Aquaculturists typically report growth using absolute (g/d), relative (% increase in body weight), and specific growth rates (%d). Less frequently, von Bertalanffy Growth Functions (VBGF) are used. Each of these rates is a numerical representation of growth which assumes a specific relationship between size and time (linear, exponential, or asymptotic). Aquaculturists typically determine size at time throughout their experiments. Unfortunately, the intermediate data points are usually ignored when computing growth rates (except for VBGF) and the appropriateness of the method for calculating growth for a particular data set is not tested. This paper reviews the basis and computation of each of the growth rates in an effort to encourage aquaculturists to use the appropriate growth rates.
Phosphorous removal 1,000,000 tons Assumes phosphorous content 0.2% of dry weight. Represents 61% of the phosphorous input as fertilizer. Carbon assimilation 135,000,000 tons Assumes carbon content 27% of dry weight. Equals 6% of the carbon added annually to oceans from greenhouse gas emissions. Bioenergy potential 1,250,000,000 MWH Assumes 50% carbohydrate content, converted to energy. Equals 1% of annual global energy use. Land sparing 1,000,000 km 2 Assumes 5 tons/ha average farm yield. Equals 6% of global cropland. Freshwater sparing 500 km 3 Assumes agricultural use averages 1 m 3 water/kg biomass. Equals 14% of annual global freshwater withdrawals.
This study investigated endocrine control of branchial ionoregulatory function in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) by prolactin (Prl188 and Prl177), growth hormone (Gh) and cortisol. Branchial expression of Na(+)/Cl(-) cotransporter (ncc) and Na(+)/K(+)/2Cl(-) cotransporter (nkcc) genes were employed as specific markers for freshwater- and seawater-type ionocytes, respectively. We further investigated whether Prl, Gh and cortisol direct expression of two Na(+), K(+)-ATPase (nka)-α1 subunit genes, denoted nka-α1a and nka-α1b. Tilapia transferred to fresh water following hypophysectomy failed to adequately activate gill ncc expression; ncc expression was subsequently restored by Prl replacement. Prl188 and Prl177 stimulated ncc expression in cultured gill filaments in a concentration-related manner, suggesting that ncc is regulated by Prl in a gill-autonomous fashion. Tilapia transferred to brackish water (23 ‰) following hypophysectomy exhibited a reduced capacity to up-regulate nka-α1b expression. However, Gh and cortisol failed to affect nka-α1b expression in vivo. Similarly, we found no clear effects of Gh or cortisol on nkcc expression both in vivo and in vitro. When considered with patterns previously described in euryhaline Mozambique tilapia (O. mossambicus), the current study suggests that ncc is a conserved target of Prl in tilapiine cichlids. In addition, we revealed contrasting dependencies upon the pituitary to direct nka-α1b expression in hyperosmotic environments between Nile and Mozambique tilapia.
Abstract. Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the potential for culturing tilapia in tanks and raceways with flowing sea water (39‐41 ppt salinity) in Kuwait. In the first and third experiments, fingerling tilapia were grown for 7 to 8 months under ambient conditions. In the second experiment, larger (50‐100g initial weight) male tilapia were grown for 6 months. Growth and mortality rates were determined.
Oreochromis aureus (Steindachner) grew the slowest and survived poorly. O. spilurus (Günther) and O. aureus × O. spilurus hybrids had the best survival and moderate growth rates. A red tilapia from Taiwan grew the fastest but had high mortality rates during winter. O. spilurus and the hybrid were best suited for seawater culture under ambient conditions in Kuwait.
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