Assessment of feed additives to gut health and fish performance in Atlantic salmon at higher temperature.
The goal of this trial is to study the effects of feed additives on gut health, gut microbiota and fish growth performance at high temperatures in Atlantic salmon. Parts of the trial will be conducted with temperatures outside of the optimal temperature range of Atlantic salmon, in line with common environmental issues faced by many salmon farmers globally.
Atlantic salmon can be exposed to temperatures exceeding 20 degrees C (e.g. Australia), and this unseasonably warm weather can create an array of challenges for the industry. Common challenges are reduced growth and potential health issues, often related to gut health issues. Gut integrity, gut microbiota, and digestive system pathologies have all been reported to be negatively impacted by high temperatures.
The proposed trial will require the use of 480 Atlantic salmon, in a flow-through tank system, with fish starting weight of ca. 200 grams. The number of fish is the minimum to maintain an appropriate stocking density and to allow for sampling at 2 points within the trial. The fish will be raised at a temperature within the optimal range of Atlantic salmon for 4 weeks before mid-point sampling, followed by a gradual increase of water temperature to a suboptimal level over a period of 1.5 weeks, before a final period of 6 weeks at this temperature.
It is anticipated that the fish may experience a slight reduction in appetite due to the increase in temperature due to reasons stated above.
Atlantic salmon can be exposed to temperatures exceeding 20 degrees C (e.g. Australia), and this unseasonably warm weather can create an array of challenges for the industry. Common challenges are reduced growth and potential health issues, often related to gut health issues. Gut integrity, gut microbiota, and digestive system pathologies have all been reported to be negatively impacted by high temperatures.
The proposed trial will require the use of 480 Atlantic salmon, in a flow-through tank system, with fish starting weight of ca. 200 grams. The number of fish is the minimum to maintain an appropriate stocking density and to allow for sampling at 2 points within the trial. The fish will be raised at a temperature within the optimal range of Atlantic salmon for 4 weeks before mid-point sampling, followed by a gradual increase of water temperature to a suboptimal level over a period of 1.5 weeks, before a final period of 6 weeks at this temperature.
It is anticipated that the fish may experience a slight reduction in appetite due to the increase in temperature due to reasons stated above.