• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.343-349
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• 2010

The effects of osmotic stress on the non-specific immune response of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, were investigated. Osmoregulatory mechanism of tilapia has been studied, but less information is available about innate immune response of O. niloticus faced with hyperosmolality. Acute osmotic stress was elicited by transferring tilapia from freshwater (FW) to 24 psu seawater (SW). Non-specific immune parameters including lysozyme activities of plasma and head kidney (HK), alternative complement pathway (ACP) activity in plasma, phagocytic capacities of spleen and HK immune cells, and respiratory burst activity of immune cells in both HK and spleen were analyzed. Lysozyme activities were increased at 1 h and 30 h after transfer to SW, but decreased at 10 h after SW transfer. Conversely, ACP activity increased 10 h after SW transfer. Phagocytic capacity increased slightly at 1 h and 5 h after SW transfer, and respiratory burst activity showed an increase in superoxide release at 10 h after SW transfer. Taken together, these results indicate that the exposure of tilapia to hyperosmotic conditions has immunostimulatory effects on cellular and humoral immune reactions.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.380-389
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• 2022

Morphometric relationships, condition factor (CF) and reproductive biology are significant tools in fish stock management, fish biology, physiology, conservation and ecology. Growth and reproductive strategy of Oreochromis niloticus were studied from 343 fish specimens collected from Lake Shala between January and December 2018. Fish samples ranged from 7.7 cm to 33.0 cm in total length (TL) and from 7.80 g to 708.21 g in total weight (TW) were collected using gillnets of 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 mm mesh sizes. The length-weight relationship of O. niloticus was TW = 0.0104TL^3.19, indicating positive allometric growth of the fish. The sex ratio (0.93:1) was insignificant from the ideal fish distribution of 1:1 (χ² = 0.47, p > 0.05). Mean CF for males, females and combined sexes was 1.04, 1.06 and 1.05, respectively and statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). The spawning peak occurred in July (rainy) and February (dry) periods, as defined by ripe females and the breeding season. Absolute mean fecundity was 806 eggs and correlated positively with TL and TW of the fish (p < 0.05) (F = 0.56TL^2.29, R² = 0.93, p < 0.05; F = 18.83TW^0.67, R² = 0.90, p < 0.05). The study provides the first detailed account of the morphometric relationships and reproductive biology of O. niloticus in Lake Shala, which can be used as baseline information for successive biological-based studies in Soda Lakes of Ethiopia.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.100-110
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• 2024

Biometric evaluation and reproductive biology of Oreochromis niloticus were studied from Geray Reservoir. Between November 2021 and August 2022, 316 O. niloticus specimens were collected from this reservoir. The observed male to female sex ratio was 1:1.14, which was statistically insignificant compared with the hypothetical 1:1 sex ratio (X² = 1.27, p > 0.05). The length-weight relationship was curvilinear with allometric growth (b < 3) and statistically significant from the expected isometric growth pattern (b = 3). The regression equation for females was TW = 0.0264TL^2.72 (r² = 0.90, n = 168), males (TW = 0.0183TL^2.79, r² = 0.93, n = 148), and combined sexes (TW = 0.0229TL^2.76, r² = 0.91, n = 316). Gonadosomatic index (GSI) ranged from 0.8 to 1.4 (males) and 1.8 to 4.9 (females). The breeding season lasted from March to June, with a GSI peak in April. Fecundity ranged from 279 to 1,528 eggs./fish, with a mean of 1,025 eggs./fish. The correlation between absolute fecundity and length was more significant (F = 0.76TL^2.8, R² = 0.94, p < 0.05) than with weight (F = 17.683TW^0.71, R² = 0.92, p < 0.05). This study provides basic information on the biology of O. niloticus in the Geray Reservoir for future fishery management tools for the conservation and utilization of this valuable freshwater fish.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.144-148
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• 1999

This study was conducted to test actual oxygen consumption rates of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) at a commercial scale high density culture tank in the recirculating culture system, with a special emphasis on the oxygen consumption rate of this species with different daily feeding frequencies. Nile tilapia, an average of 400 g and a total wright of 390 kg, were stocked in a circular concrete tank of 2.9 m in diameter and 0.8 m in depth, in a recirculating culture system. The fish were fed commercial diet 1, 2, 5, and 9 times per day between 09:00 h and 19:00 h. feed was evenly supplied where the fish were fed more than once a day. Dissolved oxygen of influent and effluent water was monitored every 50 seconds by a computer with electrodes for 24 hours. The standard metabolic rate of tilapia was $39.31{\pm}4.4mg\;O_2/kg$ fish/hr in the present study. The maximum oxygen consumption was reached between 30 to 50 minutes after feeding. The maximum oxygen consumption levels of 1, 2, 5, and 9 feeding times per day were 161.2, 123.4, 111.1 and 111.1 mg $O_2/kg$ fish/hr, respectively. While the mean oxygen consumption levels of 1, 2, 5, and 9 feeding times per day were $79.9{\pm}21.5,\;81.3{\pm}14.8,\;84.2{\pm}9,9$ and $98,9{\pm}11.0mg\;O_2/kg$ fish/hr, respectively. These results show that oxygen consumption rates are not much different between the feeding frequencies. These results could be used to design to provide desirable oxygen supply system in the recirculating high-density tilapia culture system.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.668-679
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• 2023

Edwardsiella tarda is one of the most significant fish pathogens, causes edwardsiellosis in a variety of freshwater fish species, and its antibiotic resistance against multiple drugs has made it a health risk worldwide. In this study, we aimed to investigate the antibiotic resistance (ABR) genes of E. tarda and establish its antibiotic susceptibility. Thus, 540 fish (299 Oreochromis niloticus, 138 O. mossambicus, and 103 O. aureus) were collected randomly from twelve fish farms in three districts of Punjab in Pakistan. E. tarda was recovered from 147 fish showing symptoms of exophthalmia, hemorrhages, skin depigmentation, ascites, and bacteria-filled nodules in enlarged liver and kidney. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing proved chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, and streptomycin effective, but amoxicillin, erythromycin, and flumequine ineffective in controlling edwardsiellosis. Maximum occurrence of qnrA, blaTEM, and sul3 genes of E. tarda was detected in 45% in the liver, 58%, and 42% respectively in the intestine; 46.5%, 67.2%, and 55.9% respectively in O. niloticus; 24%, 36%, and 23% respectively in summer with respect to fish organs, species, and season, respectively. Motility, H₂S, indole, methyl red, and glucose tests gave positive results. Overall, E. tarda infected 27.2% of fish, which ultimately caused 7.69% mortality. The Chi-squared test of independence showed a significant difference in the occurrence of ABR genes of E. tarda with respect to sampling sites. In conclusion, the misuse of antibacterial agents has led to the emergence of ABR genes in E. tarda, which in association with high temperatures cause multiple abnormalities in infected fish and ultimately resulting in massive mortality.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.169-180
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• 2023

Oreochromis niloticus is the most ecologically and economically important fish in tropical and sub-tropical aquatic systems. Recently, due to sever anthropogenic stressors, hydrological variations and infestations of invasive alien species in Ethiopian water bodies, fish community structure and ecosystem of Lake Tana is changing alarmingly. So far, there is paucity of information on the morphometric relations and diet composition of O. niloticus in Lake Tana, gulf of Gorgora. A total of 309 fish samples were collected and their total length (TL), standard length (SL) and total weight (TW) were measured to determine morphometric relations; and gut contents were examined to identify most important food item in the diet of the fish. Results indicated that, the relation between TL and SL was significant (p < 0.001) and linear (SL = 0.942TL-2.41) while the relation between TL and TW was curvilinear (TW = 0.014 TL^2.8) indicating allometric growth. Among the total guts scrutinized, 53 (17.3%) of them were empty and the remaining 256 (82.7%) were non-empty. Phytoplankton constituted the largest bulk and occurred in 77% of the guts examined and volumetrically accounted 44.3%. Detritus and zooplankton had an intermediate importance by occurring 60.2% and 63.3% of all guts scrutinized and constituted about 25.6% and 15.5% of the total volume respectively. Contributions of macrophytes, insects, nematodes and unidentified food items were relatively low in their importance. Ontogenetic dietary shift was observed in the diet indicating an omnivorous feeding habit of the adult fish.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.194-198
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• 2001

The study was conducted to investigate the changes of hepatic cytochrome P450 monooxygenase system induced by dietary administration of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Tilapia were fed pellet with PCBs (Aroclor 1254) 0.05, 0.25 and 0.50 mg/kg body weight/day for 30 days. The dietary administration of PCBs (0.05 mg/kg) induced a significantly increased the concentration of cytochrome P450 and the activity of 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) in the hepatopancreas at 30 days, while the augmentation of both responses was found at 20 days with a higher administration of PCBs-diet (0.25 mg/kg). However, hepatic 7-penthoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase (PROD) activity did not show any noticeable changes with the PCBs-diet 0.05-0.5 mg/kg range compared to control group during the experimental periods of 30 days in the tilapia. These results indicate that tilapia fed PCBs at the concentration of more than 0.05 mg/kg for 30 days are affected by PCBs in terms of cytochrome P450 concentration and EROD activity in the hepatopancreas.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.135-144
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• 1990

Fertilized eggs of Oreochromis niloticus were subjected to cold treatments at $14^{\circ}C$ for 30, 45 and 60 minutes starting 5 minutes after insemination at $27^{\circ}C$. Ploidy levels were determined by chromosome preparations and the analysis of both cell and nuclear sizes. A temperature shock of $14^{\circ}C$ for 60 minutes yielded the best results ( $83.3\%$). Gonadal development in both sexes was severely retarded in all triploid groups at 6 months of age.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.247-254
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• 1999

Changes of oxygen consumption of Nile tilapia in relation to different body sizes(average body weight 4 g, 40 g, 120 g and 400 g) and water temperatures ($20^{\circ}C$, $25^{\circ}C$ and $30^{\circ}C$) were investigated by a continuous oxygen monitoring system. Mean oxygen consumption of 4 g, 40 g, 120 g and 400 g Nile tilapia at $20^{\circ}C$ were 318.8, 214.9, 84.1 and 69.4 mg $O_2$/kg fish/hr and that at $25^{\circ}C$ were 435.2, 345.9, 151.5 and 115.9 mg $O_2$/kg fish/hr, and that at $30^{\circ}C$ were 611.1, 538.4, 320.8, and 236.0 mg $O_2$/kg fish/hr, respectively. Oxygen consumption per unit body weight tended to decrease exponentially at all temperatures (P<0.05) as body weigth of the fish increased. Oxygen consumption of this fish at $25^{\circ}C$ was $1.61\pm0.18$ times higher than that at $20^{\circ}C$ and oxygen consumption at $30^{\circ}C$ was $1.53\pm0.27$ times higher than that at $25^{\circ}C$. Oxygen consumption per unit body weight linearly increased with the water temperature increased. Also, oxygen consumption of this fish during day time was higher than that during night time at 12L:12D day light condition. The differences between maximum and minimum daily oxygen consumption of this fish increased with the water temperature increased.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 1990

Ten strains of tilapiine species from genus Oreochromis were cytogenetically studied for genetic stock identification. Both the chromosome numbers(2n=44) were identical in all 10 strains. Heteromorphic sex chromosome pair were not found in any strains. Nuclear volumes vary between O. niloticus(21.0 $\mu$ $m^3$) and O. aureus(22.4 $\mu$ $m^3$)