Thesis (Ph.D.)--Murdoch University, 2008. / Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Sustainability, Environmental and Life Sciences. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 182-217)

Thesis (MScAgric)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006 / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

Dusky kob, Argyrosomus japonicus and spotted grunter, Pomadasys commersonnii occur off South Africa’s southern and eastern seaboard. They are the preferred target species for both shore and estuarine anglers. In order to sustain the billion rand recreational angling industry, healthy fish populations are of the utmost importance. However, A. japonicus is currently overexploited, with the species’ spawner biomass estimated at 1-4.5% of pristine levels. Pomadasys commersonnii spawner biomass is estimated at 40% of pristine levels, thus indicating that the species is not overexploited. For effective management of our marine resources, information about the population size, structure, dynamics and population history of individual species is needed. Genetic data can make a valuable contribution to a holistic stock determination, approach, as powerful tools in unraveling population history. Genetic variation gives a reflection of the evolutionary differences within and between populations and allows for indirect assessment of population connectivity and gene flow levels. The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region is a useful marker in population studies, due to its high substitution rate. The haploid nature of the mtDNA, maternal inheritance and the absence of recombination, means that the signal obtained from genetic drift is stronger than that for nuclear loci. For this reason the mtDNA control region was analysed for 133 juvenile A. japonicus and 139 P. commersonnii samples from four localities along their South African distribution, to determine the genetic diversity and differentiation among the coastal regions. Juvenile A. japonicus are resident around their natal estuaries until they reach sexual maturity. This residency of juveniles makes them ideal candidates to give a reflection of A japonicus population dynamics, especially to determine if any isolation-by-distance exists along the coast. In the case of P. commersonnii, both juveniles and adults were analysed, since adults are resident around their natal estuaries when not undertaking spawning migrations. High levels of genetic diversity were found in both A. japonicus and P. commersonnii, comparable to that observed in other marine fish species. No significant population differentiation results were obtained, possibly due to the small sample sizes collected or to lack of resolution in the marker. In A. japonicus, where spawning is known to occur off KwaZulu-Natal and off the southern Cape coast, possible isolation-by-distance was detected. This indicates that the adult A. japonicus population probably does not consist of one freely intermixing unit, but rather of geographically separated spawning units. For P. commersonnii, where spawning has only been recorded off the KwaZulu-Natal coast, no population differentiation was observed, indicating that the different regions along the South African coast are highly connected. In conclusion, through future analysis of larger sample sizes, preferably from single cohorts, some of the noise will be reduced and more conclusive answers with respect to female gene flow could be provided. In the case of A. japonicus the use of microsatellite markers which are better at detecting fine-scale differentiation and provide estimates of total gene flow, will be informative. At a broader geographic scale, it will be important to assess differentiation among Dusky kob populations from throughout the Western and Eastern Indian Ocean. As far as P. commersonnii is concerned, it is recommended that a comparison be undertaken to determine the relationship; of the South African population to that found along the Mozambican coast. / Dissertation (MSc (Genetics))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Genetics / unrestricted

Thesis (M.Sc. (Ichthyology & Fisheries Science)) - Rhodes University, 2009.

A study of the biology, anatomy and taxonomy of the sciaenid fishes of the genus Argyrosomus from South Africa and Namibia revealed that three species were confused under the name "Argyrosomus Izololepidotus (Lacepède 1801)". Comparison of morphometric and meristic data, otoliths, swim-bladders, drumming muscles, and other morphological features of specimens from southern Africa, Madagascar, the Mediterranean, the eastern Atlantic Ocean, Japan and Australia, revealed that "A. hololepidotus" is a complex of four species: A. japonicus (Temminck & Schlegel 1843), which occurs off southern Africa, Japan and Australia; A. inodorus sp. nov., which is known from Namibia to the Kei River (32°40'S) on the east coast of South Africa; A. coronus sp. nov., which is known from central and northern Namibia and Angola, and A. hololepidotus, which appears to be endemic to Madagascar. Both A. japonicus and A. inodorus are important recreational and commercial linefish species in South Africa. Although A. inodorus occurs on the east and west coasts of South Africa, and A. japonicus is found between Cape Point and Mozambique, the former species is abundant only between Cape Point and the Kei River, and the latter species from Cape Agulhas to northern KwaZulu/Natal. The life-histories of Argyrosomus japonicus and A. inodorus, within these respective ranges, were elucidated using length-at-age, reproductive, catch and effort, size composition, otolith dimension/fish length and tagging data. Median sizes at maturity (L₅₀) for A. japonicus were 920 mm TL (5 years) for males and 1070 mm TL (6 years) for females. All males >1100 mm TL (7 years) and all females >1200 mm TL (8 years) were mature. Females grew faster than males, but in both sexes growth slowed dramatically after maturity. Maximum age recorded was 42 years, but fish older than 27 years were rare. Adult A. japonicus were predominantly found in the nearshore marine environment, but also occurred in estuaries and in the surf zone. Spawning takes place in the nearshore environment, from August to November in Natal, and from October to January in the Southern and South-Eastern Cape regions. A large proportion of the adult population migrate to Natal to spawn, although spawning may continue once they return to the Cape. Early juveniles of 20-30 mm TL recruit into turbid estuaries along the entire east coast, possibly aided by olfactory cues. They appear to remain in the upper reaches of the estuaries where they find suitable food and refuge from predators until they grow to about 150 mm TL. Juveniles larger than this size were found in the middle and lower reaches of estuaries and also in the surf zone. Juvenile A. japonicus (<1000 mm TL) generally did not migrate long distances, but remained as separate sub-stocks until they reached maturity. A. inodorus grows more slowly than A. japonicus, and attains a lower maximum age (25 years) and a smaller maximum size (34 vs 75 kg). There was no significant difference between the growth rates of male and female A. inodorus. Those in the South-Westem Cape initially grew faster than those on the east coast, but growth slowed sooner in the former region with the result that these fish attained a smaller maximum size. Although ripe A. inodorus were sampled throughout the year, there was a distinct spawning season from August to December, with a peak in spring (Sept-Nov). Spawning occurred throughout the study area for this species, in <50 m depth. Size at sexual maturity for A. inodorus was smaller in the South-Eastern Cape than in the Southern Cape. Median size at maturity for females was attained at 310 mm TL (1.3 years) in the former and at 375 mm TL (2.4 years) in the latter region, and the length at which all females were mature was 400 mm (3.5 years) and 550 mm (4.7 years) respectively. For males the estimates of Lso and total maturity were 200 mm (1 year) and 400 mm (2.8 years) for the SouthEastern Cape and 250 mm (1.5 years) and 450 mm (3.4 years) in the Southern Cape. East of Cape Agulhas, A. inodorus was found from just beyond the surf zone to depths of 120 m. Adults occurred predominantly on reef (>20 m) while juveniles were found mainly over soft substrata of sand/mud (5-120 m depth). Early juveniles do not enter estuaries, but apparently recruit to nursery areas immediately beyond the backline of breakers (5-10 m depth), and then move seawards with growth. No juveniles were obtained from the area west of Cape Agulhas as substrates <200 m depth were unsuitable for trawling. Due to lower water temperatures, the adults in this area were found from within the surf zone to depths of only 20 m. East and west of Cape Agulhas there was evidence of offshore dispersal in winter, in response to oceanographic changes. Based upon otolith morphology, juvenile and adult distribution patterns, sizes at sexual maturity and on tagging data, A. inodorus between Cape Point and the Kei River apparently exist as three separate stocks, one in the South-Eastern Cape, one in the Southern Cape and one in the South-Western Cape, with limited exchange. The life-histories of A. japonicus and A. inodorus are discussed in terms of their management. The large size at maturity of A. japonicus together with evidence for considerable human impact on the early juvenile, juvenile, and the adult phases of the life-cycle indicate that estuarine nursery habitats need to be conserved, that the minimum size limit should be increased, and that current bag limits for this species should be reviewed. Although the current minimum size limit provides protection for A. illodorus until maturity, evidence is presented which indicates that at least one and possibly all of the stocks of this species are currently over-exploited. Stock assessment of the South African A. japonicus and A. inodorus resources, and the implementation of effective management strategies, are therefore a matter of urgency.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Ichthyology & Fisheries Science)) - Rhodes University, 2008.

Ocean acidification is a phenomenon associated with global change and anthropogenic CO2 emissions that is changing the chemistry of seawater. These changes result in elevated pCO2 and reduced pH in seawater and this is impacting marine organisms in various ways. Marine fishes are considered generally tolerant to conditions of ocean acidification; however, these assumptions are based on juvenile and adult fish tolerance and the larval stages have not been frequently assessed. Furthermore, it has been suggested that temperate species, particularly those with an estuarine association, may be tolerant to variable CO2 and pH. This study used an eco-physiological approach to understand how the early life stages of Argyrosomus japonicus, an estuarine dependent marine fisheries species found in warm-temperate regions, may be impacted by ocean acidification. The metabolic response of early stage larvae (hatching to early juvenile stage) was assessed under conditions of elevated pCO2 and reduced pH in a controlled laboratory setting. Small volume static respirometry was used to determine the oxygen consumption rate of larvae raised in three pCO2 treatments including a low (pCO2 = 327.50 ± 80.07 µatm at pH 8.15), moderate (pCO2 477.40 ± 59.46 µatm at pH 8.03) and high treatment (PCO2 910.20 ± 136.45 µatm at pH 7.78). These treatment levels were relevant to the present (low) and projected conditions of ocean acidification for the years 2050 (moderate) and 2100 (high). Prior to experimentation with ocean acidification treatments, baseline metabolic rates and diurnal variation in oxygen consumption rates in early stage A. japonicus was determined. Distinct ontogenetic structuring of metabolic rates was observed in early stage A. japonicus, with no cyclical fluctuations in metabolic rate occurring during the 24 hour photoperiodic cycle. Pre-flexion larvae showed no metabolic response to ocean acidification treatments; however post-flexion stage larvae showed metabolic depression of standard metabolic rate in the moderate (32.5%) and high (9.5%) pCO2 treatments (P = 0.02). Larvae raised in the high pCO2 treatment also showed high levels of mortality with no individuals surviving past the post-flexion stage. Larvae raised in the moderate pCO2 treatment were unaffected. This study concluded that ocean acidification conditions expected for the end of the century will have significant impacts on the metabolism of early stage A. japonicus, which may result in reduced growth, retardation of skeletal development and ultimately survival as a result of increased mortality. Furthermore, the timing of reduced metabolic scope will significantly impact the recruitment ability of A. japonicus larvae into estuarine habitats. This could ultimately impact the sustainability of A. japonicus populations. Most importantly, this study highlighted the need to consider the combined effect of ontogeny and life-history strategy when assessing the vulnerability of species to ocean acidification.

Lipids are essential components for fish because they contain fatty acids that are vital for regular growth and health. Fish oil is rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are essential fatty acids for carnivorous fish, and therefore this product has traditionally been used as the main source of lipids in fish feeds. However, with declining fisheries resources worldwide and the rapid expansion of the aquaculture industry pressuring this finite resource, such ingredients are becoming less available and more expensive. It is therefore necessary to explore the utilization of ingredients that are sustainable and competitive alternatives to fish oil in marine finfish feeds. This work investigated the effects of the substitution of fish oil with soybean oil on the growth performance, feed efficiency, fatty acid composition of the liver tissue and some health parameters in juvenile dusky kob, Argyrosomus japonicus; an increasingly popular sciaenid marine aquaculture species in South Africa. Six diets (18 % total lipid and 46 % protein) with increasing percentage substitution of fish oil with soybean oil (1, 14, 28, 42, 56 and 70 %) were fed to juvenile kob. After 84 days of feeding these diets to the fish, no significant differences in fish length and weight between treatments were observed. However, there was a significant trend of a decrease in specific growth rate, ranging from (± standard error) 0.87 ± 0.06 to 0.72 ± 0.04 % body weight day⁻¹, and condition factor, ranging from 1.59 ± 0.03 to 1.54 ± 0.02, with increasing vegetable oil replacement in the diets between days 56 and 84. There were no differences in red blood cell count, haematocrit and haemoglobin concentration after 206 days of feeding. However, visceral fat index (VFI) increased significantly from 1.08 ± 0.17 % for fish fed diets with 28 % soybean oil, to 2.24 ± 0.15 % for fish fed diets with 70 % soybean oil. Similarly, hepatosomatic index (HSI) increased significantly from 0.84 ± 0.08 % to 1.80 ± 0.12 % in the control diet and the 56 % soybean oil diet, respectively. After 206 days of feeding, fish fed diets with 42 to 70 % soybean oil showed greater number of lipid vacuoles in the liver, which were also larger in size, and hepatocytes nuclei were displaced to the cell periphery. The fatty acid composition of the liver tissue strongly corresponded to the fatty acid composition of the diets. Linoleic acid accumulated in the liver of the fish fed increasing soybean oil in the diets. In contrast, EPA and DHA decreased from 13.63 to 1.97 %, and 14.34 to 3.28 %, respectively, in the liver tissue of fish fed diets with increasing soybean oil content; consequently the n-3/n-6 ratio was also significantly reduced with inclusion of vegetable oil in the diets. The trend of decreasing growth rate with increasing oil replacement towards the end of the trial corresponds with increases in VFI, HSI, as well as the fatty acid accumulation and lipid vacuoles in the liver. This suggests that dusky kob is less able to metabolise soybean oil at increased substitution levels which would account for the poorer growth at higher levels. The dependence of fish on dietary marine oil decreased significantly with each inclusion of soybean oil in the diets. Nonetheless, the calculations based on the nutrient ratio presented positive outcomes for all treatments, that is, values of marine oil dependency ratio were below one for all treatments. It is concluded that soybean oil can replace fish oil in formulated diets for dusky kob up to a level of 28 % of total dietary lipids, as evidenced by the good growth and feed efficiency, and no apparent negative health effects observed up to this level.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Ichthyology & Fisheries Science)) - Rhodes University, 2008.

Many studies have been conducted on the effect of size-grading in other fish species. However, there is a paucity of scientific information on the effects of size variation on cannibalism of juvenile dusky kob. Thus, a study focusing on the effect of size variation on juvenile dusky kob aggressive and feeding (browsing) behaviours was conducted. Three separate groups of hatchery-reared juvenile dusky kob of were obtained from Oceanwise (Pty) Ltd for use in a series of three experimental trials. In all trials, juvenile fish of the same age were size-graded and the COV-value was used to determine the size variation. The focal fish (largest fish) was exposed to groups of fish with different size variation for 30-min. behavioural observations before and after feeding in randomised trials. The first experimental trial (Chapter 2) quantified the effect of increasing size variation and observation time on the aggressive and browsing behaviours of juvenile dusky kob. On average, juvenile dusky kob weighed 3.60 ± 0.68 g fish-1 and measured 5.8 ± 0.41 mm. Each focal fish was observed (a) before feeding in the morning, (b) 2 h after feeding, (c) 6 h after feeding and (d) 12 h after feeding. Fish increased browsing behaviours (averaging 6.60 ± 0.56) and decreased intimidating aggressive behaviours (18.60 ± 1.39) 12 h after feeding. Other aggressive behaviours occurred but did not differ between observation times. Aggressive and browsing behaviours positively correlated with size variation variables, predominantly, 12 h after feeding. An average frequency of 19 chases were observed positively correlated with size variation, followed by average frequencies of 17 body bites and browses, and 11 tail bites per 30 min. Some behaviours including average frequencies of 0.2 chases, 4 tail bites, 2.4 intimidating and 0.3 browsing behaviours negatively correlated with the size variation, generally closer to the last meal. These preliminary observations thus showed that fish have become hungry approximately 6-12 h after feeding and substituted certain behaviours for others as time after feeding passed and as size variation increased. The second experimental trial (Chapter 3) consisted of the observations further testing the relationship between aggressive behaviours and size variation of juveniles of dusky kob averaging 0.43 ± 0.27 g fish-1. The focal fish was exposed to groups of fish of four size variation (COV) treatments for observations before and 12 h after feeding. Aggressive behaviours positively correlated with size variation both before and 12 h after feeding. An average frequency of 437 body bites positively correlated more often with COV, followed by average frequencies of 365 intimidating behaviours and 199 tail bites per 30 min., respectively, before and 12 h after feeding. The least often exhibited aggressive behaviours averaged 26 chases while positively correlating with size variation on the times specified. An average frequency of 311 intimidating behaviours before and after feeding including average of 28 tail bites after feeding negatively correlated with size variation. This may relate to shift of behaviours depending on the needs and capacity of the fish. Apparently, aggressive fish can change its behaviour as a function of COV-values rather than the mean size of the other fish. The third trial (Chapter 4) investigated the effect of the aggressor’s (focal fish) size in relation its aggressive and browsing behaviours to other fish (non-focal fish). Juvenile fish used for this trial, on average, weighed 30 ± 7.63 g fish-1. Aggressive and browsing behaviours were observed in four treatments of a) high COV and mean weight below, b) low COV and mean weight less, c) high COV and mean weight equivalent to and d) low COV and mean weight higher than that of the focal fish. Increased frequencies of aggressive and browsing behaviours per 30 min. occurred in treatment A, sharing similar frequencies in treatment C, compared to the other treatments (B and D) which shared certain frequencies. The intimidating behaviours predominated, followed by browsing, body bites, chases and tail bites, respectively. The results of the overall study suggest that the time passed after feeding and increasing size variation and differences facilitated aggressive and browsing behaviours in juvenile dusky kob. Dusky kob showed increasing aggressive behaviours as early as in the first two weeks after hatching, averaging 0.43 ± 0.27 g fish-1 with the frequency correlating with size differences. Consistent size-grading technique in the same-age fish should be used to manage size variation associated with aggressive behaviours. The period of about 4-6 h after feeding may explain the noticeable increased aggressive and browsing behaviours. Thus, fish should be fed immediately before or after evacuation of their guts to maintain less-aggressive behaviours of juvenile dusky kob. Fish generally increased aggressive and browsing acts before and long time after feeding than closer to after feeding. The study has provided the fundamental scientific groundwork for fish farmers and future researchers can further explore size variation, time after feeding and gut evacuation rate as critical components of aggressive behaviours. The scientific knowledge of aggressive and cannibalistic behaviours has essential application in farming management to achieve improved survival and growth rates in juvenile fish.