Food and feeding habit of chapila (Gudusia chapra)

Abundance of diatom (Bacillariophyceae) in the plankton population and the dietary role of it in chapila (Gudusia chapra) in pond were studied. A total of 25 genera of phytoplankton belonging to Bacillariophyceae (7), Chlorophyceae (11), Cyanophyceae (5) and Euglenophyceae (2) and 9 genera of zooplankton belonging to Crustacea (3) and Rotifera (6) were recorded from the water. Among the phytoplankton, highest abundance of Chlorophyceae was observed, and Bacillariophyceae, Cyanophyceae and Euglenophyceae ranked the second, third and fourth position in the planktonic population, respectively. Among the zooplankton, Rotifera was recorded as the most dominant group and Crustacea as the least one. From the gut content analysis, 4 groups of phytoplankton consisting of 33 genera of plankton were identified and recoded [sic] of which 25 belonging to phytoplankton and 8 belonging to zooplankton. This study reveals that the Chlorophyceae and Cyanophyceae were the most dominant food items of chapila. Bacillariophyceae (diatom) and Euglenophyceae were less important and Crustacea and Rotifera were the least important in the diet of Chapila. The present investigation showed that chapila appeared to be a plankton feeder with a preference for phytoplankton to zooplankton. Electivity analysis showed that the fish avoided zooplankton and strongly selected phytoplankton. In the gut contents of fish, Chlorophyceae was positively and Bacillariophyceae (diatom) was negatively selected throughout the experimental period, in the pond water.

Effect of stocking density on the production of common carp (Cyprinus carpio Lin.) in cages at Kaptai lake, Bangladesh

Growth, survival and food conversion ratio (FCR) of Cyprinus carpio in cages at different stocking density were studied in Kaptai lake. Fingerlings of common carp (12.47 ± 4.29 g) were stocked at 25/m2 , 50/m2 and 75/m2 each with replication in six floating net cages each of Sm x Sm x 4m and reared for 240 days. The growth rate was inversely related to the stocking density with the mean weights of 325.5 ± 11.74 g, 268.99± 8.44 g and 167.0 ± 11.66 g at low, medium and high densities, respectively. At harvest, standing crop biomass averaged 7 .82, 12.83 and 11.58 kg with the survival of 98.9%, 97.6% and 94.4% and food conversion ratios of 4.51, 3.82 and 4.21 for the above three densities, respectively. Weight gain and production at density 25 fish/m 2 were significantly different (p< 0.01) from other two densities. Water quality was not affected in the cages having different stocking densities.

Chemical changes in skin mucin as an index of early stages of spoilage in fish

Results of a preliminary investigation on the overall chemical nature of fish skin mucin in lung fish, Clarias batrachus, with special reference to water soluble low molecular weight compounds, are presented. Changes observed during room temperature spoilage have been studied with a view to present a new approach towards the assessment of freshness in fish inspection. pH of the mucin was distinctly alkaline (8.2) and remained unchanged during spoilage. Much of the nitrogen was found to be present in the glycoprotein fraction. Free amino acids and purine bases were present in appreciable quantities in the aqueous extracts which registered a significant increase after 10 hrs. Post-mortem increase in total solids was accompanied by a slight rise in protein nitrogen which may indicate tissue breakdown. Increase in TVN was also observed to occur earlier in the outside mucin as compared to the inside muscle. Presence of free sugars or sialic acid could not be confirmed nor was there any indication of cholesterol and lipoid material as stated in earlier literature.

Sampling plans for pre-packed fish and fish products

An outline is given of a sampling plan for prepacked fish products based on the net weight of the container, which may be used to make the inspection of fish and fish products easier and more effective.

On the ice-storage characteristics of Catla catla and Labeo fimbriatus

The ice-storage characteristics of Catla catla and Labeo fimbriatus are reported. Muscle pH, moisture, total volatile nitrogen, alpha amino nitrogen and peroxide value and also the changes in total bacterial count are studied. C. catla and L. fimbriatus both could be stored in ice for 18 days.

Notes on ovarian rematuration of ablated sugpo (prawn) Penaeus monodon Fabricius

To what extent spent P. monodon females can remature and spawn successive broods is an important question in terms of recycling spawners in a commercially viable operation. Corollary to this is the quantity and quality of fry from rematured females in comparison to those from first spawning. Of 347 experimental females, only 10.1% had a second spawning, and 1.4% a third spawning. To a large degree the low rate of rematuration is due to high spawner mortality - average survival period after spawning was only 6 days in a sample of 176 spawners. It took an average of 23 days after ablation for a prawn with undeveloped ovaries to mature and spawn. An ablated female may have another spawning in as little as 5 days after the previous one. Average fecundity was 180,000 eggs per second spawning, and 140,000 eggs per third spawning. The average number of eggs from first spawning ablated females was 110-120,000. Hatching rate was lower for rematuration: 44% for second spawnings, and 35% for third spawnings, as compared to 64% for first maturation.

A scale to measure the attitude towards improved fish processing methods

An attitude scale was constructed to measure the attitude of fisherwomen towards improved fish processing methods. To construct the attitude scale, 'scale' and ‘Q’ values (the interquartile ranges) were calculated for 31 statements selected, based on the opinion of 34 judges. Based on the 'scale' and ‘Q’ values 16 statements were selected with eight favorable statements and eight unfavorable statements. The weightages given were 3, 2 and 1 for favorable statements and 1, 2 and 3 for unfavorable statements.

Effect of dietary inulin as prebiotic on growth, survival and intestinal bacterial density of juvenile great sturgeon (Huso huso)

Use of prebiotics, nondigestible dietary ingredients that beneficially affect the host by selectively stimulating the growth of and/or activating the metabolism of healthpromoting bacteria in the intestinal tract, is a novel concept in aquaculture. An 8-week feeding experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary prebiotic inulin on the growth performance, intestinal bacterial density, body composition and values of blood serum enzymes in the juvenile great sturgeon (Huso huso). Three replicate groups of fish (initially averaging weight 16.14±0.38g) were fed diets containing prebiotic inulin at levels ranging from 1% to 3%. The basal diet was contained 3% cellulose. The results of linear regression showed there was a negative relationship between some performance indices including weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), net protein utilization (NPU), energy retention (ERE), feed efficincy (FE), protein retention (PR) and supplementation level of inulin. At the end of trial, the 1% inulin treatment insignificantly showed an enhaced survival between the treatment groups. Intestinal lactic acid bacteria (LAB) increased in group treated with 1% inulin compare to other groups. No significant difference were observed in body composition and level of serum enzymes (P>0.05). Moreover there was significant correlation between ALT and LDH values (P<0.01). Result obtained in this study shows that the prebiotic inulin didn’t influence the increase of the growth performance of juvenile great sturgeon and it is not appropriate for supplementation in the diet of beluga.

The decline of Alestes baremose Boulenger, 1901 and Hydrocynus forskahlii (Cuvier, 1819) stocks in Lake Albert: implications for sustainable management of their fisheries

The fish stocks of Lake Albert face immense exploitation pressure which has led to “fishingdown” of their fisheries, with some larger species having been driven to near-extinction, while others such as Citharinus citharus have almost disappeared. Both A. baremose (Angara) and H. forskahlii (Ngassia) historically formed the most important commercial species in Lake Albert until the early 2000s but recent Catch Assessment Surveys (2007-2013) revealed a sweeping decline in their contribution to the commercial catch from 72.7% in 1971 to less than 6% in 2013. The catch per unit effort also registered a two-fold decline from 45.6 and 36.1 kg/boat/day to 22.6 and 18.1 kg/boat/day for A. baremose and H. forskahlii respective between 1971 and 2007. Over 50% of illegal gillnets, below the legal minimum limit of four inches (101.6 mm) used on Lake Albert target the two species. Gillnet experiments found the three inch (76.2 mm) gill net mesh size suitable for sustained harvest of the two species. The study concludes that optimal utilization of the two species and probably other non target fish species is achievable through species specific management strategies, coupling species specific licensing, and controlling harvest of juvenile individuals, overall fishing effort and fish catch on Lake Albert and protecting the vulnerable fish habitats.

A description of certain indigenous fishing methods from Southern Dahomey

A survey of certain Dahomean fishing methods showed them to be specifically adapted to the exploitation of floodplains and shallow water lagoons. Several types of fish-parks are described, ranging from small installations thaI funclion as refuge traps, to larger constructions that act as a form of fish culture. Ponds are also dug in the floodplains in order to conserve fish isolated during the dry season. These methods all give high yields and are worthy of consideration for use elsewhere on the African continent.

Chemical, bacteriological and sensory examination of split, dried, smoked bream on the market in Zambia

A critical examination of the market quality of split, dried and smoked bream (Tilapia spp.) was chemically, bacteriologically and organoleptically conducted for the period of August 1968 to January 1969. The aim of this survey was to obtain basic information for the development of national quality standards for the commodity. Relationships of cooked meat score to pH, fish size, appearance and smell score, and water content wcre significantly correlated and responsive. Therefore, these parameters were proposed to be used as indices for the quality standards of the products.

A preliminary report on the use of methallibure in tilapia culture

The aim of this research was to retard the onset of maturation and breeding using Methallibure (I.e.I. 33,828), thereby allowing more time for somatic growth. The process of development of the gonads was studied, laboratory experiments were performed upon a breeding stock of Tilapia in an attempt to postpone spawning, and the results of these investigations were tested, on fish in ponds at the Fish Culture Research Station in Israel.