Estimating the Energy Density of Fish: The Importance of Ontogeny

Ontogenetic patterns in the percent dry weight (%DW) and energy density (joules per gram of wet weight) were studied in the early life stages of the subtropical estuarine and marine gray snapper Lutjanus griseus and the warmtemperate estuarine and marine spotted seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus. The %DW was variable for individuals of both species but increased significantly through larval to juvenile stages (<20% for fish ,50 mm standard length to 20–30% for fish >50 mm). The lipid percentage, which was determined only for gray snapper, was also variable between individuals but showed significant increase with body size. Strong relationships between percent dry weight and energy density were evident for both species; however, the slopes of regressions were significantly lower than in general multispecies models, demonstrating the need for species- and stagespecific energy density data in bioenergetics models.

Effects of starvation on energy density of juvenile chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) captured in marine waters of Southeastern Alaska

We conducted laboratory starvation experiments on juvenile chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) captured in the neritic marine waters of northern Southeast Alaska in June and July 2003. Temporal changes in fish energy density (whole body energy content [WBEC], cal/g dry weight), percent moisture content, wet weight (g), length (mm), and size-related condition residuals were measured in the laboratory and were then compared to long-term field data. Laboratory water temperatures and salinities averaged 9°C and 32 psu in both months. Trends in response variables were similar for both experimental groups, although sampling intervals were limited in July because fewer fish were available (n= 54) than in June (n=101). Overall, for June (45-d experimental period, 9 intervals), WBEC, wet weight, and condition residuals decreased and percent moisture content increased, whereas fork length did not change. For July (20-d experimental period, 5 intervals), WBEC and condition residuals decreased, percent moisture content and fork length increased, and wet weight did not change. WBEC, percent moisture content, and condition residuals fell outside the norm of longterm data ranges within 10–15 days of starvation, and may be more useful than fork length and wet weight for detecting fish condition responses to suboptimal environments.

Effects of El Niño events on energy demand and egg production of rockfish (Scorpaenidae: Sebastes): a bioenergetics approach

Fish bioenergetics models estimate relationships between energy budgets and environmental and physiological variables. This study presents a generic rockfish (Sebastes) bioenergetics model and estimates energy consumption by northern California blue rockf ish (S. mystinus) under average (baseline) and El Niño conditions. Compared to males, female S. mystinus required more energy because they were larger and had greater reproductive costs. When El Niño conditions (warmer temperatures; lower growth, condition, and fecundity) were experienced every 3−7 years, energy consumption decreased on an individual and a per-recruit basis in relation to baseline conditions, but the decrease was minor (<4% at the individual scale, <7% at the per-recruit scale) compared to decreases in female egg production (12−19% at the individual scale, 15−23% at the per-recruit scale). When mortality in per-recruit models was increased by adding fishing, energy consumption in El Niño models grew more similar to that seen in the baseline model. However, egg production decreased significantly — an effect exacerbated by the frequency of El Niño events. Sensitivity analyses showed that energy consumption estimates were most sensitive to respiration parameters, energy density, and female fecundity, and that estimated consumption increased as parameter uncertainty increased. This model provides a means of understanding rockfish trophic ecology in the context of community structure and environmental change by synthesizing metabolic, demographic, and environmental information. Future research should focus on acquiring such information so that models like the bioenergetics model can be used to estimate the effect of climate change, community shifts, and different harvesting strategies on rockfish energy demands.

Prey consumption of Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) off Alaska: How much prey do they require?

The effects of seasonal and regional differences in diet composition on the food requirements of Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) were estimated by using a bioenergetic model. The model considered differences in the energy density of the prey, and differences in digestive efficiency and the heat increment of feeding of different diets. The model predicted that Steller sea lions in southeast Alaska required 45–60% more food per day in early spring (March) than after the breeding season in late summer (August) because of seasonal changes in the energy density of the diets (along with seasonal changes in energy requirements). The southeast Alaska population, at 23,000 (±1660 SD) animals (all ages), consumed an estimated 140,000 (±27,800) t of prey in 1998. In contrast, we estimated that the 51,000 (±3680) animals making up the western Alaska population in the Gulf of Alaska and Aleutian Islands consumed just over twice this amount (303,000 [±57,500] t). In terms of biomass removed in 1998 from Alaskan waters, we estimated that Steller sea lions accounted for about 5% of the natural mortality of gadids (pollock and cod) and up to 75% of the natural mortality of hexagrammids (adult Atka mackerel). These two groups of species were consumed in higher amounts than any other. The predicted average daily food requirement per individual ranged from 16 (±2.8) to 20 (±3.6) kg (all ages combined). Per capita food requirements differed by as much as 24% between regions of Alaska depending on the relative amounts of low–energy-density prey (e.g. gadids) versus high–energy-density prey (e.g. forage fish and salmon) consumed. Estimated requirements were highest in regions where Steller sea lions consumed higher proportions of low–energy-density prey and experienced the highest rates of population decline

Growth performances of three microalgal species in filtered brackishwater with different inorganic media

The growth of three microalgae species, viz., Nannochloropsis oculata, Tetraselmis chui and Chaetoceros muelleri which are commonly used in aquaculture, was investigated using three different inorganic nutrient media: (i) Modified Guillard's f/2 medium (ii) Rix Mix medium and (iii) BFRI medium. Each microalgae species was cultured for 24 days in small- scale with initial inoculation density of 17xl04 cell /ml in the three media with triplicates. N. oculata cultured in modified Guillard's f/2 medium showed superior growth with a mean peak density of 221 ±4.24 x 104 cell/ ml, to Rix Mix medium (141 ± 10.54xl04 cell/ml) and BFRI medium (47±4.94 x 104 cell/ml) on the 16th day of culture at stationary phase. Considering the increase in cell density for 20 days of culture in Rix Mix medium, C. muelleriwas significantly (P<0.05) highest than in other two media. N. oculata cultured in BFRI medium resulted in the poorest growth with a mean peak increase in density of 84±9.19 x 104 cell/ml in 12 days of culture. However, with an increase in cell density, growth of T. chui (182 ± 6.26 x 104 cell/ml) was significantly (P<0.05) higher in BFRI medium than in modified Guillard's f/2 medium. The results of the present study suggest that N. oculata and C. muelleri can be grown very well in both the modified Guillard's f/2 medium and Rix Mix medium. Better growth of T. chui can be obtained while culturing either in BFRI and Rix Mix medium. These three nutrient media used in the present study may be useful for microalgae species culture for establishing green-water culture for suitable target zooplankton, and fish and crustacean larvae in marine and brackishwater hatcheries.

Interaction between wind waves and swell in the Persian Gulf

The effect of swell on wind wave growth has been a topic of active research for many years with inconsistent results. The details are often contradictory among investigations. Further more, there remain a variety of competing theories to explain these phenomena. In this research, we consider waves and wind and temperature data in the Persian Gulf (Busher region) in years 1995, 1996 and 1999. This study provides estimations of wave conditions and the atmosphere stability that has an influence on wind wave. Results are also compared with data that have been recorded by a buoy in Caspian Sea (Neka region) during 1989. In the second part of this work we estimate non- dimensional energy and non-dimensional peak frequencies as a function of the non- dimensional fetch and Bulk Richardson numbers for the Persian Gulf (Busher region).This results also agree well with similar results for the Caspian Sea. The acquired relations can be used to compute the wind wave parameters. Also the results for the Persian Gulf show that the relationship of non-dimensional energy to as a function of wave age is independent of presence of swell. Finally the WAM model was run for the Persian Gulf during 3-8 September of 2002. The results show that swell on the Persian Gulf reduces the energy density of wind waves by up to 10%, but the growth rate at peak frequency is only reduced by up to 4%, and the spectral peak frequency is increased by only 1%.

Mass Energy and Flow in closed ecosystems

The general equations of biomass and energy transfer for an n-species, closed ecosystem are written. It is demonstrated how in "ecological time" the parameters describing the dynamics of biomass transfer are related to the parameters of energy transfer, such as respiration, fixation, and energy content. This relationship is determinate for the straight-chain ecosystem, and a simple example is worked out. The results show how the density dependent terms in population dynamics arise naturally, and how the stable system exhibits a hierarchy in energy per unit biomass. A procedure is proposed for extending the theory to include webbed systems, and the particular difficulties involved in the extension are brought before the scientific community for discussion.

Impact of stocking density on growth and survival rate of mud crab (Scylla serrata Froskal)

A 10-weeks culture trial of mud crab, Scylla serrata in brackish water earthen pond was conducted in different stocking densities. The aim of the experiment was to identify a suitable stocking density for optimum production. There were three treatment as 5000 crab lings/ha, 10000 crab lings/ha and 15000 crab lings/ha of each with three replications. The initial mean weight of crab lings were same (5.5 ± 0.13 g). The experimental month was June '95 to August '95. The size of each pond was 500 m². To maintain good water quality water was exchanged in every spring tide. The salinity during the experiment were 2-18ppt. Prepared feed of about 32% protein consisting fish meal, MOC rice bran and wheat flour was used at 5% of their body weight. In terms of production, survival rate, growth and carapace width, the stocking density having 10000/ha showed the best (P

Effect of stocking density on growth of tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon Fab.) fed on commercial formulated diets

Three different stocking rates in a semi-intensive pilot shrimp project was adopted in duplicates of three treatments designated as T1, T2 and T3 having initial per meter square stocking density of shrimp of 40, 44 and 51 respectively of 0.025g size post larva. The study was conducted for 84 days. Commercial pelleted diets designated as starter - 1, 2, 3 and grower were fed at a satiation level during the study period with a feeding frequency of 4 to 5 times per day. Feed rationing was based on the survivability, body weight and tray checking. 5-25% of the pond water was exchanged daily. Sampling was done for growth after every 2nd week. Monthly sampling was done for mortality in the ponds. Mean weight gain of the shrimp in treatments T1, T2 and T3 were 16.96 ± 1.14, 16.04 ± 1.38 and 14.08 ± 1.17g respectively and T1 with a low stocking density showed a significantly best growth among the treatments. Total mortality in treatments T1, T2 and T3 were as 30.00, 39.77 and 31.37% respectively. Significantly higher feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 1.87 was obtained with shrimp in treatment T3 followed by shrimp in T1 and T2 with FCR values of 1.70 and 1.41 respectively. A positive correlation of growth and salinity was observed during the study. Total production per unit area was the highest in the treatment T3 (4928 kg/ha) and followed by T1 (4747 kg/ha) and T2 (4251 kg/ha). The result show significantly negative correlation between individual growth and density.

Studies on the optimum protein to energy ratio of African catfish (Clarias batrachus Burchell)

A laboratory trial was conducted to determine the optimum dietary protein to energy (P/E) ratio of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus. The experiment was carried out in a flow-through system for 6 weeks. There were 12 treatments each with two replicates having 10 fish each with a mean initial weight of 1.80 ± 0.02g. Twelve semi-purified diets were formulated with four digestible crude protein levels (23, 26.5, 30 and 33.5%) and three digestible energy levels (2.25, 2.75 and 3.25 Kcal/g). The fish were fed three times daily at satiation level. The results of the study showed that, diet containing 33.5% digestible protein and 2.75 kcal/g digestible energy with a protein to energy ratio of 121 .8 (mg protein/kcal) appeared to be best utilized for growth.

Influence of stocking density on the culture potential of freshwater catfish Pangasius pangasius in pond

Influence of stocking density on the production of freshwater catfish Pangasius pangasius with formulated feed in ponds was studied. The fish fry were collected from the Meghna river near Chandpur which is a natural breeding ground of this fish. Three stocking densities chosen during this experiment were 5000, 8000 and 11000 fry/ha with an initial weight of 42.57 ±2.51 g. The formulated feed was prepared in the laboratory which contained 45% fish meal, 30% mustard oil cake, 15% wheat bran and 10% rice bran to supply 40.48% protein in feed. The growth of P. pangasius in terms of net weight gain was 409.49, 266.49 and 236.37 g at the 5000/ha, 8000/ha and 11000/ha stocking densities respectively, which was statistically significant (p<0.05). High food conversion ratio (FCR) was also observed during this research study which ranged between 7.06 to 7.72. A production of 2.6 tons/ha at the stocking density of 11000/ha; 2.13 tons/ha at the stocking density of 8000/ha and 2.04 tons/ha at the stocking density of 5000/ha was obtained, while the growth of individual fish at the end of experiment was in opposite order. The result of this experiment indicates that stocking density has significant influence on the culture potential of freshwater catfish P.pangasius.

Some behaviours of strongest short-term coastal change induced by cross-shore wave energy flow and corresponding theoretical consideration

There is a number of famous theoretical and experimental works that oriented themselves to solve actual problem of coastal change, including the change of coastline, under versatile influence of oceanic wind waves. In this paper the author would like to give supplementally a few new behaviours of that phenomena observed along the coasts of Vietnam, such as coastal collapse & primitive on-the-spot accumulation, material hurl, etc. Most simple theoretical explanation of them grounding on the Newton's second law has been presented and as results of that there appeared such notion as indicator and criterion which could be used for demarcation of different behaviours in initial stage of general coastal changing processes.

Study of density, distribution and yield on benthic fauna and brown trout (Salmo trutta fario) feeding in Laar reservoirs

Lar lake, with the international UTM specification of 39S 579680 3976567 & 39S 589930 3976184 is Situated in Lar national Park with an aerial distance of 55 Km of Tehran along Haraz road. The present research is carried out as part of a comprehensives Plan for assessment of bioresearches of Lar lake & the rivers flowing into it. This research includes examination of there benthic Samplings performed in Lar lake and each of the related rivers including Delichaee, Ab-e-sefid , Alarm & Lar (Kamardasht).Tubifex and Chironomus genus were found to have the highest frequencies of occurrence in the lake with %77.117 & %21.823 respectively followed by Chironomidae and Simulidae from the Diptera order which accounted for %72.328 and %13.812 occurrences in four rivers examined in the Study. The benthic biomass at various examined Sites and the average wet weight of the benthic biomass in station No one in the lake Was 17.397g and the figure for the examined site in Alarm was 20.242 g which were the highest level among Other examination stations the index for the abundance of species in Alarm river was greater than the rest of the examined rivers with 12.57. A sum of 354 Pieces of brown trouts was caught in the course of sampling which were closely investigated in terms of their digestive tract Content. It was identified that Daphniidae and Chironomus constituted the bulk of eaten items from the lake with %17.985 and %63.973 respectively. Meanwhile, Chironomidae and Simuladae were the most frequently eanten benthos by the fish with %81.47 and %7.93 respectively.The index for the relative length of gut was recorded at 0.49± 0.08 which is well indicative of the carnivorous diet of the fish.The index for the feeding intensity amounted to 138  83 showing that the one year old fish were of more feeding intensity.The coefficient of condition (K) was estimated at 1.02  0.142 for all the caught fish. The average wet weight of the benthos was 10.348 g per square meter which if extended to 700ha surface area of the lake, the total macrobenthic production in the lake would amount to 72730Kg of wet weight or 6510 Kg of dry weight. Since the Secondary Production of macrobenthos have always been double that of their biomass, it is reasonable to assume that the Secondary Production of macrobenthos amount to 145640 Kg by their wet weight and Since the energy transfer in the food chain of the lake from benthos to fish is 10 percent, the fish production Capacity Coming from benthic resources of the lake (Lar) would be 14.5 MT, half of which (7000-8000MT) could annually be harvested. Further more, the actual fish Production Capacity might exceed the projected level Since Daphnia, Rotifers and Ostracoda which belong to Zooplanktons, play a part in the natural diet of trout. Meanwhile, rivers Play a major role in fish nutrition and the annual fish production in Delichaee river is about 4481.8Kg while the figures for Ab-e-sefid, Alerm and Lar rivers are 2370.7 4848.7 and 2586.2 Kg respectively, that further increase fish Production in the area and every year half of these resources can be exploitable from the river & the lake.Nevertheless, due to ecological & biological importance of rivers and the probability of environmental Pollution, devastation of natural fish habitats & their nursery grounds, Sport fishing is not recommended at all.

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.

Ecological limits of high-density milkfish farming

In the Philippines at present, milkfish farming in ponds includes a wide range of intensities, systems and practices. To make aquaculture possible, ecosystems are used as sources of energy and resources and as sinks for wastes. The growth of aquaculture is limited by the life-support functions of the ecosystem, and sustainability depends on matching the farming techniques with the processes and functions of the ecosystems, for example, by recycling some degraded resources. The fish farm has many interactions with the external environment. Serious environmental problems may be avoided if high-intensity farms are properly planned in the first place, at the farm level and at the level of the coastal zone where it can be integrated with other uses by other sectors. It is believed that the key to immediate success in the mass production of milkfish for local consumption and for export of value-added forms may be in semi-intensive farming at target yields of 3 tons per ha per year, double the current national average. Intensive milkfish farming will be limited by environmental, resource and market constraints. Integrated intensive farming systems are the appropriate long-term response to the triple needs of the next century: more food, more income, and more jobs for more people, all from less land, less resources, and less non-renewable energy.