Fish In Iran Research Articles

Acipenser stellatus as a new host record for Lernaea cyprinacea linnaeus, 1758 (crustacea; copepoda), a parasites of freshwater fishes in Iran

Acipenser stellatusis the most euryhaline sturgeon in the Caspian Sea which is reputed to have the tastiest flesh and also the best caviar in Iran nbsp The main objective of the current study was to investigate the gill parasites of A stellatus in quot Rajaee Aquaculture Centre quot in northeast of Caspian Sea Basin Mazandaran Province A total of individuals were selected accidentally and examined for the parasites during the spring of Six adult female of Lernaea cyprinaceaL an ectoparasitic copepod species was detected on the gill filaments and archs Five out of specimens of the examined fish were infected with adult anchor worms containing egg sacs and A stellatus is presented as a new host for L cyprinacea in the present report The presence of this parasite on sturgeon fishes has not previously been reported in all over the world Also this is the first report of occurrence of adult female of L cyprinacea on the fish gills

Review of the livebearer fishes of Iran (Family Poeciliidae)

The systematics, morphology, distribution, biology and economic importance of the livebearers of Iran are described, the species are illustrated, and a bibliography on these fishes in Iran is provided. There are four species including Gambusia holbrooki , Poecilia latipinna , P. reticulata and Xiphophorus hellerii . All of these species are exotics.

Review of the Freshwater Mullets of Iran (Family Mugilidae)

The systematics, morphology, distribution, biology, economic importance and conservation of the freshwater mullets of Iran are described, the species are illustrated, and a bibliography on these fishes in Iran is provided. Two species are found in the Caspian Sea basin as exotics ( Chelon auratus, C. saliens ), two species in southern Iranian fresh waters as native species ( Mugil cephalus, Planiliza abu ) and two species in brackish waters of rivers ( Ellochelon vaigiensis , C. subviridis ).

Review of the Herrings of Iran (Family Clupeidae)

The systematics, morphology, distribution, biology, economic importance and conservation of the herrings (kilkas and shads) of Iran are described, the species are illustrated, and a bibliography on these fishes in Iran is provided. There are 9 native species in the genera Clupeonella , Alosa and Tenualosa in the Caspian Sea and rivers of southern Iran.

Tuna fish and common kilka: health risk assessment of metal pollution through consumption of canned fish in Iran

Samples of four popular brands of canned fish consumed in Iran were analyzed for levels and determination of health risk assessment of Cd, Hg, Pb, Se, Sn and Zn after wet digestion with acids by ICP-OES and DMA. The results showed that the contents of Cd, Hg, Pb, Se, Sn and Zn (µg/g) in canned samples were 0.10 ± 0.04, 0.13 ± 0.05, 0.75 ± 0.65, 2.04 ± 0.43, 0.18 ± 0.03 and 12.61 ± 11.92, respectively. Evaluation of these levels showed that except for Cd and Pb, the average contents of other metals are significantly lower than adverse level for the human consumption. Also, HRI values were within the safe limits (HRI <1), and there are no potential health risk for adults and children via consumption of canned fish. Finally, the content of Cd and Pb was higher than MPL in the canned fish samples. Due to the discharge of pollutants into the aquatic environments, heavy metals content and pesticides residue monitoring in the foodstuff is recommended.

Review of the Lampreys of Iran (Family Petromyzontidae)

The systematics, morphology, distribution, biology, economic importance and conservation of the lamprey of Iran are described, the species is illustrated, and a bibliography on this fish in Iran is provided. There is one native and endemic species in the Caspian Sea basin, Caspiomyzon wagneri . The genus Caspiomyzon is characterised by having 2 dorsal fins, an oral disc narrower than the body, teeth are generally low and blunt, the supraoral lamina is small, oval and sometimes has 2 tubercles and rarely 2 teeth, the infraoral lamina has 4-6, usually 5, teeth which may be bicuspid at their tips; there are about 8 small teeth of equal size in the transverse lingual lamina, the exolaterals, anterials and posterials are strong and close together, anterior and endolateral circumorals 9-11, usually 11, and 3 long, papillose velar tentacles are present. Characters of the species are the same as the genus. Trunk myomeres number of C. wagneri are 53-68 in ammocoetes, and 68-69 in adults.

Review of the Pikes of Iran (Family Esocidae)

The systematics, morphology, distribution, biology, economic importance and conservation of the pike ( Esox lucius ) of Iran are described, the species is illustrated, and a bibliography on this fish in Iran is provided. There is one native species in the Caspian Sea basin, introduced elsewhere in Iran. The family is characterized by a flattened, elongate, duck-billed snout, dorsal and anal fins far back on the body near the tail, no adipose fin, teeth on the tongue and on the basibranchial bones behind the tongue are small, jaws have large teeth, branchiostegal rays 10-20, nasal bones are present, the swim bladder is connected to the gut by a duct, intermuscular bones are forked or Y-shaped, no fin spines, pelvic fins are abdominal, cycloid scales, the infraorbital sensory canal on the head has 8 or more pores, gill rakers are present as sharp denticles in patches, no pyloric caeca, the lateral line is complete, and the forked caudal fin has mostly 17 branched rays. Esox lucius is distinguished from other Iranian freshwater fish species by the broad and flat snout and position of the dorsal and anal fins being far back on the body. Esox lucius is distributed across northern Eurasia and northern North America. Iranian populations are at the southern edge of the range for this species.

Review of the Perches of Iran (Family Percidae)

The systematics, morphology, distribution, biology, economic importance and conservation of the perches of Iran are described, the species are illustrated, and a bibliography on these fishes in Iran is provided. There are three species, Perca fluviatilis , Sander lucioperca and S. marinus , found naturally in the Caspian Sea basin, with S. lucioperca translocated.

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT COOKING METHODS ON CHANGES OF FREE FATTY ACIDS, THIOBARBITORIC ACID, HEAVY METAL (NI, CR, CO, CD, PB) AND SENSORY PROPERTIES OF GRASS CARP (CTENOPHARYNGODONIDELLA)

Introduction: Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodonidella, family Cyprinidae) is one of the main fresh water fish species and highly demanded aquaculture species in Iran. Among the cultivated fish, grass carp, also called farmed white fish, has received great attention because of its similarity to Caspian white fish in Iran. The muscle of fish contains important levels of nutrients which are beneficial to health. Most research has been done and published on raw flesh. Cooking can lead to a loss of the nutritional value of foods. In this case the preservation of the maximum nutritive value can be ensured by using correct methods of cooking. The aim of this research was the influence of five cooking methods (poaching, boiling, microwave pan- frying and deep- frying) on changes of free fatty acids, thiobarbitoric acid, heavy metal (Ni, Cr, Co, Cd, Pb) and sensory properties of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodonidella)fillets was evaluated. Materials and method: Grass carpsamples were purchased from a local market in Khorramshahr city, Khuzestan province, Iran. The fish were kept alive and transported to thelaboratory. On arrival,tsamples were washed and eviscerated. The samples were filleted and cut into slices (100 g each). The fish samples were cooked using AOAC 976.16 procedure (method for cooking seafood). Five common cooking procedures were selected: poaching in stainless steel pot of boiling water for 30 min and 30 s, steaming in stainless steel steamer for 5 min and 30 s, microwaving in microwave for 40 s, pan-frying (without oil) in frying pan for 6 min at 180 oC and deep-frying in olive oil in a deep fryer for 5 min at 180 oC. After the cooking process, the samples were cooled to room temperature and the skin and backbone of the samples were removed. All fish in each lot were homogenized using a kitchen blender and analyzed to determine free fatty acid, thiobarbitoric acid, heavy metal and sensory properties. All sample homogenates were assayed in triplicate. Results and discussion: The results indicated that the cooking methods of pouching, microwave and deep-frying increased thiobarbitoric acid (TBA), while cooking methods of boiling and pan- frying did not change TBA. The free fatty acid (FFA) content of the fillets was significantly reduced by the different cooking methods. The Ni in the cooking methods of boiling, pan- frying and deep- frying was not detected. The Cr in the cooking method of deep-fried samples was significantly decreased. The Co concentrations were below limits of detection in all samples. The Cd was only detected in microwave samples. The Pb content increased during cooking of fillets. The results of sensory properties were showed that the texture, odour, flavor, colour and overall likeness properties improve likeness score to some extent in deep-frying method and there were not significantly different between boiling, poaching and pan-frying.

Review of the Silversides of Iran (Family Atherinidae)

The silversides or sand smelts are found in coastal areas of temperate to tropical seas and in fresh water. There are about 14 genera and 68 species with only one native species in the Caspian Sea basin, Atherina caspia . In this review, the systematics, morphology, distribution, biology, economic importance and conservation of the Caspian silverside of Iran are described, the species is illustrated, and a bibliography on this fish in Iran is provided.

Review of the Freshwater Sharks of Iran (Family Carcharhinidae)

The systematics, morphology, distribution, biology, economic importance and conservation of the bull shark ( Carcharhinus leucas ) in Iran are described, the species is illustrated, and a bibliography on this fish in Iran is provided.

Review of the Milkfishes of Iran (Family Chanidae)

The systematics, morphology, distribution, biology, economic importance and conservation of the milkfish ( Chanos chanos ) of Iran are described, the species is illustrated, and a bibliography on this fish in Iran is provided. It is characterised by a compressed and oblong body, small, toothless and terminal mouth, non-protractile upper jaw, lateral pouches on the posterior part of the branchial chamber forming an epibranchial organ and presence of intermuscular bones. The milkfish resembles members of the family Clupeidae (herrings) but is distinguished by a low number of branchiostegal rays (4 as opposed to 6-7), the presence of a lateral line, and the absence of scutes along the belly. Chanos chanos is found from the African coast, Red Sea and Persian Gulf to the southern Pacific coast of the U.S.A. and to Peru, and north to Japan and south to Australia. Usually found in littoral waters of the ocean, rarely entering rivers but often found in estuaries. The milkfish has been acclimatised to freshwater ponds.

The Anticancer Effects of Hexane Extract of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Muscle Enriched with Vegetable Oil Brasica sp.

Background: As Canola oil (Brasica sp.) has beneficial compositions of essential fatty acids like saturated fatty acids, mono unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), practically it use in many experimental purposes. There are considerable amounts of oleic acid which is mono unsaturated fatty acids in canola oil that caused a good resistance to thermal processes such as deep frying. Rainbow trout is the main fish species farmed in about 85% of the total rate allocated to producing aquaculture fish in Iran. Rainbow trout has found in food baskets of many people due to its high nutritional value. Methods: in this study the hexane extracts of fish muscle isolated with purity of 250, 50, 10, 5 and 0.5 μg/ml at regular intervals of 24, 48 and 72 hours to determine the effects of hexane extracts on parameters which are associated with the survival of skin cancer cells A431 by MTT method in vitro comparison. Results: The effect of various concentrations of hexane extracts from fish muscle showed that the extracts of muscle at varying time intervals in hexane extracts administration had different effects on mortality of A431 cancer cells. Increasing of hexane extracts had significantly decreased the carcinogenic cells. The concentrations of hexane extract in 250 μg/ml at 24 hours were killed 50 percent of skin cancer A431cell lines. The addition of Brasica sp. vegetable oil as a dietary supplement is required to fish diet rations. Conclusion: In the present study the hexane extract inhibit the growth of cancer cells where the extract can be used as an anticancer agent for the operation of this lineage.

Histopathological study on parasites in freshwater ornamental fishes in Iran.

During March 2012 through February 2013, 100 freshwater ornamental fishes in 22 species from some aquarium fish shops were examined. Specimens were dissected and tissue samples consisted of liver, kidney, spleen, heart, intestine, ovary, brain and eye were fixed in 10% buffered formalin and sections were provided and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Periodic Acid-Schiff, Giemsa and acid-fast staining (Ziehl-Neelsen). At present study six species of protozoans consisting of Eimeria spp. Cryptosporidium spp., Tetrahymena corlissi, Thecamoeba spp., Giardia spp., Myxobolus spp. and two metazoan parasite consisting of Nematoda spp. and Benedenia monticelli were identified. Thecamoeba, B. monticelli and Cryptosporidium spp. were not reported in previous Iranian studies and it is the first report of infestation to this parasite in ornamental fish in Iran.

Alternative role of sesame seed replacing fish meal in the diet of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fingerlings

Rainbow trout is the most important species of cold water fishes in Iran and the feeding diets which improve the quality and growth of this fish are of great importance. Rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (n=360) specimens with approximate weight of 2±0.02g were fed with different concentrations of sesame seed in their diet instead of fish meal for 120 days. Feeding diets were prepared in 3 sesame seed concentration levels (10, 15, 20 percent compared with control (normal diet), completely random design was used for all triplicate experiments. The greatest rate of weight gain (74±0.04g.), length gain (18.5±0.01cm), specific growth rate (0.59), protein efficiency rate (2.55) and food conversion ratio (0.9) were obtained in treatment 3(20% sesame seed).The lowest rate of weight gain (59±0.04g.), length gain (16.5±0.01cm), specific growth rate (0.46%), protein efficiency (1.72%) and food conversion ratio (1.3) was obtained in the control treatment. Results indicated presence of highly significant differences among the treatments (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the composition of the carcasses of these fish fed with diet of 20 percent sesame and that of control treatment fish. These results demonstrated that sesame seed can be used as an alternative ingredient in its feeding diet instead of fish meal.

Proximate and Fatty Acid Composition in Muscle Tissues of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Cultured in Yazd Province of Iran

Iran is the number one producer of cultured coldwater fish in Asia since 2005. Rainbow trout, (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is the most common and important fish produced by Iranian fisheries. There is not enough information about carcass composition of cultured fish in Iran. Rainbow trout muscle samples were collected from six fish farms of Yazd province during February 2008. Muscle samples were frozen at -30 ο C after being homogenized. Proximate composition of samples was measured. Saturated fatty acids including palmitic, stearic, myristic, lauric acids, also unsaturated fatty acids oleic and linoleic were extracted from muscle tissue of fish at different farms, using gas chromatograghy (GC). Other unsaturated fatty acids including α-linolenic acid, Eicosa Pentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosa Hexaenoic Acid (DHA) had low concentrations (up to 3 %) in samples. Vitamin E levels were 4.33 - 94.34 μg/100 g.

Survey of Experimental Contamination to Ichthyophthirius multifiliis in Cultural Rainbow Trout Consequently Vaccination with Aquavac garvetil

The rainbow trout is the only cold water fish in Iran which has specific economic importance. One of the major bacterial diseases among the rainbow trout is streptococcosis which can be controlled through aquavac garvetil vaccine. It has been shown that this vaccine has stimulation effects on specific and non-specific immune system in the fish. So the aim of this study was determination of Ichthyophthirius experimental infectious in rainbow trout after aquavac garvetil vaccination. In this study, 2000 fish (1g) randomly selected and ten infected fish by Ichthyophthirius added to pool after 15 days. After 60 days, fishes randomly divided in control and treatment groups. In treatment group, vaccination was done in two stages. First stage in day 67 which fish were sunk in aquavac garvetil vaccine and in second stage vaccine were administrated orally in day 127. In control group, vaccine were not used. After one month, in both groups, 500 fish randomly were selected and anesthetized, after wet mount preparation the numbers of parasites were counted. Mean of number of parasites compared in control and treatment groups. Results showed that in treatment group after vaccination the number of parasites significantly decreased (p<0.05) compared with control group. This effect of aquavac garvetil vaccine is probably via stimulating effect of this agent on nonspecific immune system in fishes. However study of the mechanism of this vaccine in decreasing of Ichthyophthirius infections needs to more investigation.

Exposure assessment for mercury from consumption of marine fish in Iran

Seven species of marine fish in the Persian Gulf and three species of marine fish in the Caspian Sea were collected from the local wholesale market in Mashhad, Iran. The mercury (Hg) concentration in muscle samples was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. High total Hg concentration was found in Anchovy sprat (2.04 ± 1.23 µg g−1) and Whitecheek shark (1.26 ± 1.85 µg g−1) and the lowest content was detected in common carp (0.24 ± 0.24 µg g−1) and Caspian salmon (0.25 ± 0.08 µg g−1). The mean Hg content in all samples was 0.91 ± 1.07 µg g−1. All samples of Persian Gulf and one sample of Caspian Sea had mean Hg concentration above 0.5 µg g−1, the level established by joint FAO/WHO on Food Additives. Results showed that the estimated weekly intake of total Hg by a 60 kg adult is below the provisional tolerable weekly intakes recommended by joint FAO/WHO on Food Additives. For prevention of health risks, populations in Iran need to consume fish in moderate amounts.

Occurance of Gyrodactylus spp (Monogenea: Gyrodactylidae) from Iranian freshwater fishes

Thirty three Gyrodactylus spp have been found on the gills and body surface of both wild and farmed freshwater fishes in Iran. Among them nine species have been identified up to the species level, which are new locality records. The identification of the others, mainly belong to endemic wild freshwater fishes, need further studies. Among the known species, Gyrodactylus derjavini (Mikhailov, 1975) has been found on the gills, caudal and anal fins of the Caspian salmon (Salmo trutta caspius) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). These species are very harmful to salmonid fingerling production industry of Iran. In warm water cultured fishes, G. sprostona, with widest host range, infects common carp (Cyprinus carpio), Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and big head carp (Aristichthys nobilis) in almost all fish farms of Iran. Other species, which will be discussed here from their economic importance and host specificity points of view, are G. cyprini, G, elegans, G, fossilis, G. kobayashii, G. prostae, G. shulmani and G. stankovici. Furthermore the pathogenecity of Gyrodactylus spp are discussed and new technology (DNA sequence) for precise identification of parasites is also recommended.

Environmental change and its impact on the freshwater fishes of Iran

Factors affecting the distribution and abundance of freshwater fishes in Iran are described. These include climate, devegetation, irrigation, and natural water level fluctuations (termed pre-industrial) and such factors related to industrialisation and population increase as devegetation, water abstraction, fishing, pollution, and faunal introductions. Conservation schemes are outlined and commented on and a list of threatemed fishes is given.