Notes: The toxicities of erythromycin, minocycline, malachite green, and formalin to nauplii of the shrimp Penaeus stylirostris were determined in a static bioassay. Toxicity was assessed on the basis of survival of nauplii after 12 and 24 hours of exposure to the compounds and metamorphosis of the nauplii to protozwa. The results suggested that metamorphosis to protozoea is more susceptible to toxic effects than is naupliar survival. Metamorphosis was either reduced or completely inhibited by lower concentrations of erythromycin, minocycline, and malachite green than was naupliar survival at 12 or 24 hours. Metamorphosis was either reduced or completely inhibited by erythromycin, minocycline, malachite green, and formalin concentrations of 80, 100, 0.08, and 27 mg/ L, respectively. Toxic effects were not observed at erythromycin, minocycline, malachite green, and formalin concentrations of 16, 62.5, 0.016, and 2.7 mg/L, respectively. The results suggest that formalin may be toxic at therapeutic levels frequently recommended for post larvae and older penaeids, but that erythromycin, minocycline and malachite green are not.

Notes: A simple and practical method for quantification of feeding stimulation of shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei was developed using feed preference as an index of comparison. Feed preference was defined as the percentage of shrimp observed in each feeding tray. Preliminary trials were undertaken with two commercial feeds (45% protein with 5% squid meal and 40% protein without squid meal). Results indicated the following criteria were suitable for use as methodology for evaluating feeding stimulation in 5-m diameter static flow tanks: shrimp density (2.5 shrimp/m2); observational period (1 or 2 h post-addition of feed to trays), feed rate (2%), and between-trial feed rate (2%). A further investigation was undertaken to evaluate the influence of protein level and source on feed preference using a basal diet consisting of wheat flour, casein, carboxymethyl cellulose binder, and limestone, with or without krill meal as a feeding stimulant. A significant difference was shown in feeding preference for the 16% protein/4% krill meal vs. one without krill meal; however, this relationship was not shown in 45% protein feed comparisons. A second trial comparing 0, 16,30, and 45 % protein/casein-based feeds showed similar results. From these findings, it was postulated that casein, itself, also serves as a feeding stimulant at high dietary inclusion levels. A third trial comparing 16% protein/casein or wheat gluten-based feeds Indicated a delay of at least 2 h in maximum feeding preference response in feeds in which 4% krill meal was added as a feeding stimulant. It was postulated that chemical stimulants from krill meal were more slowly released in wheat gluten-based feeds. Our methodology appears suitable for evaluation of potential feeding stimulants when incorporated into low-protein casein-based or wheat-gluten-based feeds.

Notes: Abstract.— Feed costs are a major portion of aqua-culture operations. Accurate estimates of daily ration are vital to prevent overfeeding which results in wasted feed. poor water quality, underfeeding, and reduced growth. Understanding the relationship of ingestion rate and absorption efficiency of Strongylocentrotus franciscanus should improve the cost effectiveness of aquaculture of this candidate species. Adult S. franciscanus were collected from a subtidal area devoid of algae and fed two rations of an extruded diet for 62 d. Mean test diameter and whole weight of an initial sample were 91 ± 2 mm and 295 ± 18.4 g (mean ± SEM; N = 16). The two rations used were l-g dry feed/d or 3 g/d. An unfed control group was also maintained. Eight urchins per treatment showed significant differences in food ingestion rate, total organic absorption, gonad index, gut index, and moisture content of the gonad (P 〈 0.001). Food intake was greatest in the high ration treatment, while total organic absorption was greatest in the low ration treatment. The gonad index of S. franciscanus in the high food ration was significantly greater than the initial gonad index and was also greater than the index of animals in the low ration and unfed treatments. The gonad index of animals in the low food ration treatment was significantly greater than the index of the initial sample and the index of animals in the unfed treatment. The gut index of urchins in the high food ration treatment was significantly greater than initially and was also greater than the gut index for animals in the low ration and unfed treatments. The gut index for urchins in the unfed treatment was significantly less than the initial index. The moisture content of the gonad of urchins fed the prepared diet was significantly greater than the gonad moisture content of the initial sample or unfed group. Test diameter. whole animal weight, and gonad production efficiency (increase in g dry gonad weight/g dry feed intake) were not significantly different (P 〉 0.200). Histological examination of the gonads showed S. franciscanus in the two ration treatments developed from the spent to the growing or premature stage while the unfed controls lost nutritive tissue and contained only relict gametes or remained in the spent condition. The results suggest S. franciscanus from food-limited environments can be fed appropriate rations to control gonad production.

Notes: An 8-wk feeding trial was conducted with a 3 ± 4 factorial design for evaluating the nutritional relationship between phospholipids (lecithin at 0, 1.5% or 3% of diet) and choline chloride (0, 1,000, 2,000, or 4,000 mg/kg diet) in juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei. In addition, diets with five graded levels of choline chloride (0, 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 4,000 mg/kg) without supplemental phospholipids or cholesterol were fed for determining the dietary choline requirement. Overall survival was 99% with no difference among the dietary treatments. The choline requirement was estimated to be 871 mg/kg diet without dietary phospholipids. No choline requirement was evident when lecithin was provided at 1.5% and 3% of diet. Shrimp growth significantly increased with incremental dietary phospholipids regardless of choline chloride level. These results indicate that lecithin could effectively provide choline. Conversely, synthesis of phospholipids from choline could not meet the phospholipids requirement of shrimp. Both dietary lecithin and choline chloride supplementation reduced lipid in shrimp muscle. However, only lecithin supplementation increased lipid in hepatopancreas, and dietary choline chloride decreased the level of other phospholipids (except phosphatidylcholine) in shrimp muscle.

Notes: Although dietary carotenoids are generally considered important in sea urchin aquaculture only for their effect on gonad color, they also have important biological roles. The effects of dietary carotenoids on gonad production and organ carotenoid profiles of Lytechinus variegatus were examined. Individuals were collected in January 1999 and fed a replete diet with a level of 0.60 mg carotenoids/kg for 4 wk, followed by one of four prepared diets for 8 wk: one without supplemental carotenoids, one with β-carotene (16.92 mg carotenoids/kg feed), and two carotenoid mixtures, one high in zeaxanthin (5.28 mg carotenoids/kg feed) and another high in capsanthin (9.63 mg carotenoids/kg feed). The carotenoid profiles of the body compartments differed. The primary carotenoid in gonads of males and females was echi-nenone. The carotenoid profile of the test was similar to that of the gonad. The carotenoid profile of the gut varied with diet, but was not identical to composition of the diet. The gut profiles included echinenone but at lower concentrations than in the gonad and test. The carotenoid profile in the gut probably results from the presence of the carotenoids absorbed and those metabolized. The results suggest that several pathways exist to metabolize dietary carotenoids and that some of them are in the gut. The concentration of carotenoids in the gut (g wet weight) was higher than that of the gonad, which was higher than that of the test. The gonads increased significantly in size regardless of diet, indicating carotenoids are not required for gonad production under the conditions of this experiment. Although the concentration of carotenoids in the gonad decreased over time, the absolute amount of carotenoids increased with the increase in gonad size. Either gonad growth was more rapid than carotenoid deposition or differential deposition in nutritive cells and gametogenic cells occurred, or the amount of carotenoids used in the diets was too low to have an effect.

Notes: Several nutrients, pH, organic matter, and total soluble salts of surface soil from 81 ponds on two Texas shrimp farms were measured. The relationship between shrimp yield and soil characteristics was analyzed statistically. Shrimp yield was negatively correlated with soil concentrations of S, P, NO3-, B, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Cu, and total water-soluble salts. Shrimp yield was directly correlated with soil concentrations of Fe, Mn, and organic matter. Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that Ca and S concentrations explained 54% of the variation in shrimp yield.

Notes: Abstract— This study evaluated changes in chemistry of shrimp pond soils over one production cycle. Several soil nutrients, pH, organic matter, and total soluble salts were analyzed in the upper 10 cm of pond-bottom soil on two Texas shrimp farms in two consecutive years. Soil concentrations of S, P, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Mn, and Zn increased from one year to the next, S increased by 400 ppm. Organic matter did not accumulate. The pH decreased in all pond soils, owing perhaps to the oxidation of organic matter and/or inorganic compounds. There was no statistical difference in shrimp yield between the two consecutive years. These results indicated that the accumulation of S and soluble salts derived from seawater and feed should be monitored and evaluated to prevent excessive chemical element loading of pond soil and discharge water.

Notes: A 56-d feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of diet on sperm quality of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei broodstock. Dietary treatments consisted of a combination of 75% dry maturation diet and 25% fresh-frozen squid (dry-weight basis). Supplemental nutrients of the maturation diet were selectively deleted and replaced with wheat starch to produce the following treatments: 1) 75% basal maturation diet plus 25% squid (control); 2) 75% maturation diet without supplemental vitamins plus 25% squid; 3) 75% maturation diet without supplemental cholesterol and phospholipids plus 25% squid; 4) 75% maturation diet without supplemental astaxanthin plus 25% squid; and 5) a fresh diet composed of 60% squid and 40% Maine bloodworms. Shrimp fed the control diet and the diet without supplemental astaxanthin had significantly higher mean (± SEM) change in sperm count (4.6 ± 3.2 million sperm cells and 2.9 ± 2.5 million sperm cells, respectively), with respect to baseline (8.7 ± 1.0, 6.4 ± 1.0, 9.0 ± 1.3, 6.6 ± 0.7, and 6.0 ± 0.8 million sperm cells for treatments 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively), than shrimp fed the diet without supplemental vitamins (-1.7 ± 2.6 million sperm cells), but not significantly higher than those of shrimp receiving the diets without supplemental cholesterol-phospholipids (1.2 ± 2.5 million sperm cells) and the fresh diet (1.3 ± 1.6 million sperm cells). Dietary deficiencies also were reflected in weight gain of shrimp fed the diet without supplemental vitamins (-2.0 g) and the fresh diet (-0.8 g). which were significantly lower than weight gain of shrimp fed the control diet (1.1 g) and the diet without supplemental cholesterol-phospholipids (0.8 g). No significant differences were detected among treatments for percentage of abnormal sperm and survival data. Results demonstrated a significant effect of diet on reproductive quality of male L. vannamei and indicated that the typical combination of fresh-food organisms used is not nutritionally optimal for male broodstock.

Notes: A 6-wk feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of various dietary lipid levels on quantitative requirements for essential fatty acids (EFA) by juvenile Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. A factorial experiment with three dietary lipid levels (3, 6, and 9%) and three dietary levels (0.5, 1, and 2%) of a mixture of n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) was used. An increase in quantitative requirements for EFA with increasing supplementation level of dietary lipid was not demonstrated. Results suggested that this shrimp species appeared to be able to satisfy its n-3 HUFA requirements when they were supplied at 0.5% of diet; this dietary level may be even lowered. Moreover, depressed growth was observed in shrimp fed diets with the HUFA mixture supplemented at 2%. In addition, the present study showed that increasing the dietary lipid level had an effect on lipid composition of shrimp, by increasing lipid deposition in hepatopancreas and muscle tissue, but without a significant effect on growth.

Notes: Abstract The geographic distribution of the Atlantic white shrimp Penaeus setiferus is in coastal waters from New York to Florida and around the Gulf of Mexico. Beside its value to commercial fisheries, this shrimp is sold as bait for recreational fishing. Previous data suggest that demand for live bait shrimp cannot be satisfied by commercial fleets. A 120-d trial was designed to study production of bait size P. setiferus at high densities in eight small outdoor ponds in south Texas. A 24–1 fractional factorial design was applied to study the effects of postlarval (PL) density (350 and 700 shrimp/m2), feed type (A and B), and water circulation methods (with and without airlift pumps or center pond dividers) on shrimp growth, survival and yield. No significant differences in survivals or yields were found between treatments (P = 0.2). Feed type (P = 0.011), airlift pumps (P = 0.021), and center dividers (P= 0.026), had significant impacts on shrimp growth rates. Density effect on growth was not statistically significant (P= 0.055). This study demonstrated that 6-d-old postlarvae can be stocked at 700 per square meter and reached a bait size (6.2 g) in 94 d with a 73.6% survival and a yield equivalent to 31,300 kg/ha when offered a commercial shrimp feed. A preliminary economic analysis based on this data suggests that operating a bait shrimp farm in Texas with two crops/yr will show profitability within 7 to 12 yr with an internal rate of return of 6.5 and 17.6%, respectively.