A study of the constraints affecting ornamental fish production in Sri Lanka

Although Sri Lanka is endowed with favourable climatic conditions and resources for breeding and rearing ornamental fish for export, a considerable number of ornamental fish producers as well as exporters have given up the industry within a relatively short period of time. This study was conducted to understand the present status of the industry and to identify the problems that have caused these failures. The study was conducted from March to December in the year 2007 and covered Colombo, Kaluthara, Polonnaruwa, Negombo, Wattala, Rathnapura, Avissawella, Kandy, Kegalle, Padukka, and Gampaha areas, where ornamental fish culture is known to be popular. The survey was carried out by interviewing ornamental fish farmers using a structured questionnaire survey that was designed to elicit the required information. Most (75%) of those surveyed were identified as small scale farmers. A majority (56%) of them used only cement tanks for their culture activities. Only 47% of farmers had proper technical knowledge or training on fish culture while 42% directly supplied their fish products to the expo1iers. The most important constraints identified by the study were as follows: (1) the sale price offish not changing in keeping with the increase in the material costs of production - Feed, cement, sand, transport and labour - in recent years. (2) Difficulty to find export markets for newcomers to enter the export market. (3) Lack of quality brooders and information on the most suitable fish varieties for the different climatic and water conditions in different areas in the country (3) Feed availability and cost. (4) Lack of adequate knowledge and technical support with regard to disease control and water quality management. (5) Difficulty to survive in the off season. (6) Difficulty in obtaining credit for expansion and the lack of sufficient involvement of responsible authorities in overcoming all these identified constraints.

The effect of vitamins C and E on some of growth factors of cultured Acipenser ruthenus

The effect of vitamins C and E on some of growth factors of cultured Acipenser ruthenus was studied in this thesis. For this purpose diets supplemented with a combination of 100 and 400 mg/kg vitamin C, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate and 100 and 400 mg/kg vitamin E, D-alpha-tocopherol,were each fed to sterlet in 2 replications for 15 weeks. Fifteen fish with average weight of 350.92±14.28 gr were distributed to each of 18 tanks after adaptation with experimental diet. After 5 weeks, there were significant differences in RBC, ESR, HCT and differential counting of white blood cells among the treatments (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the amount of WBC among the treatments (P>0.05). After 10 weeks, there were significant differences in the amounts of Monocytes, Lymphocytes and Eosinophils (P<0.05), but there was no significant differences in the amount of other hematologic factors (P>0.05). At the end of the experiment (15th week) only WBC, RBC, Monocyte, lymphocyte and neutrophil showed significant differences between the treatments (P<0.05) and other hematologic factors did not show any significant differences between the treatments (P>0.05). The results of biochemical indices analysis showed significant differences (P<0.05) among treatments for all of the parameters for 5th weeks, total protein and glucose for 10th week and only cholesterol for 15th week. The carcass analysis at the end of experiment showed that only the amount of carbohydrate, protein and ash were significantly difference between the treatments (P<0.05). The results of growth parameters at the end of 3th, 9th, 12th and 15th week showed significant differences between the treatments (P<0.05), but at the end of 6th week only GR was significantly different between the treatments (P<0.05). After concerning acute stress test including reduce water volume, cutting the aeration for 30 minutes at the end of experiment, cortisol and glucose significantly increased (P<0.05) compared with prestress period, but the lowest response to the stressor was observed in fish fed by E400 C 400 mg/kg. On the other hand the survival was 100% during the experiment and no mortality was occurred during this period. Results of this study indicate that Vitamins C and E can have remarkable effects on hematological, biochemical and growth indices in different growth periods. So regarding the effects of vitamin C and E on some growth indices, it seems that the diet containing E400 C 100 mg/kg can be considered as the optimum diet in the rearing condition for this weigth range of fish.

Effect of butachlor on spermatogenesis, testosterone amount and testes tissue Rutilus frisii kutum Kamenskii 1901

Morphological assessment of sexually mature Rutilus frisii kutum Kamenskii 1901 caught from the rivers (Shirud, Khoshkrud, Sepidrud and Chelavand Rivers) flowing in the southwest Caspian Sea region was conducted and sperm volume, total sperm count and sperm concentration of abnormal sperms were determined after exposing the spawners to 60% herbicide butachlor (machete). Spawners under study were maintained in tanks (1000 l) at the Shahid Ansari Teleost Fish Hatchery and exposed to two different concentrations (25% and 75% of its LC50 value) of butachlor. Results obtained indicate that exposure to high butachlor toxicity (75% of its LC50 value) decreased sperm volume to 0.61 ± 0.42 cc in 2-3 year old fishes and to 0.55 ± 0.42 cc in fishes above 3 years of age, while that in fish exposed to low butachlor toxicity (25% of its LC50 value) decreased to 1.55 ± 0.42 cc in 2-3 year old fishes and to 1.28 ± 0.42 cc in fishes above 3 years of age. The sperm volume under normal conditions in R. frisii kutum is 4.6 ± 0.42 cc in 2-3 year olds and 4.58 ± 0.42 cc in fishes above 3 years of age. The total sperm count in R. frisii kutum is 39.74 ± 2.5 billion spermatozoa/cc in 2-3 year olds and 42.99 ± 2.5 billion spermatozoa/cc in fishes above 3 years of age. When exposed to high butachlor toxicity, total sperm count dropped to 16.92 ± 2.5 billion spermatozoa/cc in 2-3 year olds and to 15.98 ± 2.5 billion spermatozoa/cc in fishes above 3 years of age. Similarly total sperm count in R. frisii kutum exposed to low butachlor toxicity was recorded as 23.6 ± 2.5 billion spermatozoa/cc in 2-3 year olds and 29.4 ± 2.5 billion spermatozoa/cc in fishes above 3 years of age. Under normal conditions, on the basis of morphology, spermatozoa showed only 10 ± 1.92% of abnormal sperms. The number of abnormal sperms increased by 28.6 ± 1.92% in fishes exposed to high butachlor toxicity, while that in fishes exposed to low butachlor toxicity increased by 19.7 ± 1.92% in 2-3 year olds and 16.6 ± 19.2% in fishes above 3 years of age. It is evident from the results obtained that increase in level of pollution caused a decrease in sperm volume but an increase in the percentage of abnormal sperms. Results obtained indicate that exposure to high butachlor toxicity (75% of its LC50 value) decreased testostron hormone to 0.31 ± 0.22 ng/ml in high butachlor toxicity, and to 0.45 ± 0.22 ng/ml in low butachlor toxicity (25% of its LC50 value). Testostron hormone dropped to 0.53 ± 0.22 ng/ml in 2-3 year olds and to 0.79 ± 0.22ng/ in fishes above 3 years of age. The testostron hormone under normal conditions in R. frisii kutum is 2.7 ± 0.22 ng/ml. It is evident from the results obtained that increase in level of pollution caused a decrease in testostron hormone

The study of different protein in diet and water salinity on growth and survival rate in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

In this research reared white western shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei ,Boone, 1931) with five diet with five different protein level contain 20%, 25%, 30%, 35% and 40% and three salinity level contain 15-17 ppt, 27-30 ppt,and 40-45 ppt researched protein percent effect and water salinity on growth, survival, feed conversion ratio, hemolymph osmolatity, hemolymph protein and corpse protein contain. In this research was 15 sorrow with 3 repeat and used from 45 tanks with 300 liters capacity. Shrimps first weight average was about 2 grams and after 60 days culture cropped down results: Shrimps biomass growth in 15-17 ppt salinity was higher than anther salinities who had meaning different with growth in 40-45 ppt salinity ( p< 0.05). But hadn’t meaning different with growth 27-30 ppt salinity. survival rate in 15-17 ppt salinity was 97.03 who was lower than another salinities. survival percent in 24-30 ppt salinity and 40-45 ppt salinity was 99.33% Highest biomass growth in different diets was in diet number 5 with 40 percent protein that it had meaning different with another diets (p<0.05) . although with informed to product expense in different diets. One kilogram shrimp product expense in different diets hadn’t meaning different (P<0.05) Survival rate in different diets hadn’t meaning different lowest feed conversion ratio was 1.67 in 15-14 salinity that hadn’t meaning different with another salinities also corpse protein quantity in different salinities and different diets hadn’t meaning different. Hemolymph Osmolality in 15-17 ppt salinity was 573.88 mOsm/kg had meaning different with hemolymph osmolality in 27-30 ppt salinity that was 650. 380 mOsm/kg and in 40-45 ppt salinity was 630.38 mOsm/kg. Hemolymph protein in 15-17 ppt salinity was 124.72 mg/ml had meaning different with hemlymph protein in 27-30 ppt salinity that was 136.52 mg/ml but hadn’t meaning different with hemolymph protein in 40-45 ppt salinity that was 128.84 mg/ml. Hemolymph protein in different diets hadn’t meaning different (p<0.05). Keywords: shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, protein , salinity, growth, survival rate, FCR, hemolymph osmolality, hemolymph protein.

Evaluate the efficiency of hydrogen peroxide and levaemisole hydrochloride in the treatment of Persian sturgeon, Chinese carp eggs and juveniles

During a two years research hydrogen peroxide efficacy evaluated for Persian sturgeon, Chinese carps and common carp eggs. These series of the experiments conducted in various conditions different concentration of hydrogen peroxide include 250, 500, 750, 1,000 1,500 2,000 3,000 and 9,000 PPM used as ten and fifteen minutes baths, compared with Malachite green and natural control . In the next phase effect of Levaemisole hydrochloride as an immunostimulator which applied as 5 mg/I in twenty minutes baths from day sixth after hatch evaluated by daily mortality rate and leukocytes counts. The results shown that according fertilization percent and temperature condition hydrogen peroxide at 1,000 and 1,500 PPM concentrations is a effective antifungal agent during incubation periods of Persian sturgeon and even sometimes increasing hatching rates significantly comparing with natural controls and Malachite green. In Chinese carps although hydrogen peroxide controls water molds but it is not recommended in high temperatures because it make shortened incubation time and mold infections will decrease. Also the results shown 750 PPM concentration of hydrogen peroxide in common carp eggs controls water moulds infections and increase hatching rate significantly comparing with Malachite green and natural control. Daily mortality rates accessing of Persian sturgeon fries show that 20 minutes baths of 5mg/1 levamisole hydrochloride decreases daily mortality rate during yolk sac absorption. Nitrogenous compounds: nitrate and ammonium differ significantly between treated tanks with control. Blood leucocytes concentrations as an immune index was different significantly in treated fishes by levamisole hydrochloride comparing with controls. In Chinese carps because yolks sac absorption time is short there is not necessary to use the levamisole hydrochloride. Although treated larvae were more active than controls. As a result our suggestions is to use hydrogen peroxide in Persian sturgeon and common carp artificial propagation and also suggest the use levamisole hydrochloride for Persian sturgeon beside management method in stress and pollution condition

The study and production of fish sauce from Caspian Sea lam fish with traditional fermentation method and microbe and enzyme adding method and identification of important bacteria

Fish sauce is a popular fermented product used in south Asian countries which is made from different small fishes in this research work it was attempted to produce fish sauce from kilka of the Caspian sea, the fish sauce was made from three models of kilka ,such as whole kilka , cooked whole kilka and dressed kilka , each of these models treated it four different fashions of fermentation such as:1- Traditional method, 2- Enzymatic method 3- Microbial method, 4- Mixture of enzyme and microb The results of this investigation showed that time of fermentation for the traditional method was six month, enzymatic method one month, microbial method 3 month and the mixture of enzyme and microb 1 month. The rate of fermentation was least for dressed Kilka, microbial and biochemical changes of Kilka fish sauce were evaluated, total bacterial count was 2.1-6.15 log cfu/ml total volatile nitrogen (TVN) in samples recorded was 250 mg /100g, the amount of protein varied between 10-13 percent, the name of commercial enzymes added was Protamex and Flavourzyme, the bacteria added was L act ob acillus and Pediococous, fish sauce containers fish and 20% salt, temperature of keeping for fermentation was 37 degree c for 6 month.

Interactions of dietary levels of protein and energy on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in desert brackish water

A 3x3 factorial experiment was conducted to determine the optimum protein to energy (P/E) ratio for rainbow trout in brackish water. Three crud protein levels and three energy levels at each protein level were utilized. Diets were made in semi-purified that in all of them fish meal, casein and gelatin as the sources of protein and dextrin, starch and oil as the sources of energy were used. Each of experimental diets was fed to triplicate groups of 20 fish with an average individual weight of 81.5 g in 9 2000-1 flow trough fiberglass tanks. During this experiment water temperature, dissolved oxygen, PH and EC were 15±2°C, 6.5-8.1 mg/1, 7.7-8.6 and 25400 grills respectively. The diets were fed at a rate between 1.6-2 wet body weight% per day depended to water temperature in three equal rations and adjusted two weekly for 84 days. At each of protein levels, weight gain percent (%WG), average daily growth percent (%ADG), protein efficiency ratio (PER), apparent net protein utilization percent (%ANPU), or percent of protein deposited, specific growth rate (SGR) and condition factor (CF) were found to increase and food conversion ratio (FCR) was found to decrease with an increasing energy levels from 370 to 430 Kcal/100g. Fish fed a 35% protein, 430 Kcal/100g energy diet with a P/E ratio of 81.4 mg protein/ Kcal PFV energy, attained the best growth performance. Fat and moisture of carcass were affected by protein and energy levels of test diets while protein and ash of carcass were relatively constant in different treatments.

Investigation on biodiversity and population structure of Penaeus sernisulcatus [sic] in northern waters of Persian Gulf

Green tiger prawn, Penaeus sentisulcatus is one of the commercial species of Persian Gulf, which is distributed from north to Strait of I Iormoze. Concerning its role in fisheries economic, various research projects on stock assessment, biology and aquaculture has been conducted. This research is targeted the identification of various populations of green tiger prawn in northern waters of Persian Gulf. The area has been divided to five regions from north to south named; Bahrakan, Boushehr, Tangestan, Motaaf and Strait of Hormoz. In each region, numbers of sampling stations trawled, and live shrimp species carried in containers equipped with air pump, to coastal laboratories in Boushehr and Bandar Abbass Fisheries Research Centers. Biometeric, morphometeric and merestic measures for 45 factars done, and peices of muscles, eye and ovary tissues dissected, and stored in liquid nitrogen. Protein extraction, and polyacrylamid gel electrophoresis by SDS-PAGE technique for tissues samples conducted. Data of 45 morphometeric and merestic characteristics analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA), and clustering analysis methods. The results of analysis showed that, the populations of Bahrakan and Mota.af regions are differentiated, while population of Boushehr and Tangestan regions were mixed, and named as a single population. The analysis of electrophoretic data also confirmed this result, and showed a distinct population in Strait of Hormoz. Therefore, this research illustrated four distinct populations for P. semisulcatus in northern area of Persian Gulf, named Bahrakan (north of Boushehr), Boushehr and Tangesta.n (adjacent), Motaaf and it's south, and Strait of Hormoz. Study of morphometeric characteristics of carapace factors, genital organs, antenna and life cycle of samples of different regions resulting identification of a subspecies, which is named Penaeus seinisuleatus persicus.

Notes on the larval rearing scheme at SEAFDEC/AQD

For tiger shrimp, milkfish, and sea bass, larval rearing starts with the hatching of artificially spawned eggs. The eggs are stocked in larval rearing tanks, hatched, and metamorphosed larvae are fed and reared with good water management. Fry are harvested after about 30 days.

Updates in the Philippines: Where are the captive milkfish breeders?

A map is provided showing the location of milkfish rearing facilities in the Philippines. Most of the 17,443 milkfish broodstocks are located in central Philippines. A table shows details as to the rearing facility (cage, pen, pond, tank), number of broodstocks, and age. There are 13,420 broodstocks in ponds; 2,081 in cages; 842 in tanks, and 1,100 in pens. The youngest is 3 years, the oldest 23 years old.

Aquaculture potential of ornamental fishes of Uganda

Preliminary studies undertaken to investigate the availability of ornamental fish species in Uganda’s natural water systems, revealed significant abundance of coloured fishes in Uganda’s water systems including the Kyoga and Victoria Lake system. These species are able to breed in captivity and to feed on artificial diets in ponds and glass tanks. The species are attractive and are highly marketable. These observations indicate the potential to culture ornamental fishes as away of diversifying the range of aquaculture species, a means to generate income and to improve livelihoods in Uganda.