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NOAA Fisheries Northwest Science Center Publication Details

CitationDodd, E. T., M. L. Pierce, J. S. Lee, R. S. Poretsky. 2020. Influences of claywater and greenwater on skin microbiome of cultured larval sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria). Animal Microbiome.
TitleInfluences of claywater and greenwater on skin microbiome of cultured larval sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria)
AuthorEmily T. Dodd, Melissa L. Pierce, J. S.F. Lee, Rachel S. Poretsky
Publication Year2020
JournalAnimal Microbiome
Keywordsskin microbiome, sablefish, greenwater, claywater, 16S rRNA, aquaculture,
Abstract

The skin microbiome of marine fish is thought to come from bacteria in the surrounding water during the larval stages, although it is not clear how different water conditions affect the microbial communities in the water and, in turn, the composition and development of the larval skin microbiome. In aquaculture, water conditions are especially important. Claywater and greenwater are often used in larval rearing tanks to increase water turbidity. Here, we explored the effects of these rearing water additives on microbial communities  and on the skin of first-feeding sablefish larvae using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We evaluated three treatments: greenwater, claywater, and greenwater with a switch to claywater after one week. We observed an increase in Vibrionaceae in greenwater tanks that coincided with the addition of larvae and rotifer feed to the tanks . Additionally, microbial communities from experimental tank water, especially those in claywater, began to resemble larval skin microbiomes by the end of the experiment. The differential effects of the additives on larval sablefish skin microbiomes were largest during the week after first feeding. Organisms associated with greenwater, including a potentially probiotic Pseudoalteromonas spp., were found on larval skin a week after the switch to claywater. In addition to additive-specific effects, larval skin microbiomes also retained bacterial families likely acquired from their hatching. Our results suggest that larval sablefish skin microbiomes are most sensitive to the surrounding seawater up to one week following the yolk-sac stage and that claywater substituted for greenwater after one week post-first feed does not significantly impact skin-associated microbial communities. However, the larval skin microbiome changed over time under all experimental conditions. Furthermore, our findings reveal a two-way interaction between microbial communities on the host and the surrounding environment.  This is the first demonstration that fish might influence the microbial community of the water.


 
Description

The skin microbiome of marine fish is thought to come from bacteria in the surrounding water during the larval stages, although it is not clear how different water conditions affect the microbial communities in the water and, in turn, the composition and development of the larval skin microbiome. In aquaculture, water conditions are especially important. Claywater and greenwater are often used in larval rearing tanks to increase water turbidity. Here, we explored the effects of these rearing water additives on microbial communities  and on the skin of first-feeding sablefish larvae using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We evaluated three treatments: greenwater, claywater, and greenwater with a switch to claywater after one week. We observed an increase in Vibrionaceae in greenwater tanks that coincided with the addition of larvae and rotifer feed to the tanks . Additionally, microbial communities from experimental tank water, especially those in claywater, began to resemble larval skin microbiomes by the end of the experiment. The differential effects of the additives on larval sablefish skin microbiomes were largest during the week after first feeding. Organisms associated with greenwater, including a potentially probiotic Pseudoalteromonas spp., were found on larval skin a week after the switch to claywater. In addition to additive-specific effects, larval skin microbiomes also retained bacterial families likely acquired from their hatching. Our results suggest that larval sablefish skin microbiomes are most sensitive to the surrounding seawater up to one week following the yolk-sac stage and that claywater substituted for greenwater after one week post-first feed does not significantly impact skin-associated microbial communities. However, the larval skin microbiome changed over time under all experimental conditions. Furthermore, our findings reveal a two-way interaction between microbial communities on the host and the surrounding environment.