The effect of the cleaner fish Labroides dimidiatus on the capsalid monogenean Benedenia lolo parasite of the labrid fish Hemigymnus melapterus

The cleaner fish Labroides dimidiatus affected the pigmented monogenean parasite Benedenia lolo on the fish Hemigymnus melapterus (Labridae) held in aquaria. The effect of cleaner fish varied with the size class of fish; only small fish [ a posteriori size class <11.5 cm standard length ( L _S)] exposed to cleaner fish had fewer monogeneans compared with fish not exposed to cleaner fish. The abundance of monogeneans on large fish ( a posteriori size class <11.5 cm L _S) was not affected by cleaner fish. The size-frequency distributions of monogeneans on both size-classes of H. melapterus were affected by cleaner fish. Fish exposed to cleaner fish had fewer large (>3 mm) and more small (<1 mm) monogeneans than fish not exposed to cleaner fish, suggesting cleaner fish selectively removed larger monogeneans. This difference was more pronounced on large fish. In the absence of cleaner fish, small fish had almost as many monogeneans as large fish; they also had more small monogeneans than the large fish, suggesting small fish were more vulnerable to infection by monogeneans than larger fish. This suggests that the cleaner fish L. dimidiatus has the potential to control benedeniine monogeneans on captive fish and highlights the importance of taking into account fish size in studies of the effect of cleaner fish on ectoparasites.     

The haematological assessment of bacterial infection in rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson

The pH, pCO2 and pO2 values for diseased fish did not differ significantly from those values for healthy fish, but fish treated with terramycin showed a highly significant rise in pCO2 with a corresponding fall in pO2. Haematocrit values, as well as haemoglobin and total plasma protein concentrations were significantly lower in diseased fish while treated fish showed a significant rise in total plasma protein. Glucose concentrations fell very significantly in diseased fish and showed a significant increase in treated fish.
The plasma electrolytes, sodium, potassium and chloride, were significantly reduced in diseased fish and potassium levels also fell in treated fish. Diseased fish showed very significantly reduced erythrocyte counts. Of the three parameters MCV, MCH and MCHC, only the values for MCH in diseased fish differed significantly from those for healthy fish.     

Application of the SOS umu-test in detection of pollution using fish liver S9 fraction

1. The possibility of Aroclor 1254 and beta-naphthoflavone treated fish Mugil auratus and fish sampled in low and high polluted areas to convert some premutagens to active intermediers in the SOS umu-test have been investigated. 2. Genotoxicity of Aflatoxin b1 differed markedly upon activation with liver S9 fractions from fish with different pollution histories, with the highest activation potency in fish living near a fish cannery. 3. Inhibition of umu gene expression by 7,8-benzoflavone in vitro clearly demonstrates a cytochrome P-450 mediated activation of aflatoxin b1. 4. 2-Aminoanthracene and 2-aminofluorene were weakly activated to genotoxic products and the induction of umu gene expression could be detected only in the presence of S9 fractions from fish treated with beta-naphthoflavone and Aroclor 1254 in the laboratory. 5. The capability of S9 from fish living near a fish cannery to convert 2-aminoanthracene and 2-aminofluorene was not observed.     

Research on the Swing of the Body of Two-Joint Robot Fish

The disadvantages caused by the swing of a fish body were analyzed. The coordinate system of a two-joint robot fish was built. The hydrodynamic analysis of robot fish was developed. The dynamic simulation of a two-joint robot fish was carried out with the ADAMS software. The relationship between the swing of fish body and the mass distribution of robot fish, the relationship between the swing of fish body and the swing frequency of tail, were gained. The impact of the swing of fish body on the kinematic parameters of tail fin was analyzed. Three methods to restrain the swing of fish body were presented and discussed.     

Oxygen uptake of growth hormone transgenic coho salmon during starvation and feeding

Oxygen uptake of growth hormone transgenic coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch was measured in individual fish with a closed-system respirometer and was compared with that of similar-sized non-transgenic control coho salmon during starvation and when fed a fixed ration or to satiation. Transgenic and control fish did not differ in their standard oxygen uptake after 4 days of starvation, although control fish had a higher routine oxygen uptake, scope for spontaneous activity and initial acclimation oxygen uptake. During feeding, transgenic fish ate significantly more than control fish, and had an overall oxygen uptake that was 1·7 times greater than control fish. When fish that had eaten the same per cent body mass were compared, transgenic fish had an oxygen uptake that was 1·4 times greater than control fish. Differences in oxygen uptake in growth hormone transgenic coho salmon and non-transgenic fish appear to be due to the effects of feeding, acclimation and activity level, and not to a difference in basal metabolism.     

Observations on the effect of visual and olfactory ablation on the swimming behavior of migrating adult chum salmon,Oncorhynchus keta

The behavior of chum slamon,Oncorhynchus keta, was studied using ultrasonic telemetry in the waters off the Okhotsk coast of Hokkaido from 1979 to 1981. Thirty-six adult fish were outfitted with a 50 KHz ultrasonic transmitter provided with either a depth sensor, depth/illumination sensors, or depth/ temperature sensors. Twenty-one of the experimental fish were used as controls and left intact. Of the remaining fish, six had their sight destroyed, seven had their olfactory nerves severed or their nares filled with wax, one had both senses destroyed, and one had a sham operation, but had only a shallow transverse cut made in the skin over the olfactory nerves. Control fish and the fish with the sham operation initially swam in a horizontal zigzag pattern while fish with an obliterated sense swam in a similar pattern but to a reduced extent. The horizontal and vertical speeds of the intact fish were faster than those of the fish with a destroyed sense. Amplitude of vertical movements of the intact fish stretched from surface to bottom, while fish with destroyed vision tended towards midwater. Fish without an olfactory sense tended to be at the surface or near the bottom. Regular vertical movement would be effective in refreshing olfactory epithelia which might become acclimated when exposed to one odor. The vertical movements can be found in the horizontal zigzag movements in coastal and near shore migrations, as well as in the stream phase of homing. The zigzag movements, both horizontal and vertical, allow the fish to sense the water masses and locate the correct tributary.     

An assessment of the performance of a resistivity fish counter

Closed-circuit television was used to provide a visual record of the events associated with the counts recorded by a resistivity fish counter. The fish seen were classified as' large'fish > 50 cm length and' small'fish of < 50 cm. Some of the' large' fish escaped detection by the counter, some' small'fish were counted and some counts were registered when nothing was seen. The sensitivity of the counter varied inversely with water conductivity which varied inversely with discharge.
Evidence was obtained suggesting that fish ascending a weir tend to swim closer to the bottom than do those descending. It was found that fish tended to move upstream just after sunset and downstream just before sunrise except when the water was turbid and when the fish were very close to spawning. The numbers of fish movements recorded increased during those periods when discharge was decreasing after a spate but when spawning activity was at its peak, increased activity occurred in the complete absence of any change in discharge. Instances of the same fish re-crossing the counting zone several times were recorded and the simultaneous passage of more than one fish through the counting zone was observed.     

Foraminifera in the diet of coral reef fish from the lagoon of New Caledonia: Predation, digestion, dispersion

Marine benthic Foraminifera are abundant and thus represent a potential food source for fish. Previous studies of Foraminifera in fish diets have examined only small samples, with significant input reported only for a single surface-feeding species of fish. The present study is the first based on a significant sample (247 fish belonging to 83 species, 291 species of Foraminifera identified from more than 20,000 specimens examined). It provides new information on the contribution of Foraminifera to fish diets, and on the impact of fish predation on Foraminifera. The planktonic Tretomphalus phases, selectively ingested by Pomacentrus amboinensis, were the only significant nutritional input from Foraminifera. Herbivorous fish accidentally ingested living epiphytic Foraminifera, which were still living after digestion, and were defecated, with a significant effect on their dispersion. Carnivorous fish ingested a small number of tests, which were generally altered by the acidic phase of digestion and had no impact on foraminiferal assemblages. Sediment feeders ingested large quantities of empty tests that were released elsewhere, suggesting a possible bias in paleontological interpretations by mixing the thanatocoenoses. Observations on gut contents showed that the fish sometimes fed on a wide range of food, changing with food availability and individual preferences of fish.     

Fish preference for hydraulic habitat in typical middle reaches of Yangtze River,China

This study presents a method of combining hydroacoustics and hydraulic data to estimate fish preference in a large and rapidly flowing river system. A typical middle reach of the Yangtze River with three islands and two wandering sections was taken as the research object to interpret schools of fish with different sizes and densities for their preference of physical habitat features such as water depth and velocity by using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Fish density and size were determined based on the hydroacoustic data, and hydraulic variables were simultaneously collected using an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) system. Results show that fish sizes are correlated with water depth and velocity and that fish density correlated only with water depth. Small fish prefer high water depth average velocity (WDAV), lower vertical average velocity (VAV), deep water, as well as a wide depth and velocity range; large fish prefer low WDAV, high VAV, deep water, and a narrow depth and velocity range. High fish densities appear around islands and areas with deep water. The results show that large fish may be sufficiently strong enough to select their preference for water depth and velocity. Areas of deep water can provide broad velocity diversity and more space to accommodate fish. The island littoral zone could provide a variety of habitats with a diverse pattern of depth and velocity for fish. This study provides a contributive method for the field habitat suitability assessment for fish.     

不同渔业方式水库鱼类资源的水声学评估

采用Biosonics DT-X回声探测仪(208 kHz)在2011年的秋末冬初对大溪、沙河、金牛山3个不同渔业方式的中等营养化水库进行了水声学调查,并构建了水库中鱼类资源分布的GIS模型.结果表明： 3个水库间鱼类平均大小无显著性差异,但鱼类目标强度(TS)分布曲线表明鱼类大小分布比例并不一致,受渔业方式影响明显.大溪水库鱼类密度(平均0.0183 ind·m^-3)与沙河水库鱼类密度(平均0.0124 ind·m^-3)差异不显著,金牛山水库鱼类密度(平均0.0085 ind·m^-3)显著小于大溪水库和沙河水库,3个水库中鱼类密度水平分布与水深没有显著的相关关系.3个水库中鱼类均成群分布,对大溪水库和沙河水库调查时还发现鱼类聚群行为.3个水库的鱼类资源量分布均在下游最高,除沙河水库受赶鱼作业影响外,其他2个水库大坝前鱼类资源量分布明显偏高.基于鱼类分布GIS建模的栅格化数据、各个栅格的水面面积,对TS>-60 dB鱼类资源总量进行估算,大溪水库约为48万尾,沙河水库约为61万尾,金牛山水库约为52万尾;对TS>-40 dB的鱼类进行统计评估,大溪水库约为5.04万尾,沙河水库约为5.29万尾,金牛山水库约为9.07万尾.     

Morphometric characteristics and reproductive capacity of nuclear transplants derived from embryonic cells of loach, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus

Nuclear transplants of loach were produced by transplantating blastula cell nuclei into nonenucleated unfertilized eggs, using recipient eggs and donor cells distinguished by different polymorphic microsatellites. Of the total of 2,847 operated eggs, 143 hatched and 119 developed to the feeding larval stage. For 15 nuclear transplants (i.e., 11.1-year-old fish and 4.2-year-old fish) that survived up to the adulthood, DNA analysis and karyotype analysis were performed. Results showed that, of the 15 fish, 14 had only a nucleus derived from the donor; moreover, 12 were diploids, 1 was a triploid, 1 was a tetraploid, and 1 was a diploid-tetraploid mosaic with both donor and recipient nuclei. For the 12 fish with only a 2n donor nucleus, morphometric analysis was performed, and two female fish and two male fish were mated with normal fish. The fish with only a 2n donor nucleus were determined to be morphometrically identical to normal fish: they had normal gametogenesis and were able to reproduce. Currently, nuclear transplantation technology is beginning to be adopted in fisheries. Biological information on nuclear transplants obtained in this study can be used in the development of nuclear transplantation technology.     

Mechanism of vestibular adaptation of fish under microgravity.

In a space experiment, the adaptation of goldfish behavior during flight and readaptation after landing were investigated. Six goldfish (1 normal, 1 with otoliths removed on both sides, 4 with otoliths removed on one side) were flown in a fish package (F/P) of Aquatic Animal Experiment Unit (AAEU). The dorsal light responses (DLRs) of fish with otoliths removed were recorded after operation until launch and after landing. The behaviors of the fish were recorded with a video camera on Mission Elapsed Time (MET) Day-00, 02, 05, 08, 12. On MET Day-00, two fish with otoliths removed on one side showed flexion of body toward the operated side. These fish also showed rolling behavior toward the operated side. However, the body flexion disappeared on MET Day-05 or MET Day-08. No rolling behaviors were observed after that time. Five fish showed backward looping behaviors during the mission. Although the frequency of looping episodes decreased after MET Day-08, five fish still showed looping behavior on MET Day-12, that was the last day of video recording on orbit. In microgravity, visual system of fish did not seem to provide sufficient cues to prevent them from looping or rolling. After landing, no looping and rolling behavior was observed. However, the tilt angle of the DLR increased in the fish with otolith removed 5 month before launch but not in normal fish and those with otoliths removed 2 weeks before launch. These results suggest that the behavioral dysfunction and the adaptational process in space are dependent on vestibular inputs.     

Effect of food deprivation on oxidative stress biomarkers in fish (Sparus aurata)

Oxidative stress in fish (Sparus aurata) as a consequence of food restriction and fasting, has been studied. Four groups of fish were maintained for 46 days under different conditions of food supplementation: a control group with no food restriction (ratio of food/fish of 2% w/w), two groups of animals with restricted food supplement (1 and 0.5%) and a fasting group (no meal addition). Finally, all the fish were provided with food at the same ratio as the control group for the last 7 days. Sampling and weighing of fish were carried out every week and their livers were used for the analysis of known biomarkers of oxidative stress. Malondialdehyde and oxidized glutathione levels increased at the third week in fish with partial or total food deprivation, but these levels returned to normal values when the fish readapted to the control conditions. Antioxidant enzymes were also analyzed and significant increases in superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase activities were found in parallel with food restriction; however catalase activity decreased in fasting fish. New SOD isoforms were detected by isoelectrofocusing in fish under food restriction at the second week, which disappeared when starved fish returned to the control conditions. These new SOD isoforms were detected before the appearance of other usual oxidative stress biomarkers.     

Effect of river fragmentation and flow regulation on occurrence of landlocked brown trout in a fish ladder

The movement pattern of brown trout Salmo trutta (L.) in a fish ladder on the heavily fragmented Ohře River, Czech Republic was observed for 16 months. Some individually-tagged fish repeatedly occurred in the ladder. A total of 1640 fish represented captures of 595 S. trutta in the fish ladder; 247 fish were caught once and 348 individuals were caught repeatedly. Repeatedly-caught (348) individuals represented 1393 (84.9%) of the 1640 captures. The likelihood of repetitive occurrence decreased with the increase in fish body length. The number of individuals in the ladder was inversely related to temperature, and positively correlated with increasing water flow in the main channel. Fish abundance in the ladder was density-dependent, as the number of individuals was inversely related to fish size and time of residency in the ladder. Spawning migrations were not the best predictor of maximum fish occurrence in the ladder, suggesting that repetitive capture of individuals in the ladder was significantly affected by other factors influencing fish behaviour. Repetitive fish occurrence in ladders can be expected, particularly in rivers with numerous lateral obstructions.     

Extensive Aggregations of Wild Fish at Coastal Sea-Cage Fish Farms

We present evidence of a largely undocumented environmental effect of coastal sea-cage fish farms on wild fish. We estimated the total abundance and biomass of wild fish aggregated in the immediate vicinity of nine fish farms in the Mediterranean Sea and one farm off the east coast of Australia. Estimates of wild fish aggregations ranged from 2000 to 86000 individuals and from 100 kg to 38.5 tons of fish per farm and were always greater than control locations. Particularly large aggregations (>30000 fish, > 12 tons) occurred at half of the farms. Aggregations were temporally stable for weeks to months and most wild fish associated with farms (88%) were of adult size. Potential effects of such large aggregations of wild fish in the immediate vicinity of fish farms include increased vulnerability to fishing and pathogen transfer between caged and wild fish. We suggest specific legislation should be enacted wherever large aggregations of wild fish occur around fish farms to enhance the positive and reduce the negative effects of association.     

Modification of the response to high density conditions in the guppy, Poecilia reticulata (Peters)

An examination was made of some of the factors which influence the response to density in the guppy. Water from high density fish was given to fish populations kept at high and low densities. This induced high density behaviour in low density fish by increasing aggression and decreasing courtship. But giving 'fresh' water to high density fish failed to alleviate the response to density. 'High density water' slightly reduced the numbers of young found in low density groups. High density fish kept in the dark had more young than high density groups in the light; and the number of young found was decreased when 'high density water' was given to low density fish. The number of ovarian stages was decreased in the dark in high density and was not overridden by the type of water. Giving 'high density water' to low density fish decreased the number of oocytes stage III, but the interaction between water and 'light' was confounded by the total numbers of ovarian stages. Increasing the 'visual space' of high density fish with mirrors partially decreased aggression and increased courtship and number of young found; but had little affect upon the number of ovarian stages. Decreasing the number of physical contacts by keeping the fish chronically tranquillized reduced the activity of the fish. This reduced the aggression of the high density fish and also reduced the differences between the high and low density fish on the basis of their courtship scores, number of young found and number of stages in the ovary. Fish from differing population sizes were given a choice between varying fish densities. The fish from a 'normal' sized population and with an extended visual field, tended to make a choice conforming to the overall selections compared with fish from populations of extreme size and with a reduced visual field.     

雷州半岛红树林鱼类群落结构及其与人类活动强度的关系

水产养殖、城镇建设等引起的土地利用变化使红树林生态系统遭受严重破坏,是红树林生物多样性面临的主要威胁之一。了解雷州半岛红树林鱼类群落结构,探究人类活动强度对鱼类群落结构的影响,对红树林鱼类资源保护至关重要。基于2021—2022年雷州半岛7片红树林共21条潮沟的鱼类数据,结合周边土地利用数据,研究鱼类群落结构及其与土地利用类型的关系。结果显示,共采集鉴定鱼类49种,隶属于8目25科,鲈形目鱼类最多,共33种占总种类数的75.5%,其中,虾虎鱼科种数最多,共15种占30.6%;食性上,主要为杂食性和肉食性鱼类,分别为53.06%和44.90%;各红树林Shannon-Wiener多样性指数在秋冬春三季的变化范围均为0—2.5,Simpson多样性指数均为0—0.9;各红树林鱼类个体数、物种数和生物量均存在显著差异(P>0.05);除秋季北潭与流沙湾的鱼类群落无显著差异(P>0.05)外,其余红树林间的鱼类群落在三个季度均有显著差异(P<0.05);人类活动强度、红树林面积和东西岸对鱼类多样性指数、个体数、物种数和生物量均有显著的主效应和交互效应(P<0.05);青...     

Anisakis simplex: uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation in the muscle mitochondria of infected fish

Adenosine triphosphatase activity stimulated by Mg2+ was greater in muscle mitochondria of fish infected with larval Anisakis simplex nematodes than in uninfected fish. When muscle mitochondria were isolated in a sucrose ethylene-glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)N,N'-tetraacetic acid medium from fresh uninfected fish, they were loosely coupled, and their adenosine triphosphatase activity was comparable to that of mitochondria from rat tissue. Activity in infected fish was dose dependent, increasing with the number of worms per fish. Excretory secretory products or a cytoplasmic fraction of anisakines, when incubated with coupled rat mitochondria, also caused adenosine triphosphatase activity to increase. Storage of fish flesh caused an increase in adenosine triphosphatase activity, but such aging was not significant until 5 and 10 days after death in refrigerated and frozen samples, respectively. The Mg2+ stimulated adenosine triphosphatase activity of muscle mitochondria can be used to estimate the number of nematodes per market fish. The type of medium used to isolate the mitochondria is crucial in such studies; an ionic medium with Nagarse proteinase was optimal for fish muscle mitochondria.     

The effect of a large-scale irrigation scheme on the fish community structure and integrity of a subtropical river system in South Africa

Large scale irrigation schemes are vitally important for food security in developing countries. This is especially relevant in subtropical countries where there is pressure on their water resources. However, the potential impacts on the fish communities of the rivers associated with these irrigation systems are extensive and potentially devastating. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of the Vaalharts Irrigation Scheme (VHIS) on the fish community of two rivers (Harts and Vaal rivers) in the subtropical region of South Africa. The fish community was assessed during a three year period from 2007 to 2009 together with environmental and habitat quality parameters. A multivariate approach together with a local biotic index was used to determine the present ecological state and the environmental drivers responsible for the fish community structure. The results indicated that the fish community was in a largely natural state at the start of the VHIS and increasingly became modified due to various environmental parameters being affected by the irrigation scheme. Annual variation in the fish community structures was high while nitrate, zinc and sulphates corresponded with changes in the fish community. The outcome of the study highlighted that a lack of long term monitoring of fish community structures together with environmental and habitat parameters are a major challenge in many developing countries that can potentially affect management of irrigation schemes and the fish communities associated with the aquatic ecosystems.     

Life history patterns of a livebearing fish in contrasting environments

Summary The population dynamics and energy allocations of the Gila topminnow, a small livebearing fish, were studied in two contrasting environments, a spring run of constant characteristics and a fluctuating desert wash. Topminnows grew and matured in two basic patterns. First, many fish in both areas matured the year after their birth. Second, spring fish born early in the breeding season grew rapidly, bred within five months, and died by eight months of age. Although spring fish assimilated more energy, wash fish actually expended more calories for growth and reproduction, partly because of lower maintenance costs. Reproductive effort of long-lived spring fish varied with age between 3.1 and 6.5%; whereas efforts of short-lived spring and wash fish increased steadily with age to 5.2 and 9.8%, respectively. Although spring fish produced eggs of higher energy content, females in both areas varied their investment per offspring, apparently tracking seasonal changes in the availability of food for fry. When long-lived spring fish experienced food shortage, they allocated less energy to both growth and reproduction; in contrast, wash and short-lived spring fish under similar conditions reduced only their growth allocation. The reproductive mass in spring fish appeared to be limited by food availability, incompletely filled the abdominal space, and reflected no tradeoff between fecundity and investment per offspring. Reproduction by wash fish appeared to be limited by body space and was characterized by a tradeoff between fecundity and egg size.