyophilized material had significantly lower growth rate (GW) and efficiency of conversion of ingested food to body substance (ECI) than those reared on artificial diet or susceptible material. However, there were no significant differences in consumption index (CI), approximate digestibility (AD) and efficiency of conversion of digested food to body substance (ECD) between larvae reared on lyophilized tissue from resistant and susceptible genotypes. Larvae reared on fresh yellow-green whorl sections from resistant plants had significantly lower GW, ECI, and ECD than those reared on susceptible material. In contrast, no significant differences in any of the estimated food consumption and utilization indices were observed between larvae reared on fresh yellow whorl sections from resistant or susceptible plants. These results suggest that some components of whorls from resistant plants, especially the yellow-green region, inhibit food utilization in fall armyworm larvae.     

Ingestion and digestion of seven species of microalgae by larvae of Strombus gigas (Mesogastropoda: Strombidae)

The potential nutritional value of seven microalgal diets as measured by their ingestibility and digestibility to queen conch Strombus gigas larvae was tested with 30 day old larvae reared at 28 degrees C and fed at 1000 cells x ml(-1). The algae were Tetraselmis suecica, Tetraselmis chuii Isochrysis aff. galbana, Dunaliella tertiolecta, Chlamydomonas coccoides, Chaetoceros sp. and Thalassiosira fluviatilis. Ingestion and digestion were measured by the four nutritional stages studied with epifluorescence microscopy with live larvae. Temporal and absolute indices showed that larvae fed Chaetoceros sp. and T. fluviatilis had lower ingestion and digestion levels. The other algae are recommend to feed S. gigas larvae.     

Performance of pine looper Bupalus piniarius larvae under population build-up conditions

In the first year of an outbreak, Bupalus piniarius larvae, encounter intense crowding. In the later stages of larval development, they are forced to feed on the non-preferred current-year needles of Scots pine or even on alternative hosts. It was hypothesized that larval feeding on a non-preferred resource (current-year needles) will negatively affect B. piniarius performance. It was also hypothesized that larval mutual interference (crowding without competition for food) will have negative additive effects. These hypotheses were tested in laboratory and field experiments. Fourth instar larvae were reared singly and under crowded conditions in cohorts of ten. Larvae in both situations were reared on control branches (containing both mature and current-year shoots) and branches containing only current-year shoots. Crowded larvae were reared also on Norway spruce, an alternative host. Crowding and feeding on a non-preferred resource had opposite effects on B. piniarius larval performance. Crowding in the late larval instars enhanced larval performance while absence of the preferred resource had negative effects. Larval growth rate was higher and development time was shorter for larvae exposed to crowded conditions than for solitary larvae. There was, however, no difference between the groups in final pupal weights or survival. Survival was 25% lower for larvae feeding on non-preferred current-year needles and pupal weights 9% lower, compared with results for larvae feeding on mature needles. Larvae feeding on Norway spruce suffered greatly extended development time, 82% lower survival, and resulted in 60% lighter pupae compared with conspecifics on Scots pine. It was concluded that not only quantity but also quality of the available food resource is critical for B. piniarius development.     

Growth and fatty acid composition of freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, larvae fed diets containing various ratios of cod liver oil–corn oil mixture

A feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of replacing costly cod liver oil with corn oil as a source of dietary lipid on the growth and fatty acid composition of the larval freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii de Man. Prawn larvae were weaned to artificial diets containing cod liver oil and corn oil either singly or in various combinations (2 : 1, 1 : 1, 1 : 2, w/w). Weaning to artificial diets from Artemia nauplii commenced at larval stage III with complete substitution by stage X. The reference group was reared solely on Artemia nauplii during the entire experiment. Incorporation of corn oil at 33–67% of dietary supplemental oil did not have significant effects on the post‐larval production. However, larvae fed with corn oil alone revealed a significantly lower post‐larval production compared to other experimental diets as well as to the reference group. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed in dry weight, protein and lipid concentration among larvae fed on various dietary treatments. Palmitic (16 : 0) and oleic/vaccenic (18 : 1) acids were the dominant saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in larval tissues, respectively, whereas the polyunsaturated fraction was dominated by eicosapentaenoic (20 : 5n‐3) acid. The polyunsaturated fatty acid composition was dominated by n‐3 acids rather than n‐6 fatty acids. The fatty acid composition of the prawn in general reflected that of the diet. Larvae on diets containing higher concentrations of corn oil rich in linoleic (18 : 2n‐6) acid showed a higher concentration of this acid in their tissues. No evidence of de novo synthesis of linoleic (18 : 2n‐6) acid was found. Higher levels of stearic (18 : 0), arachidonic (20 : 4n‐6) and eicosapentaenoic (20 : 5n‐3) acids found in larvae as compared with those fed Artemia and artificial diets strongly indicated the larval ability in chain elongation and desaturation of palmitic (16 : 0), linoleic (18 : 2n‐6) or linolenic (18 : 3n‐3) acids, respectively. Despite a large variation of n‐3 to n‐6 ratios of the live and artificial diets, larval n‐3 to n‐6 ratios were relatively stable among different dietary treatments, possibly indicative of the importance of such a ratio in the larval fatty acid metabolism.