Modification of the biological intercept model to account for ontogenetic effects in laboratory-reared delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus)*

We investigated age, growth, and ontogenetic effects on the proportionality of otolith size to fish size in laboratory-reared delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus) from the San Francisco Bay estuary. Delta smelt larvae were reared from hatching in laboratory mesocosms for 100 days. Otolith increments from known-age fish were enumerated to validate that growth increments were deposited daily and to validate the age of fish at first ring formation. Delta smelt were found to lay down daily ring increments; however, the first increment did not form until six days after hatching. The relationship between otolith size and fish size was not biased by age or growth-rate effects but did exhibit an interruption in linear growth owing to an ontogenetic shift at the postflexon stage. To back-calculate the size-at-age of individual fish, we modified the biological intercept (BI) model to account for ontogenetic changes in the otolith-size−fish-size relationship and compared the results to the time-varying growth model, as well as the modified Fry model. We found the modified BI model estimated more accurately the size-at-age from hatching to 100 days after hatching. Before back-calculating size-at-age with existing models, we recommend a critical evaluation of the effects that age, growth, and ontogeny can have on the otolith-size−fish-size relations

Effect of dietary supplementation of tocoferol acetate alone and with varying combinations on growth, survival and fatty acids profile of Macrobrachium rosenbergii larvae through Moina micrura enrichment

A study was carried out to determine the effect of tocopherol acetate along with cod liver oil astaxanthin enriched Moina micrura (MC- control, Ml- tocopherol acetate enriched, M2-tocopherol acetate combined with cod liver oil (CLO) enriched and M3- tocopherol acetate combined with astaxanthin enriched) on growth, survival and fatty acid composition of M. rosenbergii (de Man) larvae (TC- unenriched Moina fed larvae, Tl- tocopherol acetate enriched Moina fed larvae, T2- tocopherol acetate + CLO enriched Moina fed larvae to T3 – tocopherol acetate+ astaxanthin enriched Moina fed larvae). Growth was expressed as the time taken in to the settlement of 95% post larvae. Maximum growth i.e., the lowest time taken to the 95% PL settlement (40 days) and the maximum survival percentage (61%) was observed in both T2 and T3 treatments fed with M2 and M3 Moina respectively. Minimum growth and survival was observed in unenriched Moina fed larvae (TC). In larval treatments T2, (larvae fed with (M2) vitamin E + CLO enriched Moina), showed a higher percentage of EPA, DHA and higher HUFA level than other treatments.

Gel time studies in activation of polyester resins

Gelling times of polyester resins with varying quantities of catalyst and accelerator were studied and the results reported in this communication.

Formulation, processing and water stability of pelleted feeds with varying levels of protein used in carp nutrition studies

Four dry pelleted feeds containing 20%, 30%, 40% and 45% protein were formulated incorporating casein as the main source of protein for use in carp nutrition studies. The caloric content in all the feeds was maintained constant. The method of processing is described. The formulated diets were tested for water stability. This test has revealed that the diet containing 20%, 30% and 40% protein had better stability than that containing 45% protein. This was due to the relatively higher fat content in the former three diets. However, all the feeds were sufficiently stable at the end of one hour in which time carps are known to utilise supplementary diets.