Open AccessA quantitative determination of deformities in barramundi ( Lates calcarifer ; Bloch) fed a vitamin deficient diet
Author(s) -
FRASER M.R.,
De NYS R.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
aquaculture nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.941
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1365-2095
pISSN - 1353-5773
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2095.2009.00734.x
Subject(s) - barramundi , lates , biology , fishery , fish <actinopterygii>
Cultured barramundi, Lates calcarifer , suffer from abnormalities affecting the jaw, opercula and spine. The aim of this study was to quantify for the first time the effects of supplemented dietary vitamin C, vitamin D 3 and ultraviolet (UV) light on the development of jaw, opercula and spinal deformities. Four diets were formulated to contain (i) no vitamin C or vitamin D 3 , (ii) only vitamin D 3 , (iii) only vitamin C and (iv) both vitamin C and vitamin D 3 . In addition, two commercial diets (diets 5 and 6) were also tested. These diets were replicated in the presence, and in the absence, of ultraviolet (UV) light as this may also affect skeletal development. Diets formulated with 170 ± 1 mg kg −1 and 195 ± 0.5 mg kg −1 of vitamin C (diets 3 and 4, respectively) and the commercial diets (diets 5 and 6) had significantly lower incidences of spinal deformities (0–2.5%; P < 0.01) and opercula deformities (nil detected). Spinal deformities were ‘broken back’ syndrome, which was found only in the precaudal vertebrae, and lordosis which was only in the caudal vertebrae. UV light and vitamin D 3 did not affect spinal or opercula deformities. There was no change in the occurrence of jaw deformities in vitamin C, vitamin D 3 or UV light treatments.