Journal of Aquaculture Research and Development 

About: Journal of Aquaculture Research and Development is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Aquaculture & Feed conversion ratio. It has an ISSN identifier of 2155-9546. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 556 publications have been published receiving 4802 citations.

Use of Fish as Bio-indicator of the Effects of Heavy Metals Pollution

Abstract: The present review gives a brief account of the toxic effects of heavy metals on fish. In aquatic ecosystem, heavy metals are considered as the most important pollutants, since they are present throughout the ecosystem and are detectable in critical amounts. Heavy metals, such as mercury, cadmium, copper, lead and zinc are of the most important pollutants which effect aquatic environment and fish. They are extremely dangerous for the health of fish. Most of these metals are characterized by being accumulated in tissues, and lead to the poisoning of fish. These metals can effectively influence the vital operations and reproduction of fish; weaken the immune system, and induce pathological changes. As such, fish are used as bio-indictors, playing an important role in monitoring heavy metals pollution. Finally, some recommendations are given to treatment of different kinds of wastewaters, sewage and agricultural wastes before discharge into the aquatic systems. Also, enforcement of laws and legislations regarding the protection of aquatic environments must be taken into consideration.

Current Knowledge in Synbiotic Use for Fish Aquaculture: A Review

Abstract: Synbiotics are nutritional supplements that combine probiotics and prebiotics, enhancing their beneficial effects. Nowadays, probiotics are also becoming an integral part of aquaculture practices to obtain high production, and, although considerably less information is available regarding probiotics applications for fish, they offer benefits with regards to improving immune status and fish production. Despite the promising potential benefits demonstrated in current literature to these feed ingredients, to date the use of synbiotics in fish farms has been poorly investigated and available data are still scarce. The parameters investigated in these studies have been the following: effect on survival and growth, feed conversion, body composition, haematological/biochemical parameters, digestive enzyme activity, immunological response and disease resistance. This review compiles the results from recent studies, aiming to highlight the properties of synbiotics evaluated for potential application in farming fish. Various factors as fish specie, time of feeding treatment and supplement dose as well as the type of prebiotics and probiotics can significantly affect the activity of synbiotics. Moreover, many aspects such as mechanism which mediate host benefits are poorly understood. Future studies are needed to provide a better knowledge and fully conclude on the effects of adding synbiotics in fish fed.

Fish Nutrition and Current Issues in Aquaculture: The Balance in Providing Safe and Nutritious Seafood, in an Environmentally Sustainable Manner

Abstract: Global aquaculture production has increased in recent years and it is predicted that aquaculture will provide the most reliable supply of seafood in the future. However, there are many controversial issues in aquaculture regarding food safety, nutrition, and sustainability; many of which are directly related to the nutrition and feeds for farmed fish. These nutrition-related issues must be considered in order to achieve balance in safe and nutritious food production and sustainability in aquaculture. This review highlights recent studies and discusses new and innovative aspects in fish nutrition. Some issues in the area of fish nutrition require consideration and improvement, such as: feed and nutrient efficiency, overfeeding and waste, fish meal and fish oil replacements, fish health, biotechnology, and human health concerns. The findings reviewed in this manuscript demonstrate promise toward improvement of the aquaculture industry through nutrition. This review is an update in fish nutrition research, and provides insight on the progression and evolution of this field in order to meet the needs of the industry with the purpose to achieve a balance in seafood production and environmental sustainability. The outcome of this review encourages the use of biotechnology as a tool to meet seafood production and environmental sustainability, in order to ensure global food security in the future and to improve our resource use.

Use of Probiotics in Diets of Tilapia

Abstract: Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing sectors of agriculture globally. Production in freshwater and marine fisheries has plateaued, and the increasing demand for seafood and need for affordable protein sources in third world countries will ensure growth of aquaculture in the future. Tilapia are the second most cultured fish worldwide behind the carps, and even though they are easily cultured in a wide variety of environments and are relatively resistant to aquaculture stressors compared to other cultured finfish species, significant losses to disease still occur under intensive culture. Traditionally, antibiotics and other chemicals have been used to treat disease outbreaks in cultured fish species. However, the scope of approved application for most antibiotics is very narrow and concern over development of antibiotic resistant pathogens will further limit use in the future. The focus instead has turned to finding safe and effective means of preventing infectious diseases in cultured finfish, including tilapia. In recent years, there has been considerable interest in the use of probiotic bacteria added to diets to increase immunity as well as improve growth performance in fish. Little probiotic research has been conducted in tilapia, but of the research that has been performed, most has taken place within the last five years. Due to its apparent effectiveness in improving health and growth in tilapia, research and interest in probiotics is likely to continue, which will hopefully fill existing research gaps.

Aeromonas hydrophila: Antimicrobial Susceptibility and Histopathology of Isolates from Diseased Catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell)

Abstract: Antimicrobial resistance in bacterial pathogens is a global public health problem. The aim of this research was to reveal the distribution and antimicrobial drug resistance of bacterial pathogens in diseased catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell) from Marang River Terengganu, Malaysia. Eleven isolates of Aeromonas hydrophila were derived from diseased fish. Commercial biochemical identification kit (BBL-Crystal) and the PCR products of 16S rDNA was used to identify the isolated bacterial strains. Disc diffusion method using 6 types of antibiotic discs was performed for antibiotics susceptibility testing. The majority of isolated bacteria were A. hydrophila. All isolates of A. hydrophila were resistance to Ampicillin and susceptible to tetracycline of the analyzed isolates against the tested antibiotics. Multiple drug resistance index (MAR) for all isolates was ranged from 0.10 to 0.50. Isolates of A. hydrophila showed β- haemolytic pattern on blood agar. Clinically; exophthalmia and dermal lesions with hyperaemia and cellulites of the fins were observed. Necropsy revealed yellow foci on the liver surface, tightly full gall bladder with emerald green bile and swollen, friable kidney and spleen. Histopathologically indecated skin necrosis, hyperplasia in the secondary lamellae of gill, degenerative changes in glomerular epithelium in kidney, vacuolar degeneration in hepatocytes, hyperplasia in the lymph follicles of spleen, edema , and focal hyaline degeneration in muscles. Therefore, routine monitoring of drug susceptibility pattern over time is necessary.