Modeling the weight gain of freshwater-reared rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) during the grow-out phase

We used five nonlinear models to calculate the weight gain of rainbow trout (122.11±15.6 g) during the final grow-out phase of 98 days under three different feed types (two commercials diets, A and B, and one experimental diet, C) in triplicate groups. We fitted the von Bertalanffy growth function with allometric and isometric scaling coefficient, Gompertz, Logistic, and Brody functions to weight (g) at age data of 900 fish, distributed in nine tanks. The equations were fitted to the data based on the least squares method using the Marquardt iterative algorithm. The accuracy of the fitted models was evaluated using a model performance metrics, combining mean squared residuals (MSR), mean absolute error (MAE), and Akaike's Information Criterion corrected for small sample sizes (AICc). All models converged in all cases tested. The evaluation criteria for the Logistic model indicated the best overall fit (0.704) under all different feed types, followed by the Gompertz model (0.148), and the von Bertalanffy-I and von Bertalanffy-A with 0.074 each. The obtained asymptotic values are in agreement with the biological attributes of the species, except for the Brody model, whose values were massively exceeding the biologic traits of rainbow trout in 0.556 of tested cases. Additionally, ∆AICc results identify the Brody model as the only model not substantially supported by the data in any case. All other models are capable of reflecting the effects of various feed types; these results are directly applicable in farm management decisions.(AU)

Menthol and eugenol as natural anesthetics for early juveniles of curimba

The objective of this study was to evaluate menthol and eugenol as anesthetics for early juveniles of curimba, Prochilodus lineatus. Juveniles of 4.0±0.5 g and a total length of 8.8±0.1 cm were exposed to the anesthetics menthol (20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 mg L−1) and eugenol (20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 mg L−1) up to deep anesthesia. The anesthetic effects were evaluated measuring the induction time to deep anesthesia (characterized by loss of equilibrium, absence of swimming, reduction of opercular movements, and responses only to intense tactile stimuli), recovery time, time to appetite return, and mortality rate after 96 h of procedure. The concentrations between 60 to 80 mg of menthol L−1 provided the lowest time of induction. Increased concentrations led to a decrease in recuperation time. The concentrations between 50 to 70 mg of eugenol L−1 provided the lowest induction times; however, recovery time was not affected by eugenol concentrations. The return to appetite was observed 24 h after anesthesia, while the survival after 96 h was >90%. Concentrations of 60 and 50 mg L−1 of menthol and eugenol, respectively, are recommended for effective anesthesia with limited side effects.(AU)