Valores bioquímicos séricos de tilapia del Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) en cultivo intensivo

The aim of the study was to evaluate the serum biochemical parameters of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), Thai Chitralada lineage, raised under an intensive pisciculture system and captured by the cast net technique. Blood samples from 40 individuals were obtained by caudal venopuncture. Mean body weight was 453 ± 52 g. The serum biochemical parameters evaluated were total protein, albumin, globulins, acid uric, creatinine, urea, calcium, inorganic phosphorus, Ca/P ratio, alkaline phosphatase, and magnesium. In general, the data showed similar parameters in comparison to those established for scale fish, exception of the acid uric.

Qualidade microbiológica da água e histopatologia de brânquias de peixes provenientes de pisciculturas do município de itapecuru-mirim, Estado do Maranhão

The present study evaluated the microbiological water quality and tissue lesions in gills from Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and hybrid tambacu (Colossoma macropomum female x Piaractus mesopotamicus male). For this, water and gills were collected from fish farming at six locations in Itapecuru- Mirim County, Maranhão State. Microbiological water analyses revealed contamination by total coliforms, Escherichia coli and heterotrophic bacteria. In the gills, we observed a diversity of Gram-positive and Gramnegative bacteria. The tissue lesions were: lamellar fusion, interlamellar hyperplasia, sub-epithelial edema and telangiectasia. Inflammatory lesions were not observed. Significant statistical difference (p > 0.05) was not detected when comparing different gills lesions during rainy and dry season. The correlation between lesion and pond type was statistically different (p < 0.05) for lamellar fusion and interlamellar hyperplasia which occurred more frequently at ground ponds. Regarding the frequency of lesions in the different fish species, there was statistical difference (p < 0.05), and the tambacu was more sensitive to lamellar fusion while tilapia was more sensitive for the other lesions. In relation to the sampling stations, there was statistical difference for all the gill lesions. In conclusion, tissue lesions are nonspecific and function as a defense mechanism against polluted aquatic environments, without infectious character.

Reproduction, food dynamics and exploitation level of Oreochromis niloticus (Perciformes: Cichlidae) from artisanal fisheries in Barra Bonita Reservoir, Brazil

Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), which is exotic to South America, is the most common species caught in artisanal fisheries at the Barra Bonita Reservoir, Southeastern Brazil. This species is of great socioeconomic importance for the region and keeps active a population of about 500 fishers. In the present study we assess reproduction, food dynamics and level of exploitation of O. niloticus, caught by artisanal fisheries in the Barra Bonita Reservoir. Specimens were collected monthly, from July 2004-June 2005, and a total of 1 715 specimens were analyzed. Each specimen was examined to obtain biological and biometric data: standard length (cm), total weight (g), reproductive data (sex and stage of maturation), and stomach contents (empty, partly full, and full). We also estimated the sex ratio (by macroscopic observation of gonads), reproductive period (by ovarian development and seasonal average of gonadosomatic index in females), and feeding habits (by stomach contents). The possible relationship between abiotic factors and the reproductive period was statistically verified using Spearman's Rank Correlation. The FiSAT (ELEFAN I) package was used to assess growth parameters, mortality rates and to infer exploitation rate from standard length frequencies. The O. niloticus population had a sex ratio of 1.3:1 (M:F). Results indicated that ripe females were captured throughout the year, with a higher frequency during the winter-2004 (with a frequency of 59%, at a mean temperature of 20.5°C), and in spring-2004 (with a frequency of 60.5% at a mean temperature of 21.18°C). The GSI mean values obtained by season were: winter-2004: 1.71; spring-2004: 1.72; summer-2005: 0.80, and autumn-2005: 1.19. The Spearman correlation indicated positive values with respect to pH, dissolved oxygen, electric conductivity, transparency and chlorophyll a, and negative values with respect to temperature, accumulated rainfall and altimetric benchmark. The main food items were phytoplankton and periphytic algae, observed in 99.6% of the analyzed stomachs. The estimated growth and mortality parameters were: L∞=33.60cm, k=0.63/year, longevity= 4.76years, Z=2.81/ year, M=1.20/year and F=1.61/year. The weight-length relationship was Ln Wt=-2.8532+2.8835 Ln Lp. The estimated yield per recruit values were as follows: E=0.570, Emax=0.776, E0.1=0.604 and E0.5=0.349. These results indicate that a well established population of O. niloticus is present at Barra Bonita Reservoir; with an active reproduction throughout the year, more intense during winter and spring, and that O. niloticus is a phytoplanktophagus species. There were no indications that this species is being overfished, we therefore recommend that, due to its exotic condition, no restrictions need to be taken on its fishing activities.

Mudanças ontogenéticas na dieta de Oreochromis niloticus and Tilapia rendalli da represa de Barra Bonita (rio Tietê, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil)

The Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, and the Congo Tilapia, Tilapia rendalli, are important members of the African cichlids, and have been introduced to many Brazilian lakes and reservoirs. These species exhibit a large feeding flexibility and may modify their habits during their growth. In the Barra Bonita reservoir, these species are well adapted, representing more than 80% of fish. This study aimed to analyze ontogenetic variation with regard to the diet of these species in this important reservoir. Samples were taken monthly, from March 2007 to February 2008, in Anhembi, São Paulo State. Both species were analyzed by grouping individuals according to size classes. The coexistence of these species was observed in this environment, to which fish were introduced, as well as discreet differences in diet, being that Oreochromis niloticus was considered as an detritivorous, since the detritus was constant in the diet of almost all size classes, and presents some changes in its diet according to the different size classes. While T. rendalli may was defined as herbivorous, and the contribution of food resources to the diet of T. rendalli seems to be different from that of O. niloticus along the size classes.

First record of chilodonella hexasticha (ciliophora: Chilodonellidae) in brazilian cultured fish: A morphological and pathological assessment

Chilodonelids are small ciliated protozoans found worldwide and can be dangerous in culture conditions. This study presents morphometric data on the ciliate Chilodonella that is found in cultured Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), native bait fish tuvira (Gymnotus aff. inaequilabiatus) and native pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) and includes a histopathological assessment of the changes that occur in the pacu. For parasitic diagnosis, skin and gill samples were scraped onto slides, dried at room temperature, stained with Giemsa or impregnated with silver nitrate, and the measurements were obtained from photomicrographs. In the diseased pacu, the first gill arch was collected and fixed in a 10% buffered formalin solution for histopathological analysis. Parasite specimens from the different collection sites were identified morphologically as C. hexasticha Kiernik (1909). Diseased fish exhibited depigmentation, skin ulceration, scale loss, excessive mucus production and gill lesions. Histopathological analysis of pacu gills displayed epithelial proliferation with mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate, hemorrhages, and scattering necrosis. In Brazilian-farmed fish this is the first record of C. hexasticha, which has great pathogenic potential in cultured freshwater species. In addition, two new hosts are presented. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

Red Light Stimulates Feeding Motivation in Fish but Does Not Improve Growth

Nile tilapia fish were individually reared under similar light levels for 8 weeks under five colored light spectra (maximum wavelength absorbance): white (full light spectrum), blue (~452 nm), green (~516 nm), yellow (~520 nm) or red (~628 nm). The effects of light on feeding, latency to begin feeding, growth and feed conversion were measured during the last 4 weeks of the study (i.e., after acclimation). We found that red light stimulates feeding, as in humans, most likely by affecting central control centers, but the extra feeding is not converted into growth. © 2013 Volpato et al.

Changes during chilled storage of whole tilapia and short-term frozen storage of tilapia fillets

This study evaluated the physicochemical changes in Nile tilapia (n = 82, 373.71 ± 61.91 g) refrigerated for up to 92 h and in the frozen fillets. The tilapias were captured with nets, slaughtered by ice and water shock (1:1) in a temperature of approximately 2°C for 30 min, and stored refrigerated at 4°C in polystyrene boxes containing ice. The fish were filleted, and filets were weighed and frozen. The drip loss and protein were determined after 23 days of frozen storage. After 4 h of storage, all fish were in full rigor mortis. The pH of the muscles decreased for up to 45 h of the storage period. The fillets obtained from tilapia stored for more than 72 h lost more weight and protein. Thus, the filleting or processing of tilapia should be done before 72 h of cold storage, since deterioration of the fish starts to occur after this period. Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Quantificação de ácidos graxos de alevinos de tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) alimentados com diferentes fontes de óleos vegetais

The present work aimed to quantify the fatty acids in total lipids of Nile tilapia fingerlings (Oreochromis niloticus) fed with different sources of vegetable oils mechanically extracted. Were used 320 tilapias (O. niloticus) with average initial weight and average total initial length of 2.55±0.57 g and 5.59±0.43 cm, respectively, fed for a period of 60 days, in a randomized block design with eight treatments and four replications. The diets were prepared with 320 g/kg crude protein and 3.500 kcal of digestible energy per kg of feed enriched with eight different oils: sunflower, canola, sesame, linseed, peanut, Para's nut soy and macadamia, with an addition of 4%. Among the major fatty acids the oleic, palmitic, linolenic and linoleic were obtained in higher concentration (mg/g of LT) in fish from all treatments. The sums of polyunsaturated fatty acids after 60 days of cultivation had increased in all treatments compared to the 30 days of the experiment. This is due to the addition of oils with high contents of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids. The fatty acids in the carcass are a reflection of the energy source of oil used. As a conclusion it is recommended the use of linseed oil in the diet of tilapia fingerlings due to great improvement in the relationship between n-6/n-3.

Efeitos benéficos de probióticos no intestino de juvenis de tilápia-do-nilo

The aim of this study was to evaluate the survival rate, the intestinal microbiota, the mucosal integrity, and the carcass quality of juvenile Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, after 80 days being fed on a diet containing probiotic additive (Bacillus cereus 4.0×108 CFUg-1 and Bacillus subtilis 4.0×108 CFUg-1), at the ratio of 4g/kg of pelleted feed. The completely randomized design with two treatments was used: one control group and one group fed on the mentioned diet. The evaluation of survival rate, the intestinal microbiota analysis by microbiological culture, histomorphometrical analysis of intestinal mucosa and chemical analysis of carcass was performed. The results showed that tilapias from the treated group had higher relative survival rate (P<0.05) than the control group, higher number of colony-forming units (P<0.05) regarding intestinal colonization by B. cereus and B. subtilis, and higher rates of intestinal mucosal integrity (P<0.05), evaluated by histomorphometry. As for the latter, the group being fed on feed with probiotic additive was observed to have higher and larger villi, besides having a higher number of goblet cells than the control group. Concerning the carcass quality, the results showed that there was positive interference (P<0.05) of the probiotic on the treated group in comparison to the control group as in regard to levels of protein and ether extract. These results allow the inference that the supplementation with probiotic, as tested in this experiment, led to the intestinal colonization by beneficial bacteria and resulted in higher relative survival rate, decreased the mucosal desquamation and helped in the increase of the number of goblet cells.

Incorporação de probióticos na dieta para juvenis de tilápias-do-nilo: Parâmetros hematológicos, imunológicos e microbiológicos

Probiotics are generally considered as live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit to the host. The processing method of diet and the form of inclusion of probiotic can interfere in hematological, immunological and microbiological parameters in fish. The aim was to estimate the hematological, immunological and microbiological parameters in juveniles of Nile tilapia, fed probiotic, included before and after the process of pelletization and extrusion. The experimental design was completely randomized, with five treatments: pelleted diet without probiotic, pelleted diet with inclusion of probiotic before and after processing, extruded feed without probiotic and extruded feed with inclusion of probiotic after processing and five replications. Two hundred and fifty fish were distributed in 25 aquaria (20 L) and fed for 63 days. The blood composition (red and white) showed no significant differences except mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration of control when compared to other treatments. The phagocytic capacity of the animals that had received the extruded diet supplemented with probiotic was significantly higher when compared to the other treatments. However, there were no differences between the treatments regarding to the phagocytic index. Fish fed the extruded diet exhibited significant improvement in the nonspecific immunity. The probiotic bacteria colonized the intestine, since it was possible to recover them. We can affirm that these fishes remained healthy, because the hematological parameters were not altered during the experimental. The study shows that any form type of inclusion in the feed tested (before or after and after pelletizing extrusion) may be easily used by the fish farmer.

Desenvolvimento de produto tipo “snack” a base de carne mecanicamente separada de tilápia do Nilo

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Bacillus cereus e Bacillus subtilis na suplementação dietária de juvenis de Tilápias-do-Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) e seu efeito probiótico

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Inclusão do farelo de amendoim em dietas para juvenis de tilápia do Nilo

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Volumes de tanques-rede na produção da tilápia-do-nilo: estudo de caso

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Suplementação com selênio orgânico nas dietas de tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)