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The effects of dietary selenium (Se) were investigated on the oxidative stress of beluga, Huso huso, fed high dietary copper (Cu). The basal diet with high Cu (50mg Cu/kg) was supplemented with low (0mg Se/kg, HCuLSe), adequate (11mg Se/kg, HCuNSe) and 5× adequate (55mg Se/kg, HCuHSe) of Seandfed to fish with initial body mean (±SD) weight 14.96 ± 1.39g for 12 weeks. Basal diets containing adequate Se (11mg Se/kg) and adequate Cu (10mg Cu/kg) were used as controls (NCuNSe). Weight gain, specific growth rate and condition factor for fish fed the HCuHSe diet was significantly lower than fish that fed the other diets. Se and Cu content was positively correlated with dietary Se and Cu concentrations. Hepatic Se concentration was higher in fish fed the HCuHSe diet than fish that fed other diets. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) were significantly lower. Whereas, Glutathione peroxidase activity activities were significantly higher in liver tissue of fish fed HCuHSediet than those fish fed other diets. Plasma total immunoglobulin concentration and lysozyme activity were higherin fish fed the NCuNSe diet, followed by fish fed the HCuNSe diet, and were lower in fish fed the HCuHSe diet. The results indicated that optimum levels of Cu and Se ingestion induced an oxidative stress in beluga and improved their immune response. High dietary Se (5×adequate) supplementation reduced the oxidative stress and depressed the immune response of the fish. *Corresponding author

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A 2 × 4 factorial design was conducted to study the effects of dietary protein and energy levels on growth performance of juvenile beluga (Huso huso) with average weight of 49.85 ± 1.64 g. Experiments were conducted with two dietary protein levels (40 and 45%) and four dietary energy level (18.5, 19.8, 21.1 and 22.4 MJ/kg diet) by ratio P/E (18.03 to 24.14 mg/kj). Fish were fed the experimental diets for 110 days. In each of the protein levels (40 and 45%), the feed efficiency, body weight increase, Protein efficiency ratio, specific growth rate, final body weight and total feed intake of fish improved significantly as dietary energy levels increased (P≤ 0.05). Growth of fish fed high- energy diets was significantly higher than those of fish fed low- energy diets at 40 and 45% dietary protein levels (P≤ 0.05). Protein content of carcass increased when dietary protein increased, but there was no significant different (P≥ 0.05) between 40 and 45 % protein. Lipid content of fish fed diet high- energy level was significantly higher than those of fish fed low dietary energy (P≤ 0.05). So the maximum growth and weight( 22.4 ± 5.3 gr) was observed in treatment, that were fed diets containing 45% protein & 22.4 mega joule crude energy. Considering that no significant difference were affected for among the diet for the parameters studied, the diet containing 40 % protein, 21 % fat and 21.1 mega Joule crude energy per kilogram diet with a P/E ratio of 20 mg protein per kilo joule from a good quality source is a suitable diet in terms of physiology and economy can be considered a suitable diet to produce maximum growth in juvenile beluga in the weight class 49 to 200g.

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The utilization of corn gluten meal (CGM) was evaluated as a replacement for fish meal (FM) in practical diets for beluga Huso huso in growth up stage. Four experimental diets (isonitrogenus and isocaloric , 40 % protein and 18 kj/ g diet) were formulated. Fish meal was replaced by CGM at 0%, 20%, 40% and 60% being named as CGM0, CGM20, CGM40 and CGM60, respectively. Fingerlings great sturgeon with an initial body weight of ± 78.876.94gr (mean ±SD) were reared in 12 fiberglass tanks and fed with diets for10 weeks at 20.00± 2 oC. At the end of experiment, growth performance (final weight, body increase weight, specific growth rate) of fish fed CGM20 and CGM40 were significantly higher than fish fed control diet, While feed conversion ratio were lower than fish fed CGM40 and CGM60 compared with control diet. There were not significant difference in condition factor, protein efficiency ratio and body protein in different experimental groups , but body lipid increased as dietary gluten meal increased (P<0.05). Different levels of corn gluten meal did no significantly affect Aspartat amino transferas (AST), Alanin amino transferas (ALT) and Triglyceride, but amount of cholesterol in fish fed diets CGM40 and CGM 60 were significantly lower than control diet (P<0.05). The present study revealed that CGM is a suitable source as replacement with fish meal and might be included in great sturgeon commercial diet up to 60 % with no adverse effect on nutrition efficiency, liver enzymes and biochemical parameters.

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In this study, surface water samples were collected monthly from five stations inclduing Nayband Bay, Assaloye, Dayer, Kabgan and Bushehr from December 2012 to June 2013. Sampling stations were chosen according to data being collected during algal bloom caused by Cochlodinium polykrikoides in 2008. A total of 45 genera of phytoplankton belongs to four classes were totally identified accounting for 53 species of Bacilariophyceae, 32 species of Dinophyceae, one genus of Euglenophyceae, and one genus of Cyanophyceae. Bacilariophyceae with 89.5% was the most abundant family followed by Dinophyceae with 9.03%, Cyanophyceae with 1.25 % and Euglenophyceae with 0.22 %, respectively. The highest phytoplankton abundance was observed in Bushehr and Nayband Bay stations. In addition to statistical tests, Shannon (Shanon-Winner) and dominance indices were investigated. The lowest variability for Shannon index (1.90) was recorded in Bushehr Station in comparison with other stations. The highest Shanon index was in Dayer station (2.90) with the increase of diversity in Dinophyceae. Evidence of coastal pollution in Dayer along with nutrient inputs from land might be effective in increasing the Shannon index. At 80-90% simmilarity, the results of Cluster analysis separated Dayer station from other stations. It seems that a part of uniformity in phytoplankton abundance is affected by the mild conditions of ambient temperature. The total diversity of phytoplankton in the study area was low. The relative moderation of temperature seems to have contributed to the dominance of diatoms. Yet, the increased volume dust (as emerged by the increased dusty days per year) and the introduction of its accumulation in the Persian Gulf waters, along with other pollutants on phytoplankton communities might be underlaying factors for the dominace of diatoms in the study area. *Corresponding author

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The monitoring of the harmful bloom of Cochlodinium polykrikoides in the northern Persian Gulf was studied during 2010 to 2011. The results revealed that in the waters of Hormozgan Province, the Diatoms and Dinoflgellates had the highest frequency. No significant difference was found for amount of nutrients in three sub- regions. The bloom of C. polykrikoides was higher in central sub-region in spring and was occurred in the eastern sub-region in summer, but no mortality of fishes was recorded. In Bushehr Province, four classes of Bacillaryophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Dynophyceae and Prymnesiophyceae were determined. Furthermore significant different values of nutrients were recorded. In waters of Khuzestan Province, different values of NH4 were measured for different months. In total, the measured ratio of N: P in all months were lower than Redfield Ratio (16:1) in which subsequently the environmental condition was not suitable for bloom of C. polykrikoides.

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A 2×5 factorial design was used to evaluate the effects of different dietary vitamin C and
vitamin E levels on growth, feed utilization, haemato-biochemical status and immune response
in Siberain sturgeon, Acipenser baerii. Ten diets were formulated to contain two dietary vitamin
E levels of 0 and 200 mg dl-tocopheryl acetate (TA) and 5 dietary L-ascorbic acid (AA) in the
form of L-ascorbyl-2-monophosphate (AMP( levels of 0, 100, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg. Thus,
the diets with 0 mg/kg vitamin E were designated as E0 C0, E0 C100 , E0 C200, E0 C400, E0 C800
while the diet with 200 mg/kg vitamin E were designated as E200 C0, E200 C100, E200 C200, E200
C400, E200 C800. 300 fish with an average weight of 29.8±1.6 g (mean ± SD) were fed each of the
10 experimental diets in triplicate groups for 12 weeks. At the end of experimental period,
weight gain (WG) in fish fed E0C400 and E0C800 diets were significantly higher than those fed
E0C0 and E0C100 (P<0.05). Growth performance, feed utilization, haemato-biochemical status
and immune response significantly improved with an increase in dietary vitamin E level.
However, there were no significant differences in those parameters among fish fed E200C100,
E200C200, E200C400 and E200C800 diets (P>0.05). The results showed sparing effect of dietary
vitamin E on vitamin C. Meanwhile, there was no significant difference in survival of fish fed
diets supplemented with vitamin C. Deficiency symptoms such as retarded growth and anorexia
were observed in fish fed vitamin C of 0 mg/kg at either of the dietary vitamin E levels. These
results showed that dietary vitamin C requirement is 200 mg AA/kg diet when juvenile Siberain
sturgeon, Acipenser Baerii fed a vitamin E deficiency diet while vitamin C requirement is 100
mg AA/kg diet when fish fed a diet supplemented with 200 mg/kg vitamin E.

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A feeding trial was conducted to examine the effects of dietary supplementation of lysine and methionine on growth, nutrient utilization and carcass compositions in beluga, Huso huso.  Four experimental soy protein based diets D₀ (without lysine or methionine supplementation), D₁ (lysine supplementation alone), D₂ (methionine supplementation alone) and D₃ (both lysine and methionine supplementation) were fed to triplicate groups. 240 fish with average weight of 144.6 ± 4.64 g were fed the experimental diets for 12wk. L-Lysine and DL-methionine were added to the diets containing 344 g kg^-1 soybean meals at 22.02 and 12.94 g kg^-1 of dry diet respectively. Significant higher weight gain, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, condition factor, feed efficiency ratio, whole muscle protein and protein apparent digestibility were observed in fish fed soya protein-based diet supplemented with both lysine and methionine than that of fish of other dietary groups. There were no significant differences among fish fed diet supplemented with either methionine or lysine. Growth performances, feed utilization, carcass composition and apparent digestibility coefficients of protein, lipid and dry matter of fish fed control diet was significantly lower than those of fish fed diet supplemented both lysine and methionine and supplemented with either methionine or lysine. It can be concluded that beluga, fingerlings effectively utilize the supplemental amino acids (L-Lysine at 22.02 g kg^-1 dry diet and DL-methionine at 12.94 g kg^-1 dry diet) in the diets containing 344 g kg^-1 soybean meals for better carcass proximate compositions, growth performance and feed efficiency and utilization.

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The effects of dietary protein levels were investigated on growth, carcass biochemical composition and apparent digestibility coefficient in Caspian trout, Salmo trutta caspius. The present study was carried out in a completely randomized design with five experimental diets containing five different dietary levels of protein: 35, 40, 45, 50 and 55%, and 15 fish per replication of each with an initial weight of 4.85 ± 0.45 g for 105 days.  Average oxygen concentration and water temperature were 7.6 ± 0.68 mg L^-1 and 17.7 ± 1.5 °C, respectively, throughout the experimental period. Significantly higher final body weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio and condition factor were observed in the fish fed diet with 40 and 45% protein compared to those fed on the 35 and 55 % protein diets. Feed efficiency ratio in treatments fed 35 and 55 % protein were significantly higher than those of fish fed 40 and 45% dietary protein levels (P≤ 0.05). Crude protein content increased with the increasing dietary protein levels, whereas crude lipid and moisture composition decreased with the increasing dietary protein levels. Therefore, it can be cocluded that increased levels of protein in the diets for juvenile Caspian trout (Salmo trutta caspius) up to 40 and 45% improved growth performance, feed utilization parameter and economic aspect.

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The present study was conducted to examine singlular and combined effects of manan oligosacharid (MOS) and L. plantarum supplements on growth indices and hematological parameters of Caspian trout (Salmo trutta caspius Kessler, 1877). Caspian trout fingerlings (~ 10 g) were fed with a control diet (basal diet) or supplemented diets as follows: 1) the basal diet + 4g kg⁻¹ IMOS, 2) the basal diet + -8×10⁸ CFU/g^-1  L. plantarum)  and 3) a synbiotic diets (the basal diet + 8×10⁸ CFU/g^-1  L.plantarum + 4g kg⁻¹IMOS) for 8 weeks. At the end of this trial, the results of the MOS supplemented and synbiotic diet showed significant increase in feed conversion ratio (FCR), weight gain (WG), feed intake (FI), protein efficiency ratio (PER), specific growth ratio (SGR) and daily growth index (DGI) compared with fish fed the control diet (p<0.05). The highest FCR and FI were observed in the control group. In the case of condition factor, the singlular and combined diets showed no significant differences (p>0.05). The results of blood indices among all treatments revealed significant differences of the number of red blood cells (RBC) compared to the control group (p<0.05). The highest and lowest number of RBC was found in L. plantarum diet and control group, respectively. The number of white blood cells (WBC) showed no significant differences with control group (p>0.05). The results demonstrated that the MOS-supplemented diet and the combined diets containing MOS and L. plantarum improved the growth performance in Caspian trout fingerlings.

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The present study was carried out to determine the effect of different levels of glucose and corn starch as carbohydrate sources on growth performance, body composition, digestibility, digestive and liver enzymes of Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii). A total number of 120 Siberian sturgeons weighing 25.64 ± 2.80g were fed four diets including glucose 15%, glucose 30%, corn starch 15% and corn starch 30% for a period of 11 weeks. Results showed that final weight, final total length, percentage of body weight increase, specific growth rate, mean daily growth, protein efficiency ratio and condition factor in fish fed corn starch 15% were high in comparison with other treatments (P>0.05). Significant difference was seen between fish fed corn starch 30% with fish fed glucose 15% in hepatosomatic index (P<0.05). The highest content of carcass protein was seen in corn starch 15% that showed significant difference with glucose 15% and 30% (P<0.05). Fish fed glucose 15% had the highest content of carcass total carbohydrate which showed significant difference with corn starch 15% and 30% (P<0.05). The contents of lipase, pepsin, trypsin and chymotrypsin enzymes and also apparent digestibility of protein and lipid in fish fed corn starch 15% were higher than the other treatments (P<0.05). The highest contents of liver enzymes were recorded in fish fed glucose 30% (P>0.05). Based on the mentioned results, corn starch at the level of 15% can increase growth and improve body composition, digestibility and digestive enzymes in Siberian sturgeon.

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The present study aimed to investigate the effect of the commercial probiotic BetaPlus^® Ultra (BP Ultra) in combination with the galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) or the isomalto-oligosaccharide (IMO) prebiotics in Caspian trout (Salmo caspius) parr. S. caspius (8.5±0.07 g) was randomly distributed in three dietary treatments including: control group, synbiotic treatment I (0.1% BP Ultra + 0.2% GOS) and synbiotic treatment II (0.1% BP Ultra + 0.2% IMO) and in nine 300 L circular polyethylene tanks with three replications per treatment and, then, fed for seven weeks. At the end of this experiment, growth performance and hepatosomatic index improved significantly in both synbiotic treatments compared to the control group (p<0.05). However, the trend of this improvement was more noticeable in the synbiotic treatment I compared to the synbiotic treatment II without any significant difference (p>0.05). The counts of red and white blood cells in the both synbiotic treatments were significantly decreased and increased compared to the control group, respectively (P<0.05). The values of hemoglobin, packed cell volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin in the synbiotic treatment I showed significant increases compared to the synbiotic treatment II (P<0.05). The highest significant levels of crude protein and lipid in carcass were observed in the synbiotic treatment II and the synbiotic treatment I, respectively (P<0.05). Dry matter of carcass was increased significantly in the synbiotic treatment I compared to the synbiotic treatment II (P<0.05). The lowest ash content of carcass was observed in the synbiotic treatment I with a significant difference compared to the synbiotic treatment II and the control group (P<0.05). The results of the present study demonstrated the remarkable efficiency of the synbiotic treatment II on the protein increase and lipid reduction in carcass, although the synbiotic treatment I had a better effect on growth performance and hematological parameters in S. caspius.

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A mixture of vegetable and animal proteins (corn gluten, wheat gluten, processed soy flour, poultry by product, meat and bone meal and blood meal) that are chemically similar (protein, fat, carbohydrate and dry matter) and similar to amino acid profiles compred fish meal were replaced fish meal in diets with identical levels of protein (44%), energy (18 MJ /kg) at levels of  20, 40, 60 and 80% (MPP₂₀, MPP₄₀, MPP₆₀ and MPP₈₀). Juvenile Huso huso with average weight of 167± 6.5 g were fed diets to saturation and their growth indices, carcass composition, hepatosomic and visceral indexes were studied. The final weight, final length, condition factor, weight gain, body weight precent, specific growth rate, daily growth, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio were not affectrd with diets (p>0.05). Carcass protein of fish fed MPP₆₀ and MPP₈₀ were significantly decreased compared to fish fed diet based on fish meal, while fish carcass fat increased significantly in these fish (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in hepatosomatic and visceral index in fish fed diets based on fish meal (p>0.05). The results of this experiment showed that it is possible to replace 80% of a mixture of animal and vegetable proteins with fish meal without adversely affecting growth indices, hepatosomal and visceral index  of  Huso huso in growth rate period.
 

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This study was conducted to examine the effect of diets containing various amounts of soybean meal and Phyzyme^® XP on hematological indicators and serum liver enzymes in Caspian trout (Salmo caspius) with the average weight of 148.1±1.98 g for 85 days. For this purpose, 240 pieces of juvenile Caspian trout were randomly distributed in six treatments, including control treatment (basic diet) and five experimental treatments including  treatment I (basic diet + 2000 IU/kg diet of Phyzyme^® XP), treatment II (basic diet containing 20% soybean meal), treatment III (basic diet containing 20% soybean meal + 2000 IU/kg diet of Phyzyme^® XP), treatment IV (basic diet containing 40% soybean meal), and treatment V (basic diet containing 40% soybean meal + 2000 IU/kg diet of Phyzyme^® XP) with two repetitions per treatment (20 pieces of fish per repetition). The largest amounts of red blood cells and hematocrit were observed in treatments I and III, respectively, which was significantly different only from treatment IV (p<0.05). The largest amount of hemoglobin was observed in the control treatment, which was significantly different from other treatments, except treatment I (p<0.05). The highest number of white blood cells was observed in treatment III, which was significantly different from other treatments (p<0.05). The lowest serum levels of the liver enzymes, including lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase, were recorded in treatment I and control treatment, respectively, which showed no significant difference from treatments II and III (p>0.05). Besides, serum levels of these enzymes in treatment V showed no significant difference from treatments II and III (p>0.05). Therefore, according to the results of the present study and no significant differences in the values of most of the parameters between the control treatment and treatment V, it is recommended to replace 40% soybean meal containing 2000 IU/kg diet of Phyzyme^® XP, instead of fish meal, in order to achieve an affordable diet without any negative impact on health parameters in the Caspian trout.

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A feeding trial was conducted to examine the effects of dietary supplementation of betaine on growth, nutrient utilization, carcass compositions and haematological- biochemical parameters in Salmo caspius fed a plant-protein based diet. 180 fish with average weight of 9.7±0.59 g were fed the plant-protein basal diet, the basal diet with 1.4 & 2.8% betaine supplementation, or a fishmeal-based diet (control) for 11 wk. Weight gain, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio were significantly higher in fish fed the betaine-supplemented diet (1.4 & 2.8%) as well as control diet than in fish fed the basal diet. The lowest and highest whole body protein and lipid concentrations were significantly found in the fish fed by basal diet. Based on the results of this study, the levels of liver enzymes were significantly higher in fish fed the betaine-supplemented diet (1.4 & 2.8%) as well as control diet than in fish fed the basal diet. The value of apparent digestibility of crude protein in diet-fed fish a fishmeal-based (control) were significantly higher than fish fed plant-protein basal diet and the basal diet with 1.4% betaine supplementation (p<0.05). Based on the results of this study, could be said that increased levels of 2.8% of betaine is an effective feeding stimulant that can be enhanced the palatability and intake of plant-protein based diets for Salmo caspius, improved growth performance, feed utilization and apparent digestibility coefficient.

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Although Iran covers most of the northern coast of the Persian Gulf, marine organisms from this region has have not been investigated very well. Herein, we aimed at a detailed analysis of antibacterial profiles against Escherichia coli ATCC, Bacillus subtilis spizizenii ATCC and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC of the marine sea pen Virgularia juncea collected from the Persian Gulf in Iran. To isolate the active ingredients, a bio-guided purification approach was used based on the MIC and MBC parameters obtained for the extracts and fractions. The n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of V. juncea were tested in multiple in-house bioassays, and the ethyl acetate extract showed in vitro antibacterial activity against S. aureus (MIC value 7.5 µg/mL). This extract was fractionated by using open column chromatography. The isolated active fraction (F6d), which had high activity against the S. aureus strain at the lowest concentrations (MBC value 10 µg/mL) of other fractions, was purified using the HPLC method. The pure compound Cholest-5-en-3β-ol was isolated from the active fraction (F6d), and showed moderate activity against the S. aureus bacterial strain (MBC value 50 µg/mL). This compound was identified using the GC-MS technique. This is the first study that has dealt with bioactivity profiling of V. juncea, leading to isolation and identification of pure sea pen metabolite.

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A nursery can improve growth indicators and increase production efficiency. This research compared growth indicators, final harvest weight, and survival rate and feed conversion ratio between nursery and un nursery groups. The number of 819,000   pieces of post larvae 12 with density of 13 pieces per square meter was reared in stocking for 90 days in 9 ponds. The same number of post larves with a density of 4000 pieces per cubic meter was reared in the greenhouse for 30 days. Then it was stocked in 9 ponds with a density of 13 pieces per square meter and they were cultured for 60 days. Biomass was measured every 15 days. Physico -chemical factors of water were recorded every five days. The final weight nursery shrimps was 28.13±0.51 1 and non-nursery shrimps 17.22±0.67. It shows a significant difference (P<0.05). It is probably activated by the compensatory growth of shrimps. The daily growth rate in the nursery group was 0.21±0.01 which was higher compared non nursery group 0.15±0.01 compared to the non-nursery group. It increased significantly. Also, the food conversion rate was significantly reduced. This this study, it can be said that shrimp production using shrimps nursery, in addition to reducing period of the culture with reduces the risk of disease. Also, reducing the food consumption and increasing the weight and quantity of shrimp production would increase the productivity.