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Life
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Fish Nutrition, Production, and Welfare
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Fish Nutrition, Production, and Welfare

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 May 2025 | Viewed by 9210

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Liviu-Dan Miron

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Parasitology Service, Clinics Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Ion Ionescu de la Brad, 700489 Iasi, Romania
Interests: veterinary medicine; zoology; parasitology; animal welfare
Dr. Marian Burducea

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Research and Development Station for Aquaculture and Aquatic Ecology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University, Carol I, 20A, 700505 Iasi, Romania
Interests: phytogenics; fish diets; water quality
Dr. Cristian-Alin Barbacariu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Research station for aquaculture and aquatic ecology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, 700506 Iasi, Romania
Interests: aquaculture; fish reproduction; cultivation technology; fish nutrition
Dr. Mamadou Kone

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Biology and Animal Cytology, Université Jean Lorougnon Guédé, Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire
Interests: parasitology; fish nutrition; veterinary medicine; aquaculture

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Aquaculture is a continuously expanding sector that developed due to the need to provide sustainable food for a growing population and to counterbalance the decline of the fish population in the wild. At the same time, aquaculture is a source of income and food for farmers in less developed countries. To ensure the high demand for products and profitability, the cultivation densities were greatly increased, an aspect that brings numerous challenges and problems. Among these, the most frequent are the problems related to water quality degradation, the occurrence of physiological stress, and decreased animal welfare. At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic and the increase in energy prices caused an increase in feed prices, which represents over 50% of the production cost, putting farmers in a difficult situation. Scientific and technological development can contribute to solving these problems by developing more efficient growing systems with reduced environmental impact, making feed from new and sustainable ingredients with a higher conversion factor, and developing natural products to fight diseases and parasites. This Special Issue is dedicated to interdisciplinary studies on fish nutrition, physiology, chemistry, biochemistry, genetics, reproduction, and breeding technologies. The articles will cover a wide range of topics related to water quality, feed quality, the influence of diets on production levels, the quality of production, and fish welfare.

Prof. Dr. Liviu-Dan Miron
Dr. Marian Burducea
Dr. Cristian-Alin Barbacariu
Dr. Mamadou Kone
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Life is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • aquaculture
  • fish nutrition
  • fish welfare
  • water quality
  • fish disease
  • feed additives
  • rearing systems
  • modern feeding technologies
  • waste management

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 1936 KiB  
Article
Utilizing Invasive Pterygoplichthys pardalis as a Sustainable Fish Meal Substitute and Euphorbia hirta Extract Supplement: Effects on Growth Performance, Organosomatic Indices, Hematological Profiles, and Serum Biochemistry in Chinese Bullfrogs (Hoplobatrachus chinensis)
by Sontaya Sookying, Phanit Srisuttha, Vipada Rodprasert, Chanthima Chaodon, Wikit Phinrub, Nantaporn Sutthi and Paiboon Panase
Life 2025, 15(1), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15010115 - 16 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1229
Abstract
This research examined the efficacy of substituting commercial fish meal (CFM) with Pterygoplichthys pardalis meal (PPM) in Hoplobatrachus chinensis diets, with and without Euphorbia hirta extract (EHE) supplementation. The study utilized six dietary treatments: a control diet (0% PPM, no EHE) and five [...] Read more.
This research examined the efficacy of substituting commercial fish meal (CFM) with Pterygoplichthys pardalis meal (PPM) in Hoplobatrachus chinensis diets, with and without Euphorbia hirta extract (EHE) supplementation. The study utilized six dietary treatments: a control diet (0% PPM, no EHE) and five experimental diets with varying PPM levels (0%+, 25%+, 50%+, 75%+, and 100%+), each fortified with 300 mg/kg EHE. The experiment spanned 90 days. The analysis revealed that PPM exhibited superior amino acid profiles compared to CFM, both in quality and quantity, while CFM demonstrated higher fatty acid content. The growth metrics showed a significant decline only in the group receiving 100% PPM replacement with EHE supplementation. Most organosomatic indices remained consistent across the treatments, with the exception of intraperitoneal fat, which decreased in all EHE-supplemented groups. Blood parameters, including white blood cells, red blood cells, and hematocrit, along with serum proteins (total protein, globulin, and albumin), displayed an upward trend in all EHE-supplemented groups. The 50%+ and 75%+ PPM replacement groups exhibited significantly elevated serum glucose levels (p < 0.05). Liver enzymes (alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase) showed no significant variations among the treatments. The results indicate that PPM can serve as an effective replacement for up to 75% of CFM in H. chinensis feed, without compromising their growth performance. Moreover, supplementing with EHE helps to enhance essential biochemical indices in the body, without adversely affecting liver function. This investigation offers valuable perspectives on the development of sustainable aquaculture feed and the potential application of invasive fish species in aquatic animal nutrition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fish Nutrition, Production, and Welfare)
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18 pages, 1629 KiB  
Article
Comparative Analysis of Growth Performance, Morphological Development, and Physiological Condition in Three Romanian Cyprinus carpio Varieties and Koi: Implications for Aquaculture
by Dana-Andreea Șerban, Cristian-Alin Barbacariu, Marian Burducea, Mihaela Ivancia and Șteofil Creangă
Life 2024, 14(11), 1471; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14111471 - 12 Nov 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1248
Abstract
This study investigates the influence of internal factors on growth dynamics in four Cyprinus carpio varieties, three Romanian strains (Frăsinet, Ineu, and Podu Iloaiei) and the Koi variety. Fish were measured for total length, maximum height, and weight at four ontogenic stages, namely [...] Read more.
This study investigates the influence of internal factors on growth dynamics in four Cyprinus carpio varieties, three Romanian strains (Frăsinet, Ineu, and Podu Iloaiei) and the Koi variety. Fish were measured for total length, maximum height, and weight at four ontogenic stages, namely 7 days post-hatch, 3 months (0+), 18 months old (1+), and 36 months (2+). Weight Gain (WG), Specific Growth Rate (SGR), Relative Growth Rate (RGR), Fulton’s condition factor, and the profile index were calculated and analyzed. Results revealed significant intervariety differences in growth performance and physiological condition across life stages. At the 2+ stage, Podu Iloaiei exhibited the highest WG (849.73 ± 4.09 g), while Koi showed the lowest (403.99 ± 14.21 g). Koi demonstrated a unique growth pattern, with the highest SGR (0.18 ± 0.00% day−1) and RGR (0.98 ± 0.05 g day−1) at the 2+ stage. Fulton’s condition factor varied markedly, with Frăsinet showing the highest value at 7 days post-hatch (149.57 ± 17.485) and Koi the lowest at the 1+ stage (0.63 ± 0.011). The profile index decreased with age in all varieties, with Podu Iloaiei showing the most dramatic change from 4.22 ± 0.149 at 7 days to 2.18 ± 0.004 at 2+. These findings highlight the complex interplay between genetic and developmental factors in carp varieties, offering new insights for tailored breeding programs and aquaculture practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fish Nutrition, Production, and Welfare)
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16 pages, 490 KiB  
Article
Effects of Substituting the Two-Spotted Cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus) Meal for Fish Meal on Growth Performances and Digestibility of Striped Snakehead (Channa striata) Juveniles
by Noratat Prachom, Bundit Yuangsoi, Jarongsak Pumnuan, Mohamed Ashour, Simon J. Davies and Ehab El-Haroun
Life 2023, 13(2), 594; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13020594 - 20 Feb 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3372
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the potential of using field two-spotted cricket Gryllus bimaculatus as the main protein source in fish feed for striped snakehead (Channa striata) juveniles. A 10-week feeding effect on growth performance, feed utilization, digestibility of major nutrients, [...] Read more.
This study aimed to investigate the potential of using field two-spotted cricket Gryllus bimaculatus as the main protein source in fish feed for striped snakehead (Channa striata) juveniles. A 10-week feeding effect on growth performance, feed utilization, digestibility of major nutrients, including amino acids, and physiological outputs of nitrogen and phosphorus were determined. A total of 225 C. striata juvenile fish (Initial weight, 15.0 ± 0.1 g) were randomly distributed into three dietary groups in triplicate (25 fish per rectangular aquarium within a semi-recirculating system). Each group was hand-fed one of the experimental diets containing the graded level of a cricket meal (CM) replacing 0%, 50%, and 100% (CM0%, CM50%, and CM100%, respectively) of fish meal (FM) protein component. The results showed that growth performance and protein retention tended to increase with increasing dietary CM levels, whereas the waste outputs of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) decreased. Apparent net protein utilization (ANPU) and P retention values increased with increasing levels of cricket meal inclusion level in the diet. There was a significant reduction in both N and P solid waste and dissolved waste output for snakehead with increased CM inclusion. There were significant effects of CM level on fish whole-body composition in terms of elevated protein and fat content. In conclusion, the CM is a viable alternative protein source for aquaculture feeds and can be included up to 100% as a replacement for FM without compromising the growth performance of striped snakehead Channa striata juveniles. This may also have a more favorable impact, with the potential to reduce N and P loading to the environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fish Nutrition, Production, and Welfare)
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Other

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7 pages, 1536 KiB  
Brief Report
Advances in Aquaculture Hatchery Techniques of Sea Urchin Sphaerechinus granularis (Lamarck, 1816) (Echinoidea: Toxopneustidae): Broodstock Conditioning and Spawning Induction
by Ricardo Luís, Ricardo José, João Castro and Carlos Andrade
Life 2023, 13(11), 2233; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13112233 - 20 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1852
Abstract
In response to the growing demand for sea urchin gonads (roe or uni) in Asian and European markets and the concerns regarding the overexploitation of wild populations, this preliminary study addresses the need for cost-effective protocols in echinoculture. The primary focus of this [...] Read more.
In response to the growing demand for sea urchin gonads (roe or uni) in Asian and European markets and the concerns regarding the overexploitation of wild populations, this preliminary study addresses the need for cost-effective protocols in echinoculture. The primary focus of this research was to evaluate the gonadosomatic index (GI) in captive-conditioned Sphaerechinus granularis over a five-month period and compare it with that of their wild-caught conspecifics. Additionally, two different spawning induction methods were assessed: potassium chloride (KCl) injection and agitation. Results indicate that captive-conditioned sea urchins exhibit significantly higher GI values when compared to their wild-caught counterparts. Furthermore, it was observed that the agitation method is equally effective as the KCl injection in triggering a positive response, i.e., gamete ejection, while maintaining lower mortality rates among the subjected S. granularis. In conclusion, this preliminary study underscores the pivotal role of broodstock conditioning in supporting the sustainability of sea urchin aquaculture. Moreover, the spawning induction method through agitation emerges as a viable alternative to the traditional intracelomic KCl injection, offering comparable efficacy without compromising the survival of the broodstock. These findings have significant implications for the development of sustainable sea urchin farming practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fish Nutrition, Production, and Welfare)
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