Saddleback syndrome in European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax (Linnaeus, 1758): anatomy, ontogeny and correlation with lateral-line, anal and pelvic fin abnormalities

Variability of key-performance-indicators in commercial gilthead seabream hatcheries

Skeletal abnormalities are one of the most important key-performance-indicators (KPIs) in finfish hatcheries. Coping with the problem of skeletal abnormalities relies on the understanding of the link between the variability in the rearing conditions, and the variability in abnormalities incidence. Here, 74 seabream larval populations, from four commercial hatcheries, were examined for the presence of abnormalities and monitored with respect to the applied conditions. The inward folding of gill-cover and pugheadedness were the most frequent abnormalities present, with a mean (± SD) frequency of 11.3 ± 17.9 and 6.0 ± 7.2%, respectively. Other abnormalities were observed at very low mean rates (≤ 1%). A new abnormality type, ray-resorption syndrome, was also found. The recorded rate of normally inflated swimbladder was 92.3 ± 7.4% and mean survival rate was 25.9 ± 21.0%. Classification tree analysis indicated six rearing variables as potentially important predictors for pugheadedness, six variables for caudal-fin abnormalities and 10 variables for survival rate. Complementary genetic analysis, revealed differentiating genetic diversity and significant genetic distances among participating hatcheries, suggestive of the role of company-specific management of genetic resources in KPIs' variability. The results are discussed with respect to their potential use in the control of skeletal abnormalities by commercial hatcheries, as well as for benchmarking among different hatcheries.

Balancing between Artemia and microdiet usage for normal skeletal development in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Targeting in zebrafish fast growth, high survival rates and improved reproductive performance has led over the last years in variable feeding regimes between different facilities. Despite its significance on fish function and welfare, normal skeletal development has rarely been evaluated in establishing the best feeding practices for zebrafish. The aim of this study was to establish a protocol for normal skeletal development, growth and survival of zebrafish larvae through live feed-to-microdiet transition at an appropriate rate. Four feeding regimes including feeding exclusively on Artemia nauplii (A) or dry microdiet (D), and feeding on both Artemia and microdiet at two different transition rates (slow (B) or fast (C)) were applied from 5 to 24 dpf (days post-fertilization). Results demonstrated a significant effect of feeding regimes on the incidence of skeletal abnormalities (gill cover, fins and vertebral column, p < .05) in zebrafish larvae. The A and B experimental groups presented the highest (88 ± 3 and 84 ± 17%, respectively), but the C and D the lowest (18 ± 14 and 11 ± 2%, respectively), rates of normal fish (fish without any abnormality). Similarly, growth rate was comparatively elevated in A and B groups. No significant differences were observed in fish survival between A, B and C groups. However, D group presented a significantly lower survival rate. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show that the live feed-to-microdiet transition rate influences larval growth, survival and abnormality rates in a non-homogenous pattern.

Skeletal anomalies in cultured golden pompano Trachinotus ovatus at early stages of development

Golden pompano Trachinotus ovatus (Linnaeus, 1758) is an important mariculture fish species with high commercial value in China. The present study thoroughly assessed the types and frequencies of skeletal deformities at the early developmental stages of golden pompano in an intensive aquaculture production system. Golden pompano (n = 500) were sampled 30 d posthatch (dph). The specimens were stained with Alcian blue and Alizarin red for the detection of deformities. The results of the study revealed that 77.2% of the specimens showed at least 1 spinal anomaly; most anomalies occurred in the prehemal region, and the most common deformity observed was vertebral fusion (37.4% incidence of deformities). The results of this study provide useful information for the early detection of skeletal deformities and for the optimization of fish fry breeding technologies.

Recovery of haemal lordosis in Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.)

Haemal lordosis is a frequent abnormality of the vertebral column. It has been recorded to develop in different finfish species, during the hatchery rearing phase. Under certain conditions, this abnormality reaches a high prevalence and severity degree, with significant effects on the external morphology of the fish. We show that haemal lordosis recovers during the on-growing of Gilthead seabream in sea cages. At the end of the hatchery phase, 1700 seabream juveniles were tagged electronically and examined for the presence of haemal lordosis. Subsequently, their morphology was examined periodically up to the end of the on-growing period. We found that the prevalence of fish with a lordotic external morphology decreased during the studied period by approximately 50%. Interestingly, 27% of the recovered fish presented a completely normal vertebral column. Geometric morphometric analysis showed no significant differences in the body shape between the fish with a recovered normal phenotype and the fish that were normal since the beginning of the on-growing period. Our results provide the first evidence for the recovery of lordosis during the growth of fish. A mechanism with multiple levels of remodeling of abnormal bones is suggested.