Lipid and fatty acid composition during embryo and larval development of puye Galaxias maculatus Jenyns, 1842, obtained from estuarine, freshwater and cultured populations

Galaxias maculatus eggs and larvae obtained from broodfish captured either in an estuarine or a freshwater environment, as well as from cultured broodstock were analysed to compare their lipid and fatty acid profiles. Results showed a lower lipid content in embryos and larvae from estuarine populations than those from fresh water, denoting the influence of environmental conditions. The n-3:n-6 ratio was higher in eggs from estuarine and cultured populations, being in the range of marine fishes, whereas for eggs from freshwater fish was lower and typical of freshwater fishes. The polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), particularly docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3), were higher in eggs and larvae of broodstock coming from culture or estuarine environments than in those from fresh water. Moreover, these fatty acids markedly increased after hatching in larvae coming from estuarine populations, suggesting the effect of the environment on fatty acid profiles to physiologically prepare the larvae to adapt to higher salinity conditions. Linoleic acid (18:2n-6) content was higher in fresh water fish and its reduction during embryo and larval development was accompanied by a significant increase of arachidonic acid (20:4n-6), which was not observed in embryos or larvae from broodstock fish from estuary or aquaculture origin. Both environment and diet of broodstock fish affected lipid and fatty acid composition of G. maculatus embryo and larvae as well as their changes during development

A direct and straightforward method for measurement real maximum fish stomach volume to improve aquaculture feeding research

In fish feeding studies, stomach related parameters are mainly measured in order to have biometric relationships. To determine those parameters a direct and straightforward method for measuring real maximum stomach volume in fish based on Archimedes' principle was tested and compared against a traditional method. The new method is based on the measure of the real maximum stomach volume when fish are fed ad libitum. By contrast, the traditional method measures the forced expanded capacity of the stomach under an arbitrarily assigned hydraulic pressure head of a 50 cm column of water. The two methods were assayed in juvenile rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, and the results displayed significant different stomach volume and related indices. The best relationships for potential regression were obtained using the Archimedes' principle method, being between fish weight and stomach volume (R-2 = 0.68), and stomach content and stomach volume (R-2 = 0.95). These results indicate that the measurement of real maximum stomach volume in fish using the Archimedes' principle method could be a useful method of estimation of how much stomach can expand; this can be a suitable tool to improve fish feeding research by regulating the amount of feed that can be ingested by animals

Effects of different protein and carbohydrate contents on growth and survival of juveniles of southern Chilean freshwater crayfish, Samastacus spinifrons

In cultivated aquatic organisms nutritional requirements are critical, not only for their impact on production techniques, but also, for their high incidence on production costs. There is limited knowledge on some species such as the southern Chilean freshwater crayfish, Samastacus spinifrons. In order to generate practical knowledge, a study was carried out to determine protein and carbohydrate content requirements. These factors were evaluated upon their effects on growth and survival of juveniles. For this purpose, individual weight, biomass gain, survival, and feed conversion parameters were measured. The assay was carried out in 42 days, it was conducted in a flow through system, using 21 plastic tanks of 10.6 L capacity. Each tank was seeded with 20 juveniles weighing 50 mg average each. A 3×2 factorial design was proposed with three protein contents (20, 30, 40%) and two carbohydrate contents (low: from 16.3 to 23.5% and high: from 34.6 to 35.8%). Six treatments and three replicates were performed. Individuals were fed on apparent satiation once a day. The diets formulated with 30% of protein and the two carbohydrate contents resulted in higher biomass increases, food conversion efficiencies over 26%, and specific growth rate of 0.78%, all displaying significant differences. Survival showed highly significant differences; in all diets were superior to 60%, however the diets with 30% of protein surpassed 90%

Effects of different protein and carbohydrate contents on growth and survival of juveniles of southern Chilean freshwater crayfish, Samastacus spinifrons

In cultivated aquatic organisms nutritional requirements are critical, not only for their impact on production techniques, but also, for their high incidence on production costs. There is limited knowledge on some species such as the southern Chilean freshwater crayfish, Samastacus spinifrons. In order to generate practical knowledge, a study was carried out to determine protein and carbohydrate content requirements. These factors were evaluated upon their effects on growth and survival of juveniles. For this purpose, individual weight, biomass gain, survival, and feed conversion parameters were measured. The assay was carried out in 42 days, It was conducted in a flow through system, using 21 plastic tanks of 10.6 L capacity. Each tank was seeded with 20 juveniles weighing 50 mg average each. A 3x2 factorial design was proposed with three protein contents (20, 30, 40%) and two carbohydrate contents (low: from 16.3 to 23.5% and high: from 34.6 to 35.8%). Six treatments and three replicates were performed. Individuals were fed on apparent satiation once a day. The diets formulated with 30% of protein and the two carbohydrate contents resulted in higher biomass increases, food conversion efficiencies over 26%, and specific growth rate of 0.78%, all displaying significant differences. Survival showed highly significant differences; in all diets were superior to 60%, however the diets with 30% of protein surpassed 90%