Oxidative Status and Digestive Histology of Barramundi Perch in Response to Different Tank Colors.

Abstract

The oxidative status and intestinal and liver histology of Barramundi Perch Lates calcarifer juveniles were investigated in an experiment using different tank colors (black, red, blue, and white) over 6weeks. It has been previously shown that background color can affect physiological processes in different species. The background colors did not cause significant differences in malondialdehyde, catalase, or glutathione S-transferase, whereas superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities were significantly higher in fish that were kept in black tanks. Plasma cortisol of fish adapted to blue and white tanks was significantly lower than that of fish in black tanks. The liver total antioxidant capacity was highest for fish that were maintained in white and blue tanks. The results of histopathological evaluation revealed that tank colors did not have significant effects on intestinal mucosal and enterocyte dimensions. No specific alterations were found in the liver or intestine of fish relative to the tank background color during the experimental period. In conclusion, white and blue tanks resulted in improved oxidative status of Barramundi Perch juveniles.