饲料中添加雨生红球藻粉对三疣梭子蟹雌体卵巢发育、色泽、抗氧化能力和生化组成的影响

研究采用雨生红球藻(Haematococcus pluvialis)藻粉作为天然虾青素源, 配制4种不同虾青素含量(含量分别为0、26.60、41.62和81.37 mg/kg)的饲料(记为饲料1#—4#), 对三疣梭子蟹(Portunus trituberculatus)雌体进行为期45d的育肥实验, 研究其对雌蟹卵巢发育、色泽、抗氧化能力、免疫性能和生化组成的影响。结果表明: (1)育肥饲料中虾青素含量对雌蟹性腺指数(GSI)和肝胰腺指数(HSI)均无显著影响。(2)肝胰腺、卵巢和头胸甲中的总类胡萝卜素含量、红度(a*)值和黄度(b*)值均随饲料虾青素含量的升高而升高, 而3种组织的亮度(L*)值呈显著下降趋势(P<0.05)。(3)对抗氧化指标而言, 虾青素添加组(饲料2#—4#)血淋巴超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化物酶(POD)活力均显著低于无虾青素组(饲料1#); 血淋巴中的总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)及肝胰腺中的SOD和T-AOC活力均随饲料中虾青素水平升高而上升, 而血淋巴和肝胰腺中的丙二醛(MDA)含量呈下降趋势。(4)对免疫指标而言, 血淋巴和肝胰腺中的酸性磷酸酶(ACP)活力均在饲料4#组最高, 而饲料1#组血淋巴中的血蓝蛋白(Hc)含量显著高于其他组(P<0.05)。(5)对生化组成而言, 肌肉和肝胰腺中的总脂、总碳水化合物及卵巢中总脂含量均随饲料中虾青素含量的升高呈上升趋势, 饲料2#组卵巢中的总碳水化合物含量最高(P<0.05)。综上所述, 三疣梭子蟹雌体育肥饲料中添加虾青素对其卵巢发育无显著影响, 但可改善色泽和提高其抗氧化能力及可食组织中的总脂和碳水化合物含量, 三疣梭子蟹雌体育肥饲料中虾青素适宜含量为50 mg/kg饲料左右。     

饥饿胁迫对克氏原螯虾生理生化和肠道健康的影响

研究旨在探究饥饿胁迫对克氏原螯虾(Procambarus clarkii)血淋巴生理生化指标、肠道组织病理和肠道微生态的影响.对克氏原螯虾进行为期28d的饥饿胁迫,分别于饥饿0、7d、14d和28d采集血淋巴和肠道样品.血淋巴生化分析结果表明,谷丙转氨酶(ALT)没有发生显著变化,血糖(GLU)水平随着饥饿时间延长逐渐...     

嗜水气单胞菌感染对背角无齿蚌5种免疫相关酶活力的影响

本研究以背角无齿蚌为材料,利用嗜水气单胞菌为诱导刺激物,对背角无齿蚌进行注射感染,在注射后3、6、12 、24、48h分别取血淋巴、肝胰腺,测定其超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、酚氧化酶 (PO)、酸性磷酸酶 (ACP)、碱性磷酸酶 (AKP) 及过氧化氢酶 (CAT) 的活力,并研究各项酶活力的变化规律。结果表明：除3h肝胰腺外,实验组的SOD活力均不同程度地高于对照组;血清实验组的PO活力开始显著高于对照组,然后降低,而肝胰腺实验组的PO活力持续高于对照组;另外,与对照组相比,实验组中血淋巴与肝胰腺的ACP、AKP和CAT活力在不同的时间段虽然有所增强,但两者之间无显著差异。因此,认为SOD、PO活性可以作为背角无齿蚌免疫抗病功能指标参数,而ACP、AKP及CAT活性能否作为该参数还有待于进一步研究。     

低氧胁迫和螺原体感染对中华绒螯蟹存活和细胞凋亡的影响

为了探究低氧胁迫对螺原体(Spiroplasma eriocheiris)感染中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)的影响, 以中华绒螯蟹为研究对象, 在低氧胁迫后, 取中华绒螯蟹肝胰腺和鳃组织加入组织固定液, 进行HE染色。在低氧条件下使螺原体感染中华绒螯蟹, 计算螺原体拷贝数, 并对血淋巴细胞进行细胞凋亡、细胞坏死和线粒体膜电位检测。结果显示, 与对照组相比, 处于长时间低氧胁迫状态下的中华绒螯蟹肝胰腺组织疏松, 出现大量小空泡, 鳃轴结构弥散, 组织结构被破坏。此外, 低氧组的中华绒螯蟹感染螺原体后的死亡速度相对于常氧组明显加快, 血细胞内的螺原体数量、线粒体膜电位、血细胞凋亡率和坏死率相较于常氧组均显著升高。以上研究说明低氧胁迫可以加速螺原体的感染, 使河蟹死亡速度变快, 使血淋巴细胞凋亡和坏死更显著, 不利于河蟹的生理生化。     

高盐胁迫对凡纳滨对虾消化及免疫相关酶活力的影响

为探讨高盐对凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)消化及免疫相关酶活力的影响,实验设置了30、40、50、60共4个盐度梯度。对虾体长(7.84±0.68)cm,养殖密度333尾/m~3,每个梯度设3个平行,实验周期30d。取血淋巴、肌肉、肝胰腺等组织,检测其超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)和酸性磷酸酶(ACP)及蛋白酶、脂肪酶、淀粉酶活力。结果表明,盐度显著影响凡纳滨对虾肝胰脏中胃蛋白酶、脂肪酶、淀粉酶的活力(P0.05);随着盐度增加,消化相关酶活力均不断下降,处理间差异显著(P0.05);盐度对凡纳滨对虾不同组织的免疫指标产生影响,表现为随着盐度升高,血淋巴中,AKP活力逐渐升高,ACP、CAT和SOD活力均表现为先升高后降低;肌肉中,AKP、ACP和SOD活力呈现先升高后降低的变化趋势;肝胰脏中,AKP活力呈现先降低后升高再降低的变化趋势,ACP活力高盐处理间差异不显著(P0.05),CAT活力先降低后升高,SOD活力盐度40后逐渐降低。实验结果初步说明,高盐显著影响凡纳滨对虾的消化及免疫相关酶活力,且盐度对不同组织中免疫酶活力影响存在一定的组织特异性,50以上的高盐胁迫对对虾消化和免疫相关酶活力的影响尤为显著。     

白斑综合征病毒浙江分离株在动物模型克氏原螯虾组织中的分布

应用对虾白斑综合征病毒浙江分离株(WSSV-ZJ)人工口服感染实验动物模型克氏原螯虾,研究其在消化道组织和血淋巴细胞内分布及病理变化的特点。结果显示,在受感染濒死螯虾的胃、中肠和循环血淋巴中观察到大量病毒粒子,是病毒侵染的主要靶组织;此外,在肝胰腺组织的细胞中观察到少量病毒粒子。该病毒主要侵染结缔组织细胞、上皮细胞和循环血淋巴细胞等敏感细胞的细胞核。电镜和光镜观察及应用原位杂交检测表明,浙江株病毒粒子在螯虾体内的形态大小、分布特点和靶细胞组织的病理与其他地理株相似或相同。     

饲料中黄曲霉毒素B1对克氏原螯虾幼虾生长、饲料利用和肝胰腺组织结构的影响

以含不同浓度黄曲霉毒素B₁(AFB₁)(0、10、100和1000μg/kg饲料)的4种饲料饲喂初始均重为(0.382±0.005) g的克氏原螯虾(Procambarus clarkii)幼虾42d,探讨AFB₁对克氏原螯虾幼虾生长性能、饲料效率和肝胰腺组织结构的影响。结果显示, 100和1000μg/kg毒素组幼虾的存活率、摄食率、终末体重、特定生长率和饲料效率均显著低于对照组, 10μg/kg毒素组与对照组无显著差异。10μg/kg毒素组幼虾肝胰腺碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、谷胱甘肽转移酶(GST)活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量均与对照组无显著差异,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性显著低于对照组。饲料AFB₁含量≥100μg/kg时显著影响了克氏原螯虾幼虾上述肝胰腺酶的活性。10μg/kg毒素组肝胰腺组织结构发生轻微变化, 100和1000μg/kg毒素组幼虾的肝胰腺表现出严重病变, R细胞数量减少而B细胞...     

高温胁迫对厚壳贻贝摄食、代谢和相关酶活性的影响

为了探讨高温胁迫对厚壳贻贝生理代谢和免疫功能的影响,测定了不同温度胁迫水平(20→25℃; 20→30℃)下厚壳贻贝的滤水率、耗氧率、排氨率以及不同组织己糖激酶(HK)、丙酮酸激酶(PK)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活性。结果表明:25℃胁迫3 h后厚壳贻贝滤水率升高至0.56 L·g-1·h-1,但与对照组相比无显著变化,30℃处理后滤水率则显著降低;高温胁迫处理后,厚壳贻贝的耗氧率与排氨率均显著升高,25℃与30℃处理组间耗氧率无显著差异,但30℃处理组排氨率显著低于25℃;与对照组相比,外套膜和鳃HK活性无显著变化,但肝胰腺HK活性显著降低,鳃部HK活性显著高于外套膜和肝胰腺;外套膜PK活性显著升高,在30℃达到最大值,而25℃胁迫处理组鳃PK活性却显著降低;高温胁迫后外套膜ACP活性显著降低,25℃处理组肝胰腺ACP活性显著降低,但各处理组间鳃ACP活性无显著差异; 25℃下外套膜AKP活性显著升高,30℃时鳃和肝胰腺AKP活性显著低于对照组; 30℃胁迫下外套膜SOD活性显著升高,鳃和肝胰腺SOD活性无显著变化,肝胰腺SOD活性显著低于鳃和外套膜。实验表明,一定温度变化范围内,厚壳贻贝可通过调节自身代谢水平应对温度升高带来的胁迫,但短时间内大幅升温显著影响厚壳贻贝的摄食、代谢和免疫反应。厚壳贻贝代谢酶和免疫酶活性具有组织特异性。     

低盐胁迫对三疣梭子蟹组织中抗氧化酶和 AT P 酶活力的影响

设定半致死低盐试验组(盐度 7)和正常对照组(盐度 28)对三疣梭子蟹进行 48h 的胁迫, 检测半致死盐度胁迫下不同时间点三疣梭子蟹组织中抗氧化酶和 ATP 酶活力的变化。结果显示, 随着低盐处理时间的延长, 三疣梭子蟹肝胰腺、鳃、肌肉中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活力均呈下降趋势, 极显著低于对照组(P<0.01), 各组织中 SOD、 CAT 活力大小顺序为肌肉 >肝胰腺>鳃; 肝胰腺、鳃中谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPX)、谷胱甘肽转硫酶(GST)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)、Na+/K+-ATPase 酶和 Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase 酶活力也都被抑制, 活力极显著下降(P<0.01); 而对照组在试验期间各组织酶活均较 平稳, 变化不大。试验结论表明 , 当盐度下降剧烈, 超出机体耐受范围时, 三疣梭子蟹生理机能被抑制, 酶活力反而下降。     

中华绒螯蟹对Pb和Cd的富集与释放特性

应用生物富集双箱动力学模型模拟了中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)分别在Pb浓度为0.25、0.50、0.75mg/L,Cd浓度为0.025、0.050、0.075mg/L的单一水环境中暴露时,蟹鳃、肝胰腺、肌肉和血淋巴对Pb和Cd的生物富集与释放实验,并通过非线性拟合得到中华绒螯蟹对Pb和Cd的富集速率常数k1、排出速率常数k2、生物富集系数BCF、生物半衰期B1/2、富集平衡时生物体内Pb和Cd含量CAmax等动力学参数。结果表明:(1)中华绒螯蟹对Pb和Cd具有明显的富集,蟹鳃、肝胰腺和肌肉中Pb和Cd的含量与富集时间和水环境中Pb和Cd暴露浓度表现出了很好的正相关,血淋巴在富集阶段没有明显的规律。理论平衡状态下鳃、肝胰腺和肌肉中Pb和Cd含量CAmax随着暴露浓度的增大而增大,且成正相关。(2)Pb和Cd在中华绒螯蟹组织器官中的富集具有选择性,开始实验前,Pb在中华绒螯蟹体内的的分布规律为:肝胰腺>鳃>肌肉>血淋巴;Cd的分布规律为:鳃>肝胰腺>血淋巴>肌肉。在实验浓度的Pb和Cd水环境中暴露16d后,Pb的分布规律为:鳃>肝胰腺>肌肉>血淋巴;Cd的分布规律为:肝胰腺>鳃>肌肉>血淋巴。(3)中华绒螯蟹对Pb和Cd的生物富集和释放都较缓慢。经过16d的生物富集,各组织器官中Pb和Cd的含量均未达到稳态平衡。Pb和Cd在组织器官中的生物富集系数(BCF)范围分别为5-51和6-3148,中华绒螯蟹对Cd的富集能力明显高于Pb(P1/2)范围分别为4-9d和8-57d,中华绒螯蟹对Cd的排出能力明显低于Pb。       

Physiological biomarkers of hypoxic stress in red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii from field and laboratory experiments

The crayfish industry in Louisiana is the largest in the United States, with crayfish frequently harvested from waters that experience episodic or chronic hypoxia (dissolved oxygen [DO]≤ 2 mg/l). We examined physiological biomarkers (hemolymph lactate, glucose, and protein concentrations) of hypoxic stress in the red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii from chronically hypoxic natural habitats and laboratory hypoxia experiments. P. clarkii from normoxic and hypoxic areas in the Atchafalaya River Basin were sampled monthly from April to July 2010. Laboratory experiments subjected P. clarkii to severe hypoxia (1 mg/l DO), moderate hypoxia (2 mg/l DO), or normoxic conditions (control: DO>7.5 mg/l) for 12, 24, and 48 h. P. clarkii from normoxic and hypoxic natural habitats did not display significantly different hemolymph lactate or glucose concentrations; however, mean hemolymph protein concentration was significantly lower in crayfish from hypoxic areas. P. clarkii exposed to severe hypoxia in laboratory experiments had significantly higher hemolymph lactate and glucose concentrations for all three exposure times, whereas large differences in protein concentrations were not observed. These results suggest that elevated hemolymph lactate and glucose concentrations are responses to acute hypoxia in P. clarkii, while differences in protein concentrations are the result of chronic hypoxic exposure.     

Superoxide radical production in response to environmental hypoxia in cultured shrimp

Markers of oxidative stress in response to hypoxia and reoxygenation were assessed in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Adult shrimp were either exposed to hypoxia (1 mg O(2)/L) for 6, 12, or 24 h followed by 1-h reoxygenation, or exposed to hypoxia for 24 h followed by 1- to 6-h reoxygenation. In all cases, shrimp maintained at constant normoxia were used as controls. Spectrophotometric techniques were applied to analyze lactate concentration, superoxide radical (O(2)(*-)) production, lipid peroxidation (TBARS), and antioxidant capacity status in muscle, hepatopancreas, and gill samples. Results indicate differences among tissues, even under control conditions. O(2)(*-) production and TBARS levels were higher in hepatopancreas than in gill or muscle. No effect of exposure to hypoxia was found. However, reoxygenation following exposure to hypoxia was found to affect the oxidative metabolism of muscle and hepatopancreas from cultured shrimp. Lactate concentration and O(2)(*-) production increased while antioxidant capacity decreased in hepatopancreas and muscle in the first hours of reoxygenation. This could translate into tissue damage, which may significantly jeopardize the commercial aquaculture product.     

持续高温胁迫对克氏原螯虾生长、消化酶活性与免疫指标的影响

为探讨持续高温胁迫对克氏原螯虾(Procambarus clarkii)生长及健康的影响,分别在适宜温度(24℃,对照)和不同高温胁迫温度(29℃、32℃和35℃)条件下对该虾[体重(7.19±0.29)g]进行了为期30d的养殖试验.结果显示:(1)随着胁迫温度的升高克氏原螯虾的成活率(SR)显著下降(P<0.05)...     

Physiological roles of free D- and L-alanine in the crayfish Procambarus clarkii with special reference to osmotic and anoxic stress responses

Under hyper-salinity stress from freshwater to 17 and 25 ppt seawater, red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii largely accumulated D- and L-alanine together with glycine, L-glutamine, and L-proline in both muscle and hepatopancreas. The increases of D- and L-alanine in muscle were the highest in all amino acids and reached 6.8- and 5.4-fold, respectively, from freshwater to 25 ppt seawater. These results indicate that both D- and L-alanine are the most potent osmolytes for intracellular isosmotic regulation in crayfish as well as other crustaceans thus far examined. Under anoxia stress below 0.1 mg/l dissolved oxygen for 12 h and subsequent recovery in normoxia for 12 h in freshwater, 17 and 25 ppt seawater, muscle ATP decreased dramatically in all salinity levels and almost depleted in seawater. Along with the decrease of muscle glycogen level, the significant increase of L-lactate was found in muscle, hepatopancreas, and hemolymph for each salinity level, suggesting the transport of L-lactate from muscle into hepatopancreas via hemolymph. Under anoxia, D- and L-alanine also largely increased in both muscle and hepatopancreas for each salinity level. The increase was much higher in seawater than in freshwater. Thus, both D- and L-alanine are possible to be anaerobic end products during prolonged anaerobiosis of this species.     

溶解氧水平对青海湖裸鲤体肾组织结构及抗氧化酶活性的影响

为研究溶解氧水平对青海湖裸鲤(Gymnocypris przewalskii)体肾组织结构及抗氧化酶活性的影响, 选择平均体重为(97.68±0.12) g 的青海湖裸鲤, 随机分为三组: 中度低氧组(3.0±0.1) mg/L、重度低氧组(0.7±0.1) mg/L和常氧组(8.4±0.1) mg/L, 于低氧胁迫8h和24h, 观察体肾显微结构和线粒体超微结构并检测线粒体膜电位及抗氧化酶活性。结果显示, 中度和重度低氧胁迫对体肾显微结构和线粒体超微结构未造成损伤, 但中度和重度低氧胁迫24h时体肾杆状线粒体比例增加(P<0.05), 且中度和重度低氧胁迫使体肾线粒体膜电位降低(P<0.05)。中度低氧胁迫对体肾超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和过氧化氢(H₂O₂)含量无影响(P>0.05), 但重度低氧胁迫使SOD活性和H₂O₂含量增加(P<0.05)。中度和重度低氧胁迫使体肾总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPX)和丙二醛(MDA)含量增加(P<0.05)。推测为适应不同低氧环境, 青海湖裸鲤体肾在线粒体形态和相关抗氧化酶活性方面做出适应性调整。研究结果为揭示青海湖裸鲤低氧适应机制提供了一定的理论依据。     

低氧-复氧胁迫对鲢抗氧化酶活性及Cu/Zn-SOD和Mn-SOD基因表达的影响

为探究低氧-复氧胁迫对鲢(Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)抗氧化酶活性及Cu/Zn-SOD和Mn-SOD基因表达的影响, 对鲢进行急性低氧、持续低氧及复氧实验, 进而分析血清、心脏和肝脏中不同抗氧化酶和SODs基因表达的变化特征。结果表明: 在急性低氧胁迫后, 血清中总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)活性随着氧浓度的降低均呈上升趋势, 但超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性呈先升后降的趋势。在持续低氧胁迫后, 血清中T-AOC和GSH-PX活性随着低氧胁迫时间的增加显著升高(P<0.05); 心脏中SOD活性显著高于常氧水平(P<0.05), 但Cu/Zn-SOD和Mn-SOD基因表达在低氧胁迫24h时显著低于常氧水平(P<0.05); 肝脏中SOD活性在低氧胁迫24h时显著高于常氧水平(P<0.05), 且Cu/Zn-SOD和Mn-SOD基因表达在低氧胁迫24h时也显著高于常氧水平(P<0.05)。复氧后, 血清、心脏和肝脏中T-AOC、SOD、CAT和GSH-PX活性均能恢复至常氧水平, 且心脏和肝脏中Cu/Zn-SOD和Mn-SOD基因表达的也能恢复至常氧水平, 但肝脏中Mn-SOD基因表达恢复至常氧水平较在心脏中所需时间更少。因而, 鲢可以通过调节抗氧化酶的活性来保护自身免受氧化应激造成的损伤。研究为解析低氧胁迫下鲢抗氧化应激机制提供了基础。     

镉胁迫对河南华溪蟹两种C型凝集素免疫应答的影响

C型凝集素是一类可以和糖类结合的蛋白质, 是先天性免疫系统中重要的模式识别受体。其中, 经典C型凝集素依赖Ca2+对糖类进行识别。Ca2+可作为细胞内第二信使, 参与多种信息传递。而重金属镉可导致细胞钙稳态失调, 干扰细胞内与Ca2+相关的信息传递。研究旨在探明镉胁迫对河南华溪蟹(Sinopotamon henanense) ShLec21和ShLec23两种C型凝集素免疫应答的影响。利用RACE方法, 克隆了ShLec21和ShLec23, 并进行了系统进化分析; 利用实时荧光定量PCR的方法, 研究了ShLec21和ShLec23的组织表达模式和镉联合嗜水气单胞菌(Aeromonas hydrophila)胁迫后肝胰腺和血淋巴中ShLec21和ShLec23表达模式。结果显示: ShLec21 cDNA全长863 bp, 编码152个氨基酸残基; ShLec23 cDNA全长681 bp, 编码164个氨基酸残基。ShLec21和ShLec23分别聚类为无脊椎动物的两个分支。ShLec21和ShLec23在血淋巴、鳃、肝胰腺、肠道、肌肉、卵巢和精巢中表达广泛, 但二者均主要在肝胰腺中表达。在胁迫条件下, 单独镉胁迫对肝胰腺和血淋巴中ShLec21和ShLec23表达量无显著影响; 在单独嗜水气单胞菌感染后, 肝胰腺中ShLec21和ShLec23表达量分别显著(P<0.05)与极显著(P<0.01)下调, 血淋巴中ShLec23表达量显著(P<0.05)下调; 而在镉胁迫后嗜水气单胞菌感染过程中,ShLec21和ShLec23表达量在肝胰腺和血淋巴中显著(P<0.05)或极显著(P<0.01)上调。研究结果表明, 河南华溪蟹ShLec21和ShLec23在响应嗜水气单胞菌感染过程中的表达, 在一定程度上能够被镉胁迫所上调。     

Decreased genetic variation in metabolic variables of Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp after exposure to acute hypoxia

Concentration of proteins, carbohydrates, lactate, total lipids, acylglycerides, and carotenoids in shrimp were evaluated for their changes under acute hypoxia, and for their genetic variation under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Proteins and lactate concentrations in muscle and hepatopancreas were significantly higher and carbohydrates in hepatopancreas were decreased in the hypoxic group. Family variances were significantly different only for proteins and carbohydrates in hepatopancreas in the normoxic group, indicating the existence of genetic variation for these traits. When family variances for each biochemical component were compared between normoxic and hypoxic groups, it was seen that most decreased. However, total variance was not significantly changed in response to hypoxia except for lactate (increased) and carotenoids (decreased) in hepatopancreas. The decrease in genetic variance without an increase in phenotypic variances in an acute response to hypoxia might be related to the known suppression of metabolic pathways that either use or produce ATP, which could result in a decreased expression of additive genes.     

Oxygen‐mediated plasticity confers hypoxia tolerance in a corallivorous polychaete

There is mounting evidence that the deoxygenation of coastal marine ecosystems has been underestimated, particularly in the tropics. These physical conditions appear to have far‐reaching consequences for marine communities and have been associated with mass mortalities. Yet little is known about hypoxia in tropical habitats or about the effects it has on reef‐associated benthic organisms. We explored patterns of dissolved oxygen (DO) throughout Almirante Bay, Panama and found a hypoxic gradient, with areas closest to the mainland having the largest diel variation in DO, as well as more frequent persistent hypoxia. We then designed a laboratory experiment replicating the most extreme in situ DO regime found on shallow patch reefs (3 m) to assess the response of the corallivorous fireworm, Hermodice carnaculata to hypoxia. Worms were exposed to hypoxic conditions (8 hr ~ 1 mg/L or 3.2 kPa) 16 times over an 8‐week period, and at 4 and 8 weeks, their oxygen consumption (respiration rates) was measured upon reoxygenation, along with regrowth of severed gills. Exposure to low DO resulted in worms regenerating significantly larger gills compared to worms under normoxia. This response to low DO was coupled with an ability to maintain elevated oxygen consumption/respiration rates after low DO exposure. In contrast, worms from the normoxic treatment had significantly depressed respiration rates after being exposed to low DO (week 8). This indicates that oxygen‐mediated plasticity in both gill morphology and physiology may confer tolerance to increasingly frequent and severe hypoxia in one important coral predator associated with reef decline.