Feeding experiments with silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Val.) fry

doi:10.1016/0044-8486(89)90044-6

Aquaculture

Volume 83, Issues 3–4, 15 December 1989, Pages 331-344

https://doi.org/10.1016/0044-8486(89)90044-6 Get rights and content

Abstract

Feeding experiments were carried out with fry of silver carp fed on cultured algae, Scenedesmus ellipsoideus, Anacystis nidulans, Anabaena flos-aquae, and on phytoplankton collected in Lake Balaton. Analyses of the intestinal contents of silver carp showed that blue-green algae and diatoms were ingested and digested to the greatest extent. Colonies of blue-greens and big forms of greens were ingested, but poorly digested. Fish were not able to ingest algae smaller than 10 μm in size. Silver carp fed on blue-greens consumed 11–13% of their body weight (wet wt) in a 40 mg l⁻¹ algal suspension. Filtration rate, at the same food density, ranged between 2.6 and 3.3 l g⁻¹ (body weight) 4 h⁻¹. Algae labeled with ¹⁴C passed through the alimentary canals in an average time of 3.2 h. Feeding of silver carp was most intense in the afternoon and lowest at night. Fecal algae (Scenedesmus) did not increase either the biomass or the primary production at a fecal concentration of 1 mg l⁻¹. At a fecal concentration of 3 mg l⁻¹, however, there was a slight increase in both the biomass and the primary produciton. At 10 mg l⁻¹ fecal concentration the biomass and primary production of living cells almost doubled. Fecal algae (Anabaena) increased the primary production at 10 mg l⁻¹, but at 50 mg l⁻¹ the biomass was three times and the primary production four times higher as compared with the control.

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Cited by (23)

Gut content microbiota of introduced bigheaded carps (Hypophthalmichthys spp.) inhabiting the largest shallow lake in Central Europe
2017, Microbiological Research
Citation Excerpt :
Thus, silver carp had been stocked to several lakes throughout the world to improve the poor water quality and control cyanobacterial blooms in eutrophic/hypertrophic water bodies (Xie and Liu, 2001; Radke and Kahl, 2002). The role of cyanobacteria in the nutrition of bigheaded carps was also studied formerly in Lake Balaton and its watershed (Herodek et al., 1989; Vörös et al., 1997) and in other lakes (e.g. Domaizon and Devaux, 1999), and size-selective filtration and taxon-specific digestion of planktonic algae (including cyanobacteria and eukaryotic algae) were revealed (Vörös et al., 1997; Boros et al., 2012; Görgényi et al., 2016). However, it should be noted that phytoplankton has characteristic seasonal dynamics with changing biomass and composition in the temperate climate zone, therefore its importance as a food resource for fish may also differ substantially across seasons and ecosystems.
Studying the microbiota in the alimentary tract of bigheaded carps (Hypophthalmichthys spp.) gained special interest recently, as these types of investigations on non-native fish species may lead to a better understanding of their ecological role and feeding habits in an invaded habitat. For microbiological examinations, bigheaded carp gut contents and water column samples from Lake Balaton (Hungary) were collected from spring to autumn in 2013. Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) and pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene were performed to reveal the composition. According to the DGGE patterns, bacterial communities of water samples separated clearly from that of the intestines. Moreover, the bacterial communities in the foreguts and hindguts were also strikingly dissimilar. Based on pyrosequencing, both foregut and hindgut samples were predominated by the fermentative genus Cetobacterium (Fusobacteria). The presence of some phytoplankton taxa and the high relative abundance of cellulose-degrading bacteria in the guts suggest that intestinal microbes may have an important role in digesting algae and making them utilizable for bigheaded carps that lack cellulase enzyme. In turn, the complete absence of typical heterotrophic freshwater bacteria in all studied sections of the intestines indicated that bacterioplankton probably has a negligible role in the nutrition of bigheaded carps.
Comparison of the trophic niches between two planktivorous fishes in two large lakes using stable isotope analysis
2016, Biochemical Systematics and Ecology
Citation Excerpt :
This nontraditional biomanipulation, proposed by Xie and Liu (2001), has drawn great attention from managers and researchers in recent decades due to increasing aquatic eutrophication problems in China (Ke et al., 2007; Zhang et al., 2008) and the world at large (Domaizon and Dévaux, 1999). However, the effectiveness of using nontraditional biomanipulation to control nuisance algae is uncertain as it is unclear if silver or bighead carps can digest cyanobacteria, with some evidence that they cannot (Bitterlich, 1985; Herodek et al., 1989). It is thus critical to clearly and fully investigate what the two carps feed in different water bodies.
This paper studied the sources of food and the trophic levels of silver and bighead carps using stable isotopes (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) analysis in Lake Qiandao and Lake Taihu. The δ¹³C values of POM and phytoplankton indicated that Particulate Organic Matter (POM) is of terrestrial origin in LQ and phytoplankton origin in LT. The different signature of δ¹⁵N of phytoplankton and POM also showed the different extent of anthropogenic impacts on the two lakes, with higher impacts in LT than in LQ. In LQ the trophic levels of silver and bighead carps were significantly different (2.48 ± 0.19 and 2.66 ± 0.19, respectively), while in LT the difference was not significant (2.15 ± 1.54 and 2.36 ± 0.38, respectively). Using a mixing model, we found that silver and bighead carps consumed a major proportion on phytoplankton and/or POM in both lakes with higher contribution of phytoplankton in more eutrophic lake. Silver and bighead carps had clear differentiation in food resources with silver carp more on POM and bighead more on zooplankton in deep and mesotrophic lakes. Contrary to this, both carps fed primarily on phytoplankton (and POM) and may have more niche overlaps in shallow and eutrophic lakes.
Effect of algae density on breathing and feeding of filter-feeding silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Val.)
2014, Aquaculture
Citation Excerpt :
There was a power function relationship between FR of silver carp and algae densities. Experiments conducted by Herodek et al. (1989) and Turker et al. (2003a,b) found similar results with silver carp and tilapia. A description of the physiological process of silver carp filtration is usually as follows: water with food particles is pumped into the oropharyngeal cavity by the rhythmic expansion and contraction of the opercles and buccal chamber; and the suitable food particles are filtered by gill rakers and remain in gill raker ditches while water flows through the gill rakers; then the food particles reach the pharynx and are swallowed by coordinated movements of filtration organs (Li and Dong, 1996; Liu et al., 1992; Sun and Meng, 1992).
The respiratory process of silver carp, a typical filter-feeding fish, works in conjunction with its feeding mechanism when it filters plankton in water. In the present study breathing and feeding of silver carp were measured in response to increases of algae density from 0 to 242 mg/L in order to explore the relationship between breathing and feeding in higher algae biomass environments. The results showed that (1) the oxygen consumption rate (VO₂) of the fish increased significantly with increases in algae density (P < 0.05), but there were no significant differences in VO₂ among fish at algae densities of 63.3–242 mg/L (P > 0.05). The respiratory frequency (f_R), gill ventilation (V_G) and V_G/VO₂ of the fish did not show significant differences among algae densities of 0–23.8 mg/L (P > 0.05). However, when algae density increased to 63.3 mg/L, the f_R, V_G and V_G/VO₂ increased significantly and reached a peak, but then declined significantly with further increases in algae density (P < 0.05). With increases of algae density, oxygen extraction efficiency (EO₂) first declined and then increased, with the lowest value occurring at an algae density of 63.9 mg/L. The EO₂ was negatively correlated to V_G in the present study (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in respiratory stroke volume (V_S.R) among fish at algae densities of 0–242 mg/L (P > 0.05). (2) The filtration rate (FR) of silver carp increased significantly with increases of algae density, but did not show significant differences at levels of 63.3–242 mg/L (P > 0.05). The changes of the clearance rate (CR) and filtering efficiency (E) of the fish showed the same trend, in which the highest values occurred at algae densities of 63.3 mg/L and 23.8 mg/L, respectively (P < 0.05). In addition, an anti-filtering response occurred at algae densities over 138 mg/L. The present studies indicate that in order to acclimate to environments with higher algae biomass, silver carp can actively reduce clearance rate through a decline of filtering efficiency and/or gill ventilation.
Stable isotope enrichment, dietary sources and trophic overlap between silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis)
2013, Aquaculture
Citation Excerpt :
Early studies suggest that silver carp largely feed on phytoplankton and bighead carp on zooplankton (Cremer and Smitherman, 1980; Nie and Chiang, 1954). It has also been recognized, however, that silver carp show poor digestibility for many algal species (Bitterlich, 1985; He and Li, 1975; Herodek et al., 1989; Nie and Chiang, 1954) and also consume a significant amount of zooplankton (Nie and Chiang, 1954; Opuszynski, 1981). These findings suggest that silver carp and bighead carp may share a similar trophic niche and compete for natural resources.
Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) are important cultivated fish and their dietary sources have been subject to many studies. In the present work, stable isotope analysis (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) was used to assess the relative contributions of natural and artificial diets to the growth and dietary overlap in these fish. In an indoor growth experiment, the δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values of muscle tissue of silver carp and bighead carp fed a fish meal as the sole protein source revealed identical isotope enrichment. In an outdoor growth experiment conducted in fishponds, the relative contribution of particulate organic matter (POM) and a commercial composite diet (CD) to the growth of both carps was estimated using a two-source isotope mixing model. Results revealed that bighead carp used more POM than silver carp for their growth. Estimates of dietary overlap between these fish suggest that silver carp and bighead carp partially shared the same diets for growth. This finding is consistent with the results of several recent studies, demonstrating that the trophic niche of these planktivores was not segregated, as was previously suggested.
Seasonal variations in stable isotope ratios of two biomanipulation fishes and seston in a large pen culture in hypereutrophic Meiliang Bay, Lake Taihu
2009, Ecological Engineering
This paper reports on seasonal changes in stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios of seston and muscle tissue of silver carp and bighead carp during 2004 and 2005, focusing primarily on the carbon sources and trophic relationships among phytoplankton, zooplankton and silver carp and bighead carp in a large fish pen of Meiliang Bay (Lake Taihu, China). δ¹³C showed a minimal value in March 2005 and a maximal value in August 2005 in seston both inside and outside the pen, whereas δ¹⁵N of seston showed the minimum in winter and the maximum during algal blooms. A positive correlation between δ¹³C of silver carp and that of seston suggested that temporal variation of δ¹³C in seston was preserved in fish via the food chain. The differences of δ¹³C among seston, zooplankton and muscle tissue of silver carp and bighead carp ranged only 0.2–1.7%, indicating that plankton production was the primary food source of filter-feeding fishes. According to a mass balance model, we estimated that the contributions of zooplankton to the diets of silver carp and bighead carp were 45.7% and 54.3%, respectively, based on the δ¹⁵N values of zooplankton and planktivorous fishes.
Comparative Nile tilapia and silver carp filtration rates of partitioned aquaculture system phytoplankton
2003, Aquaculture
Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) held in timed-pulse feeding chambers were provided water dominated either by green algae (Scenedesmus, Ankistrodesmus and Tetraedron) or by cyanobacteria (Microcystis) to compare filtration rates (FRs). FRs were expressed as suspended particulate organic carbon (POC)/kg wet fish weight/h and as phytoplankton units filtered based on counts. Nile tilapia and silver carp filtration significantly reduced phytoplankton number of both taxonomic groups with the larger phytoplankton being filtered proportionally more than the smaller phytoplankton. Nile tilapia FR of green algae was significantly higher than silver carp; however, silver carp FR of cyanobacteria was higher than Nile tilapia. Ivlev's 90% saturation FRs (FR₉₀) in green-algal and cyanobacterial water sources were 702 and 812 mgC/kg/h for Nile tilapia and 414 and 1028 mgC/kg/h for silver carp, respectively. Silver carp were observed to reach these FR₉₀ values at lower POC concentrations than Nile tilapia with both green algae and cyanobacteria.

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Aquaculture

Abstract

References (21)

Gut contents of silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Val.), and some trophic relations to other fish species in a polyculture system

Aquaculture

On the effect of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix in the ecosystem pond and lake

Zur Phosphatregeneration durch Silberkarpfen Hypophthalmichthys molitrix

Acta Hydrochim. Hydrobiol.

Exploitation of fishery resources of Lake Balaton

Verh. Int. Ver. Limnol.

About methodical problems concerning the ¹⁴C-method of measuring photosynthesis

Ann. Biol. Tihany

The results of photosynthesis measurements in the year 1963

Recent results of phytoplankton research in Lake Balaton

Ann. Biol. Tihany

The primary production of the phytoplankton in the Keszthely basin of Lake Balaton in 1973–1974

Ann. Biol. Tihany

The biomass production of phytoplankton and eutrophication of Lake Balaton

Hidrol. Közl

The biomass and production of phytoplankton and eutrophication of Lake Balaton. II. Szigliget basin 1974–1975

Hidrol. Közl.

Cited by (23)

Gut content microbiota of introduced bigheaded carps (Hypophthalmichthys spp.) inhabiting the largest shallow lake in Central Europe

Comparison of the trophic niches between two planktivorous fishes in two large lakes using stable isotope analysis

Effect of algae density on breathing and feeding of filter-feeding silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Val.)

Stable isotope enrichment, dietary sources and trophic overlap between silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis)

Seasonal variations in stable isotope ratios of two biomanipulation fishes and seston in a large pen culture in hypereutrophic Meiliang Bay, Lake Taihu

Comparative Nile tilapia and silver carp filtration rates of partitioned aquaculture system phytoplankton

Feeding experiments with silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Val.) fry

Abstract

Aquaculture

On the effect of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix in the ecosystem pond and lake

Zur Phosphatregeneration durch Silberkarpfen Hypophthalmichthys molitrix

Acta Hydrochim. Hydrobiol.

Exploitation of fishery resources of Lake Balaton

Verh. Int. Ver. Limnol.

About methodical problems concerning the 14C-method of measuring photosynthesis

Ann. Biol. Tihany

The results of photosynthesis measurements in the year 1963

Recent results of phytoplankton research in Lake Balaton

Ann. Biol. Tihany

The primary production of the phytoplankton in the Keszthely basin of Lake Balaton in 1973–1974

Ann. Biol. Tihany

The biomass production of phytoplankton and eutrophication of Lake Balaton

Hidrol. Közl

The biomass and production of phytoplankton and eutrophication of Lake Balaton. II. Szigliget basin 1974–1975

Hidrol. Közl.

About methodical problems concerning the ¹⁴C-method of measuring photosynthesis