Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences
Volume:20 Issue: 5, Sep 2021

In the present study, the anti-oxidative effects of dietary curcumin (CUR) were evaluated in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) challenged with cold temperature condition in floating cages system. Fish with an average weight of 22±0.5 g were divided into four groups and fed daily with free basal diet (control); 1, 2, and 3% CUR for a five-week period.  Oxidative status and growth parameters were measured. Results indicated that CUR supplementation markedly enhanced antioxidative status which was noticed by enhanced superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and lipid peroxidase activities. In addition, improvement in growth performance including body mass gain, specific growth rate, condition factor and feed conversion ratio were noticed. The expression of related HSP70, IL-1β and CC5 were markedly up-regulated over the control. Conclusively, dietary CUR markedly enhanced anti-oxidative status all over experimental period, proposing its usage as natural anti-cold stress supplement and thus could increase time spent in outdoor culture systems through improving tolerance to cold water temperature.

One of the major sources of impacts on marine resources comes from climate variability and regime shifts. In this context, the present study pinpoints the role of climatic and environmental parameters on the dynamic of kilka in the Caspian Sea. During the last decades, landings and stocks of the main pelagic species of kilka had been changed dramatically in the Caspian Sea. This study focuses on the last three decades of the climate regime and tries to explain the part of the changes in the recruitment (R) and spawning stock biomass (SSB) of three kilka species. Based on the statistical analysis of data series, it is found that regime changes in the global and regional environmental variables started in the mid-1995s, however, the shift of the late 1990s (1998) was more strong in the Caspian Sea. The study further reveals that the global climatic indices changes in the late 1990s are triggering the regional and local indices induced regime shifts in the late 1990s and 2000s. The study concludes that the changes in populations of fish species, especially for kilka, could be due to the regime shift.

The purpose of this  study was to investigate changes in abundance of combs and non-biological parameters around fish cage in southwestern Caspian Sea. This study was conducted with 3 stations near the cage fish farming site and 3 reference stations far from the cage during 2018-2020. Total number of Mnemiopsis leidyi in the stations near to fish farming site (13200 ind.m-3) increased by 42% compared to far stations from the fish farming site (9500 ind.m-3) in 2018-2020. M. leidyi had the highest monthly abundance at the station near the cage fish farming site with 3011 ind.m-3 in February 2019. The lowest abundance of M. leidyi was observed at the far station from cage fish farming site almost 4.0 ind.m-3 in February 2020. The length group of less than 5 mm dominated M. leidyi populations by more than 96% and was the predominant M. leidyi population at the cage fish farming site. The findings showed, the abundance of B. ovata fluctuated between 27 and 47 ind.m-3 at near the stations cage, notably B. ovate was not observed at stations far from the cage fish farming site. CCA analysis confirmed that there was a strong relationship between M. leidyi abundance and nutrients levels (r=0.99). Increasing the amount of nutrients generated from feed and excretion of fish farming in cages is one of the main reasons for increase in the abundance of M. leidyi and B. ovata at stations near the fish farming site. Therefore due to the closed environment of Caspian Sea, without investigating cage culture effects on native fauna and flora, development of fish farming sites in sea cages is not sustainable.

The main objective of this study was to determine the optimum application level of acidic extracted grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) gelatin as a protein-based fat replacer in the development of low-fat milk cream. A cream mixture consisting of fish gelatin at different concentrations (0-8%), milk cream, and cow milk was used to find the best formula for developing a low-fat milk cream. The optimization of the formula was based on the physicochemical and sensory properties of the prototypes using a mixture design model. Results showed that the crude protein content of the prototypes was increased by increasing fish gelatin concentration. However, the fat content was significantly reduced from 30% in the control to 12.5% in the low-fat sample with 8% fish gelatin. The highest values of freeze-thaw stability and water holding capacity were seen in the low-fat samples with 4% and 8% fish gelatin. The microstructural characteristics revealed that fish gelatin could cause smaller particles of oil globules compared to the full-fat cream. The lightness value was decreased significantly in the prototypes by increasing fish gelatin concentration, while the highest yellowness index was observed in the prototype with 8% fish gelatin. This study revealed the successful application of fish gelatin in low-fat milk cream at the level of 8%. At this level, the sensory attributes and texture properties were improved. This study noted that it is possible to develop a low-fat milk cream enriched fish gelatin as a novel functional ingredient with high nutritional values and potential health benefits.

The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of aqueous and acetone extracts of Persian walnut (Juglans regia) leaves on the responses of the immune system in the farmed western white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) infected to Vibrio harveyi. Shrimps were randomly divided into 10 groups: 3 groups treated with the aqueous extracts at concentrations of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg respectively, 3 groups treated with Estonian extracts at concentrations of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg respectively, 2 groups selected as negative control groups and 2 groups as positive controls. Experimental groups were randomly tested in triplicates over a 40-day period. The parameters of immune responses of shrimp samples were measured at three-time points of baseline (day 0), midterm (day 20), and end line (day 40). The results of this study showed that the administration of acetone extract of Persian walnut leaves at a concentration of 200 mg/kg caused a significant change in total hemocyte count, differential hemocyte count, and total plasma protein levels in the western white shrimp (p≤0.05). The results indicated that the walnut leaf extract can be used as a supplement to shrimp farming because of its cost-effectiveness and availability, and can significantly increase the productivity of shrimp farms.

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of probiotic Bio-Aqua® on growth performance, carcass composition,  haematological and biochemical parameters of bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) as well as the physico-chemical parameters of earthen ponds waters. For this purpose, bighead carp was cultured with initial weight of 0.5±0.05 g with selective experimental treatments for 4 months. In this study, treatments included: control (0 g / ha Bio-Aqua ®), T1 (250 g/ha Bio-Aqua ®), T2 (350 g/ha Bio-Aqua®) and T3 (450 g/ha Bio-Aqua®) which they were added to water of earthen ponds. Based on these results, significant difference was observed in specific growth rate, weight gain, daily growth rate, feed conversion ratio and survival in T3 treatment (450 g/ha) compared to the other treatments (p<0.05). Also, there was a significant difference in the crude protein and moisture contents in T3 group compared to control and T1 groups (p<0.05). Moreover, in T3 treatment, total protein, number of red and white blood cells, hemoglobin, PCV, monocytes and neutrophils were significantly higher than the other treatments (p<0.05). Bio-Aqua ®, in T3 (450 g/ha concentration) significantly reduced TSS, BOD, COD, nitrite and phosphate of water in earthen ponds compare to other treatments (p<0.05). This study demonstrated that Bio-Aqua® supplement, especially in T3 group (450 g/ha) improved growth performance, nutritional value, survival rate, chemical composition and haematological parameters of bighead carp.

Viral Nervous Necrosis (VNN), caused by betabodavirus, is considered as one of the most important threats for mariculture and aquaculture globally. The disease was previously reported in wild golden grey mullet (Chelon aurata) from the Caspian Sea in 2004. To update these findings and to examine the phylogenetic relationship of the betanodavirus involved in disease outbreaks in Iran with other betanodavirus genotypes, forty golden grey mullets were screened for the presence of betanodavirus using real-time RT-PCR targeting the T4 region of RNA2 coat protein gene. The results showed that all 40 fish has positive test for the virus, which was also confirmed by immunohistochemistry. The phylogenetic relationship of betanodavirus involved in disease outbreaks in Iran from 2016 to 2017 was compared with betanodavirus genotypes sequenced from elsewhere, and the 300 bp product from the real-time RT-PCR sequenced was found to have a 98–100% homology with red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNVV), confirming that the betanodavirus detected in wild golden grey mullet in the southern parts of the Caspian Sea adjacent to Iran determined to be the RGNNV genotype.

The diversity and spatial distribution of mollusks in three different mangrove zones (deltaic mangrove, island mangrove and coastal mangrove) of Hara Biosphere Reserve were studied from August 2014 to January 2015. A total of 9 transects (27 stations) perpendicular to the coastline were selected to cover all over the study area. Counts of all macrofauna with three replicate sediment samples were recorded from each zone and station. In this study, 32 different species of mollusk including 8 bivalves and 24 gastropods were found and listed. Results from the two-way ANOSIM suggested that molluscan assemblages presented significant spatial and temporal variations in different mangrove habitats. In addition, using non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS) ordinations of the assemblage compositions showed some separation between three mangrove zones. Results from benthic samples illustrated that deltaic zone had the highest abundant and diversity and coastal zone had the lowest values among the three zones. In conclusion, different hydrological conditions, temperature, salinity and sediment texture were the main factors determining dispersion of molluscan faunal communities in different mangrove habitats at Hara Biosphere Reserve. This result implied that the different mangrove habitatshad different effects on the macrofauna communities and shed light on the macrofauna adaptation capability to specific habitats.

Azolla filiculoides. This may due to its ability to combine ultrasonication and the commonly solvent extraction to improve the output and degree of selectivity and quality extract. Three factors consisting of sonication time, solvent and ratio of dry powder to solvent were optimized by the Taguchi experimental design. However, the optimized conditions by the highest extraction yield were an extraction time of 10 min, solvent extraction of water, and dry powder to the solvent ratio (1:10). Moreover, the parametric evaluation showed that sonication time had no significant effect on TPC (p>0.05), while the dry powder to solvent ratio showed a significant effect on TPC (p<0.05). The highest degree of DPPH, ABTS and metal chelating was 14.68±2.05, 74.40±8.50 and 56.74±1.01, respectively. The results of the antibacterial properties of all treatments against two Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes) and two Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica) showed a significant effect on all treatments (p<0.05). These results indicated that the ultrasound method could be used to extract phenolic compounds from A. Filiculoides. Also, A. filiculoides can be applied as a source of antioxidants and antibacterial compounds.

This study evaluated the effects of α-lipoic acid (LA) supplementation on antioxidants responses in intestine and liver of Cyprinus carpio juveniles. Four experimental groups were fed in duration of 60 days with a diet containing different levels (0 as control, 0.5, 1 and 1.5g kg−1) of LA evaluating glutathione (GSH) activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant activity (TAC) in two organs. Parameters, including survival, weight gain and specific growth rates were also evaluated. The results showed that adding LA supplementation to carp diet led to increased activity of antioxidant enzymes in 1.5 g dose and the difference was significant in 0.5 and 1g groups (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in survival among experimental and control groups (p>0.05). Weight gain in 1 g group was significantly higher than other groups (p<0.05). Specific growth rates exhibited the same response pattern as that of weight gain (p<0.05). The obtained results regarding growth and antioxidant status indicated that LA could be supplemented in diets for Cyprinus carpio at doses between 1 and 1.5g LA kg−1 dry food.

To understand how different vaccines, i.e., bivalent formalin-inactivated vaccine (Lactococus garvie and Streptococcus iniae), could affect the immune-related gene expressions, the TNF-alpha, IL-1β and IL-8 genes of head kidney was measured in Oncorhynchus mykiss. To address this, 630 juvenile fish weighing 26±3 g were initially (day 0) injected by three different treatments, including control group (normal saline only), AquaVacTM Garvetil (Merck) and Iranian vaccine (Jehad-e-Daneshagahi) and followed by bath immersion into the same vaccine on day 30. The head kidney was withdrawn to measure immune-related gene expressions at the beginning of experiment (day 0), and following 14, 30, 45 and 60 days of post-vaccination. In the next step, control and both vaccinated groups were also subjected to either L. garvie or S. iniae challenge. Similar samples were taken immediately following bacteria injection (time= 0) and 12, 48, 72 h, and following 7 and 10 days of challenged test. The real-time PCR indicated up-regulation of all cytokine genes following vaccination at day 14 as compared to initial day (p<0.05). In pre-challenged experiment, the higher induction in the level of those genes in the head kidney was related to AquaVac vaccine (p<0.05). Injection by S. iniae and L. garviae induced the level of immune-related gene expression in the head kidney within the first few days with higher intensity in case of unvaccinated control group. Although the AquaVac produces higher up-regulation of inflammatory gene expression rather than Iranian vaccine, the immunostimulatory effects of both vaccines is a time-restricted.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Myrtle, Myrtus communis, extract on hematological, immuno-physiological, antioxidant responses, bactericidal activity, and tissue histomorphology of gill and liver in juvenile Siberian sturgeon, Acipenser baerii. Siberian sturgeon were exposed to 4 doses of myrtle extract including 25% (67.4 mg/L; M25), 50% (134.9 mg/L; M50), 75% (202.0 mg/L; M75), and 100% (269.8 mg/L; M100) of the maximum allowable concentration and a control treatment (without exposure myrtle extract). Hemoglobin and red blood cell  values were significantly increased in fish exposed to the myrtle extracts (p<0.05). The white blood cell was lower in M25 and M75, while the highest value was found in M100 treatment (p<0.05). Myrtle extract did not affect the lymphocyte value in the course of exposure (p>0.05). The highest albumin and total protein levels were observed in M25 and M50 groups. The highest values of lysozyme and total immunoglobulin (Ig) activities were observed in M50, M75 and M25, M50, respectively (p<0.05). Superoxide dismutase and catalase activities of those fish exposed to M50 and M75 were significantly higher than the control and M100 groups (p<0.05). The lowest glutathione peroxidase value was observed in the control group compared to the others (p<0.05). The severe changes such as adhesion and curling of gill lamella discern were observed in fish exposed to different levels of myrtle extracts. Moreover, in the control group, severe hepatocyte destruction was accompanied by nucleus pyknosis, but the severity of atrophy was observed in M75 and M100 treatments. Overall, the results suggested that myrtle in the range of 67.4-202 mg/L could be applied as a stimulant agent to Siberian sturgeon aquaculture.

The deep-water rose shrimp, Parapenaeus longirostris (Lucas, 1846), has an important economic value in the Algerian market. This work aimed to fill the knowledge gap on the species through the study of growth, mortality, and exploitation rate. The samples of P.longirostris were collected monthly in the Bou-Ismail Bay from 2016 to 2018. The carapace length (CL) of the females and males ranged from 15 to 43 mm and 14 to 38 mm with averages of 28.99±4.76 mm and 25.82±3.92, respectively. The species shows a sexual size dimorphism. The CL and total weight relationship established that growth in both sexes was negatively allometric. The Von Bertalanffy Growth Function parameters for females and males were CL∞=48.80 mm, K=0.60 year-1, and CL∞=41.40 mm, K=0.62 year-1, respectively. The instantaneous rates of total mortalities (Z) were 2.66 year-1 for females and 2.03 year-1 for males. The exploitation rates were 0.66 and 0.49 for females and males, respectively. The length at first capture for males and females is equal to 16.30 mm, 17.14 mm, respectively. The result indicates a beginning of the overfishing situation for P. longirostris. Thus, it encourages undertaking stock assessment studies in the area.

The present study aimed to assess the effect of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) as a biofilter on water quality, growth performance and survival of koi carp (Cyprinus carpio) in an aquaponic system. Water hyacinth was used at three densities of 2 bushes, 4 bushes and 6 bushes. Each treatment contained 10 fish weighing 11.43±0.1 g (in 80 L aquarium) in 3 replicates, and the experiment was run at 22-24°C for 42 days. A control group was also included without the plant. The obtained results showed that there was no significant difference in dissolved oxygen (DO) level among the treatments while DO in all treatments were almost insignificantly higher than the control (p>0.05). Total dissolved solid in all treatments were significantly lower than control with the lowest level obtained in 4 bushes group (p<0.05). Total suspension solid level in all treatments were significantly higher than control (p<0.05). Also, PO4 value was decreased with an increasing in the plant density. Both nitrite and nitrate in all treatments were lower than control group. Cadmium content of water was reduced with increasing in plant density. These values in all densities were lower than the control group. A better performance in final weight, weight gain, daily growth weight, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio and food conversion ratio were obtained in 4 bushes than the other treatments. Also, significantly lower mortality (about 12-34%) was observed in all treatments than the control fish (p<0.05). These data show that the combination of water hyacinth especially at 4 bushes density together with koi carp can improve water quality and increases fish production.

Determining the optimum feeding rate is one of the important feeding managerial activities in the aquaculture industry. The satiation rate of the sturgeons, especially during the early life stages, is hard to be determined. Thus, in this study we investigated the effects of different feeding rates on Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) after initiation of the exogenous feeding. The study was conducted in eight trials, and allocated five feeding rate treatments (with three replicates) for each trial. The initial body weight in trials 1-8 were 0.039±0.005 to50.060±7.328 g, respectively, and the stocking densities were 12 to 0.25 individuals per liter, respectively. Results showed that in trial 1, food conversion ratio (FCR) was affected significantly, whereas the survival rate and growth performance were not affected by the feeding rates, except the dry weight. In trials2-8, the growth performance and FCR were affected significantly (p<0.05) by the feeding rates, whereas, there were no significant differences amongst the survival rates in trials 5-8. The analyses on the growth performance indicated that the optimum feeding rates of Persian sturgeon larvae and juveniles in trials 1 (0.039-0.097 g), 2 (0.107-0.193 g), 3 (0.211-0.334 g), 4 (0.417-1.944 g), 5 (2.335-6.219 g), 6 (6.950-13.275 g), 7 (14.720-37.350 g), and 8 (50.060-124.050 g) to be 20%, 15%, 9%, 7%, 6%, 3%, 3%, and 2.5% body weight day-1, respectively.

The basis of biofloc technology is biomaterials, dead organic particles, microbes, algae, protozoa and other organisms. The biofloc acts as a biological filter and is an environment for bacteria that can remove the ammonia. In this study, for evaluate the effect of biofloc system on physical and chemical parameters of water, growth performance and blood indices, 120 juvenile Huso huso with an initial mean weight of 168.2±2.9 g were introduced in 6 fiberglass tanks with volume 2000 liters and reared for 8 weeks. Treatments included control and a biofloc system with 3 replications in each treatment. During the experiment, physical and chemical parameters of water, growth, and blood indices in fish were measured. Based on the results, a significant decrease was observed in feed conversion ratio (FCR). Specific growth rate (SGR), weight gain and weight gain percentage increased significantly in biofloc system compared to the control (p<0.05). The lowest number of white blood cells, neutrophils and the highest number of red blood cells, hematocrit and mean corposcular volume (MCV) were observed in the biofloc treatment and there was a significant difference compared to control treatment (p<0.05). Physicochemical parmeters results such as pH, NO3, NH3, NH4 and TAN values showed a significant difference in biofloc system compared to the control (p<0.05). In addition, biofloc treatment had more bacteria than the control (p<0.05). Salinity, nitrogen to phosphorus ratio, alkalinity and orthophosphate levels showed no significant difference between control and biofloc system (p>0.05). However, the total amount of suspended solids (TDS) in biofloc treatment was significantly higher in bifloc system than the control (P<0.05). Therefore, biofloc system can be selected as the better treatment than control according to its good performance in farmed beluga.

The present study has been conducted to identify and enumerate ballast water phytoplankton on 24 ships entering Shahid Rajaee Port (13 bulk carriers, 4 oil tankers, 6 general cargo and 1 container), in two cold and warm seasons in winter 2017 and summer 2018, from the four origins as the name the Persian Gulf, western, eastern, and northwestern Indian Ocean.The sampling of phytoplankton was conducted by passing 100 liters of sampling waters through a 20-micron plankton net, in compliance with the G2 standard method approved by MEPC.173 (58). In this manner, 108 phytoplankton species were identified in the ballast water tanks of the sampled ships, belonging to 4 phylum, 5 classes, 23 orders, and 38 families. In the warm season, Dinophyceae (54%) and in the cold season, Bacillariophyceae (60.96%) were prevalent among the samples. The identified species from the Persian Gulf had the highest similarity with the species from the western Indian Ocean, and the least similarity with the eastern Indian Ocean. Apart from Odontella longicruris, all other species had been reported in the waters of the Persian Gulf in previous studies. This result shows that the phytoplankton assemblages between Shahid Rajaee Port and other parts of the Indian Ocean have a high similarity and does not impose a real threat to the environment from the ballast water transfer. However, from the identified species, 28 species (25.9%) are known to cause red tide and death of other aquatic species in the region, which highlights the importance of continuous monitoring and discharge control in the marine environment of the region.

Carotenoprotein as a marine bioactive compound was recovered from banana shrimp by-product using protease from rainbow trout viscera at various levels (5 and 15 units/g shrimp shell). The yield of carotenoprotein increased with increasing enzyme concentration up to 51.6%, which was consistent with increasing degree of hydrolysis. Protein and lipid content of the hydrolysate was 79.6 and 9.4 percent, respectively. The hydrolysate had a high nutritional value with a high amount of essential amino acids (465 mg/g) compared to the control (254 mg/g). The carotenoprotein exhibited a dose-dependent increase in antiradical activity measured by two in vitro assays, with an efficiency of 94 and 57 percent for DPPH and ABTS scavenging activities, respectively. Protease-extracted carotenoprotein showed higher ACE inhibiting effect than the control at different concentrations (p<0.05). The results from this study showed that carotenoprotein from banana shrimp have both radical scavenging activity and antihypertensive properties and a high content of essential amino acids, and could be good source for value-added nutritive food ingredients.

During the field studies of the geo-morphological structure of coastal-marine ecosystems in the south of Iran, the presence of the native species of Iranian cichlid) Iranocichla hormuzensis Coad, 1982 (Cichlidae: Pseudocrenilabrinae) in the Tang e Khor floodway / seasonal river (under the Charak river) was observed and identified. Based on field observations and preliminary studies, the highest nesting density in an area of ​​about 50 square meters on the southeastern bank of the river with very slow and almost gentle flow with a depth of less than 30 cm, with 35 nests with a diameter of about 30-40 cm and an average distance of about 1 meter from each other. Smooth bed without vegetation, with pebbles and scattered rubble was covered with algae. Almost all of the nests were occupied by the active presence and territorial behavior of the male (dark color with a distinct black spot on the dorsal fin) which was constructing and designing the nest, with various shapes of continuous lines and dashed lines, zigzag and were oblique) to attract females and specimens of females (in light color) were also seen around.According to the references and reported documents, geographical distribution patterns of Iranian cichlid is limited to Kol and Mehran rivers sub-basin include the central and western sub-basins basins of Hormozgan province. This sub-basin  rivers leading to the Hormuz Strait and Khor e Khoran (Khoran Creek - Strait which including: Kol (Shoor), Mehran (Shoor), Rasoul, Hassan Lengi (Shamil), Sarzdeh, Minab and Siahoo rivers, and also the southeastern of Fars province: Kol sub-basin (near Lar) and  Mehran sub-basin (headstreams and springs)

The first record of partial fin albinism in channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus, is reported here through a specimen caught in the farm of Freshwater Fisheries Research Institute of Jiangsu Province, China. The entire body and eyes of the specimen were normally pigmented, while each fin (except adipose fin) was partial albino with a irregular white margin. This kind of malpigmentation has not been observed in any catfish up to now. Additional study is necessary to evaluate the causes and inheritance of the special albinism.