Biological filters are essential parts of recirculating aquaculture systems that transform toxic fish compounds such as ammonium and nitrite into less-harmful nitrate. The authors tested the convenience and efficiency of three methods for the initial inoculation of aerobic biofilters.
Inbreeding commonly causes a decrease in the mean values of traits of productive interest in aquaculture. Results of a study, however, showed that inbreeding had no effect on grout survival of Pacific white shrimp from 65 to 130 days of age.
Much of the chemical breakdown of foodstuffs begins in the stomachs of animals through acidification. Effective use of digestive biology is a goal in aquaculture, so dietary acidifiers have been gaining interest in recent years.
Loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a highly specific technique that can amplify DNA in isothermal conditions. The kit can amplify the target gene of the pathogen using a single temperature and give results in one hour.
Variability in the quantity and quality of larval yields limit aquaculture growth. New biotechnological advances promise to revolutionize the way we assess and solve bottlenecks. A study demonstrated the use of metabolomics to assess and classify mollusk larvae quality and identify biochemical pathways that may reveal further important insights.
A study confirmed the utility for improved polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of the Vibrio bacteria that cause acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) in asymptomatic shrimp by permitting the shrimp to expire and decompose for several hours prior to preservation and PCR processing.
The production period for largemouth bass in ponds hampers the economic feasibility of pond culture in the United States. A study demonstrated that bass fingerlings could be raised at high densities in a semi-closed recirculating system without serious mortality, size variability or growth retardation.
The authors conducted a study to evaluate whether treatment of Trichodina-parasitized tilapia with formalin would improve fish survival and reduce F. columnare infection. Tilapia not treated with formalin showed significantly higher mortality than treated fish.
To evaluate the application of an air pressure-based transport method within a recirculating aquaculture system, the authors performed testing with harvest-size salmon at The Conservation Fund Freshwater Institute.
At the recent GOAL conference, the British Columbia Salmon Farmers Association committed to reveal sea lice counts at farms operating in the province while promising a future without antibiotics, despite struggles with the persistent yellow mouth disease.
In line with the Global Aquaculture Alliance’s mission to advocate, educate and demonstrate responsible aquaculture worldwide, the Advocate is a forum for information and insight into one of the world’s most important and fastest-growing industries.
Obligate and opportunistic parasites play a critical role in determining the productivity, sustainability and economic viability of global finfish aquaculture enterprises. Without stringent and appropriate control measures, the impacts of these pathogens can often be significant.
Selection for disease resistance has been used in breeding farm animals and can be a viable option to deal with white spot syndrome and acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease in commercial shrimp culture. In trials, heritability for AHPND resistance was low, while that for WSS was moderate.
Strategies to control Vibrio bacteria at aquaculture farms must revolve around limiting inputs, including those from postlarvae suppliers, those that come in with the water, those that remain in the soil between crops and those in the feed and accumulated organic matter.
Control of Vibrio bacteria should focus on minimizing overall bacterial loads and the potential for horizontal transmission. The challenge for hatchery managers is identifying gaps in biosecurity and plugging them without creating niches for other potential pathogens.
Environmental lighting, which synchronizes all stages of aquatic life, is an important consideration as more aquatic animals are produced indoors in highly controlled environments. Artificial lighting should deliver uniform light across the water’s surface in rearing tanks and mimic not only photoperiod, but also light color and intensity.