Low larval survival resulting from suboptimal culture conditions and luminous vibriosis poses a major problem for the larviculture of penaeid shrimp. In this study, a poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) accumulating mixed bacterial culture (mBC; 48.5% PHB on cell dry weight) and two PHB accumulating bacterial isolates, Bacillus sp. JL47 (54.7% PHB on cell dry weight) and Bacillus sp. JL1 (45.5% PHB on cell dry weight), were obtained from a Philippine shrimp culture pond and investigated for their capacity to improve growth, survival and robustness of Penaeus monodon postlarvae (PL). Shrimp PL1 and shrimp PL30 were provided with the PHB containing bacterial cultures in the feed for 30 days followed by, respectively, a challenge with pathogenic Vibrio campbellii and exposure to a lethal dose of ammonia. Prior to the pathogenic challenge or ammonia stress, growth and survival were higher for shrimp receiving the PHB accumulating bacteria as compared to shrimp receiving diets without bacterial additions. After exposure to the pathogenic challenge the shrimp fed PHB accumulating bacteria showed a higher survival as compared to non-treated shrimp, suggesting an increase in robustness for the shrimp. Similar effects were observed when shrimp PL30 were provided with the PHB accumulating bacterial cultures during a challenge with pathogenic V. campbellii through the water. The survival of shrimp exposed to lethal ammonia stress showed no significant difference between PHB accumulating bacteria-fed shrimp and non-PHB treated shrimp. The data illustrate that bacilli capable of accumulating PHB can provide beneficial effects to P. monodon post-larvae during culture in terms of growth performance, survival and resistance against pathogenic infection and ammonia stress. Further investigations are required to verify the PHB effect of the bacterial cultures on the shrimp.

This study determined the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and handling stress on the spermiation and milt response of silver perch Leiopotherapon plumbeus based on the measurement of spermatocrit, sperm density, and milt production. Compared to saline-injected fish, the mean spermatocrit (or packed sperm) of hCG-treated fish was significantly lower at 18 h (47.9%) and 30 h (40.2%) post-injection while mean sperm density was significantly lower at 30 h post-injection (3.6 × 10⁶ cells μl⁻¹) but not at 18 h. At 18 h (1.8 μl g-BW⁻¹) and 30 h (2.5 μl g-BW⁻¹) post-injection, mean milt production of hCG-treated fish was significantly higher than in the saline group. Milt consistency was also thinner in the hCG-treated group. Mean sperm density of handled fish (18.0 × 10⁶ cells μl⁻¹) was significantly lower than control fish (23.4 × 10⁶ cells μl⁻¹). However, mean sperm density of handled plus saline-injected (16.2 × 10⁶ cells μl⁻¹) and handled plus hCG-treated fish (8.4 × 10⁶ cells μl⁻¹) was significantly lower than in the control goup. Having thicker milt consistency, mean spermatocrit and milt production of handled (77.5%; 1.1 μl g-BW⁻¹, respectively) and handled plus saline-injected fish (75.4%; 1.1 μl g-BW⁻¹, respectively) were not significantly different from the control fish (76.2%; 1.3 μl g-BW⁻¹, respectively). Handled plus hCG-treated fish had the lowest mean sperm density (8.4 × 10⁶ cells μl⁻¹) and spermatocrit (54.7%), but had the highest mean milt production (5.5 μl g-BW⁻¹) among the treatment groups. These results demonstrate that the hCG injection effectively induces spermiation and milt expression and that handling-related stress negatively affects such responses. The spermatocrit method may be used to assess the spermiation and milt response of silver perch.

Batch culture of Isochrysis galbana clone T-ISO is difficult due to its unstable biomass production; hence, the effect of continuous cultivation at different dilution rates was investigated to compare its productivity with that of batch culture. Significantly higher total algal cell yield was attained in continuous cultures (1.70 × 10⁸ and 1.03 × 10⁸ cells L^-1 at 0.60 d^-1 and 0.30 d^-1 dilution rates, respectively) compared with batch culture (0.16 × 10⁸ cells L^-1); the batch culture did not receive any inflow of nutrients. The amount of protein per cell was similar in both batch and continuous cultures at 0.60 d^-1 dilution rate after 24 h and 5 d in both culture systems. Chlorophyll a yield was not affected by dilution rate but decreased as the culture aged. The dry weight yield was also similar in both batch and continuous cultures. The higher nitrate concentration supplemented in the batch culture resulted in higher cell density and elevated protein content of the alga. Rotifer (Brahionus rotundiformis) cultures that received inflow of nutrients from the algal tanks had significantly higher (P<0.05) peak population count (28 and 33 individuals mL^-1 at 0.30 and 0.60 d^-1 dilution rates, respectively) compared with rotifer cultures that did not receive an inflow of food (18.22 individuals mL^-1). The higher biomass yield of T-ISO using continuous cultivation method can increase the population growth of rotifer under tropical conditions.

Finding aquaculture development approaches to open up livelihood opportunities for the rural poor and in mainstreaming smallholder fish farmers to reduce poverty remain a challenge. This paper examines the community-based technology transfer mechanism of mudcrab nursery in ponds and its socioeconomic impacts on smallholder mudcrab growers in Northern Samar, Philippines. Results indicated that the technology is a viable enterprise done by a straight culture system method, which is the rearing of crablets from <1.0 to 4.0 cm for 42 days, or by-phases. However, technology adoption hinges on many factors like area ownership, farm distance from household, and market including the type of strategy needed to enhance technology uptake. Collaboration among research and development institutions and local partners is critical in training and empowering rural communities to adopt aquaculture technologies.

To provide a basis for a stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratio \(\mathsf{(\delta^{13}C / \delta^{15}N)}\) analysis to determine the assimilated organic matter in sea cucumber, Holothuria scabra, diet-tissue fractionations were experimentally determined by mono-feeding rearing with diatom. While δ¹⁵N fractionation of the whole body wall (2.4‰) was similar to the commonly accepted value (2.6 - 4‰), δ¹³C fractionation of the body wall (4.2‰) showed considerable discrepancy with the commonly accepted value (0 - 1‰) due to the high content (35% dry wt/wt) of calcareous spicules (CaCO₃) in the body wall, which had significantly higher δ¹³C (-8.6‰) than the organic fractions. Computational elimination of spicules based upon spicule content and spicule δ¹³C reduced the δ¹³C fractionation of the body wall to 1.5‰, close to the common value. δ¹³C fractionation after spicule removal by acid decarbonation and subsequent rinsing (3.2‰) did not agree with the common value, and δ¹⁵N fractionation was significantly elevated by decarbonation. δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C fractionations of the intestine (1.5 and 2.2‰, respectively) did not agree with the common values. Since δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N of the feces did not differ significantly from those of the diet, feces may be used to determine ingested organic matter in the wild.

Three stream sections (upstream, midstream, and downstream) of Tayabas River, Philippines were surveyed during the wet and dry seasons of 2010 to evaluate the poorly known status of freshwater fish assemblages. The study collected a total of 1,070 individuals comprising 15 species, 13 genera, and 8 families. The three most abundant groups were poeciliids (61.85%), gobiids (26.16%), and cichlid (5.51%). Shannon-Weiner’s diversity indices ranged from 1.270 to 2.171. Relatively high Shannon evenness indices (0.653–0.846) and low Simpson’s dominance values (0.142–0.322) were calculated implying a fairly equitable distribution of niche space for dominant and non-dominant fishes. Significant change on fish assemblage in longitudinal gradient was observed (p<0.05), being the most diverse fish assemblage registered in the upstream. Species richness is mostly composed of native fish species (10 species) and mainly represented by stream gobiids (six species). The downstream, however, had the highest cumulative abundance, in which the larger proportion was from introduced species. Also, wet season had considerably more fish species and individuals relative to dry season (p<0.05). This significant spatio-temporal differences in fish assemblage data were evaluated by multivariate analyses (p<0.05). Canonical correspondence analysis identified the depth (seasonal water level fluctuations), vegetation growth, and dissolved oxygen concentrations (in order of importance) as the most influential environmental parameters affecting fish assemblage structure. Also, climatic stress (prolonged drought) and anthropogenically-induced habitat alteration could negatively affect the integrity of freshwater fishes within the river. The study suggests extensive management programs of the river for the protection of native fish species.

The effect of stocking density and cage design on the growth, survival rate, and feed conversion ratio was evaluated for the nursery (11–15 mm in shell length) and juvenile grow-out (26–30 mm in shell length) of the tropical abalone Haliotis asinina. Abalone were fed Gracilaria sp. within a randomized 2 × 3 factorial experiment using 2 stocking densities (Tl (500 pieces/m²) and T2 (1,000 pieces/m²)) and 3 cages (D1, box; D2, mesh cage; D3, prefabricated multitier trays). In addition, 3 stocking densities (T1, 50 pieces/m ; T2, 100 pieces/m; T3, 200 pieces/m) were evaluated in the prefabricated multitier trays. We found that, in the nursery experiment, 4-mo-old tropical abalone juveniles reared for 90 d showed no significant differences in growth (shell length and body weight) and survival rates among the 3 nursery cages used (Tukey's post hoc test, P > 0.05). Feed conversion ratio, however, was lowest for the high-density treatment T1D3 (7.8 ± 0.76) and was significantly different from the low density treatment T1D1 (11.32 ± 1.2) and intermediate density treatment T1D2 (12.39 ± 1.12; t-test, P > 0.05). Conversely, at higher densities (T2), the same trend applied with abalone reared in multitier basket systems (T2D3), having the highest growth rates and survival rates (29.3 ± 0.07 mm average shell length (ASL) and 5.16 ± 0.52 g average body weight (ABW)), followed closely by those reared in mesh cages (T2D2) and boxes (T2D1). Feed conversion ratio was also lowest for T2D3 (7.56 ± 0.79) and was significantly lower than T2D1 and T2D2. Between treatments, however, abalone reared at lower densities (T1) had significantly higher growth and survival than those reared at higher densities (T2), regardless of the nursery cage used, indicating an inverse relationship between stocking density, growth, and survival. For the grow-out study, tropical abalone reared in multitier trays at low densities (T1) attained the highest growth in shell length and body weight (49.7 ± 0.11 mm ASL and 29.8 ± 2.6 g ABW, respectively) at 180 d of culture, which was significantly greater than those reared in the high-density treatment (T3) with significantly smaller shell length and body weight (43.8 ± 0.18 mm ASL and 21.2 ± 2.0 g ABW), but not significantly different than the intermediate density treatment. This trend started from day 60 of culture onward when analyzed using Duncan's multiple range test (P > 0.05). Survival rates were not significantly different among stocking density treatments, nor were feed conversion ratios. We recommend, for nursery rearing of abalone juveniles, using multitier trays (D3) or boxes (D1) at 500 pieces/m² stocking density to attain a grow-out size of 26–30 mm in shell length in 90 days. A stocking density of 100 pieces/m² is recommended to grow abalone in multitier trays to attain a cocktail size of 50 mm ASL and 30 g ABW in 180 d with survival rates between 85.6% and 83.1%.

To elucidate the population structure and pattern of morphological divergence of the indigenous Celebes goby Glossogobius celebius (Valenciennes, 1837), morphometric and morphomeristic characters of this species were compared among populations collected from five study sites in Southern Luzon, Philippines. Univariate analysis of variance confirmed significant differences among populations for 20 out of 23 allometrically-transformed metric characters (P<0.05), while nine meristic traits of five populations were comparatively homogeneous (P>0.05). Intrapopulation variability was very low (6.81-7.21%) for each location. Multivariate analysis of variance determined a very high significant group variability (P<0.05). Also, principal component analysis (PC1=36.60%; PC2=18.34%) and canonical variate analysis (CV1=44.59%; CV2=37.30%) identified the 2 super(nd) dorsal fin length, anal fin length, and the 2 super(nd) dorsal fin origin as the main significant contributors of population differentiation. Derived classification functions correctly classified an average of 68% individuals into their original groups. The canonical variate analysis plot exhibited high isolation of lacustrine populations (Lake Taal and Laguna de Bay) from riverine populations (Dampalit River, Alitaaw River and Pansipit River), with the latter having longer metric characters. Likewise, squared Euclidean distance similarity using metric data clearly produced two clusters representing both river and lake populations. This morphological divergence is suggested to be environmentally-induced (phenotypic plasticity) primarily by the differences in flow rate and temperature of the study sites.

The health-promoting effects of dietary onion and ginger were studied in brown marbled grouper, Epinephelus fuscoguttatus. An eight-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary onion and ginger on growth, cortisol levels, histology and disease resistance in the fish. Five experimental diets were formulated to contain either onion (2%), ginger (2%), β-glucan (1%) or vitamin C (3%) and a control diet (without immunostimulants). Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of fish with an average weight of 10.85±0.69 g. Fish supplemented with either of the immunostimulants exhibited a significantly higher growth compared to the control group. Specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) were significantly higher in the onion and ginger-supplemented fish than the control. Cortisol level was higher in the control compared to the immunostimulant-fed groups with onion and ginger-fed fish showing significantly lower cortisol levels. When experimentally infected with Vibrio harveyi, fish fed onion or ginger exhibited significantly reduced mortality when compared with the control and β-glucan, but not when compared with the vitamin C-fed group. Liver sections sampled 4 days postinfection showed no remarkable pathology except for the slight reduction in glycogen granules in the supplement-fed fish. The liver of non-supplemented infected fish showed necrosis, fatty globule deposition, vacuolation, and presence of short rod-shaped bacteria. Kidney sections in the supplemented groups, likewise, did not show significant pathology similar to the uninfected control, whereas those of infected control fish showed necrosis of the tubules and glomeruli resulting in severely altered morphology of the tissues and presence of bacteria in the necrotic areas. As a result of circumventing tissue damage, wound healing was faster in fish supplemented with ginger, onion, and vitamin C compared to the β-glucan and the control groups. This study showed the benefits of onion and ginger in promoting growth and alleviating stress and severity of vibriosis in grouper.

The antibacterial properties of the microalgae Chaetoceros calcitrans were assessed. Samples of C. calcitrans were first extracted in methanol, and then in different organic solvents of increasing polarity, n-hexane (n-Hex), dichloromethane (DCM) and ethyl acetate (EA) by liquid-liquid extraction. Solvent extracts were screened for antibacterial activity against four species of bacteria: Gram positive, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis; and Gram negative, Escherichia coli and Vibrio harveyi, with Amoxicillin as positive control, N-Hex extract, with significantly lower antibacterial activity than Amoxicillin, showed significantly higher activity than DCM and EA extracts, and least in methanolic extract. High antibacterial activity of n-Hex extract against all the microorganisms indicates that the bioactive components could be non-polar since the activity decreased as the solvent became more polar like methanol, and finally lost in aqueous extract. Results also showed that the extracts have a broad spectrum activity. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of all solvent extracts on all microorganisms tested ranged from 125 to 500 μg.mL^-1. Partial purification and characterisation of the extracts confirmed the antibacterial activity in the non-polar fraction, which could be terpenes. The results suggest a good prospect in using C. calcitrans against Vibrio and other bacterial species.