Black Tanks Research Articles

Insights into first feeding of newly-hatched paralarvae of the merobenthic octopus, Octopus tetricus

The commercial aquaculture of merobenthic octopus species is constrained by the inability to raise large numbers of paralarvae through their planktonic phase from hatching to juvenile. Knowledge on the early feeding behaviour and nutrition requirements of octopus paralarvae is critical for addressing this challenge. This study evaluates the food seizure behaviour of Octopus tetricus paralarvae at age 0–5 dph (days post-hatch) under different experimental conditions including, egg incubation method, tank colour, and live prey versus formulated food pellets. The percentage of paralarvae that attacked food items and the percentage of paralarvae that had at least one successful seizure at the age 0–5 dph were measured in relation to the experimental conditions. The number of attacks and successful seizures of food items by paralarvae was not affected by the egg incubation method, i.e., maternal grooming versus artificial incubator tank. A higher percentage of paralarvae performed attacks in black tanks (70 ± 8%) compared to grey tanks (44 ± 6%) with no differences to white tanks (58 ± 7%) when Artemia nauplii were supplied. However, no differences in the proportion of paralarvae with successful seizures were found among the three tested tank colours. A higher percentage of paralarvae attacked formulated food pellets (69 ± 6%) compared to Artemia nauplii (44 ± 6%) in grey tanks. An overall trend was observed of O. tetricus paralarvae having lower successful seizures at 0 dph that increased until 2 to 3 dph followed by a steep and continuously decline in success through until 5 dph. On average 31 ± 3% of paralarvae had at least one successful seizure of formulated food pellets in the first 5 min after the pellets were supplied compared to 4 ± 1% in the subsequent 10 min. In contrast, feeding on Artemia nauplii remained steady over the full 15 min experimental period. The results indicate that the effect of tank colour on feeding behaviour warrants further investigation as it affects the ability of the paralarvae to detect and attack potential food items. Moreover, the results demonstrate that artificial egg incubation did not have a negative effect on the feeding behaviour of paralarvae, and that formulated food pellets have the potential to be developed as an alternative to live prey for the culture of paralarvae of this species.

Environmental Diagnosis of the Unconfined Aquifer in the Coastal Region of Northeast Brazil

Groundwater is a large percentage of sweet easily accessible water and is often the only option for drinking water supply. In general, it possesses better quality due to interactions with the ground during percolation. In urban areas, however, various activities compromise its quality and demand, such as installation of black tanks, wastewater without treatment or with inadequate treatment, improper disposal of solid waste, waterproofing recharge areas, storage of dangerous products in underground or air tanks without basin containment, among others. The aim of this study was to evaluate the contamination of the unconfined aquifer in the North Zone of Aracaju, SE, through the analysis of physical, chemical and biological parameters of water samples from shallow wells, relating to potential sources of contamination, evaluating the effects of seasonality and comparing them to the limits of potability of Decree No. 2,914 / 2011 of the Ministry of Health, the results show that all samples were unfit for human consumption for at least one of the 13 analyzed parameters, with the most significant change in the dry season.

Effects of tank color brightness on the body color, somatic growth, and endocrine systems of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

We investigated the effects of tank brightness on body color, growth, and endocrine systems of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Five different tank colors that produce varying levels of brightness were used, including black, dark gray [DG], light gray [LG], white, and blue. The fish were reared in these tanks for 59 days under natural photoperiod and water temperature. The body color was affected by tank brightness, such that body color brightness was correlated with tank brightness (white-housed ≥ LG-housed ≥ DG-housed ≥ blue-housed ≥ black-housed). No difference in somatic growth was observed among the fish reared in the five tanks. The mRNA levels of melanin-concentrating hormone (mch1) was higher in white-housed fish than those in the other tanks, and the mRNA levels of proopiomelanocortins (pomc-a and pomc-b) were higher in fish housed in a black tank than those in other tanks. mRNA level of somatolactin, a member of growth hormone family, was higher in black-housed fish than those in white-housed fish. The mRNA levels of mch1 and mch2 in blue-housed fish were similar to those in black-housed fish, while the mRNA levels of pomc-a and pomc-b in blue-housed fish were similar to those in white-housed fish. The current results suggest that tank color is not related to fish growth, therefore any color of conventional rearing tank can be used to grow fish. Moreover, the association between somatolactin with body color changes is suggested in addition to the role of classical MCH and melanophore stimulating hormone derived from POMC.

Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) Model: A Tool for Water Quality Interpretation

The lack of standard water analysis equipment as well as inadequate trained personnel especially in the developing countries has discouraged many researchers in such countries to execute water quality researches. Hence, this paper presents developed mathematical relationship among some physicochemical parameters in order to aid the determination of the concentrations of certain parameters with the use of minimal equipment. This was achieved by weekly analyzing 7 physicochemical parameters of two sources of potable water (tap water and borehole water) stored in different containers for a period of 6 weeks using standard methods. The storage containers used were black plastic tank, blue plastic tank, green plastic tank, coated steel metal tank, uncoated steel metal tank and clay pot. The parameters examined were turbidity, electrical conductivity (EC), pH, alkalinity, chloride ion (Cl-), dissolved oxygen (DO) and total hardness. Results showed that the relationship between electrical conductivity (EC), alkalinity (Alk), total hardness (TH) and chloride ion (Cl-) is given as; EC = -224.8066493 + 6.244028022(Alk) + 0.28204735(TH) + 0.000518108(Cl-). A programing language was written on the models using Visual Basic.Net (VB.Net) version 2018.
 Keywords: Water, Physicochemical, Parameters, Function, Equation.

The impact of housing environment color on zebrafish anxiety-like behavioral and physiological (cortisol) responses

Color of the environment is an important factor modulating human and animal behavior and physiology. Animal models are a valuable tool to understand how colors affect social, cognitive and affective responses. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is rapidly emerging as an important organism in neuroscience and physiology. Here, we examine whether the color of housing environment influences zebrafish anxiety-like behavior and whole-body cortisol levels. Overall, housing for 15 days in transparent and white holding tanks increases, and in black or blue tanks decreases, baseline anxiety-like behavior in adult zebrafish. Housing in blue tanks (vs. white) also reduced their whole-body cortisol levels. Taken together, our data suggest that color of the housing environment affects neurobehavioral and endocrine responses in zebrafish, with multiple implications for behavioral phenomics and animal welfare. Our study also reinforces zebrafish as a promising model organism to study neurobiology of compex brain-environment interactions.

Shelter colour preference in the purple mud crab Scylla tranquebarica (Fabricius)

Cannibalism a serious problem in the grow-out of mud crabs in ponds. Studies have proven that presence of shelters decreases aggressive behaviour of Scylla spp. in ponds and tanks. In this study, the shelter colour preference was determined in the wild captured purple mud crab Scylla tranquebarica (Fabricius) in an outdoor round black tank. Eight out of 48 PVC pipes were painted either blue, green, red, black or white. Other eight were not painted and were provided as grey shelters. The shelters were presented in different two-colour pairs to a group of 35 crabs; eight shelters of one colour and eight of other colour were arranged alternately on the tank bottom, and the number of occupants was recorded. After emptying the shelters, the shelters rearranged for the next observation. Each colour combination was repeated five times, and total of 15 combinations were tested. The number of occupants against each colour of the different pairs were analyzed by the χ2-test and Thurstone’s law of comparative judgment. The data were converted into mean z-scores and significant biases from zero were noted. Underwater visibility of each colour shelter was visually measured through a waterproof digital CCD camera. The crabs showed a strong bias for blue shelter and white shelter chosen the least under the holding condition. The underwater visibility was highest in blue and white colour shelters among the six colour shelters. The observed colour preference was probably due to colour per se and may be an innate ability, rather than due to relative underwater visibility. During the observations, the shelter occupants were tolerant of intruders; there was no aggressive competition for shelter and two to four crabs shared one shelter. It was hypothesized that the touch stimulus of shelter suppresses the aggressiveness and results in low cannibalism of S. tranquebarica.

Influence of rearing tank colour on Asian catfish, magur (Clarias magur) and pangas (Pangasius pangasius) larval growth and survival

Larval growth and survival are significantly influenced by the various biotic and abiotic factors. Rearing tank background colour is one such factor affecting the larval production in finfish hatcheries. The present study evaluated the effect of five tank background colours (black, white, blue, green and red) on growth and survival of larvae of two commercially important freshwater catfish species, Clarias magur (magur) and Pangasius pangasius (pangas) in a completely randomized experimental design in triplicate. The larvae of magur (9.33 ± 0.15 mm; 3.85 ± 0.05 mg) and pangas (10.07 ± 0.27 mm; 3.31 ± 0.08 mg) were stocked at a density of 45 and 30 larvae per tank, respectively in 15 L tanks. Experimental duration was 28 days for both the species. The results revealed that the final weight, weight gain, daily weight gain, and specific growth rate (SGR) of larvae of magur were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in white background coloured tank whereas, pangas shown the best performance (P < 0.05) in black tank. Thermal growth coefficient (TGC) of magur and pangas were recorded significantly higher in white and black coloured tank, respectively. Larval survival was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in black (97.04 ± 1.96%; F (4, 10) = 2.95, P = 0.002) tank for magur and green tank (87.78 ± 4.84%; F (4, 10) = 8.28, P = 0.003) for pangas. Whereas green and black tank colour were significantly reduced the larval survival of magur and pangas, respectively. This study clearly indicates that tank background colour had a significant impact on the larval growth and survival in both the species studied. It was also noticed that the tank colour effect is species specific. The study thus showed that black background tank colour for magur and green tank for pangas are more suitable for the higher production of catfish larvae in hatchery.

Effects of background adaptation on the skin color of Malaysian red tilapia

The effects of changes in background color, between white and black, on the apparent body color, the skin L*, a* and b* values, the MSH levels in the serum and the melanin-concentrating hormone (mch), proopiomelanocortin (pomc), melanocortin 1 receptor (mc1r) and tyrosinase (tyr) gene mRNA expressions of Malaysia red tilapia were investigated. After rearing in black (B) or white (W) background tanks for 27 days, the rest fishes were transferred to the same (WW and BB) or opposite (WB and BW) background tanks for another 27 days. The apparent body color of fish was paler in white background and darker in black background, and the body color was reversibly variable in response to transfer to the opposite background color. Correspondingly, the L* and b* values were higher and a* values were lower in white background groups than that in black background groups in the skin of fish (P < .05). The expression of mch gene mRNA in the brain were higher in W fish than in B fish (P < .05). In contrast, the pomc mRNA levels were higher in B group than that in W group in the pituitary of fish (P < .05). However, the MSH levels in the serum of fish were not significantly different between W and B group (P > .05) and peaked in WW group (P < .05). Interestingly, the expressions of pomc in pituitary, mc1r and tyr in dorsal skin of fish on day 27 were higher than that on day 54 (P < .05). The mc1r mRNA expressions in the skin of W and B fish were not significantly different (P > .05). However, BB fish showed significantly higher skin mc1r mRNA expressions than WW and BW fish (P < .05). The tyr mRNA in the ventral skin of red tilapia was highest in B group. And the expression of tyr mRNA in BB group was higher than that in BW, WW and WB groups in the skin of fish (P < .05). Present results will facilitate understanding the mechanism of fish skin color determination.

The Inner Wall of The Tank Painted in Black is Good for Larval Rearing of Yellowfin Tuna Thunnus albacares

Institute for Mariculture Research and Fisheries Extension have been able to spawn yellowfin tuna in the floating nets cage (FNC) since 2015. However, the number of juveniles produced is still low due to the high mortality of larvae at first 10 days old and when metamorphosed into juveniles. The inner wall color of tank is suspected to affect the survival of early larvae stage. The purpose of the study is to get suitable inner wall color of the tank to increase growth and survival rate. Eggs harvested from FNC and stocked 20 eggs/L in 5 Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic tanks, volume of 6 m 3 . Treatments were: A. Gray, B. Blue, C. Yellow, D. Black, and E. White, 3 replication. Hatching rate of eggs at treatment (A) was 60.39%, blue (B) 76.64%, yellow (C) 61.74%, black (D) 71.08% and white (E) 69.19%. Daily observation of Yellowfin tuna larvae kept in blue, yellow and white inner wall tank are more patched in the corner near the surface of the tank. While the larvae in the gray and black inner wall tank were distribute evenly either in the surface layer and water column. The survival rate of juvenile in black inner wall tank is better than others color treatments, although statistically does not significantly different.

The effects of the tank colour on growth performance and physiological responses in fingerling grouper, Epinephelus coioides

In this study, the effects of different background colours on growth performance and physiological parameters of Epinephelus coioides were investigated. One hundred eighty E. coioides (average weight 18.16 ± 0.07 g) were distributed in black, white and blue 300-L tanks and fed to satiation for 60 days. The tank colour had no significant effect on the weight gain, condition factor, hepatosomatic index and specific growth rate (p > .05). The lowest amount of viscerosomatic index and the highest carcass protein were recorded in the white tank (p < .05). Daily food intake, feed conversion ratio and plasma glucose were significantly higher in the blue tank (p < .05). The highest levels of haematocrit and plasma triglyceride were observed in the white tank, while the total protein and albumin were higher in the black tank compared to the other tanks. The tank colour had no significant effects on the plasma cortisol level (p > .05). Our findings showed that colours used in this study did not evoke stress and thus had no effect on growth, but some metabolic adaptation occurred in each colour to achieve optimum growth.

Comparison on growth performance, body coloration changes and stress response of juvenile river catfish, Pangasius hypophthalmus reared in different tank background colour

The effects of different tank background colours (green, black and white) on the growth performance and body coloration of juvenile river cafish, Pangasius hypophthalmus, were examined in this study. The experimental fish with an initial body weight (BW) 0.13 ± 0.05 g and total length (TL) 2.54 ± 0.37 cm were used, and groups of 15 fish per tank were randomly distributed. The experiment was conducted for 20 days as a triplicate for each treatment. Survival, growth in BW, body weight gain (BWG), total length (TL), total length gain (TLG), specific growth rate (SGR), condition factor, feed conversion ratio (FCR), swimming speed, body coloration and stress response were evaluated. River catfish reared in white and green tanks attained significantly higher BW, BWG, TL, TLG and SGR compared to the black tank. The white tank attained significantly better FCR compared to the black tank. River catfish showed the most active swimming behaviour in the green tank (5.49 ± 1.32 cm/s) while the least in the white tank (3.37 ± 0.93 cm/s). Body coloration of river catfish in the black tank showed almost pure black body coloration (75.59 ± 9.08), followed by the green tank (126.23 ± 17.46) and the white tank (148.19 ± 10.51). However, there was no significant difference in the stress level of river catfish reared in white and black tanks and insignificant to those reared in the green tank. The findings in this study showed that the white and green background colour tanks can be used for promoting growth of river catfish culture while the black background colour tank can enhance body coloration that is suitable as ornamental fish.

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

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.

The effect of tank colour on background preference, survival and development of larval swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus

The cultured swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus could be supplied out of season and achieve high-added value, leading to rapid development of P. trituberculatus culture industry. However, little knowledge is known in indoor seeding of swimming crab, creating a gap between seed supplies and farmer's demand. Optimizing background colour is essential for maximizing the larval performance of P. trituberculatus. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the colour preference of swimming crab larvae, and the effect of tank colour on survival, development and oxygen consumption rate from zoea I to megalopa. Tank colours evaluated were red, yellow, black, blue, green and white. A self-referent colour preference device was used to study colour preference of the larvae in 24 h. In the survival and development experiment newly hatched zoea I larvae were stocked into 1.4 L plastic culture tanks at an initial density of 100 individual L−1, fed with Artemia nauplii till they all metamorphosized to juvenile crab. Data indicated that >60% larvae of every stage had a significant preference to white background (P < .01), followed by red, blue and yellow. The larvae disliked green and black background. Surprisingly, in the survival and development experiment, the best larval performance was found in red and yellow tank (43.89 ± 2.22% and 42.30 ± 4.16%), while the larvae in white tank had the lowest final survival rate (19.78 ± 3.28%) (P < .01). The larvae also showed better synchronization in development in red (19.7 ± 1.1 d−1) and yellow (20.5 ± 1.2 d−1) tank than in black (22.1 ± 1.8 d−1), blue (22.6 ± 1.3 d−1), green (24.1 ± 1.7 d−1) and white tank (24.1 ± 1.7 d−1). The larvae cultured in white tank tended to swim on the bottom of the tank and had pale body colour. The larvae of all stages in blue tank had the highest oxygen consumption rate (P < .05), while those cultured in red and white had the lowest oxygen consumption rate (P < .05). The results indicated that the red and yellow are suitable background colour for larval P. trituberculatus, while white background may become a stressor and should be avoided.

Effect of water hardness, temperature, and tank wall color, on the effectiveness of swim bladder inflation and survival of Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis, L.) larvae reared under controlled conditions

The study shows how water temperature, water hardness, and color of tank affect the swim bladder inflation effectiveness (SBIE) and survival in Eurasian perch larvae in controlled conditions. Three separate experimental rearings (in 50-L tanks) were conducted, where (1) water temperature (12 days, 3000 ind./tank; 15, 20, and 25 °C), (2) water hardness (12 days, 4600 ind./tank; 15 °C; and 5, 10, and 15°n), and (3) tank wall color (20 days, 25,000 ind./tank; tanks with black and white walls; 15 °C) constituted tested variables. During all of the experiments, the photoperiod was 24 h (24L:0D), and the intensity of light was 1500 lx at the water surface. In experiments 1 and 2, perch larvae were not fed and in experiment 3, from 5-day post-hatch (DPH), they were fed ad libitum with Artemia sp. nauplii. In experiment 1, the highest SBIE was observed for larvae reared at 15 °C (20.6 ± 1.1%) for 20 °C and 25 °C; the maximum SBIE was significantly lower (8.4 ± 2.9% and 13.0 ± 5.8%, respectively; p < 0.05). The mortality trend was similar for all of the tested temperatures, although at higher temperatures, the larvae were seen to die sooner. In experiment 2, there were no statistical differences (p > 0.05) in mortality of larvae and in final SBIE. The results of experiment 3 clearly suggests that the white tanks caused a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in survival rate (4.9 ± 3.2% and 24.6 ± 6.4%, for white and black tanks, respectively) as well as SBIE (7.7 ± 2.7% and 32.9 ± 3.6%, for white and black tanks, respectively; p < 0.05). The outcomes indicate that Eurasian perch larval rearing at 15 °C in black tanks is preferred.

Interaction of fish density and background color effects on growth performance, proximate body composition and skin color of common carp, Cyprinus carpio

This study was carried out to evaluate the combined effects of three stocking densities and two tank colors on growth, body composition and skin coloration of common carp (1.41±0.05 g). Fish with low (LD: 20 specimens/tank or 0.70 g/L), medium (MD: 40 specimens/tank or 1.41 g/L) and high (HD: 80 specimens/tank or 2.82 g/L) densities were reared in two tank colors (black and white) for 45 days. At the end of the experiment, density recorded 2.45 g/L and 7.00 g/L at low and high densities treatments, respectively. The final weight and specific growth rate of the fish at LD treatment were significantly higher than those of MD and HD treatments. The highest weight (4.90±0.44 g) and the lowest feed conversion ratio (1.21±0.13) were obtained for the LD fish treatment reared in the black tanks. Rearing density has a significant effect on the fish body total protein content, but the tank color had no effects on this factor. The fish body lipid content in the white tanks and high density was significantly higher than other treatments. Significant interactions between tank color and rearing density were observed for the fish body protein, fiber and dry matter. The fish skin color was considered by three factors: L*, a* and b*. The results showed that black color had a negative effect on the fish skin color indices. Brightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) values of the fish skin in the white tanks were higher than those of the black tanks. In the present study, tank color and rearing density significantly affected growth and feed performance of common carp, while no combined interaction was found between the two factors examined.

Effects of background tank colour on the growth and survival of juvenile Heterobrachus bidorsalis fed coppens and Tamarindus indica meal

A 6-month semi-intensive mono-culture experiment was conducted to determine the effects of different tank colours /feed types on the production of Heterobranchus bidorsalis juveniles of average weight (0.68g±0.25g). Five culture tanks with different colours made of plastic material, having the same surface area and volume were used. The fish were fed 45% protein of two different meals (coppens commercial floating pellets, and Tamarindus indica meal) at 10% body weight twice daily throughout the experimental period. Production parameters were used to determine growth (feed utilization) as well as survival rate with coppens feed producing the best overall results for growth followed by T. indica meal. There was significant relationship (P &lt; 0.05) in growth parameters of the fish in all the treatments. However, the best overall results were obtained in black tanks for all feed types compared to other tank colours as well as survival rate which have advantages for fish culture compared to other colours.Keywords: Tank colour, Survival rate, Growth, Juvenile heterobrachus bidorsalis

Effect of environmental color on learning of Nile tilapia

This study investigates the effects of environmental color on learning capacity of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Eighty-four tilapia (12.81 ± 0.38 cm; 35.98 ± 8.33 g), were separated into six groups of fourteen and housed in blue, green and black tanks. The fish were acclimatized to their respective colored environment for 15 days. Learning tests were performed using T-mazes color-matched to the respective fish tank colors for 15 days. The fish were then tested in T-mazes of different colors from their tanks for another 5 days. The learning task involved exploring the maze in search of a reward (feed pellets) and associating a visual marker with the reward. Results showed that in color-matched mazes, the fish in black and green mazes required eleven days to learn the task (p < 0.0001), while those in the blue maze failed to learn the task (p = 0.101). All color changes affected fish performance at learning the task (blue p = 0.101; black and green p < 0.0001). Our results suggest that environmental color influences learning, with black and green environments being to be the most suitable for both maintenance and learning by Nile tilapia.

Molecular cloning and characterization of TANK of black carp Mylopharyngodon piceus

The TRAF family member-associated NF-κB activator (TANK) is linked to the regulation of the transcription of NF-κB in mammals; however, its role in interferon induction is unclear. To elucidate the roles of TANK in teleost, the TANK homologue of black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) has been cloned and characterized in this paper. The open reading frame (ORF) of black carp TANK (bcTANK) comprises 1050 nucleotides and the predicted bcTANK protein contains 350 amino acids. The transcription of bcTANK in host cells increased in response to the stimulation of LPS, poly (I:C), SVCV and GCRV. bcTANK migrated around 50 KDa in immunoblot assay and was identified as a cytosolic protein by immunofluorescent staining in both EPC and HeLa cells. bcTANK could not induce the activity of IFN promoter in luciferase reporter assay in EPC cells; however, the IFN-activation ability of bcTANK was obviously enhanced when the cells were treated with LPS, poly (I:C) or virus. Both CPE ratio and virus titer in the media of EPC cells expressing bcTANK were obviously lower than those of the control cells, which were examined by violet crystal staining and plaque assay separately. Taken together, our data support the conclusion that bcTANK plays an important role in the antiviral innate immune activation of black carp.

Effects of tank color on the growth, stress responses, and skin color of snakeskin gourami (Trichogaster pectoralis)

The effects of tank color on the growth, stress responses, and skin color of snakeskin gourami (Trichogaster pectoralis) were investigated in this study. Fish with initial body weights of 5.03±0.00 g were reared in five experimental tank colors (white, red, green, blue, and black) for 8 weeks. Each tank color was tested in triplicate with an initial stocking density of 15 fish per tank. Fish were fed with commercial sinking pellets at 4% of the average body weight per day. Growth performance, feed utilization efficiency, stress indicators (hematocrit, blood glucose, plasma cortisol levels), and skin color parameters were investigated. The fish reared in blue tanks had a significantly higher average final body weight (9.73 ± 0.14 g) and significantly lower average feed conversion ratio (3.42 ± 0.12) than the fish reared in black tanks (P < 0.05). The fish reared in black tanks exhibited higher average hematocrit (36.63 ± 1.11%), blood glucose (48.33 ± 1.45 mg dL−1), and plasma cortisol (9.00 ± 0.56 μg dL−1) levels than those reared in the other tank colors. However, the blood glucose levels in only the fish reared in black tanks were significantly higher than those in the fish reared in the other tank colors. The fish skin color ranged from very pale (high skin lightness) in the white tanks to very dark (low skin lightness) in the black tanks, and 80% of the variation in skin lightness were explained by the tank lightness. The use of a blue tank resulted in normal skin color; hence, blue tanks will not affect the customer acceptance of the fish. Our study revealed that blue is the most appropriate tank color for culturing snakeskin gourami.

Old Girls, or, The Ordinary Adventure

Old Girls, or, The Ordinary Adventure Lauren Barbato (bio) I Babcia called them the old girls, a nickname she debuted when Viv and Tess were in elementary school. Neither of them had fathers; who needed fathers? Tess's mother, a nurse, often worked evening shifts in the ER, leaving Tess with Babcia, who'd retired from her desk job at the post office and had cared for Viv since her mother passed. Viv and Tess would ride the bus along Bloomfield Avenue with Babcia for her weekly errands. Babcia often found the old girls perched on the red metal bench outside ShopRite, sharing peppermint patties with residents from the local senior-citizen complex. At night, Babcia would pull back the woolly throw obscuring the entrance to their blanket fort, where the old girls lay on their bellies, chins resting on velvet pillow shams, cutting and pasting images from beauty and travel magazines to create their own reality in purple composition notebooks. The old girls liked to discuss their futures of living alone in foreign cities, marrying out of love, not obligation. They idolized artists over pop stars, preferred foreign films to teen movies. Tess, they always said, had the good sense; Viv had the gift. The old girls spent the first three weeks of their summer before college in short shorts and crop tops at the diner counter on Bloomfield Avenue, eyeing Irish fries and rocky road milkshakes while the men eyed them. They didn't mind; really, the old girls liked it. It'd become their new game, timing how long it took the men to slither over and make small talk about the milkshakes, the heat, the '80s movies playing on the little TV in the corner. It beat lying out on the Bloomfield Green and seeing how much Sun In and lemon juice Viv needed to [End Page 206] pour onto Tess's black hair before it rusted. Sometimes, they got free chicken fingers and fries out of these men or, if they waited long enough, a six-pack of Yuengling. Consider the man today: His dark brown hair, swept coolly over the growing lines of his forehead, still held its youthful wave. His biceps, on full display in his black tank top, were strong and freckled. Tess's good sense pegged him as 30, at least. Viv asked the man his name (Matt, short for Matthew Joseph, reluctantly Catholic); she giggled when he flexed his left arm, stretching the ink of his block-lettered USMC tattoo; she pressed the side of her bare thigh against his green cargo shorts. When he flashed his driver's license, Viv saw he was twenty-nine, born in 1974, September, a Virgo. Tess whispered, "I told you so," from behind her sheet of silky straight black hair. Once he excused himself to the bathroom, the waitress behind the counter fluttered her blue eyelashes and said what she always said when someone else paid their check: You girls, don't enjoy yourselves too much. They rolled up to the local bodega for loosies, which they smoked in the parking lot below Bloomfield station. Matt was outspoken and energetic and somewhat charming in his unapologetic curiosity. He asked Viv about her grandmother, and wondered how Tess could possess a Spanish last name if she was Filipina. He teased Tess about her Stanford ambitions but wanted to know more about her upcoming California makeover. ("Viv's gonna bleach it blonde before I go," Tess told him. "I'm good at that," Viv added.) When Matt said he'd always wanted to write a book, Tess began lecturing him on the gender politics of 19th-century literature and Viv groaned, No one wants to hear that shit. In Watsessing Park, they sipped PBRs masked by paper bags and Viv performed a childhood tap routine on a picnic table. Matt hurdled onto the table and spun her around by the waist. They slipped into an endearing offbeat two-step, Viv's blonde hair, even paler now in the summer, rippling to her waist. Tess clapped along and finished his PBR. [End Page 207] Later, when curfew neared, Tess waited outside his gold Jeep Cherokee...