Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI) is an autonomous research institute dedicated to inland fisheries management and augmentation under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research of Government of India. It was established on 17 March 1947 as the Central Inland Fisheries Research Station at Kolkata, under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. In 1959 this research station was elevated to the status of "Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, and moved to its own building at Barrackpore. In 1967 the institute came under the administrative control of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi.
The relation of fish size and its otolith was established for pama croaker, Otolithoides pama (Hamilton, 1822). Fish specimens were collected from the bag net catch from the Narmada estuary, India for a period of 8 months (November 2018 to June 2019). The sagittal otoliths were extracted, cleaned, measured, and photographed to comprehend the correlation between fish and otolith size. Each specimen’s otolith length, width, and weight were measured to the nearest size and weight of 0.01 mm and 0.01 g, respectively. The observed length and weight of the fish were in the range of 85 to 288 mm (175.79±33.13 mm) and 3.0 to 186.56 g (43.68±27.67 g), respectively. The recorded otolith length, breadth, and weight were in the range of 2.65 to 12.54 mm (7.20±1.77 mm), 2.01-10.48 mm (5.95±1.33 mm), and 0.02 g to 0.75 g (0.23±0.11 g), respectively. The data for the OL, OB, OW, fish length and weight fitted the power model adequately. Fish length and otolith weight (R2 = 0.931), fish length and otolith breadth (R2 = 0.985), fish weight and otolith length (R2 = 0.942), fish weight and otolith weight (R2 = 0.922), and fish weight and otolith breadth (R2 = 0.962) all had high values for the coefficient of determination. The study also showed a strong relationship between fish size and otolith dimensions. The stock profile of the studied species can be geographically mapped using the results of the current study. Key words Otolithoides pama, fish size, otolith morphometry, Narmada estuary, India
Yersiniosis, caused by Yersinia ruckeri, poses a major threat to aquaculture, particularly in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). This study aimed to isolate, characterize, and evaluate the therapeutic potential of two novel Y. ruckeri-specific bacteriophages, named YP3 and YP10S2S2. Their genomes consisted of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), with sizes of 36,990 bp for YP3 and 56,579 bp for YP10S2. Phylogenomic analysis classified YP10S2 within the family Drexlerviridae, though its genus and species remain unidentified, while YP3 was placed in the class Caudoviricetes but lacked further taxonomic resolution. Thermal and pH stability tests indicated optimal viability at temperatures up to 25 degrees C and pH 4-10. in vitro assays demonstrated high adsorption efficiency, short latent periods, and strong lytic activity. Cytotoxicity assays on EPC cells revealed no adverse effects, confirming phage safety. Fish challenge experiment revealed that oral administration of a phage-supplemented diet provided 70 % protection, outperforming intraperitoneal injection (56 %), highlighting oral phage therapy as a more effective disease control strategy. These results suggest that YP3 and YP10S2 are promising candidates for phage therapy in aquaculture due to their specificity, stability, and effectiveness against Y. ruckeri, offering a viable alternative to antibiotics for treating bacterial diseases in fish.
Fungal enzootics and epizootics cause significant biological loss in fisheries and aquaculture necessitating and sometimes forcing non-legal use of veterinary medicinal products sans essential scientific data on drug efficacy, kinetics, residue levels, etc. The present study determines the pharmacokinetics, bioavailability and tissue depletion of clotrimazole (CTZ), one of the oldest and most effective azoles against a major fungal pathogen Saprolegnia parasitica, following enteral and parenteral administrations in widely consumed catfish Pangasianodon hypophthalmus. The drug residues in fish tissues at different time points were quantified by LC-MS/MS. The results showed very slow kinetics including absorption/distribution, and elimination of CTZ, especially after parenteral administration. Following bolus oral administration, the drug underwent first pass with negligible clearance from liver, and very high residence time in all the tissues. However, high AUC/MIC ratio, Cmax> MIC and prolong
The brown trout (Salmo trutta Linnaeus, 1758) species complex in Türkiye displays significant genetic diversity across various river basins. Despite numerous taxonomic revisions, species boundaries and the extent of hybridization remain unresolved. This study investigates the genetic structure and hybridization in 37 brown trout populations from 12 basins using mitochondrial DNA (COI, Cyt-b, D-loop), nuclear DNA (ITS), and 16 microsatellite loci. Mitochondrial haplotype networks indicate extensive haplogroup sharing among populations, even those geographically distant. Microsatellite analyses reveal structured populations, with genetic clusters corresponding to river basins, though evidence of admixture suggests ongoing gene flow. PCoA and STRUCTURE analyses support four main genetic clusters with considerable mixing, particularly in areas affected by translocations and stocking. These findings question recent species classifications based on morphological and limited genetic data, highlighting the need for an integrative taxonomic approach incorporating genomic, ecological, and morphological data. The observed genetic variation is largely attributable to intra-specific diversity and local adaptation rather than the presence of distinct species. Hybridization, likely driven by human activities, plays a major role in shaping the genetic structure of Turkish brown trout. These results provide valuable insights for conservation and management, emphasizing the importance of basin-scale population structure and mitigating anthropogenic impacts.
Aquaculture plays a crucial role in boosting global fish production, providing a protein-rich, safe, reliable, and cost-effective food source to meet the nutritional needs of the world’s growing population. The global transition of aquaculture practices from extensive to intensive systems has led to the emergence of novel pathogens and an increased reliance on chemical therapeutics. In response to the adverse effects of the use of synthetic drugs and chemicals, the past decade has witnessed the development of alternative therapeutic strategies. Among these, plant-based extracts have demonstrated significant potential as antimicrobial agents, growth enhancers, and immunostimulants. Fish immunity and general health have been improved by the antiparasitic, antibacterial, and antifungal qualities of medicinal herbs. By reducing reliance on synthetic chemotherapeutics, incorporating herbal supplements into aqua feeds helps mitigate environmental concerns and promote sustainable aquaculture practices. Furthermore, phytotherapy has been shown to enhance disease resistance, improve fish welfare, and enhance growth performance all of which ultimately led to higher production efficiency. Incorporating phytotherapy into aquaculture can enhance the industry’s sustainability and competitiveness in the market, given the growing customer demand for sustainably produced seafood. Organic extracts derived from various medicinal plants and herbs can activate the immune system, inducing downstream immune responses that enhance the fish’s resistance to pathogenic infections. Despite their promise, the application of plant extracts in aquaculture remains in its nascent stage and is primarily limited to experimental trials on laboratory animals. This review explores the historical background, mechanisms of action, and potential future applications of plant-derived extracts in modern aquaculture practices.
