Gyan Sarthi

GSSSB Fisheries Officer, Class-3

Chapter 3
Finned Fish and Shellfish
Aquaculture covers the farming of various aquatic organisms, which are broadly classified as
finfish and shellfish. For successful aquaculture, it is important to have an understanding of their
basic biological aspects and management practices.

1. Anatomy
Finfish Anatomy

Finfish have a skeletal system made of bone or cartilage. The main external features are as
follows:
●​ Fins: Pectoral (chest), pelvic (abdomen), dorsal (back), anal (behind the anus), and
caudal (tail) fins are used for movement, steering, and stability.
●​ Gills (Respiratory Organs): For absorbing oxygen from the water and releasing carbon
dioxide. In bony fish, they are covered by an operculum (gill cover).
●​ Scales: Protective plates on the skin that provide cover and facilitate smooth movement.
●​ Lateral Line: A sensory line running along the side of the body that detects vibrations and
pressure changes in the water.
●​ Mouth and Jaws: Adapted for various feeding methods - terminal (forward), superior
(upward), inferior (downward).
●​ Eyes: Have vision suitable for the aquatic environment, but vision may be poor in murky
or deep-sea conditions.
●​ Nostrils: Not for breathing, but for detecting smells (olfaction).
Internal organs include the brain, heart (two-chambered), liver, stomach, intestine, kidneys, and
gonads (reproductive organs).
●​ Swim Bladder (or Gas Bladder): A gas-filled organ that helps the fish maintain
buoyancy in the water.

Shellfish Anatomy

(Common for Crustaceans and Molluscs)

Crustaceans (e.g., Shrimp, Crabs, Lobsters):
●​ Exoskeleton: A hard outer covering made of chitin that provides protection and support.
This shell must be shed for growth (molting – ecdysis).
●​ Appendages: Many jointed limbs (pereiopods – for walking, pleopods – for swimming),
antennae (for sensing), and mouthparts.
●​ Gills: For respiration, located inside the carapace.
●​ Digestive System: Foregut, midgut, and hindgut.
●​ Circulatory System: An open circulatory system where hemolymph flows through body
cavities.
Molluscs (e.g., Oysters, Clams, Mussels, Conch):
●​ Shell: A hard covering made of calcium carbonate. It is usually bivalved (two-part) or
spiral (like a conch). It is produced by the mantle.
●​ Mantle: A layer of soft tissue that covers the internal organs and creates the shell.
●​ Foot: A strong, muscular organ used for movement (in conch), digging (in clams), or
attachment (in oysters).
●​ Gills (Ctenidia): Feather-like organs that help in respiration and filter feeding.
●​ Siphons: In bivalves, used for drawing water in (incurrent siphon) and expelling it out
(excurrent siphon).

2. Taxonomy (Biological Classification)

Taxonomy is the science of classifying living organisms. In aquaculture, taxonomy is important
for identifying different species, understanding their interrelationships, and managing genetic
resources.

Common Finfish Taxonomic Groups in Aquaculture:

●​ Class Osteichthyes (Bony Fishes): Most cultured finfish belong to this class.
○​ Order Cypriniformes: Carps (e.g., Cyprinus carpio – Common Carp, Labeo rohita
– Rohu)
○​ Order Salmoniformes: Salmon and Trout (e.g., Oncorhynchus mykiss - Rainbow
Trout)
○​ Order Siluriformes: Catfish (e.g., Pangasianodon hypophthalmus – Pangasius,
Clarias gariepinus - African Catfish)
○​ Order Perciformes: Tilapia (e.g., Oreochromis niloticus - Nile Tilapia), Seabass
(e.g., Lates calcarifer), Groupers
○​ Order Anguilliformes: Eels

Common Shellfish Taxonomic Groups in Aquaculture:

●​ Phylum Mollusca:
○​ Class Bivalvia: Oysters (Crassostrea spp.), Clams (Mercenaria spp.), Mussels
(Mytilus spp.)
○​ Class Gastropoda: Abalone (Haliotis spp.), Snails
●​ Phylum Arthropoda:
○​ Class Crustacea:
■​ Order Decapoda: Shrimp (Penaeus spp., Litopenaeus vannamei - Pacific
White Shrimp), Crabs (Scylla spp.), Lobsters
(Pages 4-10 consist of images of various fish, sharks, crustaceans and their names. The names
are already in English/Scientific Latin and are not translated, but transcribed below for
completeness.)
(The document continues with extensive lists and images of different species, which are
primarily labeled in English and scientific names. Following this, it covers physiology, breeding,
and diseases.)

3. Physiology and Biology

Finfish Physiology & Biology:

●​ Respiration: Dissolved oxygen is absorbed from the water through the gills, and carbon
dioxide is released. Oxygen demand varies by species, size, temperature, and activity
level.
●​ Osmo-regulation: Maintaining internal salt and water balance. Freshwater fish actively
absorb salts and excrete dilute urine. Saltwater fish actively excrete salts and drink
seawater to maintain water balance.
●​ Digestion and Metabolism: Efficiently convert feed into biomass. Metabolism is highly
dependent on water temperature as fish are cold-blooded (poikilothermic).
●​ Reproduction: Most finfish are dioecious (separate sexes) and have external fertilization.
Spawning can be synchronous or asynchronous. Photoperiod, temperature, and
hormones affect maturation.
●​ Growth: Indeterminate growth – they continue to grow throughout their lives. The growth
rate is affected by genetics, nutrition, water quality, and temperature.
●​ Behavior: Schooling, feeding behavior, territoriality, and stress response are observed.

Shellfish Physiology & Biology:

1. Crustaceans:
●​ Respiration: Respiration occurs through gills.
●​ Molting (Ecdysis): They periodically shed their hard exoskeleton to grow. During this
time, crustaceans are vulnerable.
●​ Reproduction: Sexes are separate (dioecious). Fertilization is internal, and varied mating
rituals occur before reproduction. Larvae are planktonic and undergo metamorphosis.
●​ Growth: Stepwise growth linked to molting is observed.
●​ Feeding: Shrimp are omnivores, while crabs can be carnivores.
2. Molluscs:
●​ Respiration & Feeding (Bivalves): Gills are used for both respiration and filter-feeding.
They filter phytoplankton and organic particles from the water.
●​ Reproduction: Most molluscs are dioecious, while some are hermaphroditic. External
fertilization (broadcast spawning) is common. Larval stages like veliger and spat are
planktonic.
●​ Attachment: Bivalves like mussels attach with byssal threads. Oysters cement
themselves to rocks or other surfaces.
●​ Growth: The shell and tissues grow continuously.

4. Breeding and Hatchery Management

Breeding:

●​ Broodstock Management: Maintaining healthy and mature parent stock. This includes
proper nutrition, environmental control (temperature, photoperiod), and selection for
desired traits (like rapid growth, disease resistance).
●​ Spawning Induction: Inducing fish to reproduce:
○​ Environmental Manipulation: Simulating natural conditions (e.g., temperature
changes, water flow, substrate).
○​ Hormone Induction (LHRHa, GnRH analogues): Injecting hormones to stimulate
 final maturation and spawning.
●​ Fertilization: Mostly external fertilization (in finfish and bivalves), while internal
fertilization occurs in crustaceans.
●​ Egg Incubation: Maintaining optimal conditions like temperature, aeration, and water
quality for egg development.

Hatchery Management:

●​ Water Quality Control: Strict monitoring and control of parameters like temperature, pH,
dissolved oxygen, salinity, ammonia, and nitrite are essential as larvae are in a very
sensitive stage.
●​ Larval Rearing: Providing optimal conditions for larval development and survival. This
stage is extremely important and challenging.
●​ Live Feed Production:
○​ Phytoplankton: For bivalves and rotifers.
○​ Zooplankton: Live feeds like rotifers and Artemia nauplii are the first food for many
larval species.
●​ Nursery Rearing: Rearing larvae from post-larvae (PL) or fry to juvenile/fingerling size
before transferring them to grow-out systems.
●​ Biosecurity: Measures to prevent the entry and spread of diseases (e.g., water
filtration/disinfection, footbaths, separate equipment for separate tanks).
●​ Health Management: Regular monitoring for diseases, timely detection, and appropriate
treatment.
●​ Grading and Counting: Sorting larvae/juveniles by size and counting them for proper
stocking.

5. Diseases and Their Management

Diseases are a major problem for aquaculture, especially in intensive systems. Diseases can be
infectious (caused by pathogens) or non-infectious (environmental or nutritional).

Types of Diseases:

●​ Bacterial Diseases: Examples: Vibriosis, Columnaris, Streptococcosis.

○​ Symptoms: Skin lesions, fin rot, internal infections.
○​ Treatment: Antibiotics (use with caution due to resistance potential).
●​ Viral Diseases: Examples: White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) in shrimp, Infectious
Salmon Anemia (ISA) in salmon, Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV).
○​ Symptoms: Highly contagious, no direct treatment available.
○​ Control: Prevention and biosecurity are crucial.
●​ Fungal Diseases: Example: Saprolegniasis.
○​ Effect: Affects skin, gills, and eggs, especially in stressed fish.
○​ Treatment: Fungicides (formalin, salt baths).
●​ Parasitic Diseases: Examples: Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (‘Ich’), sea lice, monogeneans,
protozoa.
○​ Effect: External or internal parasites cause skin irritation, damage, and reduced
growth.
○​ Treatment: Antiparasitics (formalin, salt, hydrogen peroxide, praziquantel).
 ●​ Nutritional Diseases: Caused by deficiencies or imbalances in the diet (e.g., deformities
from vitamin deficiency).
○​ Management: Provide a balanced diet.
●​ Environmental Diseases (Stress-related):
○​ Cause: Low DO (dissolved oxygen), high ammonia/nitrite, extreme pH or
temperature.
○​ Result: Stresses fish and makes them susceptible to other diseases.
○​ Management: Improve water quality.

Disease Management Methods:

●​ Prevention (Most Important):

○​ Biosecurity: Strict rules to prevent pathogen entry and spread (quarantine,
disinfection, controlled access).
○​ Good Husbandry: Proper stocking density, balanced nutrition, maintaining optimal
water quality.
○​ Genetic Selection: Breeding for disease-resistant strains.
○​ Vaccination: Available for some bacterial or viral diseases (e.g., Vibriosis).
○​ Probiotics: Adding beneficial bacteria to feed or water to improve gut health and
water quality.
●​ Early Detection: Regular monitoring of fish health, behavior, and water quality.
●​ Diagnosis: Laboratory tests (microscopy, PCR, histopathology) to identify the causative
agent.
●​ Treatment:
○​ Chemotherapy: Antibiotics, fungicides, antiparasitics (as per veterinary direction
and with observance of withdrawal periods).
○​ Environmental Changes: Improving water quality, reducing stress.
○​ Biological Control: Using natural predators or competitors (less common for
diseases).
●​ Record Keeping: Recording disease incidents, treatments, and outcomes is useful for
the future.

(The document continues with extensive tables listing

species from page 16 to 80. The content is already in
English/Scientific Latin.)
Finfish and Shellfish MCQs
1. What is the main function of the lateral line system in finfish? a) Respiration b)
Maintaining buoyancy c) Detecting vibrations and pressure changes in the water d)
Reproduction Answer: c)
2. Which internal organ is primarily responsible for maintaining buoyancy in finfish? a)
Heart b) Liver c) Swim bladder d) Kidney Answer: c)
3. What is the structure that covers and protects the gills in bony fish? a) Scales b)
Operculum c) Lateral line d) Fins Answer: b)
4. What is the hard external covering of crustaceans called? a) Mantle b) Exoskeleton c)
Shell (calcareous) d) Carapace (specifically the back part) Answer: b)
5. In bivalve molluscs, what secretes the calcareous shell? a) Foot b) Siphon c) Mantle d)
Gills (Ctenidia) Answer: c)
6. Tilapia, seabass, and grouper fish fall under which taxonomic order? a) Cypriniformes
b) Salmoniformes c) Siluriformes d) Perciformes Answer: d)
7. Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) belongs to which taxonomic order? a) Perciformes b)
Cypriniformes c) Siluriformes d) Anguilliformes Answer: b)
8. Shrimp species like Litopenaeus vannamei are classified under which order? a)
Bivalvia b) Gastropoda c) Decapoda d) Salmoniformes Answer: c)
9. Mollusc species like oysters, clams, and mussels belong to which class? a) Crustacea
b) Gastropoda c) Bivalvia d) Cephalopoda Answer: c)
10. In scientific classification, what is the level immediately below "Order"? a) Class b)
Family c) Genus d) Species Answer: b)
11. By which physiological process do freshwater fish maintain salt and water balance in
their body (e.g., salt absorption and dilute urine)? a) Respiration b) Osmoregulation c)
Digestion d) Metabolism Answer: b)
12. The periodic shedding of their exoskeleton by crustaceans for growth is known as
what process? a) Metamorphosis b) Spawning c) Molting (Ecdysis) d) Photosynthesis Answer:
c)
13. In bivalve molluscs, which organ is used for both respiration and filter-feeding? a)
Siphon b) Mantle c) Gills (Ctenidia) d) Foot Answer: c)
14. Most finfish are dioecious, meaning they have: a) Both male and female organs in the
same individual b) Separate sexes (male and female) c) Reproduction without sex d) The ability
to change sex Answer: b)
15. What is the pattern of continuous growth seen throughout the life of a finfish called?
a) Determinate growth b) Stepwise growth c) Indeterminate growth d) Molting Answer: c)
16. What is the main purpose of broodstock management in aquaculture breeding
programs? a) Directly increasing larval survival b) Maintaining a healthy and mature parent
stock c) Enabling spontaneous spawning without intervention d) Producing live feed for larvae
Answer: b)
17. Injections of hormones like LHRHa or GnRH are commonly used for what purpose? a)
Treating bacterial diseases b) Inducing spawning in broodstock c) Increasing the feed
conversion ratio d) Enhancing molting in crustaceans Answer: b)
18. In hatchery management, which stage is the most delicate and critical, where water
quality must be very strictly controlled? a) Broodstock holding b) Egg incubation c) Larval
rearing d) Nursery rearing Answer: c)
19. What type of first feed is produced in hatcheries for many finfish and shellfish larvae?
a) Commercial pellets b) Dried spirulina c) Zooplankton (rotifers, Artemia nauplii) d) Fishmeal
Answer: c)
20. What is the purpose of 'nursery rearing' in a hatchery? a) To produce eggs b) To raise
post-larvae or fry to juvenile/fingerling size c) To manage broodstock d) To analyze water quality
Answer: b)
21. Which type of disease is generally caused by dietary deficiencies or nutritional
imbalances? a) Bacterial diseases b) Viral diseases c) Nutritional diseases d) Parasitic
diseases Answer: c)
22. White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) most commonly affects whom? a) Finfish b)
Shellfish (crustaceans like shrimp) c) Molluscs d) Aquatic plants Answer: b)
23. Which disease management strategy is considered the most important for preventing
disease outbreaks in aquaculture? a) Chemotherapy b) Early detection and diagnosis c)
Prevention (e.g., biosecurity, good husbandry) d) Environmental modification (after an outbreak)
Answer: c)
24. 'Saprolegniasis' is a common fungal disease that affects: a) Only shrimp b) The skin,
gills, and eggs of stressed finfish c) The internal organs of molluscs d) The exoskeleton of crabs
Answer: b)
25. The use of vaccines in aquaculture is primarily to prevent what? a) Nutritional
deficiencies b) Environmental stress c) Certain bacterial and viral diseases d) Parasitic
infections Answer: c)
26. Which finfish order includes common carp and rohu? a) Perciformes b) Siluriformes c)
Cypriniformes d) Salmoniformes Answer: c)
27. What does the process of metamorphosis in crustacean larvae involve? a) A miniature
adult develops directly from the egg b) A series of different larval stages c) Internal fertilization
d) Molting of internal organs Answer: b)
28. What type of circulatory system do crustaceans have? a) Closed circulatory system b)
Open circulatory system c) Lymphatic system d) None of the above Answer: b)
29. Which mollusc class is known for filter-feeding and has two shells? a) Gastropoda b)
Cephalopoda c) Bivalvia d) Polyplacophora Answer: c)
30. What sensory organ in finfish is used to detect pressure and vibrations in the water?
a) Eyes b) Nostrils c) Lateral line d) Gills Answer: c)
31. Maintaining proper stocking density, balanced nutrition, and excellent water quality
are all key aspects of what? a) Chemotherapy b) Good Husbandry c) Genetic selection for
disease resistance d) Disease diagnosis Answer: b)
32. Which common aquaculture disease is caused by the parasite Ichthyophthirius
multifiliis? a) Vibriosis b) 'Ich' (White spot disease) c) WSSV d) Saprolegniasis Answer: b)
33. Which disease management technique involves isolating new or sick aquatic
animals? a) Vaccination b) Probiotics c) Quarantine d) Genetic selection Answer: c)
34. The term 'poikilothermic' (cold-blooded) means that the metabolism of finfish is
highly dependent on what? a) Water depth b) Water temperature c) Diet composition d)
Photoperiod Answer: b)
35. What do mussels use their byssal threads for? a) Movement b) Digging c) Attaching to
surfaces d) Respiration Answer: c)
36. In finfish, which function is influenced by photoperiod, temperature, and hormones?
a) Digestive efficiency b) Respiration rate c) Reproduction/Maturation d) Osmoregulation
Answer: c)
37. Through what are oxygen absorbed in finfish? a) Scales b) Fins c) Gills d) Lateral line
Answer: c)
38. Which type of disease in finfish manifests as skin lesions and fin rot? a) Viral diseases
b) Fungal diseases c) Parasitic diseases d) Bacterial diseases Answer: d)
39. What are the two siphons in bivalves used for? a) Movement and attachment b)
Respiration and shell production c) Water intake (incurrent) and expulsion (excurrent) d)
Feeding and digestion Answer: c)
40. What is the goal of 'genetic selection' for disease management? a) For rapid growth
rate b) For good feed conversion c) For disease resistance d) To achieve a larger adult size
Answer: c)
41. What type of planktonic larvae are commonly found in bivalve molluscs? a) Nauplii b)
Zoea c) Veliger and Spat d) Fry Answer: c)
42. How do freshwater fish maintain salt balance in their bodies? a) By actively excreting
salt b) By drinking more water c) By actively absorbing salt and excreting it in dilute urine d) By
osmosis through the scales Answer: c)
43. Which management practice involves adding beneficial bacteria to water or feed to
improve gut health and water quality? a) Vaccination b) Chemotherapy c) Probiotics d)
Hormone induction Answer: c)
44. Besides temperature and pH, what is a critical aspect of water quality control during
larval rearing? a) Only salinity b) Dissolved oxygen, ammonia, and nitrite c) Only turbidity d)
Only hardness Answer: b)
45. What is the hard covering that provides support for crustaceans and is shed during
growth called? a) Spawning b) Fertilization c) Metamorphosis d) Molting Answer: d)
46. What is the common method of fertilization for most finfish? a) Internal fertilization b)
External fertilization c) Parthenogenesis d) Hermaphroditism Answer: b)
47. Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV) is what type of disease? a) Bacterial b) Fungal c) Parasitic d)
Viral Answer: d)
48. What is the main function of the mantle in molluscs? a) Movement b) To produce the
shell c) To hunt prey d) Only respiration Answer: b)
49. What is an important biosecurity step in a hatchery that involves using separate
equipment for different tanks? a) Controlled access b) Disinfection procedures c) Quarantine
methods d) Using separate equipment for different zones Answer: d)
50. In finfish, what type of disease is caused by oxygen deficiency, high ammonia/nitrite,
or abnormal pH/temperature? a) Bacterial disease b) Viral disease c) Nutritional disease d)
Environmental / Stress-related disease Answer: d)
Source: Compiled by Dr. Pratap Chandra Das (More Information: Director, ICAR-Central
Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha)