Author: Caroline Marques Maia
Version: 2.0 (2022-02-14) - Revision 3 (2022-07-29)

Cite expand   

Megalobrama amblycephala is a BENTHOPELAGIC freshwater fish that naturally inhabits middle reaches of Yangtze River in China, being found in Newshan and Yuli lakes. It is an important farmed species, especially in China, ranking high on the world list of most important fish species in aquaculture. This herbivorous cyprinid, which uses natural feeds and has high disease resistance, high larval survival rate, and fast growth performance, is considered a fish with a delicious taste and high commercial value. Aquaculture of M. amblycephala has expanded in China, especially during the last decade, because of the relatively low production cost and increasing consumer demand. However, most wild information is still missing for this species, and information about farming conditions is mostly restricted to JUVENILES. Thus, further research about basic information from wild and cultured M. amblycephala is needed.

Many species traverse in a limited horizontal space (even if just for a certain period of time per year); the home range may be described as a species' understanding of its environment (i.e., its cognitive map) for the most important resources it needs access to. What is the probability of providing the species' whole home range in captivity?

There are unclear findings for minimal and high-standard farming conditions. Our conclusion is based on a low amount of evidence.

Given the availability of resources (food, shelter) or the need to avoid predators, species spend their time within a certain depth range. What is the probability of providing the species' whole depth range in captivity?

There are unclear findings for minimal and high-standard farming conditions. Our conclusion is based on a low amount of evidence.

Some species undergo seasonal changes of environments for different purposes (feeding, spawning, etc.) and with them, environmental parameters (photoperiod, temperature, salinity) may change, too. What is the probability of providing farming conditions that are compatible with the migrating or habitat-changing behaviour of the species?

There are unclear findings for minimal and high-standard farming conditions. Our conclusion is based on a low amount of evidence.

A species reproduces at a certain age, season, and sex ratio and possibly involving courtship rituals. What is the probability of the species reproducing naturally in captivity without manipulation?

There are no findings for minimal and high-standard farming conditions.

Species differ in the way they co-exist with conspecifics or other species from being solitary to aggregating unstructured, casually roaming in shoals or closely coordinating in schools of varying densities. What is the probability of providing farming conditions that are compatible with the aggregation behaviour of the species?

There are unclear findings for minimal and high-standard farming conditions. Our conclusion is based on a low amount of evidence.

There is a range of adverse reactions in species, spanning from being relatively indifferent towards others to defending valuable resources (e.g., food, territory, mates) to actively attacking opponents. What is the probability of the species being non-aggressive and non-territorial in captivity?

There are no findings for minimal and high-standard farming conditions.

Depending on where in the water column the species lives, it differs in interacting with or relying on various substrates for feeding or covering purposes (e.g., plants, rocks and stones, sand and mud). What is the probability of providing the species' substrate and shelter needs in captivity?

There are unclear findings for minimal and high-standard farming conditions. Our conclusion is based on a low amount of evidence.

Farming involves subjecting the species to diverse procedures (e.g., handling, air exposure, short-term confinement, short-term crowding, transport), sudden parameter changes or repeated disturbances (e.g., husbandry, size-grading). What is the probability of the species not being stressed?

It is low for minimal farming conditions. It is medium for high-standard farming conditions. Our conclusion is based on a low amount of evidence.

Deformities that – in contrast to diseases – are commonly irreversible may indicate sub-optimal rearing conditions (e.g., mechanical stress during hatching and rearing, environmental factors unless mentioned in crit. 3, aquatic pollutants, nutritional deficiencies) or a general incompatibility of the species with being farmed. What is the probability of the species being malformed rarely?

There are no findings for minimal and high-standard farming conditions.

The cornerstone for a humane treatment is that slaughter a) immediately follows stunning (i.e., while the individual is unconscious), b) happens according to a clear and reproducible set of instructions verified under farming conditions, and c) avoids pain, suffering, and distress. What is the probability of the species being slaughtered according to a humane slaughter protocol?

It is low for minimal farming conditions. It is medium for high-standard farming conditions. Our conclusion is based on a low amount of evidence.

Teletchea and Fontaine introduced 5 domestication levels illustrating how far species are from having their life cycle closed in captivity without wild input, how long they have been reared in captivity, and whether breeding programmes are in place. What is the species’ domestication level?

DOMESTICATION LEVEL 5 28, fully domesticated.

450-1,000 milliard wild-caught fishes end up being processed into fish meal and fish oil each year which contributes to overfishing and represents enormous suffering. There is a broad range of feeding types within species reared in captivity. To what degree may fish meal and fish oil based on forage fish be replaced by non-forage fishery components (e.g., poultry blood meal) or sustainable sources (e.g., soybean cake)?

All age classes: WILD: herbivorous 1 11 3 12 4 or at least partially herbivorous-omnivorous, with JUVENILES mainly feeding on zooplankton, ADULTS mainly feeding on aquatic plants but also zooplankton 23. FARM: fish meal may be partly* 11 12 5, mostly* 8 (e.g., canola, cottonseed meal) or even completely* 3 4 replaced by sustainable sources (rice protein concentrate supplemented with lysine 3 or with xylooligosaccharides 4). LAB: fish meal may be partly* replaced by sustainable sources (e.g. alfafa) 29; fish meal may be completely* removed from diet causing even a better growth, but immune response and oxidative stress are impaired 23.

^{*partly = <51% – mostly = 51-99% – completely = 100}

BENTHOPELAGIC = living and feeding near the bottom of a body of water, floating above the floor
JUVENILES = fully developed but immature individuals, for details ➝ Findings 10.1 Ontogenetic development
LARVAE = hatching to mouth opening, for details ➝ Findings 10.1 Ontogenetic development
FRY = larvae from external feeding on, for details ➝ Findings 10.1 Ontogenetic development
WILD = setting in the wild
FARM = setting in farming environment or under conditions simulating farming environment in terms of size of facility or number of individuals
ADULTS = mature individuals, for details ➝ Findings 10.1 Ontogenetic development
SPAWNERS = adults that are kept as broodstock
POTAMODROMOUS = migrating within fresh water
PHOTOPERIOD = duration of daylight
LAB = setting in laboratory environment
IND = individuals
DOMESTICATION LEVEL 5 = selective breeding programmes are used focusing on specific goals 28

[1] Li, X. F., H. Y. Tian, D. D. Zhang, G. Z. Jiang, and W. B. Liu. 2014. Feeding frequency affects stress, innate immunity and disease resistance of juvenile blunt snout bream Megalobrama amblycephala. Fish & Shellfish Immunology 38: 80–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2014.03.005.
[2] Li, X.-F., C. Xu, H.-Y. Tian, G.-Z. Jiang, D.-D. Zhang, and W.-B. Liu. 2016. Feeding rates affect stress and non-specific immune responses of juvenile blunt snout bream Megalobrama amblycephala subjected to hypoxia. Fish & Shellfish Immunology 49: 298–305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2016.01.004.
[3] Cai, W.-C., W.-B. Liu, G.-Z. Jiang, K.-Z. Wang, C.-X. Sun, and X.-F. Li. 2018. Lysine supplement benefits the growth performance, protein synthesis, and muscle development of Megalobrama amblycephala fed diets with fish meal replaced by rice protein concentrate. Fish Physiology and Biochemistry 44: 1159–1174. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-018-0503-3.
[4] Abasubong, K. P., W.-B. Liu, Y. J. J.es Adjoumani, S.-L. Xia, C. Xu, and X.-F. Li. 2019. Xylooligosaccharides benefits the growth, digestive functions and TOR signaling in Megalobrama amblycephala fed diets with fish meal replaced by rice protein concentrate. Aquaculture 500: 417–428. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2018.10.048.
[5] Yuan, X., G. Jiang, H. Cheng, X. Cao, H. Shi, and W. Liu. 2019. An evaluation of replacing fish meal with cottonseed meal protein hydrolysate in diet for juvenile blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala): Growth, antioxidant, innate immunity and disease resistance. Aquaculture Nutrition 25: 1334–1344. https://doi.org/10.1111/anu.12954.
[6] Wang, Y. W., J. Zhu, X. P. Ge, S. M. Sun, Y. L. Su, B. Li, Y. R. Hou, and M. C. Ren. 2019. Effects of stocking density on the growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, antioxidant resistance, and intestinal microflora of blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) juveniles. Aquaculture Research 50: 236–246. https://doi.org/10.1111/are.13889.
[7] Yadata, G. W., K. Ji, H. Liang, M. Ren, X. Ge, and Q. Yang. 2020. Effects of dietary protein levels with various stocking density on growth performance, whole body composition, plasma parameters, nitrogen emission and gene expression related to TOR signaling of juvenile blunt snout bream (Megalobrama ambylcephala). Aquaculture 519: 734730. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2019.734730.
[8] Yuan, X.-Y., G.-Z. Jiang, H.-H. Cheng, X.-F. Cao, C.-C. Wang, Y.-J. Dai, and W.-B. Liu. 2020. Replacing fish meal with cottonseed meal protein hydrolysate affects growth, intestinal function, and growth hormone/insulin‐like growth factor I axis of juvenile blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala). Journal of the World Aquaculture Society 51: 1235–1249. https://doi.org/10.1111/jwas.12679.
[9] Yu, H., Q. Yang, H. Liang, M. Ren, X. Ge, and K. Ji. 2021. Effects of stocking density and dietary phosphorus levels on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and nitrogen and phosphorus emissions of juvenile blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala). Aquaculture Nutrition 27: 581–591. https://doi.org/10.1111/anu.13208.
[10] Guo, Longgen, and Zhongjie Li. 2003. Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus from fish cage-culture on the communities of a shallow lake in middle Yangtze River basin of China. Aquaculture 226. Management of Aquaculture Effluents: 201–212. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0044-8486(03)00478-2.
[11] Zhou, Q.-L., H.-M. Habte-Tsion, X. Ge, Bo Liu, J. Xie, M. Ren, L. Miao, and L. Pan. 2017. Growth performance and TOR pathway gene expression of juvenile blunt snout bream, Megalobrama amblycephala, fed with diets replacing fish meal with cottonseed meal. Aquaculture Research 48: 3693–3704. https://doi.org/10.1111/are.13195.
[12] Zhou, Q.-L., H.-M. Habte-Tsion, X. Ge, J. Xie, M. Ren, B. Liu, L. Miao, and L. Pan. 2018. Graded replacing fishmeal with canola meal in diets affects growth and target of rapamycin pathway gene expression of juvenile blunt snout bream, Megalobrama amblycephala. Aquaculture Nutrition 24: 300–309. https://doi.org/10.1111/anu.12560.
[13] Yang, Z., G. Xu, X. Ge, B. Liu, P. Xu, C. Song, Q. Zhou, et al. 2019. The effects of crowding stress on the growth, physiological response, and gene expression of the Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway in blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) reared under in-pond raceway conditions. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology 231: 19–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpa.2019.01.006.
[14] Qi, C., C. Xie, R. Tang, X. Qin, D. Wang, and D. Li. 2016. Effect of Stocking Density on Growth, Physiological Responses, and Body Composition of Juvenile Blunt Snout Bream, Megalobrama amblycephala. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society 47: 358–368. https://doi.org/10.1111/jwas.12278.
[15] Froese, R., and D. Pauly. 2021. Megalobrama amblycephala, Wuchang bream: fisheries, aquaculture. World Wide Web electronic publication. FishBase.
[16] RoysFarms. 2021. Wuchang Bream Characteristics, Feeding, Breeding.
[17] Shao, K. T., and P. L. Lim. 1991. Fishes of freshwater and estuary. Encyclopedia of field guide in Taiwan. Vol. 31. Taipei, Taiwan: Recreation Press, Co., Ltd.,.
[18] Kangmin, Li. 1999. Management and restoration of fish communities in Lake Taihu, China. Fisheries Management and Ecology 6: 71–81. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2400.1999.00120.x.
[19] Baensch, H. A., and R. Riehl. 1997. Aquarien Atlas, Band 5. Melle, Germany: Mergus Verlag.
[20] Du, Fukuan, Yan Li, Yongkai Tang, Shengyan Su, Juhua Yu, Fan Yu, Jianlin Li, Hongxia Li, Meiyao Wang, and Pao Xu. 2019. Response of the gut microbiome of Megalobrama amblycephala to crowding stress. Aquaculture 500: 586–596. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2018.10.067.
[21] Tian, H. Y., D. D. Zhang, C. Xu, F. Wang, and W. B. Liu. 2015. Effects of light intensity on growth, immune responses, antioxidant capability and disease resistance of juvenile blunt snout bream Megalobrama amblycephala. Fish & Shellfish Immunology 47: 674–680. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2015.08.022.
[22] Tian, H., D. Zhang, X. Li, G. Jiang, and W. Liu. 2019. Photoperiod affects blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) growth, diel rhythm of cortisol, activities of antioxidant enzymes and mRNA expression of GH/IGF-I. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part B, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology 233: 4–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpb.2019.03.007.
[23] Deng, W., Y. Zhao, W. Wang, Y. Gul, J. Cao, Y. Huang, G. Sheng, Z. Ding, and R. Du. 2014. Anti-stress properties and two HSP70s mRNA expressions of blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) fed with all-plant-based diet. Fish Physiology and Biochemistry 40: 817–825. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-013-9888-1.
[24] Zhang, R., Y. Jiang, W. Liu, and Y. Zhou. 2021. Evaluation of zinc-bearing palygorskite effects on the growth, immunity, antioxidant capability, and resistance to transport stress in blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala). Aquaculture 532: 735963. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2020.735963.
[25] European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). 2009. Species-specific welfare aspects of the main systems of stunning and killing of farmed Carp. EFSA Journal 1013: 1–37. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2009.1013.
[26] Rahmanifarah, K., B. Shabanpour, and A. Sattari. 2011. Effects of Clove Oil on Behavior and Flesh Quality of Common Carp  (Cyprinus carpio L.) in Comparison with Pre-slaughter CO2 Stunning, Chilling and Asphyxia. Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 11: 139–147.
[27] Retter, Karina, Karl-Heinz Esser, Matthias Lüpke, John Hellmann, Dieter Steinhagen, and Verena Jung-Schroers. 2018. Stunning of common carp: Results from a field and a laboratory study. BMC Veterinary Research 14: 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-018-1530-0.
[28] Teletchea, Fabrice, and Pascal Fontaine. 2012. Levels of domestication in fish: implications for the sustainable future of aquaculture. Fish and Fisheries 15: 181–195. https://doi.org/10.1111/faf.12006.
[29] Jia, L., X. He, and Y. Yang. 1991. Evaluation of Partial Replacement of Fish Meal and Soybean Meal Cake by Alfalfa, Trifolium sp., in Practical Diets for Chinese Blunt Snout Bream, Megalobrama amblycephala, Fingerlings. In Fish nutrition research in Asia (Proceedings of the Fourth Asian Fish Nutrition Workshop), 119–123. Manila, Philippines.: De Silva, S. S.