Bioavailability of selenium from different dietary sources in yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi)

Different forms of selenium (Se) were supplemented to a fishmeal-based diet to investigate the digestibility and bioavailability of Se in yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi). Five groups of fish in triplicate were fed a basal diet (containing 3.31 mg/kg Se) either unsupplemented or supplemented with 2 mg/kg Se from selenite, selenocystine (SeCys), selenomethionine (SeMet) or Se-yeast for 6 weeks. The basal unsupplemented diet resulted in significantly lower weight gain, red blood cell glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and bactericidal activities than the supplemented diets. Muscle Se concentration was increased by Se supplementation from SeCys, SeMet or Se-yeast, but not selenite. There was no difference in GPx activity of fish fed with any supplemented diets. The bioavailability of Se from SeMet and Se-yeast was similar for all measurements. The most digestible sources of Se were from SeMet and Se-yeast, whereas the least was from fishmeal. Se from SeMet or Se-yeast produced more weight gain, higher Se accumulation in muscle tissues and bactericidal activity in yellowtail kingfish than Se from SeCys or selenite. This study shows that SeMet and Se-yeast are the most bioavailable sources of Se to yellowtail kingfish and are recommended to be supplemented to fishmeal-based formulated diets for yellowtail kingfish

Toxic effects of excessive levels of dietary selenium in juvenile yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi)

Selenomethionine (SeMet) was supplemented to a fishmeal-based diet to investigate the toxic effects of excessive levels of dietary selenium (Se) in juvenile yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi). For 10 weeks, the fish were fed one of five experimental diets; a basal diet containing 2.31 mg/kg of inherent Se or diets supplemented with SeMet to provide 4.91, 9.58, 15.43 or 20.87 mg/kg of Se. The results showed that the fish muscle proximate composition, feed conversion ratio and survival were not sensitive to dietary Se treatments; and no histopathological lesions were observed in heart and intestine tissues of the fish. The Se concentrations in liver and muscle tissues showed a strong linear positive relationship with the levels of Se in diets. Fish when fed the basal diet exhibited Se deficiency symptoms including myopathy, reduced feed intake, glutathione peroxidase activity and growth; whereas those fed the diets containing ≥ 4.91 mg Se/kg did not. While fish fed the 15.43 mg Se/kg diet did not show any toxic effects, the 20.87 mg Se/kg diet caused histopathological changes in liver and spleen as well as reduced feed intake, growth, haematocrit and hepatosomatic index, indicating Se toxicity. In conclusion, Se levels in liver and muscle tissues can be used as effective indicators of dietary Se exposure and dietary Se level between 15.43 and 20.87 mg/kg may be a threshold level in juvenile yellowtail kingfish

Dietary selenium requirement of yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi)

The dietary selenium (Se) requirement of yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) in normal and infected conditions was investigated. The fish were fed one of five experimental diets; a control un-supplemented diet (3.35 mg/kg Se) or diets supplemented with Se to provide 4.86, 5.38, 5.85 or 6.38 mg/kg Se. After feeding for 6 weeks, the fish were challenged by Vibrio anguillarum immersion and then observed for 4 weeks. Supplementation of Se had no effect on feed intake, feed conversion ratio and survival over 6 weeks of feeding; however, it significantly increased growth and Se content in muscle tissues. The optimal Se level for maximal growth of yellowtail kingfish estimated by second order regression was 5.56 mg/kg. Following the bacterial challenge, the immune-stimulating effects of Se were demonstrated in lysozyme and bactericidal activities, and there was a corresponding increase in survival and antibody response by supplementation of Se at ≥2 mg/kg (measured Se of ≥5.38 mg/kg). Under normal and infectious conditions, antioxidant capacity of fish measured as glutathione peroxidase activity increased by supplementation of Se. During post-challenge period, haematocrits were higher in the fish fed Se supplemented diets than the fish fed the control diet, while more macrophage aggregates were seen in the control group than in the others. Furthermore, there was evidence of myopathy in fish fed the diet without Se supplementation. Therefore, the results indicated that the optimal dietary Se requirement of yellowtail kingfish is 5.56 mg/kg

Seasonal changes in water quality and Sargassum biomass in southwest Australia

Sargassum C. Agardh is one of the most diverse genera of marine macro-algae and commonly inhabits shallow tropical and sub-tropical waters. This study aimed to investigate the effect of seasonality and the associated water quality changes on the distribution, canopy cover, mean thallus length and the biomass of Sargassum beds around Point Peron, Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, Southwest Australia. Samples of Sargassum and seawater were collected every three months from summer 2012 to summer 2014 from four different reef zones. A combination of in situ observations and WorldView-2 satellite remote-sensing images were used to map the spatial distribution of Sargassum beds and other associated benthic habitats. The results demonstrated a strong seasonal variation in the environmental parameters, canopy cover, mean thallus length, and biomass of Sargassum, which were significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by the nutrient concentration (PO43-, NO3-, NH4+) and rainfall. However, no variation in any studied parameter was observed among the four reef zones. The highest Sargassum biomass peaks occurred between late spring and early summer (from September to January). The results provide essential information to guide effective conservation and management, as well as sustainable utilisation of this coastal marine renewable resource

Effects of Dietary Mannan Oligosaccharide on Survival, Growth, Physiological Condition, and Immunological Responses of Marron, Cherax tenuimanus (Smith 1912)

The efficacy of dietary supplementation of mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) (Bio-Mos®, Aqua Grade; Alltech, Lexington, KY, USA) was evaluated on survival, growth, physiological and immunological parameters of marron, Cherax tenuimanus. Marron were fed six different isonitrogenous and isocalorific diets supplemented with 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8% of MOS for a duration of 112 d and examined for survival and growth every 28 d. Physiological and immunological indicators were measured every 56 d. After 112 d, survival was the highest when marron were fed 0.2 and 0.4% MOS supplemented diets. Wet tail muscle index (TMIwet) and dry tail muscle index (TMIdry) of marron fed MOS supplemented diets were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than marron fed diet without MOS. Osmoregulatory capacity was highest in marron fed 0.4% MOS. Marron fed MOS supplemented diets had lower (P < 0.05) bacteraemia than marron fed diet without MOS. Hemolymph clotting time was the lowest and granular cells were the highest in marron fed 0.2 and 0.4% MOS. The results suggest that feeding 0.2–0.4% MOS in the diet increases the health status of marron

Effect of inland saline water ionic profiles on growth, chemical composition and agar characteristics of Gracilaria cliftonii (Withell, Miller and Kraft 1994) under laboratory conditions

Increase in salinity of inland water sources is adversely affecting aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems around the world including Australia. Inland saline water (ISW) with similar ionic profile to ocean water has potential for culturing marine species. Gracilaria species are commercially important as they are a source of agar. One of the native species Gracilaria cliftonii has been reported for high agar yield of 52%dw. The aim of this research was to investigate the feasibility of culturing G. cliftonii in different ionic profiles of ISW under laboratory conditions. The growth rate of G. cliftonii under different ionic profiles ranged from 0.9 to 2.5%day-1. Gracilaria cliftonii carbohydrate content decreased while protein content increased in culture conditions as when compared to natural populations. Agar yield, gel strength and melting point decreased while gelling temperature and sulphate content increased in culture conditions as when compared to natural populations. Strong correlation (R2 >0.8, P <0.05) was observed between K+, Na+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ content in tissue and water indicating ionic regulation by G. cliftonii. This research provides basic information and presents supportive arguments for G. cliftonii as a potential species for inland saline water aquaculture

Effects of variation in dietary contents of selenium and vitamin E on growth and physiological and haematological responses of yellowtail kingfish, Seriola lalandi

The effects of dietary selenium (Se) and vitamin E and their interaction in the nutrition of yellowtail kingfish, Seriola lalandi, were investigated. Six dietary treatments were prepared in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement (not supplemented or supplemented with Se at 1 or 2 mg kg-1 × supplemented with vitamin E at 40 or 180 mg kg-1). A group of fish in triplicate were fed one of the six experimental diets for 6 weeks, and their growth performance, haematological and immune responses were measured. The results revealed positively interactive effects between dietary Se and vitamin E in yellowtail kingfish. Se significantly increased weight gain of fish fed diets low in vitamin E, but not high in vitamin E. Simultaneous supplementation of both micronutrients resulted in significant increase in serum bactericidal activity. There was no significant effect of Se or vitamin E on survival, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, haematocrit, white blood cell counts and fillet proximate composition. However, Se and vitamin E contents in fillets were significantly responsive to dietary Se and vitamin E, respectively. The supplemental level of Se at 2 mg kg-1 significantly increased red blood cell counts and haemoglobin concentrations, while lysozyme activity in skin mucus was significantly stimulated by vitamin E. The findings of Se and vitamin E supplementation in this study can be applied to improve growth and health indices of yellowtail kingfish

Effects of the dietary supplementation of mixed probiotic spores of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 54A, and Bacillus pumilus 47B on growth, innate immunity and stress responses of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus)

The study used the mixed probiotics of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 54A and B. pumilus 47B isolated from striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) intestine aiming to stimulate growth performance, innate immunity, stress tolerance of striped catfish. The average weight gain (AWG), specific growth rate (SGR), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were analyzed after fish were fed the mixture of probiotics (B. amyloliquefaciens 54A and B. pumilus 47B) at concentrations of 1 108, 3 108, and 5 108 CFU g 1 feed for 90 days. Immunity parameters, survival rate of fish challenged with Edwardsiella ictaluri and ammonia tolerance were also investigated. The amounts of B. amyloliquefaciens and B. pumilus were counted and identified by specific primer pairs of Ba1-F/Ba1-R, and 16-F/Bpu-R to confirm the presence of probiotics in fish intestine. The AWG (476.6 ± 7.81 g fish 1) of fish fed probiotics at 5 108 CFU g 1 was significant higher than the control (390 ± 25.7 g fish 1) after 90 days of feeding, but there was no significant (P &gt; 0.05) effect of probiotics on FCR and SGR. Fish fed diet containing probiotics at 5 108 CFU g 1 also expressed resistance to E. ictaluri infection and higher immune parameters such as phagocytic activity, respiratory bursts, and lysozyme activity than the control. Stress response with ammonia showed significantly lower mortality rate (25%, 20% and 27%) of fish fed probiotics at all three levels of 1, 3 and 5 108 CFU g 1 than the fish fed control diet (75%). The study also demonstrated that the probiotics survived in the intestine of striped catfish after 90 days of feeding. Therefore, the dietary supplementation of a mixture of B. amyloliquefaciens and B. pumilus at 5 108 CFU g 1 can be used to improve the health and growth rate of striped catfish

Prebiotic mannan oligosaccharide diet improves health status of the digestive system of marron, Cherax tenuimanus (Smith, 1912)

The aim of this experiment was to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with mannan oligosaccharide (MOS; BioMos, Alltech, USA) on the gut microbiota and histology of marron, Cherax tenuimanus. Marron were fed six different diets supplemented with 0%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.8% of MOS for a duration of 112 days. Total bacteria in the gut were highest when marron were fed diets which included 0.1% to 0.4% BioMos, whereas total bacteria/Vibrio spp. ratio was highest in the marron fed 0.4% BioMos diet only. The marron fed 0.2% and 0.4% BioMos diets showed normal morphology and higher densities of microvilli, and thicker layer of gut epithelium than other inclusion rates. The results suggest that application of 0.2% to 0.4% of MOS in the diet improves digestive system health in marron

Osmoregulatory capacity, health status and growth as functions of moult stages from various weight classes in marron (cherax cainii) and yabbies (cherax destructor)

The study investigated the relationship between five moult stages and the osmoregulatory capacities (OC), moisture content of hepatopancreas (HM%), hepatosomatic indices (HIwet, HIdry) and growth of 6 weight classes of 235 marron (Cherax cainii) and 235 yabbies (Cherax destructor) under laboratory conditions. In each moult stage, OC increased linearly with the increase in wet body weight. Intermoult stage C showed the highest OC significantly lower than premoult stages D0, D1, D2 and postmoult stage AB in every weight class in both crayfish. HM% decreased from AB to D2, while both HIwet and HIdry reduced from C to D2. Percentage dry matter of whole body carcass was highest in stage C and lowest during the AB stage with a significant difference between the two species. Larger than 15-g marron and yabbies differ with each other in OC, HIwet, and HIdry, moult intervals and growth rates