---

A red-tailed catfish (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus) referred to Aquatic Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran for showing lethargy, bottom sitting, extension of abdomen and severe abdominal injuries. Its abdomen was swollen and the bulk of the foreign bodies were easily palpated. The heaviness of foreign bodies had made swimming and buoyancy difficult for fish. Several radiographic images were taken after anaesthetizing the catfish with 10% carvacrol, 2 drops in 1 liter of water. Radiographs revealed some stones with their size, number and location. Stones were removed non-surgically through the large oral cavity using suitable forceps. Totally 16 stones and 2 shells were removed from the stomach of the fish. The catfish was then returned to the water where normal swimming and buoyancy was restored.

---

A 60-days feeding trail was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary digestible energy levels (DE) on kutum, Rutilus frisii kutum. Four is nitrogenous (35% protein) diets with digestible energy levels of 2500, 2600, 2700 and 2800kcal kg^-1 was tested. Two hundred and forty advanced fry (2±0.4g) were randomly distributed in 12 fiberglass tanks of 400L capacity. Nutritional responses in terms of WG, FCR and PER as well as survival rate (SR) significantly improved (p<0.05) with increase in DE level from 2500 to 2800 kcal kg^-1 diet, but no difference between 2600 and 2700kcal kg^-1 diet was found. Body crude protein and fat significant were increased (p<0.05) when the dietary energy was raised up from 2500 to 2600kcal DE kg^-1 diet, but a further increase on energy did not improve the fish crude protein and fat content.

---

Abstract: 
This work was carried out to identify decapods of the Bushehr interidal zone, northern coast of the Persian Gulf. Specimens were collected from eight stations along the coast. During this survey, twelve species were identified, including one alpheid shrimp (Alpheus lobidens), three Anomura (Petrolisthes rufescens, Porcellana persica, Clibanarius signatus) and eight Brachyura (Portunus pelagicus, P. sanguinolentus, Eurycarcinus orientalis, Metopograpsus messor, Leptodius exaratus, Pilumnopeus vauquelini, Carpilus convexus and Ocypode rotundata).

---

 Microbiological, chemical and sensory changes of fish burgers prepared from deep flounder (Pseudorhombus elevatus) and brushtooth lizardfish (Saurida undosquamis) were determined during storage at -18ºC for 5 months. Microbiological counts were including total plate count (TPC), total coliform (TC), Staphylococcus aureus, Psychotropic and Escherichia coli decreased throughout the frozen storage . Reduction of microbial load in brushtooth lizardfish was higher than that in deep flounder, except for Staphylococcus aureus counts that was almost equal in both groups . There was a significant increase in pH value in both groups (P<0.05) in first and second months of storage only. Moisture content increased in both groups at the end of 5^th month, with increase of moisture in deep flounder fish burgers being higher than that in brushtooth lizardfish burgers. TVB-N values in both groups increased significantly (P<0.05 and P<0.008 for deep flounder and brushtooth lizardfish burgers, respectively) at the end of the second month, however, there was a decrease or no significant change afterward. TBA value of deep flounder fish burgers had a significant decrease (P<0.05) as storage time continued, however, it increased significantly in brushtooth lizardfish burgers at the end of second month (P<0.006) following by a decrease at the end of storage period. Peroxide value (PV) in both groups increased significantly (P<0.05 and P<0.002 in deep flounder and brushtooth lizardfish burgers, respectively) during storage time but a significant decrease was observed at the end of third and fourth months (P<0.005 and P<0.001 in deep flounder and brushtooth lizardfish burgers, respectively). Sensory parameters (color, texture, taste and general acceptability) for two groups decreased significantly (P<0.003 for all parameters in 2 groups) during storage with deep flounder fish burgers receiving higher scores than brushtooth lizardfish burgers at the beginning and end of the storage period.

---

The effect of essential fatty acids (EFA) and vitamin C-enriched Artemia nauplii on growth, survival, and resistance to temperature (high) stress in rainbow trout larvae reared in tanks were investigated. The larvae (average weight 120.43mg±13.5) were fed 6 times daily starting at the onset of exogenous feeding for 1 week. Triplicate groups of fish were offered one of four treatments (1) commercial starter food for rainbow trout، (2) newly hatched Artemia nauplii (unenriched) ،(3) highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) + vitamin C-enriched Artemia nauplii and (4) combination of 10 % HUFA+ vitamin C enriched nauplii and commercial starter food. After 1 week, all groups of fish were switched to the commercial diet for an additional period of 3 weeks. Statistical analysis of growth after the first week and at the end of the experiment, showed that growth of larvae in various treatments was significantly different (P<0.05). After 4 weeks, the larvae in treatment 3 with the average weight of 657.50 ± 57.93 mg had the highest body weight (P<0.05). The highest percentage of survival (96%) was observed in treatment 3 (P<0.05). Proximate compositions of trout larvae after one week feeding with experimental diets showed that the protein in the larvae of treatments 3 and 4 was significantly different compared to other treatments (P<0.05). The best result of resistance to temperature (up to 24^ºC) was observed in larvae reared on treatment 3 with 91.34 ± 1.52 percent (P<0.05).

---

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of partial replacement of dietary fish meal with soybean meal (SBM) on some blood and serum parameters of Beluga (Huso huso) juveniles. Three isonitrogenic and isoenergetic diets, as SBM1 (Soybean meal protein (SBP): Fishmeal Protein (FP) =1:3), SBM2 (SBP: FP = 2: 3) and SBM3 (SBP: FP =1: 1) were fed to triplicate groups of fish. After 8 weeks feeding on the experimental diets, blood parameters were measured. The results revealed that of partial replacement of dietary fish meal with soybean meal had no effect on, leukocyte (WBC) levels, red blood cell counts (RBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean cellular hemoglobin (MCH) or mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (P>0.05). However, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and hematocrit (Hct) values were significantly decreased by increasing dietary soybean meal (P<0.05). Serum glucose had significantly affected by increasing soybean meal. While total protein, phosphorus or calcium remained unaffected between groups. These results indicated that partial replacement of dietary fish meal with soybean meal could affect on some haematological and biochemical parameters in beluga which should be studied in future

---

The aim of the investigation was to determine the changes in fatty acids profile and chemical quality indexes of Red Tilapia fillets during frozen storage at -18°C. The fish were filleted by hand. The prepared fillets were then placed to the polyamide pouches and stored at -18°C for 150 days. Fatty acid profile, sensory properties and chemical quality indices were determined for a five month period. Results showed that 29 fatty acids were identified in the fresh and frozen samples. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were found higher than saturated fatty acids (SFA) in fresh samples but after 150 days of frozen storage this ratio became reverse. Oleic acid and Linoleic acid were the major MUFA (mono unsaturated fatty acids) and PUFA in fresh and frozen samples, respectively. The ratio of n3/n6 decreased from 0.59 to 0.49. The thiobarbituric acid value (TBA. Mg malondialdehyde/kg) increased significantly (p<0.05) throughout the storage time from 0.03 to 1.26 . Peroxide value (PV), Total volatile bases (TVB-N) and pH value also increased but were well within the limit of acceptability

---

The Persian Gulf is of great economical, environmental and political importance, and includes around 205 species of fishes that only some of them have been studied parasitologically. From the order Pleuronectiformes ( ray-finned fishes), Psettodes erumei (Psettodidae), Pseudorhombus elevatus (Bothidae) and Brachirus orientalis (Soleidae) were selected for the survey. One hundred and forty eight fishes including 97 P. erumei, 43 P. elevatus and 8 B. orientalis were provided from two different regions of Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea. From P. erumei, 4 species of nematodes, one cestode and one acanthocephal species are reported including: Philometra sp., Contracaecum sp., Pseudoterranova sp., Raphidascaris sp., Dasyrhynchus sp. (Trypanorhyncha) larvae and Serrasentis sagittifer. This is the first report of S. sagittifer in P. erumei from the Persian Gulf. P. elevatus had fewer species of parasites including one nematode, Contracaecum, one copepod, Heterochondria pillai and one digenea metacercaria Stephanostomum sp. Brachirus orientalis harbored one copepod and two digenea species, Allocreadium sp. and Lepocreadioides zebrini. Our research provides evidences that Indian spiny turbots have larger diversity of parasites than the deep flounders.

---

The aim of the this study was to have a comparison between Zataria multiflora and Rosemarinus officinalis extractson quality of minced frozen silver carp preserved in cold storage temperature -18°C for six months. In this research, one control and three treatments of minced silver carp were prepared as Tr1 (+ Zataria), Tr2 (+Rosemary) and Tr3 (mixed with Rosemary and Zataria) all in normal packaging. After quick freezing of samples in the spiral freezer they were preserved in cold storage temperature -18°C for six months. In this period, the changes of Peroxide Value, Total Volatile Nitrogen, Tio Barbituric Acid and Free Fatty Acids in all treatments were measured based ona predetermined schedule. The results of this investigation showed a significant effect of anti-oxidant inall treatments (p<.05) and it was concluded that Rosemary containing anti-oxidants maintains the best quality after six months of cold storage and corruption indices are not exceeded. Analysis of Peroxide Value, Total Volatile Nitrogen, Tio Barbituric Acid and Free Fatty Acids in different treatments during six months of reservation in freezing under the temperature of -18°C showed that the obtained results to the end of the reservation period for all treatments has increased and treatment containing Rosemary, with Peroxide Value 6.83±0.35meq.1000g-1, Tio Barbituric Acid 2.1±0.1mgMAL.kg-1 and Total Volatile Nitrogen with 19.16±0.28mg.100g -1 had the best quality of preservation compared with other treatments during the preservation period. Therefore, based on these results and statistical analyses, the effect of anti-oxidant and time in all treatments is significant (p<.05) and the treatments containing Rosemary had the best quality preservation status in -18°C and did not surpass perishing criteria during this period.

---

The brown seaweed Sargassum illicifolium is abundant along the Iranian coastline of the Oman Sea in which is rich in nutrients. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis which it can be used as a source of protein in shrimp diets. The experiment was conducted in a laboratory, 2013, where 3g shrimp juvenile acclimation in a 5000L tank. They were then kept in plastic tank containing 300L sea water and 30 shrimp juveniles in which were fed daily (3% of biomass) in four equal portions with one of four different diets in four repetitions for a period of 45 days. All diets contained 33% crude protein (isoprotein) and 355 kcal 100 g−1 (isocaloric), with different percentages of Sargassum powder: Diet “A” 15% Diet “B” 10%, Diet “C” 5%, and Diet “D” (Control) without seaweed. Final biomass values ranged from 120.89 to 128.66 g. L−1 weight gains in biomass ranged from 106.49 to 124.36 g L−1, and SGR ranged from 4.68 to 5.68% exhibited no significant differences between treatments(p>.05). Survival rate 95.2 to 97.0% was almost equal under the four experimental conditions (p>.05). Diets “A” and “B”, with a greater content of algae, exhibited better feed conversion (1.15:1 and 1.17:1) than diets “C” and “D” (1.30:1 and 1.33:1) (p<.05). The physicochemical variables of the water showed no significant variation and remained within the standards necessary for the wellbeing of the animals. If sufficient biomass of beached algae can be practically and economically collected, it can be used as a component in the making of shrimp feed.

---

The movement parameters of yellow fin tuna schools were analyzed by means of scanning sonar in tuna purse seine capture situations in the Oman Sea in June 2010. There was significant difference in swimming speed and radial swimming direction between the escaped and captured schools. In escaped cases, the fish schools swam faster with mostly horizontal avoidance behavior to the sound stimuli from the surrounding vessel and escaped capture under the sinking net at last. The swimming speed of the schools in two occasions was correlated to the vessel’s speed. Some alternatives of new constructions of the nets with regard to the sinking speed are discussed that may reduce the potential problem of escape capture during purse seining process

---

The coastal area of the Caspian Sea and Gorgan Bay are important ecosystems receiving discharge from their tributaries. In this study, concentration of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn) and chromium (Cr) was seasonally determined at 8 sampling points during 2009-2010. Water samples were collected from the sampling stations and transferred to laboratory in polyethylene containers, whereas, sediment and benthic fauna samples were collected using a Van Veen grab. The levels of heavy metals were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy method. Results showed that range of Pb, Cd, Cr and Zn in the water samples were 80-123, 61-97, 63-87 and 82-120 ppb, respectively and their ranges in the sediment samples were 479-1072, 98-293, 102-622 and 937-1577 ppb, respectively. The range of Pb, Cd, Cr and Zn in the benthos samples were 95-132, 59-110, 26-58 and 103-155 ppb, respectively. Zn and Pb were the most concentrate metals in all samples. Likewise, sediment had the highest heavy metal content amongst the samples. This study demonstrated that the level of metals in the environment is increasing, bringing a serious warning to industries and threat of man-made contamination, which can be restricted and a necessity to control ecosystem and food-chain pollution

---

Effect of feeding on linseed oil (LO)-enriched Artemia was investigated on growth, survival and stress resistance of tiger barb (Puntius tetrazona) larvae. Larvae were fed by LO-enriched (2.5, 5 and 7.5 %) as well as non-enriched Artemia nauplii for 14 d, followed by 14 d feeding on non-enriched Artemia. Fish fed on enriched nauplii showed significant increase in growth performance at both 14th and 28th d. Also, fish fed on enriched Artemia, especially those fed on 7.5 % LO, showed greater resistance in response to osmotic and hypoxia stress at 28th d. The results suggest that LO enriched Artemia nauplii are capable to promote growth and stress response in tiger barb larvae.

---

A thermoplastically extruded snack was produced from different blends of corn grits and silver carp minced meat. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to study the effect of fish meat content and to optimize the feed composition. Fourteen treatments from central composite design considering minced fish content (0-3 kg) and corn (7-10 kg) were used as the independent variables. The expansion ratio, protein content, fish odour, and overall acceptability were the dependent variables. Fish odour, linear distance and protein content of puffed corn-fish snack increased significantly with fish content while the expansion ratio significantly decreased (p<0.05). The optimum formulation was obtained at 15% of minced fish.

---

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is a highly pathogenic and prevalent virus affecting shrimp culture worldwide including Iran. In the present study, a pair of primers was designed according to the sequence of VP 28 gene of WSSV in the GenBank. VP28 gene from an Iranian WSSV isolate (IrVP28) was cloned, sequenced and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) strain in order to produce VP28 protein using PET28a expression vector. The expression resulted in a protein of about 30kDa, which was purified under denaturing conditions, resulting in a highly purified final IrVP28 preparation. The obtained recombinant protein can be used in several biotechnology applications, such as production of monoclonal antibodies which could be used in development of diagnostic tools and potential oral vaccination of shrimp with vaccines consisting of VP28 proteins.

---

Concentrations of heavy metals were determined in muscles of Kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum) collected from the central part of the southern end of the Caspian Sea during February 2011. Except for silver (Ag) and nickel (Ni) which were below the limits of detection, the average levels of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) were 1.61, 0.025, 0.038, 0.176, 1.32, 5.83, 0.238, 0.869, 1.93 and 8.05 mg kg-1 wet weight, respectively. Although the maximum levels of Pb were higher than that recommended in some international guidelines (i.e.WHO<1.5mg kg-1), the estimated daily intakes of all metals were below the acceptable daily intake set by the joint FAO/WHO expert committee on food additives, and the hazard quotient values showed that there is no risk for consumptions of Kutum in reasonable amounts for consumers.

---

Genetic diversity of six populations of bartail flathead (Platycephalus indicus Linnaeus, 1758) was investigated using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). A total of 118 reproducible bands amplified with ten AFLP primer combinations were obtained from 42 fishes that were collected from six different locations in the northern part of the Persian Gulf. The percentage of polymorphic bands was 57.06%. Nei’s genetic diversity was 0.1808±0.2074 - 0.2164±0.1903, and Shannon’s index was 0.2675±0.2949 - 0.3280±0.2727. The results of AMOVA analysis indicated that 66% and 34% of the genetic variation occurred within and among the populations and gene flow was 0.6454. The estimated level of population differentiation as measured by average Fst value across all loci was 0.327. Analyses revealed significant genetic differentiation with low gene flow among the six locations, indicating at least six separate populations of bartail flathead in the northern part of the Persian Gulf.

 

---

Black pomfret Parastromateus niger is a commercially important fishery resource in the Persian Gulf but harvesting its stocks lacks genetic identification of populations. AFLP technique was applied to analyze genetic diversity and population structure of 32 fish from coastal waters of Bandar Abbas, Bushehr and Abadan with 7 EcoRI/MseI primer pair combinations. In total, 381 bands were produced of which, 46 were polymorphic (12.07%). Percentage of polymorphic bands was higher in Bushehr samples (91.30%) than in Abadan (84.78%) and Bandar Abbas (73.91%) samples. The highest level of heterozygosity based on Nei’s coefficient and Shannon’s index was observed in Bushehr fish (0.38±0.16 and 0.54±0.21). Observed and effective alleles ranged from 1.73±0.44 and 1.53±0.40 in Bandar Abbas samples to 1.91±0.28 and 1.70±0.34 in Bushehr samples. The average F_st was 0.19 indicating high genetic differentiation among the three locations. Gene flow with mean of 1.93 was the lowest level between Bandar Abbas and Abadan (1.24). Nei's genetic identity revealed the least genetic similarity between the samples of Bandar Abbas and Abadan (0.77). AMOVA analysis demonstrated 81% of the genetic variation within populations and 19% among populations. The UPGMA dendrogram clustered all 32 individuals into 3 groups. In some cases individuals from the same region were grouped together but in most cases, gene exchange was observed to be common among the groups. Analyses provided evidence for genetic differentiation among the three locations, indicating separate populations of black pomfret in the northern Persian Gulf.

---

Measurement of chlorophyll-a can be considered important to investigate the primary production of an ecosystem. This study aimed to investigate chlorophyll-a concentration, primary production and the factors affecting them in Shadegan Wetland located in Khouzestan Province - Iran. Sampling for measuring (NO₃, PO₄, BOD₅, DO, pH, EC, salinity, temperature) was performed seasonally at five sampling stations of the wetland (Canal, Ragbeh, Khoroosi, Mahshahr and Atish), from March 2013 – through February 2014. Results showed that chlorophyll-a concentrations in Canal station were significantly higher than that in the other stations; however, there were no significant differences among the other sampling stations (p>0.05). The maximum and minimum primary production (and chlorophyll-a) (62, 1.14 mg/m³) were observed at Canal and Ragbeh stations, respectively. Annual average chlorophyll-a concentration was 10.28 mg/m³, and there was no significant seasonal difference (p>0.05). The maximum value of chlorophyll-a was observed in the fall (29.63 mg/m³), whereas, the minimum value was related to the spring (4.07 mg/m³). Among the water physicochemical parameters, nitrate had a significant effect on chlorophyll-a concentrations. According to trophic state index (TSI), Shadegan Wetland is mesotrophic in the spring and winter, whereas it is eutrophic in the summer and fall. Overall, the lake is suitable for warm water species. 

---

The effects of substitution of seaweed, Sargassum ilicifolium, by replacing protein resources, in Litopenaeus vannameii diets was studied. It was carried out by incorporation of raw powdered seaweed at three levels, 0% as control treatment, 5% (C), 10% (B) and 15%(A)  each with four replications in isoprotein, (33%) and isocaloric (355kcal.100^-1) diets.. Binder properties of seaweeds in different diet pellets were evaluated.  In laboratory conditions, 480 shrimp juveniles (initial weight=3 gram) acclimated in 16 plastic tanks, fed 4% of their biomass daily. During the 45 day digestibility experiment, biometric indices were measured at 15 day intervals to assess the growth performances. Based on physicochemical analysis of water at 2 day intervals, effective parameters were maintained at a required range for the wellbeing of the shrimp during the experiment. Results of the experiment show that Sargassum sp. can be used as a binder in shrimp feed ingredients with significant differences between treatment pellet stability and water absorbance percent in sea water.Although initial biomass, SGR and survival rate showed no differences between treatments, but final biomass , biomass gain, FCR, shrimp flesh color and cholesterol levels revealed significant differences between treatments (p<0.05). The diet with the highest level of seaweed (A) showed not only the best growth performances, survival rate, change in the flesh color desirable to the consumers and decreased cholesterol level in shrimp, but also has the best binder property for shrimp pellet making.