Scientists at Wageningen University have shown that genes influence the swimming ability of tilapia. Since there is evidence that fitter fish are also healthier and more resilient, the researchers recommend including fitness in targeted breeding programs for farmed fish. Niltilapia is the second most cultivated fish species in the world after carp and provides the population in Africa and Asia with cheap protein and essential micronutrients for good nutrition, health and development.
“In humans, cardiovascular fitness is typically measured by a bicycle or treadmill test,” says program director and personal professor Hans Komen. “This is rare with farm animals. We developed a methodology for fish. ‘ Our test shows for the first time that the physical fitness measured by this test is largely inherited.
Swimming carousel
In the study published in Scientific Reports, scientists make Niltilapia swim against the current in a carousel. By gradually increasing the flow, you can measure exactly when the fish have reached their maximum swimming ability. As with humans, their fitness depends on their ability to absorb oxygen and their cardiovascular condition.
Fast swimming fish showed slower growth. “These results will help us further improve our GIFT strain of Niltilapia,” said Worldfish lead researcher John Benzie. “This very successful variety was specially developed for small farmers”.
There is also evidence that fitter fish are healthier fish. The researchers therefore recommend fish farmers to include the swim test in their selective breeding programs. So far, the focus has been on increasing the growth rate.
Important source of protein
After carp, Niltilapia is the most widely grown fish in the world and an important source of protein and essential micronutrients for good nutrition, health, and development for many people. Especially in Asia and Africa, where smallholders have been cultivating them in cages and ponds for decades. In the past, fitness and resilience weren’t a big issue, but as climate change accelerates, it’s becoming increasingly important to breed fish that can adapt to more stressful conditions.
Komen and his team want to apply their results to other fish species such as trout, salmon and sea bream. As a result of climate change, the sea water temperature in Norway and the Mediterranean increases, which affects the physiology and fitness of the fish cultivated in these regions.
The research is made possible by the Koepon Foundation and carried out in collaboration with WorldFish.
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