Daily energy intake and growth of piscivorous brown trout,Salmo trutta

• 1 The chief objectives were to determine the daily energy intake and growth of piscivorous brown trout (Salmo trutta), and to compare the observed values with those expected from models developed previously for brown trout feeding on freshwater invertebrates. Energy budgets for individual fish were obtained from experiments with 40 trout (initial live weight 250–318 g) bred from wild parents, and kept at five constant temperatures (5, 10, 13, 15, 18 °C) and 100% oxygen saturation. Each trout was fed to satiation on freshly killed sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) over a period of 42 days.
• 2 Energy intake (C_IN cal day^‐1) and growth (C_G cal day^‐1) were measured directly and energy losses (C_Q cal day^‐1) were estimated by difference (C_Q = C_IN ‐ C_G). All three variables increased with temperature. A model previously used to predict the daily energy intake (C_IN(INV)) of trout feeding to satiation on invertebrates was adapted, by changing only one parameter, to provide an excellent model (R² = 0.998) for predicting the mean daily energy intake (C_IN(ST)) for the piscivorous trout. Values of C_IN(ST) were 58% (range 48–67%) higher than those for C_IN(INV). A simple model was also developed to estimate mean daily energy losses for piscivorous trout (R² = 0.999). Both models were combined to provide excellent estimates of the daily energy gain (growth) of the piscivorous trout, and this was about three times that for trout feeding on invertebrates. The optimum temperature for maximum growth in energy terms increased from 13.9 °C for trout feeding on invertebrates to 17.0 °C (range 16.6–17.4 °C) for piscivorous trout.
• 3 The models are basically an extension of those developed for trout feeding on invertebrates. They show clearly how energy intake, growth, and the optimum temperature for growth increase markedly when trout change their diet from invertebrates to fish. The implications of this are discussed and it is shown that, in theory, these increases should continue if a more energy‐rich diet was utilised by the trout.

     

An energy budget for juvenile thick-lipped mullet, Crenimugil labrosus (Risso)

A series of experiments were carried out to construct an energy budget for juvenile thick lipped mullet, Crenimugil labrosus Risso. A partial factorial experimental design was used to examine the effects of temperature, fish size and meal size on growth. The maximum ration that the fish were able to ingest completely per day was found to be 0·8, 1·4 and 2·3% wet body weight (b.w.) at 13,18 and 23°C, respectively. Ingested maintenance requirements (M.R.) were estimated to be 137, 205 and 288 cal fish^-1 day^-1 at 13, 18 and 23°C, respectively. At 18deg; C, M.R. varied as 25 W^1.04 cal day^-1, where W= fish weight (g). Growth rate increased with increasing temperature. Maximal conversion efficiency was 21–24% and was achieved closer to the maximum ingested ration with increasing temperature. The relationship between respiration rate and W at 18deg; C for 3-20 g fish is described by: respiration rate (ml O₂ h^-1) = 0·128 W^0.976 The energy cost of apparent specific dynamic action at 18deg; C was found to vary between 5·1% and 23·6% of the calorific value of the ingested meal (1% wet b.w.) , mean (± S.E.)=10·2 ± 2·0%. Post mortem analyses of groups of fish fed 0·2, 0·8 and 1·5% wet b.w. meals showed a significant increase in total lipid and a significant decrease in water content with increasing ratio size. A negative correlation was found between body water content and total lipid (and calories). The mean assimilation efficiency (±s.e.) for 5–10 g mullet at 18deg; C was 73·9 ± 3·6%. The observations reported in this study were brought together to construct an energy budget for juvenile C. labrosus which was found to give a reliable prediction (within 10%) of energy demand and growth under the prevailing experimental conditions. Both gross (K₁) and net (K₂) growth efficiencies, based on energy values, increased with increasing ratio size up to satiation and were independent of temperature. The maximum values of K₁ and K₂ observed were 0·33 and 0·46, respectively. The third order efficiency (K₃) appeared to be independent of temperature and ration size; mean values ranged between 0·66 and 0·84.     

Feeding and growth of juvenile sea bass: the effect of ration and temperature on growth rate and efficiency

The effect of ration on the growth of pairs of juvenile sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax fed squid mantle was recorded at four temperatures: 6, 10, 14 and 18) C, covering the range typical of Welsh coastal waters. Initial weight of the fish ranged from 2.8 to 15.9 g. A predictive model for the maximum meal size (M_max) at temperatures between 10 and 18) C, accounted for 95% of the variance in lnM_max. Even when offered excess food, bass at 6) C had a low rate of food consumption [0.19% body weight (BW) day^?1] and lost weight (G=?0.04% day^?1). Predictive regression models for specific growth rate (G) accounted for 86% of the variance at reduced rations and 70% at maximum meals. The relationship between G (calculated for total biomass per tank) and ration was a decelerating curve. G at maximum meals increased with temperature, at lower rations G decreased with temperature. For a pair of bass with a combined weight of 15 g, predicted maintenance ration ranged between 0.7 and 2.3% BW day^?1 and increased with temperature. Maximum meal size was more sensitive to temperature than maintenance ration. At 18) C optimum ration was 7.4% BW day^?1. At lower temperatures, the optimum ration was the maximum meal. The maximum gross growth efficiency was 17.4% at 18) C. Mean absorption efficiency was 94.8%. Ration level had no significant effect on absorption efficiency, which was lowest at 6) C. Condition indices (Fulton condition factor, wet and dry liver—somatic indices and body depth index) increased with meal size at all temperatures except 6) C. An increase in temperature between 10 and 18) C generally resulted in a decrease in condition indices at a given ration. When comparisons were made at a given standard length, gut and carcass weight increased with ration. Visceral fat and gut weight decreased with increased temperature.     

Effect of ration size and feeding frequency on growth, size distribution and survival of juvenile clownfish, Amphiprion percula

This study describes the growth of juvenile clownfish, Amphiprion percula Lacépède 1802, fed with an artificial diet at six ration sizes of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12% of body mass per day (BM day^?1) each at a feeding frequency of once, twice and three times per day. The effect of ration size on growth depended on the feeding frequency. In fish fed once a day growth did not improve above a ration size of 8% BM day^?1. At two feedings per day fish required a ration size of at least 6% BM day^?1 to achieve good growth, and fish fed three times per day grew at similar rates above a ration size of 4% BM day^?1. A model to estimate the combined effect of ration size and feeding frequency is presented. The results lead to the suggestion of a simple length‐based feeding regimen that could be tested in future studies on this species or adapted for use in other species.     

Optimum energy intake and gross efficiency of energy conversion for brown trout, Salmo trutta, feeding on invertebrates or fish

1. The chief objectives were to determine the daily optimum energy intake ( C OPT cal day−1) for growth and the gross efficiency ( K G%) for converting energy intake into growth for brown trout, Salmo trutta . Energy budgets for individual fish were obtained from experiments with 292 trout (initial live weight 1–318 g) bred from wild parents, and kept at five constant temperatures (5, 10, 13, 15, 18 °C) and 100% oxygen saturation. Most trout (252) were fed over a period of 42 days on a fixed ration of shrimps, Gammarus pulex , the ration levels varying between zero and maximum, but 40 of the larger trout were fed to satiation on freshly-killed sticklebacks ( Gasterosteus aculeatus ).
2. Energetics models developed in earlier studies on the same data were summarized briefly and were used to predict the relationship between the change in the total energy content of a trout ( C G cal day−1) and its energy intake ( C IN cal day−1), and hence to estimate C OPT. The models were also used to predict the relationship between K G and C IN. In both comparisons, there was good agreement between observed values from the experiments and expected mean values predicted from the models. For trout feeding on invertebrates, C OPT lay closer to the maximum, rather than the maintenance, energy intake. When the diet changed from invertebrates to fish, there was a marked increase in C IN, C G and K G.
3. For trout feeding on invertebrates, K G exceeded 30% within 7–11 °C, with a maximum K G of 31.8% at 8.9 °C. For piscivorous trout, K G exceeded 30% within 4–16 °C and 40% within 6.5–12 °C, with a maximum K G of 41.8% at 9.3 °C. These differences were discussed in relation to the results of previous workers, and the models used in the present study provided a method of exploring the limitations of the ' K -line' hypothesis for the relationship between K G and C IN.     

Varying effects of anadromous sockeye salmon on the trophic ecology of two species of resident salmonids in southwest Alaska

1. Anadromous salmon transport marine‐derived nutrients and carbon to freshwater and riparian ecosystems upon their return to natal spawning systems. The ecological implications of these subsidies on the trophic ecology of resident fish remain poorly understood despite broad recognition of their potential importance. 2. We studied the within‐year changes in the ration size, composition and stable isotope signature of the diets of two resident salmonids (rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss; Arctic grayling, Thymallus arcticus) before and after the arrival of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) to their spawning grounds in the Bristol Bay region of southwest Alaska. 3. Ration size and energy intake increased by 480–620% for both species after salmon arrived. However, the cause of the increases differed between species such that rainbow trout switched to consuming salmon eggs, salmon flesh and blowflies that colonized salmon carcasses, whereas grayling primarily ate more benthic invertebrates that were presumably made available because of physical disturbances by spawning salmon. 4. We also observed an increase in the δ¹⁵N of rainbow trout diets post‐salmon, but not for grayling. This presumably led to the observed increase in the δ¹⁵N of rainbow trout with increasing body mass, but not for grayling. 5. Using a bioenergetics model, we predicted that salmon‐derived resources contributed a large majority of the energy necessary for growth in this resident fish community. Furthermore, the bioenergetics model also showed how seasonal changes in diet affected the stable isotope ratios of both species. These results expand upon a growing body of literature that highlights the different pathways whereby anadromous salmon influence coastal ecosystems, particularly resident fish.     

The Effect of Ration on Acclimation to Environmental Acidity in Rainbow Trout

Freshwater salmonids exposed to low environmental pH typically suffer a net loss of ions, primarily Na⁺ and Cl^–, across the gills, resulting in reduced plasma and tissue ion concentrations. However, in recent experiments in our laboratory, juvenile rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, fed a ration of 1% body weight d^–1 or greater showed no ionoregulatory disturbance during chronic, sublethal acidification. This raised the possibility that these fish had acclimated to low pH in that they would be better able to withstand further, more severe acidification than fish that had no prior experience of acid conditions: previous studies had concluded that such acclimation does not occur. This hypothesis was tested by measuring unidirectional ion fluxes during a 24h acute acid challenge (pH 4.2) in juvenile rainbow trout that had previously been exposed to either ambient pH 6.2 (naive fish) or sublethal low pH 5.2 (acid pre-exposed fish) for 90 days, and fed a ration of either 1.0 or 0.25% d^–1 (wet basis). No mortalities were observed during the acute acid challenge in the fish fed the higher ration and no differences between the two groups in the response of Na⁺ fluxes were observed. Sodium influx in both groups was significantly inhibited throughout the challenge and Na⁺ net flux was significantly stimulated over the first 6h. Prior to the acute acid challenge, the fish fed the lower ration that had previously been exposed to pH 5.2 had significantly lower plasma ion concentrations than those fish previously exposed to pH 6.2. Both groups suffered mortalities; those of the naive fish (22% by 24h) being markedly lower than those of the acid pre-exposed fish (68% by 24h). However, there were no significant differences in either Na⁺ or Cl^– fluxes between the two groups of fish during the acid challenge: both showed significant inhibition of ion influxes and significantly greater net ion losses, resulting in reduced plasma ion concentrations. These results indicate that rainbow trout are unable to acclimate to environmental acidification irrespective of the availability of dietary salts.     

Utilization of metabolic scope in relation to feeding and activity by individual and grouped zebrafish, Brachydanio rerio (Hamilton-Buchanan)

Metabolic scope and its utilization in relation to feeding and activity were measured in individual and grouped zebrafish (weight range, 430–551 mg) at 24° C by respirometry. Mean maximum metabolic rate, induced by swimming to exhaustion, R_max(i), was 1223 (s.d. , 157) mg O₂, kg^?1 h^?1 for individuals. Standard metabolic rate, R_s. was 364 mg O₂ kg^?1 h^?1, as estimated by extrapolating to zero activity from measurements of unfed, spontaneously active individuals. Mean routine metabolic rate, R_rout, of individuals was 421 (s.d. , 58) mg O₂, kg_-1 h_-1. The mean voluntary maximum metabolic rate, R_max(v), following transfer of minimally exercised fish to the respirometer, was 1110 (s.d. , 83) mg O₂ kg ^?1 h^?1 for groups of six fish, and was not significantly different from the value measured for individuals, 1066 (s.d. , 122) mg O₂, kg^?1 h^?1. Grouped fish acclimated to the respirometer more slowly than individual fish and exhibited significantly higher R_rout, apparently a result of greater social interaction and activity in groups. Mean R_rout for groups was 560 (s.d. , 78) mg O₂, kg^?1 h^?1. While groups of zebrafish fed a ration of 5% wet body weight day^?1 exhibited consistently higher metabolic rates than fish fed rations of 2.5% wet body weight day^?1 the high ration group still used only a maximum of 77% of the metabolic scope. Zebrafish of the size studied do not appear to demonstrate a high degree of conflict in utilization of metabolic scope by different respiratory components. The metabolic rates measured for zebrafish are among the highest yet measured for fish of similar size and at similar temperatures.     

Food consumption and growth of larvae and juveniles of three cyprinid species at different food levels

Synopsis The relationships between food availability, consumption and growth were analyzed from the onset of feeding to an age of 90 days in three cyprinid species. Fish were held at 20 ± 0.5° C and given two (three) constant rations of approximately 30, (40) or 100% dry body weight (dbw) ind^-1 day^-1. Food consisted of living zooplankton, the size of which correlated with fish size. At high food densities consumption rates decreased rapidly with fish size in all three species. At reduced rations, fish consumed most of the food offered until they were larger than 10 mg dbw. In all species and at each feeding level daily rations consumed increased allometrically with body size. Respiration rate, expressed as routine metabolic rate differed insignificantly between the three species. At high ration levels, growth rates of small bleak, Alburnus alburnus, were distinctly lower than those of roach, Rutilus rutilus, and blue bream, Abramis ballerus. At low food supply all three species grew at similar rates. Assimilation efficiency at low food conditions was approximately twice that of the well-fed groups. If the caloric equivalents of oxygen consumption as measured in well-fed fish are applied to fish fed at low rations their energy budgets do not balance. This indicates the limitations of fish larvae in the partitioning of energy for growth or activity at such conditions.     

The effect of body size on food consumption, absorption efficiency, respiration, and ammonia excretion by the inland silverside, Menidia beryllina (Cope) (Osteichthyes: Atherinidae)

The inland silverside, Menidia beryllina (Cope), is an annual zooplanktivore that occurs in estuarine and freshwater habitats along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts and drainages of the United States. Experiments were conducted at 25 ± 1°C to quantify the relationship between mean dry weight (W_D) and rates of energy gain from food consumption (C), and energy losses as a result of respiration (R) and ammonia excretion (E) during routine activity and feeding by groups of fish. The absorption efficiency of ingested food energy (A) was also quantified. Rates of C, E, and R increased with W_D by factors (b in the equation y = aW_D^b) equal to 0.462, 0.667, and 0.784, respectively. Mean (±SE) rates of energy loss during feeding were 1.6 ± 0.1 (R) and 3.4 ± 0.6 (E) times greater than those for unfed fish. Absorption efficiency was independent of W_D and estimated to be 89% of C. From these measurements, the surplus energy available for growth and activity (G) and growth efficiency (K₁) were estimated. Over the range in sizes of juveniles and adults (5–500 mg W_D), predicted G and K₁ values decreased from 7.42 to 0.20 J mg fish^?1 day^?1 and 63 to 21%, respectively. Measured and predicted bioenergetic parameters are discussed within an ecological context for a northern population of this species.     

Effect of winter feeding and starvation on the growth performance of young‐of‐year (YOY) great sturgeon,Huso huso

The objective of this study was to evaluate the feeding rate of the great sturgeon (Huso huso) young of the year (YOY) and to investigate the effects of different feeding rates in maintaining the weight of fish during short periods of winter starvation. Six feeding rates of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0% body weight (BW) day^?1 and feeding to satiation were considered for the first experiment. Each feeding rate was randomly assigned to three replicate tanks, with continuous feeding throughout a 5‐week winter period of water temperatures below 10°C. Fifteen fish were held in each of 18 tanks with an average initial body weight of 219.6 ± 6.9 g. After 5 weeks of feeding, the best performance was observed in fish fed 1% BW day^?1, but negative growth was observed in fish fed 0.2% BW day^?1. In the second experiment, fish were deprived of feed for 3 weeks at winter temperatures. Weights and condition factors of all fish decreased during starvation, while the differences in mean weight before and after the starvation period were not significant in fish fed a level of 0.2% BW day^?1 and those fish fed to satiation. No mortality was recorded in either experiment. Results of this study indicate that a feeding rate of 1% BW day^?1 would be sufficient for commercial fish farming of YOY of this species to maintain them over winter. Also, to maintain fish weights and prevent weight loss in overwintering ponds, a feeding rate of around 0.3% BW day^?1 seems appropriate for hatcheries.     

A new functional model for estimating the maximum amount of invertebrate food consumed per day by brown trout, Salmo trutta

1. A model developed over 20 years ago has been used to estimate daily food intake in brown trout living in streams and lakes over a wide geographical range. The chief disadvantages of this early model are that it is not continuous and requires twelve parameters, not all of which can be interpreted biologically. A new model, using a larger data set, was therefore developed to overcome these problems and estimate the mean daily energy intake. 2. The two data sets used to develop the original model were also used to develop the general form of the new one, but a third data set was used to specify the model more precisely and to estimate the parameters. This third data set originated from experiments in which 185 trout (live weight range 1–350 g) were kept individually at 19 constant temperatures (range 3.8–21.7 °C) usually for 5–6 weeks. They were fed freshly killed shrimps (Gammarus pulex) and their food consumption was recorded throughout each experiment. 3. Five, six and eight parameter versions of the new model were all excellent fits to the data (P < 0.001, R² > 0.99), with the eight parameter version being slightly the best. All parameters can be interpreted in biological terms; three define threshold temperatures, three define the curvilinear slopes in the model over different temperature ranges, one is a weight exponent and one is the maximum daily energy intake of a 1 g trout. The simpler six parameter model was adequate at temperatures above 7 °C. 4. An additional experiment with twenty-eight trout feeding on six different invertebrate foods provided estimates of energy intake that were very similar to those predicted from the model. However, when daily intake was converted to dry weight, agreement with values from the model (also as dry weight) was poor. Possible reasons for this are discussed, as are other studies using the earlier model, and it is shown that different conclusions can be reached depending upon whether comparisons are based on units of energy, dry weight or wet weight.     

Species-specific probe,based on 18S rDNA sequence,could be used for identification of the mucilage producer microalga <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gonyaulax fragilis</Emphasis> (Dinophyta)

Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in Appalachia experience prolonged periods of poor feeding conditions, particularly during summer and fall. To determine which prey organisms are important in sustaining brook trout populations, we monitored the feeding patterns of a population of brook trout over the course of 2 years with an emphasis on seasonal change. We employed a bioenergetics model to estimate whether or not each fish had obtained enough energy to meet daily metabolic demand. As a result, qualitative comparisons between fish feeding above maintenance ration (successfully feeding fish) and fish feeding below maintenance ration (unsuccessfully feeding fish) were possible. With the exception of winter, brook trout derived significantly more energy from terrestrial organisms than aquatic organisms. During each season, successfully feeding brook trout fed on greater proportions of specific prey types. Terrestrial Coleoptera and Lepidoptera consistently proved to be important prey during warmer seasons, while large organisms such as vertebrates and crayfish appeared to be important during winter. Our findings suggest that terrestrial organisms are more important than aquatic organisms in sustaining brook trout populations. Further, certain large and abundant terrestrial taxa are critical in providing energy to brook trout.     

Selective foraging on terrestrial invertebrates by rainbow trout in a forested headwater stream in northern Japan

The important contribution of terrestrial invertebrates to the energy budget of drift-foraging fishes has been well documented in many forested headwater streams. However, relatively little attention has been focused on the behavioral mechanisms behind such intensive exploitation. We tested for the hypothesis that active prey selection by fishes would be an important determinant of terrestrial invertebrates contribution to fish diets in a forested headwater stream in northern Japan. Rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, were estimated to consume 57.12 mg m^–2 day^–1 (dry mass) terrestrial invertebrates, 77% of their total input (73.89 mg m^–2 day^–1), there being high selectivity for the former from stream drift. Both the falling input and drift of terrestrial invertebrates peaked at around dusk, decreasing dramatically toward midnight. In contrast, both aquatic insect adults and benthic invertebrates showed pronounced nocturnal drift. Because the prey consumption rates of rainbow trout were high at dawn and dusk, decreasing around midnight, the greater contribution of terrestrial invertebrates to trout diet was regarded as being partly influenced by the difference in diel periodicity of availability among prey categories. In addition, selectivity also depended upon differences in individual prey size among aquatic insect adults, and benthic and terrestrial invertebrates, the last category being largest in both the stream drift and the trout diets. We concluded that differences in both the timing of supplies and prey size among the three prey categories were the primary factors behind the selective foraging on terrestrial invertebrates by rainbow trout.     

Preliminary results on growth and feeding of wild-caught young goldblotch grouper, Epinephelus costae, in captivity

Growth, food intake, feed conversion, survival, and behaviour of wild‐caught goldblotch grouper, Epinephelus costae Steindachner, (initial weight=103.04 ± 8.27g) were evaluated when reared in captivity. Average weight gains ranged between 0.106 and 0.278 g day^?1, while corresponding gains in length ranged between 0.005 and 0.018 cm day^?1. Average daily growth rate was between 0.075 and 0.232% body weight day^?1 (overall 0.141 ± 0.08% bw/day). Daily rate of feeding was estimated to be between 0.299 and 0.418% bw day^?1 (overall 0.365 ± 0.09% bw day^?1). Food conversion ratio (FCR) ranged between 0.21 and 0.77 (overall FCR=0.423). Food intake was dependent on water temperature.     

Estimation of daily energetic requirements in young scalloped hammerhead sharks, Sphyrna lewini

Juvenile scalloped hammerhead sharks, Sphyrna lewini, are apex predators within their nursery ground in Kāne‘ohe Bay, Ō‘ahu, Hawai‘i. Understanding daily maintenance requirements of a top-level predator is an important step toward understanding its ecological impact within a nursery ecosystem. Juvenile S. lewini were fed a range of daily ration levels to examine the effect of feeding rate on growth and gross conversion efficiency. The von Bertalanffy growth model yielded the best fit to the data, predicting a maintenance ration of 115 kJ kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ (3.4% body weight (BW) day⁻¹) and a maximum growth rate of 38 kJ kg⁻¹ day⁻¹. This finding is in agreement with the previous prediction of high energetic requirements for S. lewini. In combination with the hypothesized food limitation within Kāne‘ohe Bay, this result may explain the observed high mortality rates of S. lewini. Gross conversion efficiency, K ₁, ranged from −36% to 34%, with maximum efficiency at feeding levels of 5.1% BW day⁻¹. The growth conversion efficiency of S.␣lewini is similar to that of lemon sharks and teleost fishes. Growth rates of juvenile S. lewini are possibly restricted by their high metabolic rate, limited food availability and foraging inexperience. By directly examining the effect of ration size on growth and food conversion, it was possible to resolve discrepancies between earlier studies, which used respiratory metabolism and gut content analyses.     

Observations of Size-related Asymmetries in Diet and Energy Intake of Rainbow Trout in a Regulated River

We examined diet and diel energy intake of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, of different lengths captured by electrofishing between 1991 and 1997 in the Lee's Ferry tailwater, Colorado River, below Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona. Trout diets reflected a depauperate food base and indicated limited potential of different fish size-groups to partition food resources. As evidenced by relative stomach volumes of ingested matter, mid-sized and large trout tended to consume more algae than did small fish, suggesting that they consumed diets of lower nutritional quality. An energy intake model indicated that median consumers among mid-sized and large fish generally failed annually to surpass estimated maintenance energy requirements and that median consumers among mid-sized trout failed to meet or exceed maintenance requirements during all seasons. In contrast, median consumers among small trout met or surpassed maintenance energy requirements during most years and in summer. Results support a hypothesis that larger rainbow trout in lotic systems are food-limited more often than smaller fish.     

Effects of Body Size and Food Ration on Over-winter Survival and Growth of Age-0 Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua

This study examined the effects of body size and food ration on over-winter survival of age-0 Atlantic cod. Cod were divided into two groups based on standard length (large=76.95±1.10 mm SL; small=57.65±1.02 mm SL; mean±1 SE) and wet weight (large=4.02± 0.21 g; small=1.52±0.09 g). Replicate tanks (n=2) of 10 large and 10 small cod were exposed to one of two food rations (0.25% and 1.0% body weight day^-1) for the entire experiment (December to June). Tanks were examined daily for mortalities and feeding was adjusted accordingly. The experiment was run under ambient light and seawater conditions. All but large age-0 cod exposed to the low food ration grew over the course of the experiment. The specific growth rate (SGR) of small cod was significantly higher (0.2425% wet weight day^-1) than that of the large fish (0.0443% wet weight day^-1). Food ration had no significant influence on SGR or over-winter survival. Significantly more of the large age-0 cod survived the winter (58.5% of those originally introduced) compared to the smaller fish (14%). Our results are consistent with those from studies of several other fish species, and are discussed in relation to the ecology of age-0 cod, and their potential use in aquaculture in Newfoundland.     

Substrate consumption and excess sludge reduction of activated sludge in the presence of uncouplers: a modeling approach

A mathematical model with a consideration of energy spilling is developed to describe the activated sludge in the presence of different levels of metabolic uncouplers. The consumption of substrate and oxygen via energy spilling process is modeled with a Monod term, which is dependent on substrate and inhibitor. The sensitivity of the developed model is analyzed. Three parameters, maximum specific growth rate (μ _max), energy spilling coefficient (q _max), and sludge yield coefficient (Y _H) are estimated with experimental data of different studies. The values of μ _max, q _max, and Y _H are found to be 6.72 day^-1, 5.52 day^-1, and 0.60 mg COD mg^-1 COD for 2, 4-dinitrophenol and 7.20 day^-1, 1.58 day^-1, and 0.62 mg COD mg^-1 COD for 2, 4-dichlorophenol. Substrate degradation and sludge yield could be predicted with this model. The activated sludge process in the presence of uncouplers that is described more reasonably by the new model with a consideration of energy spilling. The effects of uncouplers on substrate consumption inhibition and excess sludge reduction in activated sludge are quantified with this model.     

Production of juvenile salmonids in small Norwegian streams is affected by agricultural land use

1. We estimated the biomass and production of juvenile anadromous brown trout (Salmo trutta) and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) (parr) in 12 streams in the Skagerrak area of Norway to identify controlling environmental factors, such as land‐use and water chemistry. 2. Production estimates correlated positively with fish density in early summer, but not with the size of the catchment. The summer biomass of age‐0 brown trout and Atlantic salmon was smaller than that of age‐1 and constituted 27.4 and 25.7%, respectively, of the total biomass of the two groups. 3. Mean production of brown trout from July to September varied between streams, but in most cases it was below 2 g 100 m^?2 day^?1. Yearly cohort production from age‐0 in July to age‐1 in July was 10 g m^?2 or less, with mean annual production of 1.32 g 100 m^?2 day^?1, equivalent to 4.8 g m^?2 year^?1. The corresponding annual cohort production of Atlantic salmon was 0.38 g 100 m^?2 day^?1 or 1.4 g m^?2 year^?1. Annual production to biomass ratio (P/B) for brown trout of the same cohort in the various streams was between 1.47 and 4.37; the overall mean (±SD) for all streams was 2.25 ± 0.94. Mean turnover rate of Atlantic salmon was 2.73 ± 0.24. 4. Production of 0+ brown trout during the summer correlated significantly with the percentage of agricultural land and forest/bogs in the catchment, with maxima at 20 and 75%, respectively. Age‐0 brown trout production also correlated with concentration of nitrogen and calcium in the water, with maxima at 2.4 and 14 mg L^?1, respectively. 5. The results support the hypothesis that brown trout parr production reflects the quality of their habitat, as indicated by the dome‐shaped relationship between percentage of agricultural land and the concentration of nitrogen and calcium in the water.