This manuscript describes and evaluates the FEEDNETICS model, a detailed mechanistic nutrient-based model that has been developed to be used as data interpretation decision-support tool by fish farmers, aquafeed producers, aquaculture consultants researchers. The modelling framework comprises two main components: (i) simulates at individual level growth, composition, nutrient utilization, follo...

Fish are sensitive to stressful conditions that affect their innate immune systems and increase their susceptibility to diseases. We examined the social stress of paired gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). Social hierarchies (dominant/subordinate) were characterised by behavioural changes, such as "aggressiveness" and "feeding order"; hierarchical positions were established within an hour of exp...

Gyrodactylus orecchiae sp. n. (Monogenea, Gyrodactylidae) is described from the skin, fins, eyes and gills of juvenile Sparus aurata L. (gilthead seabream) following two outbreaks of gyrodactylosis amongst stocks held in inshore floating cages on the Adriatic coast of Albania and Croatia. Fish were heavily infected (1000+ gyrodactylids/fish) with G. orecchiae which reportedly resulted in approx...

Neutrophils are major participants in innate host responses. It is well known that estrogens have an immune-modulatory role, and some evidence exists that neutrophil physiology can be altered by these molecules. Traditionally, estrogens act via classical nuclear estrogen receptors, but the identification of a G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), a membrane estrogen receptor that binds es...

Plastics accumulation in marine ecosystems has notable ecological implications due to their long persistence, potential ecotoxicity, and ability adsorb other pollutants or act as vectors of pathogens. The present work aimed evaluate the physiological response gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) fed for 90 days with a diet enriched virgin seawater exposed low-density polyethylene microplastics (LD...

The effectiveness of using essential oils against fish parasites and pathogenic bacteria as environmentally friendly phytotherapeutic agents in the aquaculture industry is demonstrated. A commercial additive composed garlic oil, thymol carvacrol (AROTEC-G®) was added to a diet for gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) protection strategy Sparicotyle chrysophrii. intense aromatic properties these mi...

The fatty acid profile of vegetable oils (VOs), together with the poor ability of marine fish to convert polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) to highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA), lead to important changes in the nutritional value of farmed fish fed VO, which include increased fat and 18:2n-6 and reduced n-3 HUFA. Echium oil (EO) has a good n-3/n-6 balance as well as an interesting profile wi...

Natural antibodies play crucial roles in pathogen elimination, B-cell survival and homeostasis, and inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Although estrogens are able to regulate both innate and adaptive immune responses, their role in the production of natural antibodies is unknown. Here, we show that the dietary intake of the synthetic estradiol analog, 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), one of the m...

DHA deficiency has been related to skeletal malformations in fish, but high DHA levels have produced controversial results that could relate to the oxidative status of fish tissues in the different reports. In the present study, gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) larvae were fed deficient, adequate or high DHA levels, or high DHA levels supplemented with the antioxidant a-tocopherol. Larvae fed ...

DHA deficiency has been related to skeletal malformations in fish, but high DHA levels have produced controversial results that could relate to the oxidative status of fish tissues in the different reports. In the present study, gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) larvae were fed deficient, adequate or high DHA levels, or high DHA levels supplemented with the antioxidant α-tocopherol. Larvae fed ...