The short-term effects of farmed fish food consumed by wild fish congregating outside the farms. Issue 2 (30th January 2017) - Gonzalez-Silvera, D.
Abstract: We simulated in the laboratory the possible effects on fatty acids and immune status of wild fish arriving for the first time in the vicinity of a sea-cage fish farm, shifting their natural diet to commercial feed consumption, rich in fatty acids of vegetable origin. The flesh fatty acid profile of golden mullet specimens was altered after 2 weeks of commercial feed consumption, showing an increase in fatty acids of vegetable origin. The serum peroxidase and bactericidal activities, and head-kidney leucocyte phagocytic capacity, increased after eight weeks of the new diet, while the respiratory burst activity decreased. The extent of these changes cannot be considered large enough to regard them as compromising the health status of fish. More research is needed in order to elucidate whether the rapid assimilation of the dietary fatty acids could harm the immune status of fish when feeding for longer periods than two months. Graphical abstract: Highlights: We simulated the arrival for first time to the vicinity of fish farm by Liza aurata. Flesh fatty acid profile was altered after 2 weeks of shifting to a commercial feed. Several immune parameters were also modified due to shift in diet. Changes in immune status are not large enough to think in compromised health status.