Next Issue
Volume 3, December
Previous Issue
Volume 3, June
 
 

Fishes, Volume 3, Issue 3 (September 2018) – 12 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): Hatchery-produced greater amberjack completed gametogenesis and were induced to undergo maturation and spawning after administration of GnRHa implants, over an extended spawning period lasting from May to September in the Canary Islands, Spain. Egg production was high and egg quality adequate for the implementation of larval rearing for commercial purposes. The handling required for the GnRHa implantation did not result in any negative effect on the welfare of the fish. The method seems to be a good way to obtain eggs for the aquaculture production of this new species.
  • Issues are regarded as officially published after their release is announced to the table of contents alert mailing list.
  • You may sign up for e-mail alerts to receive table of contents of newly released issues.
  • PDF is the official format for papers published in both, html and pdf forms. To view the papers in pdf format, click on the "PDF Full-text" link, and use the free Adobe Reader to open them.
Order results
Result details
Section
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
15 pages, 1480 KiB  
Review
Underwater Soundscape Monitoring and Fish Bioacoustics: A Review
by Adelaide V. Lindseth and Phillip S. Lobel
Fishes 2018, 3(3), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes3030036 - 12 Sep 2018
Cited by 76 | Viewed by 11698
Abstract
Soundscape ecology is a rapidly growing field with approximately 93% of all scientific articles on this topic having been published since 2010 (total about 610 publications since 1985). Current acoustic technology is also advancing rapidly, enabling new devices with voluminous data storage and [...] Read more.
Soundscape ecology is a rapidly growing field with approximately 93% of all scientific articles on this topic having been published since 2010 (total about 610 publications since 1985). Current acoustic technology is also advancing rapidly, enabling new devices with voluminous data storage and automatic signal detection to define sounds. Future uses of passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) include biodiversity assessments, monitoring habitat health, and locating spawning fishes. This paper provides a review of ambient sound and soundscape ecology, fish acoustic monitoring, current recording and sampling methods used in long-term PAM, and parameters/metrics used in acoustic data analysis. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 4289 KiB  
Article
Spawning Induction of First-Generation (F1) Greater Amberjack Seriola dumerili in the Canary Islands, Spain Using GnRHa Delivery Systems
by Salvador Jerez, Ioannis Fakriadis, Maria Papadaki, M. Virginia Martín, Juana Rosa Cejas and Constantinos C. Mylonas
Fishes 2018, 3(3), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes3030035 - 05 Sep 2018
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 5430
Abstract
The development of a sustainable aquaculture industry requires the closing of the life-cycle of a potential species in captivity, and the establishment of breeding selection programs using hatchery-produced breeding stocks. The greater amberjack Seriola dumerili is a cosmopolitan pelagic species that has been [...] Read more.
The development of a sustainable aquaculture industry requires the closing of the life-cycle of a potential species in captivity, and the establishment of breeding selection programs using hatchery-produced breeding stocks. The greater amberjack Seriola dumerili is a cosmopolitan pelagic species that has been considered as a good candidate for the species diversification of aquaculture production in the Mediterranean region. However, commercial production is still very limited due to bottlenecks in reproduction, larval rearing and management control during grow out. The aim of the present study was to examine the reproductive development of hatchery-produced greater amberjack and to develop a spawning induction protocol based on the use of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) in a controlled-release delivery system. The results showed that hatchery-produced greater amberjack undergo normal gametogenesis and can be induced to undergo maturation, ovulation and spawning after multiple administrations of GnRHa implants, over an extended spawning period lasting from May to September in the Canary Islands, Spain. The use of GnRHa-delivery systems resulted in multiple spawns of fertilized and viable eggs. Egg production was high and egg quality adequate for the implementation of larval rearing for commercial purposes. The handling required to administer the GnRHa implants during the prolonged spawning season did not result in any negative effect on the welfare and reproductive performance of the fish based on evaluation of several biochemical parameters. The developed reproduction control method shows great potential to advance the commercial production of greater amberjack, by enabling the use of hatchery-produced broodstocks for further breeding selection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fish Reproductive Physiology and Aquaculture)
Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 769 KiB  
Article
Air Exposure in Catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula) Modify Muscle Texture Properties: A Pilot Study
by Cristina Barragán-Méndez, Fini Sánchez-García, Ignacio Sobrino, Juan Miguel Mancera and Ignacio Ruiz-Jarabo
Fishes 2018, 3(3), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes3030034 - 04 Sep 2018
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3167
Abstract
Sharks are captured by tons for human consumption. Improving the quality of their meat will produce fillets that may have a higher economic value in the market, and thus be beneficial for the management of this fishery. In other animal species destined for [...] Read more.
Sharks are captured by tons for human consumption. Improving the quality of their meat will produce fillets that may have a higher economic value in the market, and thus be beneficial for the management of this fishery. In other animal species destined for human consumption, a negative relationship between pre-slaughtering stress and meat quality has been demonstrated. By studying the commercial small-spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula), this work aimed at linking pre-slaughter handling of captured sharks and muscle fillets quality. An experimental group of adult and subadult living catsharks captured by hand and exposed to air (for 18 min, which is the minimum time this species is exposed to air in the fishing deck during fisheries procedures), and an undisturbed group, were evaluated. After air exposure, catsharks returned to water for recovery. Muscle lactate and water content were quantified after acute exposure (for 18 min), 5 h and 24 h. This challenge elicited stress responses in the muscle such as increased lactate levels and immediate dehydration, followed by recovery of lactate levels and overhydration. Muscle consistency, a relevant variable describing quality of seafood according to its ability to be swallowed by the consumer, paralleled muscle water content changes. The results indicated for the first time that handling alive sharks exposed to air results in muscle fillets with different texture properties. Whether these changes in muscle texture induce higher quality fillets has yet to be proven. Our recommendation is to minimize time of air exposure experienced by sharks when captured, including fast slaughtering instead of leaving them to die by asphyxia, as current on-board procedures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Welfare of Cultured and Experimental Fishes)
Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 1175 KiB  
Review
Administration of Probiotics in the Water in Finfish Aquaculture Systems: A Review
by Ladan Jahangiri and María Ángeles Esteban
Fishes 2018, 3(3), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes3030033 - 22 Aug 2018
Cited by 96 | Viewed by 14041
Abstract
Over the last few decades, the contribution of aquaculture to animal protein production has increased enormously, and the sector now provides almost half of the fish and shellfish consumed worldwide, making it a major food producer. Nevertheless, many factors, including infections, pollution, and [...] Read more.
Over the last few decades, the contribution of aquaculture to animal protein production has increased enormously, and the sector now provides almost half of the fish and shellfish consumed worldwide, making it a major food producer. Nevertheless, many factors, including infections, pollution, and stress, may result in significant economic losses. The aquaculture industry will not be totally successful without the therapeutic and preventive means to control all these factors. Antibiotics (long used in aquaculture practice) have tended to aggravate the problem by increasing antibiotic resistance. Concomitantly, probiotics have widely been suggested as eco-friendly alternatives to antibiotics. However, the way in which probiotics are applied in aquaculture is a key factor in their favorable performance. The aim of this review was to examine the current state of probiotics administration through the water in finfish aquaculture. The review also attempts to cover the research gaps existing in our knowledge of this administration mode, and to suggest the issues that need to be investigated in greater depth. Full article
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

10 pages, 448 KiB  
Article
Changes in Physicochemical, Microbiological, and Sensory Properties of Sun-Dried Mystus vittatus During Storage at Ambient Temperature
by Bhaskar Chandra Majumdar, Faria Afrin, Md. Golam Rasul, Dinesh Chandra Shaha and A.K.M. Azad Shah
Fishes 2018, 3(3), 32; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes3030032 - 20 Aug 2018
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4433
Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the changes in physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory properties of sun-dried Mystus vittatus during storage at ambient temperature. The fish was dried under sun exposure on bamboo mats for 5–6 days until the moisture content reduced [...] Read more.
The objective of this study was to investigate the changes in physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory properties of sun-dried Mystus vittatus during storage at ambient temperature. The fish was dried under sun exposure on bamboo mats for 5–6 days until the moisture content reduced to approximately 10–15%. The dried fish was then packed into airtight polyethylene bags and stored at ambient temperature (24 to 29 °C) for 90 days. The physical and sensory properties revealed that the dried fish was acceptable for human consumption for up to 60 days. The pH value slightly decreased from 6.42 to 5.95 during the storage period. The moisture content increased significantly (p < 0.05), while no significant difference was observed for the protein, lipid, and ash contents (on a dry matter basis) with the increase in the storage time. The peroxide value, acid value, and conjugated dienes of the lipids increased significantly during the storage period. The microbial load also increased with the increase in the storage period. The results of this study suggest that the product was slightly oxidized during the storage period and could be stored for up to two months. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 927 KiB  
Article
Improved Growth Estimates for Lethrinus harak: Measuring Increments, Adjusting Ages, and Fitting Flexible Growth Models
by Stephen R. Midway, Andrew Ostrowski, Lindsey West, Mario Hernandez and Matthew D. Robertson
Fishes 2018, 3(3), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes3030031 - 14 Aug 2018
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3579
Abstract
Thumbprint emperor (Lethrinus harak) are a widely distributed, tropical species ranging throughout the Indo-Pacific region. In coastal Tanzania, overfishing is likely occurring and thumbprint emperor are commonly represented in catches. The goal of this study was to estimate age and growth [...] Read more.
Thumbprint emperor (Lethrinus harak) are a widely distributed, tropical species ranging throughout the Indo-Pacific region. In coastal Tanzania, overfishing is likely occurring and thumbprint emperor are commonly represented in catches. The goal of this study was to estimate age and growth to provide basic life history information that may help inform future management. We sampled a total of n = 55 thumbprint emperors from both fishery-dependent and fishery-independent sources. Annular age estimates were improved with measurements of otolith markings. Fish ages ranged from zero to five years. We also evaluated the addition of otolith edge size (a proxy for fractional age) to age estimation, and fit two von Bertalanffy growth models—one for the whole ages and one for the fractional ages—using a flexible Bayesian framework. Growth parameters were similar between the two models, and ultimately, L (maximum asymptotic size parameter) estimates were comparable to other published values for the species, although our estimates of K (growth coefficient parameter) were smaller. Robust aging techniques for tropical fishes can provide a foundation for basic fishery management, which would help to sustain the future of this widely distributed fish. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

3 pages, 696 KiB  
Communication
On the Finding of the Rare Crab Paragalene longicrura (Nardo, 1868) (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura, Progeryonidae) from Thermaikos Gulf, Northwest Aegean Sea, Greece
by Thodoros E. Kampouris, Debora Milenkova and Ioannis E. Batjakas
Fishes 2018, 3(3), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes3030030 - 08 Aug 2018
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3990
Abstract
The finding of a rare crab, Paragalene longicrura, is herein recorded from Thermaikos Gulf. This constitutes the northmost record of the species in Greek waters. The species is only known from sporadic records in the eastern Mediterranean basin. Ecological remarks on the [...] Read more.
The finding of a rare crab, Paragalene longicrura, is herein recorded from Thermaikos Gulf. This constitutes the northmost record of the species in Greek waters. The species is only known from sporadic records in the eastern Mediterranean basin. Ecological remarks on the habitat of P. longicrura and other decapod species are described for the first time for the Mediterranean. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 2815 KiB  
Article
Increasing Abundance of Silky Sharks in the Eastern Indian Ocean: Good News or a Reason to be Cautious?
by Benaya Meitasari Simeon, Efin Muttaqin, Ulfah Mardhiah, Muhammad Ichsan, Dharmadi, Andhika Prima Prasetyo, Fahmi and Irfan Yulianto
Fishes 2018, 3(3), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes3030029 - 18 Jul 2018
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5051
Abstract
The silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) is the most common shark landed in Indonesian waters, including in the Indian Ocean. However, even though they are frequently caught, there is a lack of information on the population and abundance of silky sharks in [...] Read more.
The silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) is the most common shark landed in Indonesian waters, including in the Indian Ocean. However, even though they are frequently caught, there is a lack of information on the population and abundance of silky sharks in the Indian Ocean. Cilacap and Tanjung Luar are two of Indonesia’s shark fishery hotspots, both located on the edge of the Indian Ocean, which is a part of the Indonesian Fisheries Management Area (FMA) 573. The fishers from both places usually have fishing grounds in that particular fisheries management area. This research aims to update the abundance, and to investigate the factors, which influence catches of silky shark in the FMA 573 based on monthly enumeration during 2015–2016. This study found that standardized catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) or abundance indices of silky shark in the Indonesian FMA 573 increased from 2015 to 2016. We suggested that fish immigration and decreasing fishing pressure may affect the fish abundance. Fisheries management is required to regulate the fishing pressure, such as controlling the number of boats/licenses and the number of trips or fishing gear, as well as initializing spatial and temporal fishing closure. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 2485 KiB  
Article
Full Water Quality Monitoring of a Traditional Flow-Through Rainbow Trout Farm
by Alexandre Tahar, Alan Kennedy, Richard D. Fitzgerald, Eoghan Clifford and Neil Rowan
Fishes 2018, 3(3), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes3030028 - 17 Jul 2018
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 4082
Abstract
Traditional freshwater rainbow trout farms are still popular in some European countries such as Poland, France and Ireland. These systems generally operate in flow-through configuration. The impact such production systems might have on water quality remains mostly unknown. The present study was set [...] Read more.
Traditional freshwater rainbow trout farms are still popular in some European countries such as Poland, France and Ireland. These systems generally operate in flow-through configuration. The impact such production systems might have on water quality remains mostly unknown. The present study was set up to fulfil this objective of monitoring water quality on different fish farm locations in order to identify the impacts of the whole farm (comparison of farm inlet and outlet) and at pond scale in order to understand the water quality dynamics and to better understand the impact of multiple water reuse (water passes) in a given pond on water quality. In the absence of any sort of water treatment, an increase in the number of water passes was shown to create an increase in ammonium concentration along the farm. Finally, this traditional flow-through rainbow trout production system was revealed to almost be at its full carrying capacity with respect to internal water quality parameters and fish welfare. To increase fish production, some water treatment techniques (solid/liquid separation, nitrification) would have to be introduced in order to optimize the rearing water quality for fish growth and to minimize the release of pollutants in the receiving water to limit the impact on the environment. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 673 KiB  
Article
Effect of β-Glucans in Diets on Growth, Survival, Digestive Enzyme Activity, and Immune System and Intestinal Barrier Gene Expression for Tropical Gar (Atractosteus tropicus) Juveniles
by Karen N. Nieves-Rodríguez, Carlos Alfonso Álvarez-González, Emyr S. Peña-Marín, Fernando Vega-Villasante, Rafael Martínez-García, Susana Camarillo-Coop, Dariel Tovar-Ramírez, Laura T. Guzmán-Villanueva, Karl B. Andree and Enric Gisbert
Fishes 2018, 3(3), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes3030027 - 10 Jul 2018
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4623
Abstract
The application of β-1,3/1,6-glucan derived from yeast at five concentrations (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0%) in formulated diets was evaluated in juveniles for its effects on the growth, survival, digestive enzymatic activity, and expression of genes associated with the immune system (interlukin-10 [...] Read more.
The application of β-1,3/1,6-glucan derived from yeast at five concentrations (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0%) in formulated diets was evaluated in juveniles for its effects on the growth, survival, digestive enzymatic activity, and expression of genes associated with the immune system (interlukin-10 (IL-10), transforming growth factor (TGF), occludin (OCC), mucin2 (MUC2), lysozyme (LYS), and nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2)) in tropical gar (Atractosteus tropicus). For the experiment, three replicates of 30 fish per experimental unit (70 L) were cultivated for 62 days. The growth results showed no statistically significant differences in relation to weight and total length between treatments. The activity of digestive enzymes (alkaline proteases, trypsin, leucine aminopeptidase, and amylase) did not show significant differences between treatments, except for chymotrypsin activity, where fish fed 1.0% and 1.5% of β-glucans showed higher activities compared with the rest of the treatments. On the other hand, the analysis of gene expression did not show significant differences between treatments, although a tendency of increase in the expression of IL-10, TGF, MUC2, and OCC was observed with an addition of 1.5% of the prebiotic, but there was a decrease in the fish fed with 2% of the prebiotic. It is possible to include concentrations of between 0.5% and 1.5% of β-glucans in the diets for A. tropicus, with no detectable adverse effects on growth, survival, digestive enzyme activity, or specific gene expression. β-glucan 1,3/1,6 added at 1.0% and 1.5% in the diet significantly increases chymotrypsin activity. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 1016 KiB  
Article
Automatic Discrimination between Scomber japonicus and Scomber australasicus by Geometric and Texture Features
by Airi Kitasato, Tomo Miyazaki, Yoshihiro Sugaya and Shinichiro Omachi
Fishes 2018, 3(3), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes3030026 - 27 Jun 2018
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 5135
Abstract
This paper proposes a method for automatic discrimination of two mackerel species: Scomber japonicus (chub mackerel) and Scomber australasicus (blue mackerel). Because S. japonicus has a much higher market price than S. australasicus, the two species must be properly sorted before shipment, [...] Read more.
This paper proposes a method for automatic discrimination of two mackerel species: Scomber japonicus (chub mackerel) and Scomber australasicus (blue mackerel). Because S. japonicus has a much higher market price than S. australasicus, the two species must be properly sorted before shipment, but their similar appearance makes discrimination difficult. These species can be effectively distinguished using the ratio of the base length between the dorsal fin’s first and ninth spines to the fork length. However, manual measurement of this ratio is time-consuming and reduces fish freshness. The proposed technique instead uses image processing to measure these lengths. We were able to successfully discriminate between the two species using the ratio as a geometric feature, in combination with several texture features. We then quantitatively verified the effectiveness of the proposed method and demonstrated that it is highly accurate in classifying mackerel. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 1473 KiB  
Article
Biochemical, Microbiological, and Sensory Properties of Dried Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) Influenced by Various Drying Methods
by Md. Golam Rasul, Bhaskar Chandra Majumdar, Faria Afrin, Mohammad Abu Jafor Bapary and A.K.M. Azad Shah
Fishes 2018, 3(3), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes3030025 - 25 Jun 2018
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 4500
Abstract
An experiment was performed to evaluate the effects of different drying methods with different pre-treatments on the physico-chemical, microbiological, and sensory properties of the silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix. In order to achieve this objective, the collected fresh fish were dried using traditional (without [...] Read more.
An experiment was performed to evaluate the effects of different drying methods with different pre-treatments on the physico-chemical, microbiological, and sensory properties of the silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix. In order to achieve this objective, the collected fresh fish were dried using traditional (without any pre-treatment), improved (fish soaked in a 5% salt solution for 10 min and then treated with chili powder (0.3%) and turmeric powder (0.3%)), and solar tunnel (fish soaked in a 5% salt solution for 10 min) drying methods. The results showed that the dried fish produced by the solar tunnel drying method were rehydrated more rapidly than the products produced by the traditional and improved drying methods. The moisture content of the dried H. molitrix was varied from 18.24 to 25.43% on a fresh matter basis. There was no significant (p > 0.05) difference found regarding the protein, lipid, and ash content among the different drying methods on a dry matter basis. The total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N) contents ranged between 37.58 and 45.03 mg/100 g, and significantly (p < 0.05) the lowest TVB-N was observed in dried fish produced by the solar tunnel drying method. Moreover, the highest peroxide and acid values were found in the traditionally produced dried fish as compared with the fish dried by the improved and solar tunnel drying methods. The aerobic plate count of dried fish ranged from 4.52 to 7.51 log CFU/g. The sensory evaluation results revealed that the solar-dried products showed superior quality than the products produced by the traditional and improved drying methods. The results revealed that the dried fish produced by the solar tunnel drying method provided the best product in terms of physico-chemical, microbiological, and sensory aspects. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Previous Issue
Next Issue
Back to TopTop