Special Issue "Sustainable Aquaculture: Nutrition Studies in Early Developing Finfish, Ornamentals and Experimental Model Fish"

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Aquatic Animals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2021.

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Miquel Planas Oliver
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
CSIC - Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas (IIM), Vigo, Spain
Interests: syngnathidae; fish; rearing; aquaculture; biology; ecology; stable isotopes; food web
Prof. Dr. Ike Olivotto
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of sea science, University Polytechnic of Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60100 Ancona, Italy
Interests: alternative protein sources; fish reproduction; fish physiology; insect meal; fish nutrition

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Knowledge of feeding/nutritional requirements are pivotal keys in development and growth of cultured fishes, which largely rely on the capture, digestion and assimilation of adequate feed. Larviculture of fishes has largely improved in recent years but there is still the need of rearing optimization by developing new feeding procedures and identifying new and sustainable feed ingredients i. Even though our understanding on dietary and nutritional requirements of fish early developmental stages have considerably progressed (particularly in finfish species), extra information is necessary for rearing enhancement, especially for a better knowledge of the nutritional quantitative requirements in early developing fishes as well as to make aquaculture more sustainable.

The approach for this Special Issue is particularly focused on commonly reared finfish species, ornamentals and species used as biological models. The topics of interest include but are not limited to feeding improvement, new feeding strategies, novel and sustainable ingredients and dietary sources for aquafeed production, microdiet technology, broodstock nutrition for larval condition improvement, prebiotics and probiotics, traceability, stress response, and welfare.

Due to the growing demand for ornamental and experimental model species, there is a need to provide novel information that allow the increase in production efficiencies and the environmental sustainability of targeted species.

Dr. Miquel Planas Oliver
Prof. Dr. Ike Olivotto
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • Fish
  • larvae
  • nutrition
  • feeding
  • diets
  • rearing
  • traceability
  • finfish
  • model fish
  • ornamentals
  • sustainable aquafeed ingredients

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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Article
Effect of Humic Substances as Feed Additive on the Growth Performance, Antioxidant Status, and Health Condition of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus, Burchell 1822)
Animals 2021, 11(8), 2266; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11082266 - 31 Jul 2021
Viewed by 624
Abstract
In the present study, a possible nature immunostimulant and growth promoter—humic substances (HS) originating from Siberian leonardite mineraloid—were tested on juvenile Clarias gariepinus performance. Feed additive was applied onto commercial pelleted feed at four HS levels—0, 1, 3, and 6% w/w (HS0, HS1, [...] Read more.
In the present study, a possible nature immunostimulant and growth promoter—humic substances (HS) originating from Siberian leonardite mineraloid—were tested on juvenile Clarias gariepinus performance. Feed additive was applied onto commercial pelleted feed at four HS levels—0, 1, 3, and 6% w/w (HS0, HS1, HS3, HS6, respectively). Diets were tested in five repetitions (in total, n = 1800 individuals, mean body weight 28.1 ± 6.2 g) for 56 days. Growth and production parameters, fish condition and somatic indices, and overall mortality were evaluated after 14, 28, 42, and 56 days of exposure. Whereas, plasma samples were collected only after 0, 28, and 56 days, when fish health status was assessed with biochemical parameters (total proteins, TP; alanine aminotransferase, ALT; aspartate aminotransferase, AST; lactate dehydrogenase, LDH; cholesterol, CHOL; triglycerides, TAG) and fish antioxidant status with glutathione (reduced glutathione, GSH; oxidized glutathione, GSSG; glutathione ratio GSH/GSSG). Although a significantly positive effect of HS feed additive on growth performance was not found in the present study, moderately positive effects were found regarding biochemical parameters (ALT, AST, LDH, CHOL, and TAG) and antioxidants (GSH/GSSG ratio) that were improved especially in the HS3 group. Full article
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Article
Dietary Curcumin Promotes Gilthead Seabream Larvae Digestive Capacity and Modulates Oxidative Status
Animals 2021, 11(6), 1667; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11061667 - 03 Jun 2021
Viewed by 1188
Abstract
The larval stage is highly prone to stress due to the ontogenetic and metabolic alterations occurring in fish. Curcumin inclusion in diets has been shown to improve growth by modulating oxidative status, immune response, and/or feed digestibility in several fish species. The aim [...] Read more.
The larval stage is highly prone to stress due to the ontogenetic and metabolic alterations occurring in fish. Curcumin inclusion in diets has been shown to improve growth by modulating oxidative status, immune response, and/or feed digestibility in several fish species. The aim of the present work was to assess if dietary curcumin could promote marine fish larvae digestive maturation and improve robustness. Gilthead seabream larvae were fed a diet supplemented with curcumin at dose of 0 (CTRL), 1.5 (LOW), or 3.0 g/Kg feed for 27 days. From 4 to 24 days after hatching (DAH), no differences were observed in growth performance. At the end of the experiment (31 DAH) LOW larvae had a better condition factor than CTRL fish. Moreover, HIGH larvae showed higher trypsin and chymotrypsin activity when compared to CTRL fish. LOW and HIGH larvae were able to maintain the mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production during development, in contrast to CTRL larvae. In conclusion, curcumin supplementation seems to promote larvae digestive capacity and modulate the oxidative status during ontogeny. Furthermore, the present results provide new insights on the impacts of dietary antioxidants on marine larvae development and a possible improvement of robustness in the short and long term. Full article
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Article
Successful Use of Geochemical Tools to Trace the Geographic Origin of Long-Snouted Seahorse Hippocampus guttulatus Raised in Captivity
Animals 2021, 11(6), 1534; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11061534 - 25 May 2021
Viewed by 1446
Abstract
The global market of dried seahorses mainly supplies Traditional Chinese Medicine and still relies on blurry trade chains that often cover less sustainable practices targeting these pricey and endangered fish. As such, reliable tools that allow the enforcement of traceability, namely to confirm [...] Read more.
The global market of dried seahorses mainly supplies Traditional Chinese Medicine and still relies on blurry trade chains that often cover less sustainable practices targeting these pricey and endangered fish. As such, reliable tools that allow the enforcement of traceability, namely to confirm the geographic origin of traded seahorses, are urgently needed. The present study evaluated the use of elemental fingerprints (EF) in the bony structures of long-snouted seahorses Hippocampus guttulatus raised in captivity in two different locations (southern Portugal and Northern Spain) to discriminate their geographic origin. The EF of different body parts of H. guttulatus were also evaluated as potential proxies for the EF of the whole body, in order to allow the analysis of damaged specimens and avoid the use of whole specimens for analysis. The contrasting EF of H. guttulatus raised in the two locations allowed their reliable discrimination. Although no single body part exactly mimicked the EF of the whole body, seahorse trunks, as well as damaged specimens, could still be correctly allocated to their geographic origin. This promising forensic approach to discriminate the geographic origin of seahorses raised in captivity should now be validated for wild conspecifics originating from different locations, as well as for other species within genus Hippocampus. Full article
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Article
Evaluation of Dietary Soluble Extract Hydrolysates with or without Supplementation of Inosine Monophosphate Based on Growth, Hematology, Non-Specific Immune Responses and Disease Resistance in Juvenile Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus
Animals 2021, 11(4), 1107; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11041107 - 12 Apr 2021
Viewed by 648
Abstract
We performed an 8-week feeding trial to evaluate dietary soluble extract hydrolysates from fishery by-products, such as shrimp soluble extract (SSE) with or without inosine monophosphate (IMP), tilapia soluble extract (TSE) and squid soluble extract (SQSE), in juvenile Nile tilapia. A diet without [...] Read more.
We performed an 8-week feeding trial to evaluate dietary soluble extract hydrolysates from fishery by-products, such as shrimp soluble extract (SSE) with or without inosine monophosphate (IMP), tilapia soluble extract (TSE) and squid soluble extract (SQSE), in juvenile Nile tilapia. A diet without feed additives was used as the control diet (CON); and five other experimental diets were formulated with 2% soluble extracts consisting of 100% SSE, 98% SSE + 2% IMP (SSEP2), 96% SSE + 4% IMP (SSEP4), 100% SQSE and 100% TSE. The diets were fed to 4.9 ± 0.07 g (mean ± SD) juvenile Nile tilapia in triplicate groups. The weight gain and specific growth rates of fish fed the SSE, SSEP2 and SSEP4 diets were significantly higher than those of fish fed the CON and SQSE diets. The superoxide dismutase activity levels of fish fed the SSE and SSEP4 diets were significantly higher than those of fish fed the CON, SSEP2, SQSE and TSE diets. Myeloperoxidase activity levels of fish fed the SSE and SSEP4 diets were significantly higher than those of fish fed the CON, SSEP2 and SQSE diets. Lysozyme activity levels of fish fed the SSEP4 and SQSE diets were significantly higher than those of fish fed the SSE and SSEP2 diets. Feed efficiency, protein efficiency ratio, survival rate, whole body proximate composition and hematological parameters were not significantly different among the groups. After ten days of challenge = against Aeromonas hydrophila, the cumulative survival rate of fish fed the SSE diet was significantly higher than those of fish fed the CON, SQSE and TSE diets. In conclusion, dietary shrimp soluble extract could improve the growth performance, non-specific immune responses and disease resistance in juvenile Nile tilapia, and inosine monophosphate did not add further benefits to this ingredient. Full article
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Article
Possible Dietary Effects of Insect-Based Diets across Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Generations: A Multidisciplinary Study on the Larval Phase
Animals 2021, 11(3), 751; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11030751 - 09 Mar 2021
Viewed by 627
Abstract
Insects represent a valuable and sustainable alternative ingredient for aquafeed formulation. However, insect-based diets have often highlighted controversial results in different fish species, especially when high inclusion levels were used. Several studies have demonstrated that nutritional programming through parental feeding may allow the [...] Read more.
Insects represent a valuable and sustainable alternative ingredient for aquafeed formulation. However, insect-based diets have often highlighted controversial results in different fish species, especially when high inclusion levels were used. Several studies have demonstrated that nutritional programming through parental feeding may allow the production of fish better adapted to use sub-optimal aquafeed ingredients. To date, this approach has never been explored on insect-based diets. In the present study, five experimental diets characterized by increasing fish meal substitution levels with full-fat Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens; BSF) prepupae meal (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) were used to investigate the effects of programming via broodstock nutrition on F1 zebrafish larvae development. The responses of offspring were assayed through biometric, gas chromatographic, histological, and molecular analyses. The results evidenced that the same BSF-based diets provided to adults were able to affect F1 zebrafish larvae fatty acid composition without impairing growth performances, hepatic lipid accumulation and gut health. Groups challenged with higher BSF inclusion with respect to fish meal (50%, 75% and 100%) showed a significant downregulation of stress response markers and a positive modulation of inflammatory cytokines gene expression. The present study evidences that nutritional programming through parental feeding may make it possible to extend the fish meal substitution level with BSF prepupae meal in the diet up to almost 100% without incurring the well-known negative side effects of BSF-based diets. Full article
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Article
Nutrient Incorporation in First Feeding Seahorses Evidenced by Stable Carbon Isotopes
Animals 2021, 11(2), 470; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11020470 - 10 Feb 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 496
Abstract
Nutritional issues are among the most critical factors in the initial survival of juvenile seahorses. Currently, there is a knowledge gap on the relationship between nutrient assimilation and the effects on initial mortalities and growth. In the present study, the stable isotope approach [...] Read more.
Nutritional issues are among the most critical factors in the initial survival of juvenile seahorses. Currently, there is a knowledge gap on the relationship between nutrient assimilation and the effects on initial mortalities and growth. In the present study, the stable isotope approach was used to assess the incorporation of two live preys (Artemia and copepods) in juvenile seahorses Hippocampus guttulatus. The changes in stable carbon isotope (δ13C) values were studied through two feeding experiments: feeding on Artemia or copepods (experiment 1), and shifting feeding from copepods to Artemia (experiment 2). In experiment 1, after 24–48 h of feeding, juvenile seahorses exhibited small but progressive changes in δ13C values towards those of the corresponding diet, indicating that the assimilation of the food offered was progressively enhanced from days 2–3. Similarly, in experiment 2, a diet shifting from copepods to Artemia caused an increase in δ13C values, reflecting a switch towards the isotopically enriched new diet (Artemia metanauplii). Differences in the assimilation efficiency of preys offered are discussed based on growth and survival rates. The enhanced growth performances and survivals achieved when the juveniles were fed on copepods could be related to higher efficient assimilation of copepods compared to Artemia. The present study demonstrates that the consumption and further assimilation of preys by juvenile seahorses could be traced using stable carbon isotopes. The research on nutrient assimilation of juvenile seahorses should enhance our knowledge on nutrient processes in developing seahorses for a better understanding of initial ontogeny in the early life stages of the species. Full article
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Article
Boswellia serrata Resin Extract in Diets of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus: Effects on the Growth, Health, Immune Response, and Disease Resistance to Staphylococcus aureus
Animals 2021, 11(2), 446; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11020446 - 08 Feb 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 667
Abstract
The influences of Boswellia serrata resin extract (BSRE) as a feed additive on the growth performance, immune response, antioxidant status, and disease resistance of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L. were assessed. One hundred-forty four fingerlings (initial weight: 21.82 ± 0.48 g) were randomly [...] Read more.
The influences of Boswellia serrata resin extract (BSRE) as a feed additive on the growth performance, immune response, antioxidant status, and disease resistance of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L. were assessed. One hundred-forty four fingerlings (initial weight: 21.82 ± 0.48 g) were randomly allotted into four groups with three replicates where they were fed on one of four treatments with four levels of Boswellia serrata resin extract 0, 5, 10, or 15 g kg−1, BSRE0, BSRE5, BSRE10, BSRE15, respectively for eight weeks. After the end of the feeding trial, the fish were challenged with Staphylococcus aureus, and mortalities were noted. The final body weight, total body weight gain, and the total feed intake were quadratically increased in BSRE5 treatment (p < 0.01). The protein productive efficiency (PPE) was linearly and quadratically increased in all BSRE supplemented treatments (p < 0.01). Dietary addition of BSRE raised the fish crude protein content and reduced the fat content in a level-dependent manner (p < 0.01). The ash content was raised in the BSRE15 group (p < 0.01). Dietary BSRE supplementation decreased the serum levels of glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and nitric oxide. It increased the serum levels of total protein, albumin, total globulins, α1 globulin, α2 globulin, ß globulin, ɣ globulin, Catalase, and SOD (superoxide dismutase) activity, GSH (reduced glutathione), lysozyme activity, and MPO (myeloperoxidase) in a level-dependent manner (p < 0.05). The BSRE15 diet increased the serum level of ALT (alanine aminotransferase) and decreased creatinine serum level (p < 0.05). Dietary BSRE supplementation increased the relative percentage of survival % (RPS) of S. aureus challenged fish. The histoarchitecture of the gills and kidney was normal in the BSRE5 treatment and moderately changed in BSRE10 and BSRE15 treatments. The splenic lymphoid elements were more prevalent, and the melano-macrophage centers (MMC) were mild to somewhat activated in BSRE supplemented treatments. Dietary BSRE supplementation improved the intestinal histomorphology. It can be concluded that BSRE addition can enhance the antioxidant activity, immune status, and disease resistance of O. niloticus to S. aureus infection. The level of 5 g kg−1 BSRE can improve fish growth without causing harmful effects on fish health. The highest levels of BSRE are not recommended as they badly affected the histoarchitecture of many vital organs. Full article
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Review

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Review
The Feasibility of Using Yellow Mealworms (Tenebrio molitor): Towards a Sustainable Aquafeed Industry
Animals 2021, 11(3), 811; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11030811 - 13 Mar 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 811
Abstract
The success of the aquafeed industry mainly depends on the availability of raw ingredients with high nutritional value, such as fishmeal (FM). However, the increased demand for FM elevates its prices and leads to high feed costs. Thus, there is an urgent need [...] Read more.
The success of the aquafeed industry mainly depends on the availability of raw ingredients with high nutritional value, such as fishmeal (FM). However, the increased demand for FM elevates its prices and leads to high feed costs. Thus, there is an urgent need to find suitable alternatives for FM in fish diets to achieve sustainability in aquaculture. Currently, attention is being paid to the possibility of using insect meals as FM substitutes in aquafeed because of their relatively high nutritional quality. TM is one of those insects that can be regarded as a unique candidate because of its relatively high nutritional value. TM are rich sources of essential amino acids (methionine), lipids, and fatty acids, which vary based on the developmental stage of the worms. Although TM have an abundant amount of chitin as a fiber source and other anti-nutritional factors, numerous studies have investigated the efficacy of partial or complete substitution of FM by T. molitor in fish diets. In this context, we reviewed the current research findings on the achievable inclusion levels of T. molitor versus FM substitution in the diets of several finfish and shellfish species. We discussed the potential use of T. molitor as an FM substitute in fish diets and evaluated its effects on growth, biometric indices, and body composition. Besides, the hematological parameters, immunological responses, antioxidative efficacy, intestinal health status, and sensory criteria of fish fed T. molitor-based diets were also assessed. Full article
Review
Yucca schidigera Usage for Healthy Aquatic Animals: Potential Roles for Sustainability
Animals 2021, 11(1), 93; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11010093 - 06 Jan 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 911
Abstract
In modern aquaculture systems, farmers are increasing the stocking capacity of aquatic organisms to develop the yield and maximize water resources utilization. However, the accumulation of ammonia in fishponds regularly occurs in intensive aquaculture systems, resulting in reduced growth rates and poor health [...] Read more.
In modern aquaculture systems, farmers are increasing the stocking capacity of aquatic organisms to develop the yield and maximize water resources utilization. However, the accumulation of ammonia in fishponds regularly occurs in intensive aquaculture systems, resulting in reduced growth rates and poor health conditions. The inclusion of yucca extract is recognized as a practical solution for adsorbing the waterborne ammonia. Yucca has abundant amounts of polyphenolics, steroidal saponins, and resveratrol and can be used as a solution or as a powder. In this context, this review aimed to investigate the possible regulatory roles of yucca extract on aquatic animals’ performances. Concurrently, the feed utilization, growth performance, and physiological status of aquatic species can be improved. Additionally, the yucca application resulted in enhancing the antioxidative, immunological, and anti-inflammatory responses in several aquatic animals. Exclusively, the present review proposed a protective solution through the application of yucca extract in the aquafeed and rearing water of aquatic animals suffering from ammonia accumulation. Furthermore, it shows how yucca could enhance the growth, survival rates, blood biochemical quality, immunological indices, and the antioxidative capacity of aquatic animals in light of the relevant published data. Full article
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Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

1. Nutrient incorporation in first feeding seahorses evidenced by stable carbon isotopes

Sonia Valladares 1, * and Miquel Planas 2

1   Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas (CSIC), Eduardo Cabello 6, 36208 Vigo, Spain; [email protected]

2   Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas (CSIC), Eduardo Cabello 6, 36208 Vigo, Spain; [email protected]

*  Correspondence: [email protected]

Abstract: Feeding issues are among the most critical factors in the initial survival of juvenile seahorses but there is a scarce knowledge in this subject. Our research is focused on the use of stable isotopes to assess the assimilation of food in early juvenile seahorses of Hippocampus guttulatus reared under two feeding conditions: Artemia or copepods. The results from our study suggest that copepods are more efficiently assimilated than Artemia since higher growth and survival were related to copepods feeding. Also, the consumption and assimilation of preys by juvenile seahorses could be traced using stable carbon isotopes as the stable carbon isotope values in seahorses approached the values of the corresponding diet. To our knowledge, it is the first study to assess nutrient assimilation in a seahorse species using stable isotopes. We believe the information presented may be relevant for seahorse nutrition studies and improves our understanding of initial mortalities of juvenile seahorses.

Keywords: seahorses; stable isotopes; food assimilation

 

2. Successful use of geochemical tools to trace the geographic origin of long-snouted seahorse Hippocampus guttulatus raised in captivity

Ana Elisa Cabral1, Fernando Ricardo1, Carla Patinha2, Eduardo Ferreira da Silva2, Miguel Correia3, Jorge Palma3, Miquel Planas4 and Ricardo Calado1,*

1    ECOMARE, CESAM- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Santiago University Campus, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

2    GEOBIOTEC & Department of Geosciences, University of Aveiro, Santiago University Campus,, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; [email protected]; [email protected]

3    CCMAR, Centro de Ciências do Mar, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

4    Department of Ecology and Marine Resources, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas (IIM-CSIC), Vigo, Spain; [email protected]

*    Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +351 234370779

Abstract:

The global market of dried seahorses mainly supplies Traditional Chinese Medicine and still relies on blurry trade chains that often cover less sustainable practices targeting these pricey and endangered fish. As such, reliable tools that allow the enforcement of traceability, namely to confirm the geographic origin of traded seahorses, are urgently needed. The present study evaluated the use of elements fingerprints (EF) in the bony structures of long-snouted seahorses Hippocampus guttulatus raised in captivity in two different locations (southern Portugal and Northern Spain) to discriminate their geographic origin. The EF of different body parts of H. guttulatus were also evaluated as potential proxies for the whole body, in order to allow the analysis of damaged specimens and avoid using whole specimens for analysis. The contrasting EF of H. guttulatus raised in the two locations allowed their reliable discrimination. Although no single body part exactly mimicked the EF of the whole body, seahorse trunks, as well as damaged specimens, could still be correctly allocated to their geographic origin. This promising approach to discriminate the geographic origin for seahorses raised in captivity should now be validated for wild conspecifics originating from different locations, as well as for other species within genus Hippocampus.

Keywords: bony plates, elements fingerprints, ICP-MS, traceability

 

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