SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department
Recent Submissions
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Article
Genetic assessment of milkfish (Chanos chanos Forsskal) stocks based on novel short tandem repeats for marker-aided broodstock management
-Aquaculture Research , 2018 - John Wiley and SonsMilkfish hatchery broodstock are either from on-grown wild-caught or hatchery-produced fry/juveniles. To determine if a marker-assisted management scheme can be formulated for improved milkfish hatchery production, milkfish stocks were genetically characterized using nine novel short tandem repeats or microsatellites. Eight wild-bred Philippine stocks (CLA, CUR, CAM, SIH, SBH-I1, HH, PAL and ZH-P0), four hatchery-bred stocks (SBH-I2, SBH-D, BoH and ZH-F1), two farm stocks of known mixed lineages (SPH and BDH) and one Indonesian hatchery-bred stock (WJH) were assessed. WJH was included since milkfish fingerlings from Indonesia reared in Philippine farms could be developed into future broodstock. Mean allelic richness (Ar) was highest in wild-bred stocks (9.5) and lowest in hatchery-bred spawners (9.1). Mean expected heterozygosities (He) were relatively similar in all stocks with wild-bred stocks slightly higher (0.67) than the others. An analysis of molecular variance indicated significant yet low genetic differentiation among stocks (FST = 0.013; p = .000) where variation (98.6%) was explained by intra-stock differences. In some of the domesticated stocks, reductions in mean allelic richness were observed in first generation hatchery broodstock (e.g. ZH-F1; Ar = 8.3), compared with their founder stock (e.g. ZH-P0; Ar = 9.4). The Indonesian stock was similar to local wild-bred stocks based on genetic variability indices; thus, it might be likely that the local stocks’ fitness traits could be comparable with the imported milkfish stock which has been perceived to be better. The quality of locally available farmed milkfish and prospects of formulating a broodstock management scheme for the production of good quality milkfish seedstock are herewith discussed. -
Article
Larval rearing of mud crab (Scylla): What lies ahead
-Aquaculture , 2018 - ElsevierThe increasing global demand for mud crabs (genus Scylla) and threats to the wild populations highlight the urgency of fully rearing them in captivity. Despite considerable progress in mud crab production, most crab farms still rely heavily on wild-caught crablets and juveniles while the low and inconsistent success rates of larviculture remain as the main bottleneck impeding the development of mud crab aquaculture. Over the years, numerous studies have been conducted to determine the optimum larval rearing parameters, the ontogenic changes in digestive function and feeding behaviour, and the diets for different larval stages. These data, however, are dispersed and not summarised to inform culture practices. This review provides an update on the current progresses and to pinpoint the gaps in knowledge regarding mud crab larval rearing. We include all four mud crab species under the genus Scylla, i.e. Scylla serrata, Scylla olivacea, Scylla tranquebarica and Scylla paramamosain. Knowledge compiled in this review serves as an important guideline for prospective mud crab larviculture. Future research should gear towards filling in the gaps in our knowledge to advance mud crab larval rearing, thus fully incorporating mud crab into the aquaculture sector. -
Article
Dietary onion or ginger modulates the stress response and susceptibility to Vibrio harveyi JML1 infection in brown-marbled grouper Epinephelus fuscoguttatus juveniles
-Journal of Aquatic Animal Health , 2018 - American Fisheries SocietyOnion Allium cepa and ginger Zingiber officinale have health‐promoting properties that qualify them as functional foods. The effect of repeated acute stressors was examined in juvenile Brown‐marbled Grouper Epinephelus fuscoguttatus that were fed four diets supplemented with onion at 1.8%, ginger at 1.8%, vitamin C at 0.86%, and β‐glucan at 0.8% of the diet. The non‐supplemented diet served as the control. After 12 weeks of feeding, fish were exposed to stressors and were experimentally infected with a fish pathogen, the bacterium Vibrio harveyi JML1. After repeated exposure to hypoxia, cortisol levels rose significantly in the non‐supplemented fish compared to those fed onion, ginger, β‐glucan, or vitamin C. Within groups, postexposure cortisol levels in the onion‐, ginger‐, and vitamin C‐fed fish did not change relative to pre‐stress levels, whereas significant increases in poststress values were observed in the control and β‐glucan groups. The net cortisol increase was also significantly greater in the non‐supplemented group compared to the supplemented groups. The net cortisol increase did not vary among the supplemented groups except that the β‐glucan‐fed group exhibited a higher net increase than the onion‐fed group. Similarly, repeated acute exposure to osmotic stress significantly increased the plasma cortisol level in the non‐supplemented group compared to groups that received supplements; no differences were found in the supplemented groups except the β‐glucan group. Within groups, significant increases in poststress values relative to pre‐stress levels were found only in the control and β‐glucan groups. Repeated acute exposure to hypoxia significantly increased cumulative mortality in the control group compared to the supplemented groups (except the β‐glucan group), whereas repeated exposure to acute osmotic stress significantly increased cumulative mortality only in the control group 10 d after infection with V. harveyi JML1. Based on our collective results, most of the supplemented groups performed better than the control, but the best supplements were onion and ginger in terms of enhancing stress tolerance and increasing survival of Brown‐marbled Grouper upon infection with V. harveyi JML1. -
Article
Low ph water impairs the tactile sense of the postlarvae of the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii
-Tropical Life Sciences Research , 2018 - Penerbit Universiti Sains MalaysiaThe effect of low pH on the tactile sense of Macrobrachium rosenbergii postlarvae was determined in the laboratory by means of two behavioural assays: shelter (netting) occupancy and jumping response to touch stimuli (taps) by a glass micropipette. The postlarvae were acclimated to pH 4, pH 5, pH 6 and pH 7.5 (control) in 45 L aquaria 5−7 d before the experiments. Shelter occupancy decreased with pH and was significantly lower at pH 4 and pH 5 than at pH 6 and in the control. The jumping response instantly followed a tap 93−98% of the time in the control, pH 6 and pH 5 treatments. However, the postlarvae showed significantly lower jumping response (65%) at pH 4, indicating an impaired tactile sense. Low pH 4−5 probably degrades the chitin of the sensory setae and inhibits the surface mechanoreceptors of the prawn postlarvae. -
Article
Limit of colour vision in dim light in larvae of the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii
-Fisheries Science , 2018 - Springer VerlagColour vision depends on sufficient ambient light and becomes ineffective at a particular low light intensity. It is not known how decapod crustaceans see colour in dim light. In the present study we investigated the colour vision threshold in larvae of the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii in a tank under natural illumination. Plastic beads of different colours (blue, red, yellow and white) in various combinations were suspended in the tank. The larvae swam straight toward the beads and gathered around them. The number of larvae was highest on the blue and white beads. The luminance in the tank was then gradually decreased by covering it with different numbers of layers of black cloth, and the response of the larvae to the beads was video-recorded under infrared illumination. The preference for blue and white beads remained manifest as the luminance was reduced from 418 to 0.07 cd/m2, but not at 0.02 cd/m2, indicating a colour vision threshold between 0.07 and 0.02 cd/m2. The larvae have apposition compound eyes with large optical parameters, comparable to those of apposition eyes of nocturnal insects, which presumably capture more light and show enhanced sensitivity, enabling the larvae to see colour in dim light. -
Article
Characterisation of Vibrio isolates recovered from the eyes of cage-cultured pompano (Trachinotus blochii) infested with caligid parasites (Lepeophtheirus spinifer)
-European Association of Fish Pathologists Bulletin , 2018 - European Association of Fish PathologistsExophthalmia was documented among sea cage-cultured pompano (Trachinotus blochii) broodstocks with caligid parasite (Lepeophtheirus spinifer) infestation in the Philippines. Following sequencing, and based on the results of both diagnostic investigations and infection experiments, V. harveyi likely had a role in the reported exophthalmia cases, and this was initiated by L. spinifer infection. -
Article
Does age matter?: The information-seeking behavior of Filipino aquaculture researchers
-Journal of Library Administration , 2018 - Taylor & FrancisFindings of previous studies revealed that regardless of the objective, age does affect the information-seeking behavior of an individual. Likewise, this study found the same results. Although all of the younger Filipino aquaculture researchers preferred the Internet to begin their search process, it was found that they were more frequent library users, and more reliant on librarians than their older counterparts. Likewise, they preferred the combination of print and electronic formats when reading. Thus, they would print and save the retrieved electronic copy of information at least very often. The study is a valuable addition to the information-seeking behavior studies on Filipinos, and the first to tackle the effects of age on the information-seeking behavior of Filipino aquaculture researchers. -
Article
Quality assessment of newly hatched mud crab, Scylla serrata, larvae
-Aquaculture Research , 2018 - WileyStarvation and exposure to formalin were investigated as possible stress tests for evaluating the quality of mud crab, Scylla serrata, larvae. For the starvation stress test, newly hatched zoeae stocked in 150-ml containers were either starved or fed rotifers. Similarly, newly hatched zoeae were stocked in containers with seawater of 0 (control), 20, 30 and 40 mg/L formalin for the formalin stress test. The zoeae from the same batches were used for seed production to monitor their performance and validate the results of stress tests. Starvation was found to be unsuitable for larval quality evaluation. However, the impact of initial food deprivation on the newly hatched larvae indicates that feeding immediately after hatching is necessary for mud crab larvae. Exposure of larvae to 40 mg/L formalin for 3 hr appeared to be a reliable and practical method for larval quality assessment as the survival of larvae in the mass production tanks validated the classification of good and poor quality batches in the stress tests. On this basis, a hatchery operator can decide which batch should be cultured further. Finally, there appears to be a link between the quality of larvae and the performance at the megalopa and early juvenile crabs. -
Article
A probiotic Bacillus strain containing amorphous poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) stimulates the innate immune response of Penaeus monodon postlarvae
-Fish and Shellfish Immunology , 2017 - ElsevierIn this study, the PHB-accumulating Bacillus sp. JL47 strain (capable of accumulating 55% PHB on cell dry weight) was investigated for its effects on the immune response of giant tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) postlarvae (PL) before and after the Vibrio campbellii challenge. Briefly, shrimp PL were cultured and fed with Artemia nauplii enriched with Bacillus sp. JL47. Shrimp receiving the Artemia nauplii without JL47 enrichment were used as control. After 15 days of feeding, the shrimp were challenged with pathogenic V. campbellii LMG 21363 at 106 cells mL-1 by immersion. Relative expression of the immune related genes encoding for prophenoloxidase (proPO), transglutaminase (TGase) and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) in the shrimp were measured before (0 h) and after (3, 6, 9, 12, 24 h) the Vibrio challenge by quantitative real-time PCR using β-actin as the reference gene. The expressions of TGase and proPO were significantly up-regulated (p < 0.05) within 9 h and 12 h, respectively after challenge in shrimp receiving the Bacillus sp. JL47 as compared to the challenged and non-challenged controls. Hsp70 expression was significantly increased (p < 0.05) at 3 h post-challenge in all challenged shrimp. Interestingly, proPO and TGase genes were significantly up-regulated (p < 0.05) in Bacillus sp. JL47 treated shrimp even before the Vibrio challenge was applied. No up-regulation in the Hsp70 gene, however, was observed under these conditions. The data suggest that the protective effect of the PHB-accumulating Bacillus sp. JL47 in shrimp was due to its capacity to stimulate the innate immune related genes of the shrimp, specifically the proPO and TGase genes. The application of probiotic Bacillus species, capable of accumulating a significant amount of PHB, is suggested as potential immunostimulatory strategy for aquaculture. -
Article
Mortality of pond-cultured Litopenaeus vannamei associated with acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) and white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection in the Philippines
-Fish Pathology , 2017 - Japanese Society of Fish PathologyMortalities of up to 60% were observed in pond-cultured Litopenaeus vannamei in Bohol, Philippines. Histopathological examination revealed typical acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) pathology. PCR test generated 1,269 bp and 230 bp amplicons confirmative for the toxin-producing AHPND strain of Vibrio parahaemolyticus among shrimp sampled from eight ponds. The same samples were subjected to PCR analyses for the presence of other viruses, namely WSSV, IHHNV, IMNV, and TSV. The samples were negative for the viruses except WSSV, which was detected after one-step PCR in six out of eight ponds. These results suggested that shrimp were infected dually with AHPND V. parahaemolyticus and WSSV. -
Article
Shelter colour preference of the postlarvae of the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii
-Fisheries Science , 2017 - Springer VerlagThe addition of artificial shelters of various materials has been used in Macrobrachium rosenbergii tanks and ponds as a means of increasing productivity. The present study investigated the shelter colour preference of M. rosenbergii postlarvae (age 15–18 days after metamorphosis) in the laboratory. Shelter occupancy tests were performed on four groups of 200 postlarvae in four 57-l aquaria, into which were placed shelters made of rigid coloured netting sewn into four-layered cubes open on two sides. The shelters were presented in six colour pairs: black vs dark green, black vs light green, black vs blue, dark green vs light green, dark green vs blue, and light green vs blue. Colour preference was tested six times for each colour pair. The data obtained were analyzed using Thurstone’s law of comparative judgment. The mean z-score was significantly highest (i.e., highest preference) for the black shelter. Vision was involved in the detection of and approach to the shelter. When released in aquaria, intact-eyed individual postlarvae directly approached the shelter straight away, whereas blind postlarvae (paint over the eyes) swam around randomly and occupied the shelter only after accidental contact much later. Postlarvae in open water out of the shelter exhibited frequent aggressive contact, while those in the shelter were quiescent. The use of black shelters in rearing tanks is thus recommended for reducing stress and aggression among M. rosenbergii postlarvae in the hatchery. -
Article
Optimum low salinity to reduce cannibalism and improve survival of the larvae of freshwater African catfish Clarias gariepinus
-Fisheries Science , 2017 - Springer VerlagThe freshwater African catfish Clarias gariepinus is carnivorous and cannibalistic even during the larval and juvenile stages and this behavior causes economic losses in aquaculture. This study examined for the first time the effect of salinity on cannibalism, survival, and growth of African catfish larvae in the hatchery. Larvae (4 days old, median 7.8 mm TL, 2.8 mg BW) of the African catfish were reared for 21 days at nominal salinity 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 ppt. After 21 days, they grew to 10–39 mm (median 22 mm) and 10–490 mg (median 90 mg), with no significant difference by salinity treatments. Survival ratios were similarly low (24–31%) at 0, 1, 3, and 7 ppt and significantly higher (49–55%) at 2, 4, 5, and 6 ppt. Cannibalism was significantly lower, 15–30% at 4–6 ppt, than the 40–50% at 0–3 and 7 ppt. Size variation was lower at 4–6 ppt and higher at 0–3 and 7 ppt. We recommend hatchery rearing of African catfish at the optimum low salinity of 4–6 ppt rather than in full fresh water at least up to 21 days. This rearing method fosters larval welfare and improves hatchery production. -
Book chapter
Luminous Vibrio and the greenwater culture of the tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon with tilapia
- In PW Perschbacher & RR Stickney (Eds.), Tilapia in Intensive Co-culture, 2017 - John Wiley & Sons, LtdLuminous vibriosis is a devastating infection of penaeid shrimp larvae and juveniles causing heavy mortalities. To counter the bacterial pathogen, Vibrio harveyi, shrimp farmers in the Philippines modified their growout culture method of the black tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon, juveniles and developed the greenwater culture technique. This culture method involves the use of pond water of all-male, saline-tolerant Oreochromis hornorum as rearing water for the culture of shrimp juveniles in ponds. Such a modified culture of P. monodon juveniles was found effective in preventing the onset of luminous vibriosis. Basic studies revealed that antiluminous Vibrio factors are inherent in the bacterial, fungal, and microalgal flora of the tilapia water, dermal mucus, and gut that singly or collectively inhibit the growth of V. harveyi, in vitro. The skin mucus studies of other brackishwater fish species showed that the siganids, Siganus guttatus, and red hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × Oreochromis mossambicus), as well as sea bass, Lates calcarifer, are promising alternative fish species for this novel shrimp culture method. A review of pond-simulated studies in tanks and ponds, similarly, confirmed these findings and the impact of the greenwater culture technique on water quality, including its economic benefits to the farmer. The greenwater culture of shrimp can sustain the successful production of shrimp juveniles by inhibition of the luminous Vibrio. This culture method is also currently used in the growout culture of the white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. -
Article
Clonal production of Kappaphycus alvarezii (Doty) Doty in vitro
-Journal of Applied Phycology , 2017 - Springer VerlagMicropropagation has proven to be a reliable method to mass produce certain crops. This method also has been applied in macroalgae to produce clones for seaweed farming. Protocols for callus production and shoot regeneration from protoplasts have been established for some seaweed species like Kappaphycus alvarezii. Cells and larger tissues, whether in solid or suspension medium, have been used to propagate clones which were later tested for suitability for farming. Although clonal production was successful, the long duration of culture in vitro limits the production process making the growing of Kappaphycus in vitro an expensive technique to produce clones. In this study, K. alvarezii was grown in vitro to develop a more efficient protocol for the production of clones. Small sections of Kappaphycus were grown in suspension for 1 month under the same temperature, light, and salinity. The type of media, source of explants, length of explants, and stocking density that resulted in the highest growth rate and survival rate were determined. Growth rate of K. alvarezii is significantly higher in media with inorganic nitrogen added than in Grund medium or Ascophyllum nodosum medium only. The appearance of shoot primordia as early as 5 days was observed in media with higher nitrogen concentration. Growth rates of explants approximately 3 and 5 mm are significantly higher than 10 mm sections. Shoots develop significantly faster in explants from tips than sections from older branches. Growth rate of K. alvarezii grown at 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25 s 10 mL−1 of medium is not significantly different. This protocol could significantly reduce the (1) time of culture and (2) cost of plantlets production by not using plant growth regulators and formulated media in vitro. Nursery reared plantlets/propagules for farming would be affordable to the stakeholders for sustainability of seaweed production. -
Article
Effect of colored light regimes on the stress response and RNA/DNA ratio of juvenile red sea bream, Pagrus major
-Borneo Journal of Marine Science and Aquaculture , 2017 - Borneo Marine Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia SabahWe hypothesized that fish with red-sensitive retina would be stressed by red light and thus inhibited in somatic growth. Red sea bream (Pagrus major) juveniles (total length =3 cm) with red-sensitive retina were chosen to test this hypothesis. We examined the effect of different color lights (red with λmax 605 nm; green with λmax 540 nm; blue with λmax at 435 nm; and white with full spectrum) on unfed juveniles in laboratory tanks. Stress level was measured by the plasma cortisol and glucose concentrations, and nutritional status by muscle RNA/DNA ratio. Under red light, plasma cortisol and glucose, and muscle RNA/DNA were significantly higher than under green, blue, or white light. Our hypothesis was partly supported by previous findings on the effects of the color environment and spectral sensitivity of reared fishes. However, the levels of cortisol, glucose, and RNA/DNA in this study were low compared to published values. It seems that hatchery-bred juvenile red sea bream have adapted to red-rich surface light and are able to cope with the stress of living in surface floating cages which is so different from their deep-water habitats. -
Book
SEAFDEC/AQD Highlights 2016
- 2017 - Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development CenterHighlights 2016 is SEAFDEC/AQD’s annual report updating on its accomplishments and progress for the year 2016. -
Article
Effects of elevated temperature on the different life stages of tropical mollusk, donkey's ear abalone (Haliotis asinina)
-Aquaculture, Aquarium, Conservation and Legislation , 2017 - BiofluxThe increase in sea surface temperature associated with climate change can cause tremendous impact on the different life stages of aquatic organisms, particularly on the tropical species. The present study investigates the effect of elevated temperature on hatching rate, growth and survival of larvae and breeders of tropical mollusk, donkey’s ear abalone (Haliotis asinina). Different life stages of abalone were exposed to the following temperature treatments: ambient (29°C), +2°C (31°C), and +4°C (33°C). Hatching rate was significantly reduced when the fertilized eggs were incubated at temperature 4°C above ambient. Increase in temperature at 2°C above ambient can significantly influence the survival of larvae. Significant decline in the survival was observed when the larvae were exposed at temperatures 31°C and 33°C, however bigger larvae were observed in groups reared at 31°C, while those larvae that were reared in 33°C were significantly smaller. Furthermore, reduced growth, feeding rate and survival were also observed in breeders reared at elevated temperature. The result of the study suggests that early developmental stages and reproducing adult abalone were vulnerable to the impact of climate change. -
Article
Use of agar-bound microparticulate diet as alternative food for tropical abalone, Haliotis asinina (Linnaeus 1758) post-larvae in large-scale cultures
-Aquaculture International , 2017 - Springer VerlagThe efficacy of using agar-bound microparticulate diet (A-MPD) as alternative food for abalone Haliotis asinina Linne post-larvae in large-scale culture was investigated. Larvae sourced from the hatchery-bred (HB) and wild-sourced (WS) broodstock were fed with either diatoms (TMT1-NF), agar-bound microparticulate diet (TMT2-A-MPD), or a combination of both feeds (TMT3-NF + A-MPD) in six 2-m3 tanks replicated over time. Three hundred thousand veliger larvae were stocked/tank containing 80 corrugated plates with mucus trails hanging on bamboo poles. Feeds were given at 0900 h starting at day 3 with seawater flow through introduced every 1400 h starting day 5. Two-way analysis of variance determined significant differences (p < 0.05) in survival and shell length between larval sources and feed types. Tukey’s post hoc test established differences among treatment means. At day 30, survival for HB- and WS-sourced larvae was significantly higher (42%) in TMT3 compared with TMT2 having 35% for HB and 38% for WS (p < 0.05). Larvae fed with TMT1 had significantly lowest survival among the three treatments. Survival at 60 and 90 days did not show significant difference for TMT2 and TMT3 regardless of broodstock source. Post-larval shell growth (90 days), from both sources fed with TMT2 and TMT3, was significantly higher than TMT1 (p < 0.05). Larval performance did not show any significant interactions between HB and WS broodstock. The use of A-MPD alone or in combination may elicit improvement in survival and shell length growth in abalone larvae regardless of larval sources. A-MPD may be used as full or partial replacements to diatoms as alternative food for abalone post-larvae in large-scale culture. -
Article
Abdominal segment deformity syndrome (asds) and fused body segment deformity (fbsd) in cultured Penaeus indicus
-Aquaculture , 2017 - ElsevierThe abdominal segment deformity disease (ASDD) is a new shrimp disease reported only in cultured Penaeus vannamei in Thailand. Shrimp with ASDD have deformed abdominal segment, jagged gut line and bumpy surfaces. Similar signs were observed in cultured P. indicus in the Philippines. However, aside from the signs described for ASDD, some P. indicus showing abdominal segment deformity syndrome (ASDS) had more severe deformities up to the extent that the number of body segments was reduced due to fusion. Shrimp with fused body segment deformity (FBSD) had four instead of five pairs of legs. To account the prevalence of the deformities in P. indicus, shrimp were classified into grossly normal shrimp (NS), shrimp with abdominal segment deformity syndrome (ASDS) and shrimp with fused segments (FBSD). Out of the shrimp sampled, 83.4 ± 5.4% was NS, 10.9 ± 6.2% was ASDS and 5.7 ± 3.0% was FBSD. Morphometric characteristics of the shrimp were measured. There was no significant difference in body weight (BW) among male and female NS, ASDS and FBSD. In both sexes, total length (TL) of FBSD was significantly shorter compared to NS and ASDS. Shrimp samples were also screened to be negative for known infectious viral diseases including white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV), infectious myonecrosis virus (IMNV), P. vannamei nodavirus (PvNV), Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus (MrNV) and Taura syndrome virus (TSV). Occurrence of ASDS and FBSD in post-larvae (PL) produced from captive and wild spawners were also determined. Based on a tank experiment, no significant difference was detected between the percentages of ASDS in PL produced from wild or captive spawners but FBSD was only noted in PL produced from the latter. Deformities generally did not affect the size of P. indicus except for the reduced length of shrimp with FBSD which when coupled with missing pleopods could lead to major economic loss for shrimp farmers if not addressed properly. -
Article
Colour discrimination in dim light by the larvae of the African catfish Clarias gariepinus
-Ichthyological Research , 2017 - SpringerMany demersal fish species undergo vertical shifts in habitats during ontogeny especially after larval metamorphosis. The visual spectral sensitivity shifts with the habitat, indicating a change in colour vision. Colour vision depends on sufficient ambient light and becomes ineffective at a particular low light intensity. It is not known how fishes see colour in dim light. By means of a behavioural experiment on larval African catfish Clarias gariepinus in the laboratory, we determined colour vision and colour discrimination in dim light. Light-adapted larvae were subjected to classical conditioning to associate a reward feed with a green or a red stimulus placed among 7 shades of grey. The larvae learned this visual task after 70 and 90 trials. A different batch of larvae were trained to discriminate between green and red and then tested for the ability to discriminate between these colours, as the light intensity was reduced. The larvae learned this visual task after 110 trials in bright light and were able to discriminate colours, as light was dimmed until 0.01 lx, the minimal illuminance measurable in this study, and similar to starlight. The retinae of the larvae were found to be light adapted at 0.01 lx; thus indicating cone-based colour vision at this illuminance. For comparison, three human subjects were tested under similar conditions and showed a colour vision threshold at between 1.5 and 0.1 lx. For the larvae of C. gariepinus, the ability of colour discrimination in dim light is probably due to its retinal tapetum, which could increase the sensitivity of cones.
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