BLOOD BIOCHEMICAL REFERENCE INTERVALS FOR SUNSHINE BASS (MORONE-CHRYSOPS X MORONE-SAXATILIS) IN 3 CULTURE SYSTEMS

Objective-To determine and compare biochemical reference intervals for sunshine bass (hybrid striped bass) from 3 culture systems. Design-Ob servational comparison study. Animals-Clinically normal sunshine bass (reciprocal hybrid striped bass, female Morone chrysops x male M saxat ilis) raised in high-density recirculating systems (80 g/L), low-densi ty tanks (5 g/L) with biofilters, and cages (70 g/L) in a fresh water pond. Procedure-Biochemical reference intervals were determined for fi sh from the different production systems following the National Commit tee for Clinical Laboratory Standards guidelines. Reference intervals from the 3 groups were compared. Results-Reference intervals were sign ificantly different between sunshine bass in the various culture syste ms. Though most of the differences in reference intervals were minor, fish in the high-density recirculating system had higher concentration s of total protein, albumin, globulin, creatinine, and phosphorus, and lower chloride values. There were no significant differences in gluco se concentrations among the 3 groups of fish, and no differences in co rtisol concentrations between fish in tanks and cages. Conclusions-Sep arate reference intervals should be developed for hybrid striped bass in different culture systems. Clinical Relevance-Determining biochemic al reference intervals for hybrid striped bass provides a tool to asse ss the health status of these fish.