Fatty acid composition on diet and carcasses, growth, body indices and profile serum of Asian redtail catfish ( Hemibagrus nemurus) fed a diet containing different levels of EPA and DHA

Background: The Asian redtail catfish Hemibagrus nemurus is a promising commercial aquaculture freshwater big-sized Bagridae catfish across Asian countries such as the Mekong, Malay Peninsula, and Indonesia. This study analysed the effect of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) supplementation in diets on changes in fatty acid compositions in feed and fish meat, lipid quality (atherogenic index and thrombogenic index), growth rate, body indicators, and serum metabolites of Hemibagrus nemurus juveniles . Methods: A total of 180 Asian redtail catfish (initial weight 54.80 ± 2.72 g) were fed four levels (0, 3,150, 6,300, and 9,450 mg of EPA+DHA/kg feed) sourced from fish oil. Diets were fed in triplicate in freshwater tarpaulin ponds, with 15 fish per tarpaulin pond. During the experiment, fish were fed 3% per day of the biomass weight. Results: Categorically, there were significant differences in the composition of fatty acids in the feed and fish meat. The atherogenic index was between 1.76 and 1.84, and the thrombogenic index was between 0.81 and 0.89 in all fish meat. Growth performance was significantly different between diets, while body indices did not make a significant difference between diets. The fish meat EPA and DHA showed positive linear relationships with diet EPA (p <0.001, r ² = 90%) and DHA diet (p<0.001, r ²= 85%). Serum metabolites among treatments D2 and D3 diet-fed feed for 60 days did not significantly differ. Glucose (GLU) levels had moderate relationships with triglycerides (TAG) ( r ²= 65%), and GLU levels strongly correlated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ( r ²= 81%). Conclusions: Based on diets and whole-body carcass compositions, growth performance, and serum metabolites, Asian redtail catfish fed a diet containing 6,300 mg of EPA+DHA/kg feed are best for food safety.

Use of chicken feather meal fermented with Bacillus subtilis in diets to increase the digestive enzymes activity and nutrient digestibility of silver pompano Trachinotus blochii (Lacepede, 1801)

Background: Feather has the potential to be used as a fish feed ingredient because it has high protein content (80-85%), and is rich in amino acids arginine, leucine, isoleucine and valine. However, the protein consists mainly of keratin, which is classified as fiber that is difficult to digest. Therefore, to improve digestibility, the keratin protein is degraded using microbial Bacillus subtilis. This study aimed to determine the digestibility of fermented feather meal (FFM) in silver pompano ( Trachinotus blochii) diets and to observe the histological structure of their intestines after digestion.

Methods: The method used was a one factor experiment with five treatments and three replications each, which were: diet without FFM, diet containing 10% FFM, 20%, 30% and 40%. The diets were given to juvenile silver pompano (with average body weight of 8.56 ± 0.18 g) and stocked in 15 similar 20-L plastic jars with 10 fish per jar in a density of 100 L capacity container. The experimental diets were given three times daily at approximately 8.00 AM, 12.00 PM and 5.00 PM to apparent satiation for 60 days.

Results: The results showed that the use of FFM increased the activity of digestive enzymes (protease and lipase), but reduced the amylase activity of silver pompano, which was significantly different between treatments (P <0.05). Meanwhile, the diet containing 20% FFM produced the highest feed and protein, which are 37.05% and 67.24%, respectively. This was significantly different from other treatments (P <0.05), and was effectively absorbed by fish intestines.

Conclusion: The addition of chicken feather meal fermented with Bacillus subtilis could increase the activity of protease and lipase enzymes and nutrient digestibility of silver pompano but not amylase activity.

Antibacterial activity in secondary metabolite extracts of heterotrophic bacteria against Vibrio alginolyticus, Aeromonas hydrophila, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Background: Disease causing bacteria such as Vibrio alginolyticus, Aeromonas hydrophila, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa present a problem for fish farming. Treatment to remove them are generally carried out using antibiotics which have side effects on fish, the environment and humans. However, the use of antibacterial compounds derived from heterotrophic bacteria serve as a good alternative for antibiotics. Therefore, this study aimed to explore antibacterial activity in the secondary metabolite extracts of heterotrophic bacteria against Vibrio alginolyticus, Aeromonas hydrophila, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methods: Heterotrophic bacteria namely Bacillus sp. JS04 MT102913.1, Bacillus toyonensis JS08 MT102920.1, Bacillus cereus JS10 MT102922.1, Bacillus sp. JS11 MT102923.1, Pseudoalteromonas sp. JS19 MT102924.1, Bacillus cereus JS22 MT102926.1, and Bacillus sp. strain JS25 MT102927.1 were used in this study. The sequences of these bacteria have been deposited and are available from NCBI GenBank. Each heterotrophic bacterium was cultured on 6L nutrient broth for 8 days, and extracts produced using ethyl acetate to obtain their secondary metabolites. These extracts were tested for their phytochemical contents using FT-IR and also tested for their inhibitory property in pathogenic bacteria by agar diffusion method. Results: Phytochemical test results showed that the seven heterotrophic bacterial isolates produced terpenoid compounds. Based on the inhibitory test, the secondary metabolite extracts from Bacillus sp strain JS04 had the highest inhibitory effect on the growth of pathogenic bacteria namely, V. alginolyticus (17.5 mm), A. hydrophila (16.8 mm), and P. aeruginosa (17.3 mm). Conclusion: It was concluded that the secondary metabolite extracts of heterotrophic bacteria inhibit the growth of V. alginolyticus, A. hydrophila, and P. aeruginosa.

Effect of different biofloc starters on ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite concentrations in the cultured tilapia Oreochromis niloticus system

Background: High stocking density and intensive feeding in aquaculture systems lead to the accumulation of organic waste, which results in an increase in ammonia, nitrite, and nitrite concentrations in culture media. Biofloc is a potential technology to overcome this problem. The starter is a crucial carbon source for bacteria in the formation of biofloc. The objective of the present study aimed to explore the best starter of biofloc in a red tilapia Oreochromis niloticus culture system.

Methods: A completely randomized design with four levels of treatment was used in this study. The tested starter was (A) control treatment, biofloc without starter, (B) biofloc with molasses starter, (C) biofloc with tapioca starter, and (D) biofloc with sucrose starter. The floc was cultured in 100-L tanks with a salinity of 17 ppt. The tanks were stocked with O. niloticus with a size of 3.71±0.11 cm at a stocking density of 30 fish per tank. The fish were fed on a commercial diet two times a day at satiation for 40 days. The ammonia, nitrite, and nitrite concentrations were measured for an interval of 8 days.

Results: The study showed that the NH ₃-N range was 0.02–0.07 mg L ⁻¹ (mean, 0.03 ± 0.02 mg L ⁻¹), NO ₂-N range was 0.20–0.43 mg L ⁻¹ (mean, 0.25 ± 0.12 mg L ⁻¹), and NO ₃-N range was 0.90–3.20 mg L ⁻¹ (mean, 1.42 ± 1.19 mg L ⁻¹).

Conclusion: Among the starters tested, molasses was found to be the best for biofloc in tilapia culture.

Effect of different biofloc starters on ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite concentrations in the cultured tilapia Oreochromis niloticus system

Background: High stocking density and intensive feeding in aquaculture systems lead to the accumulation of organic waste, which results in an increase in ammonia, nitrite, and nitrite concentrations in culture media. Biofloc is a potential technology to overcome this problem. The starter is a crucial carbon source for bacteria in the formation of biofloc. The objective of the present study aimed to explore the best starter of biofloc in a red tilapia Oreochromis niloticus culture system. Methods: A completely randomized design with four levels of treatment was used in this study. The tested starter was (A) control treatment, biofloc without starter, (B) biofloc with molasses starter, (C) biofloc with tapioca starter, and (D) biofloc with sucrose starter. The floc was cultured in 100-L tanks with a salinity of 17 ppt. The tanks were stocked with O.niloticus with a size of 3.71±0.11 cm at a stocking density of 30 fish per tank. The fish were fed on a commercial diet two times a day at satiation for 40 days. The ammonia, nitrite, and nitrite concentrations were measured for an interval of 8 days. Results: The study showed that the NH 3-N range was 0.02-0.07 mg L -1 (mean, 0.03 ± 0.02 mg L -1), NO 2-N range was 0.20-0.43 mg L -1 (mean, 0.25 ± 0.12 mg L -1), and NO 3-N range was 0.90-3.20 mg L -1 (mean, 1.42 ± 1.19 mg L -1). Conclusion: Among the starters tested, molasses was found to be the best for biofloc in tilapia culture.

Effect of different biofloc starters on ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite concentrations in the cultured tilapia Oreochromis niloticus system

Background: High stocking density and intensive feeding in aquaculture systems lead to the accumulation of organic waste, which results in an increase in ammonia, nitrite, and nitrite concentrations in culture media. Biofloc is a potential technology to overcome this problem. The starter is a crucial carbon source for bacteria in the formation of biofloc. The objective of the present study aimed to explore the best starter of biofloc in a red tilapia Oreochromis niloticus culture system. Methods: A completely randomized design with four levels of treatment was used in this study. The tested starter was (A) control treatment, biofloc without starter, (B) biofloc with molasses starter, (C) biofloc with tapioca starter, and (D) biofloc with sucrose starter. The floc was cultured in 100-L tanks with a salinity of 17 ppt. The tanks were stocked with O.niloticus with a size of 3.71±0.11 cm at a stocking density of 30 fish per tank. The fish were fed on a commercial diet two times a day at satiation for 40 days. The ammonia, nitrite, and nitrite concentrations were measured for an interval of 8 days. Results: The study showed that the NH 3-N range was 0.02-0.07 mg L -1 (mean, 0.03 ± 0.02 mg L -1), NO 2-N range was 0.20-0.43 mg L -1 (mean, 0.25 ± 0.12 mg L -1), and NO 3-N range was 0.90-3.20 mg L -1 (mean, 1.42 ± 1.19 mg L -1). Conclusion: Among the starters tested, molasses was found to be the best for biofloc in tilapia culture.

Diversity and distribution of fish fauna of upstream and downstream areas at Koto Panjang Reservoir, Riau Province, Indonesia

Background: The capture fishery sectors in the river and reservoir play an important role in the Indonesian economy through increased income and diversification of livelihoods. The present study was conducted to ascertain fish diversity and their distribution pattern in the upstream and downstream areas of Koto Panjang Reservoir, Riau Province-Indonesia.

Methods: Fish samples were collected for a period of 12 months using a variety of fish nets at four sites; Koto Mesjid (KM) and Batu Bersurat (BB), located in the upstream area of Koto Panjang Reservoir and Rantau Berangin (RB) and Kuok (KK), located in the downstream area of Koto Panjang Reservoir. Data obtained were analyzed using standard taxonomic keys based on morphometric characters.

Results: A total of 44 species belonging 19 families and 33 genera were recorded in the study area. Alpha diversity indices showed that fish diversity in this area was quite high (Shannon’s index = 2.10 and Simpson-D = 0.21) and evenness was low (evenness H/S =0.19). The fish in KM and BB sites (upstream) were from eight and 11 families, respectively. In RB and KK sites (downstream), fish were from 16 and 15 families, respectively. In KM, BB, RB and KK sites, the dominant family was Cyprinidae, comprising 33.45%, 50.95%, 43.04% and 39.35% of all fish caught at each site, respectively. Exotic species, especially Nile tilapia, were 20.15%, 14.11%, 5.62%, and 5.34%, respectively. Some differences were also noted between the upstream and downstream reservoirs, with a slight increase in exotic species in the upstream reservoir over the study period (from 11.39% vs. 34.66%), corresponding to decrease of native species (from 88.61% vs. 65.34%).

Conclusions: The diversity and distribution of fish fauna were varied in upstream and downstream areas of Koto Panjang Reservoir. The exotic species were found to be dominant in the upstream reservoir areas.

Reproductive performance of asian catfish ( Hemibagrus wyckii Bleeker, 1858), a candidate species for aquaculture

Background: Hemibagrus wyckii Bagridae is one of the important economic fish species that lives in the rivers and reservoir in Riau Province, Indonesia. The present study aimed to determine the reproductive performance of H.wyckii under culture conditions.

Methods: A total of 10 female and 10 male fish were selected, and weight, length, characteristics of egg and sperm, and hatchery performance were measured. Eggs were fertilized using the dry method. Egg weight and egg diameters were measured for 50 eggs per female. Egg size (50 eggs for each fish) was measured using Labo microscope model  L-711 using software camera 3. Then, saline solution was added over the eggs, followed by the addition of pooled sperm from 10 males.

Results: Average relative fecundity, egg weight and egg diameter were 2060±512 eggs/kg fish, 29.86±1.21 mg and 2.67±0.26 mm, respectively. The fertilization rate and hatching rate were 60.91±4.68% and 42.91±2.92% respectively. Sperm characteristics such as volume per fish (mL), pH, concentration (per mL), motility (%) and duration of motility (second) were 0.82±0.20, 7.15±0.12, 3.68±0.15, 72.77±1.46 and 47.5±4.84, respectively.

Conclusion: The study results and scientific observations regarding reproductive performance suggest that H. wyckii can be considered a new candidate species for aquaculture.