Stage-Dependent Variation and Association of Microecological Diversity and Water Quality in Static Culture Systems of <i>Hippocampus erectus</i>

Zou Wenzheng; Meng Chunlin; Huang Wenshu; Li Zhongqin; Yang Qiuhua

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Zou Wenzheng，Meng Chunlin，Huang Wenshu, et al. Stage-Dependent Variation and Association of Microecological Diversity and Water Quality in Static Culture Systems of Hippocampus erectus[J]. Haiyang Xuebao，2026, 48(x)：1–16

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Zou Wenzheng，Meng Chunlin，Huang Wenshu, et al. Stage-Dependent Variation and Association of Microecological Diversity and Water Quality in Static Culture Systems of Hippocampus erectus[J]. Haiyang Xuebao，2026, 48(x)：1–16

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Stage-Dependent Variation and Association of Microecological Diversity and Water Quality in Static Culture Systems of Hippocampus erectus

Zou Wenzheng^{1, 2
,},
Meng Chunlin^{1, 2
,},
Huang Wenshu^{1, 2},
Li Zhongqin^{1, 2
,
,},
Yang Qiuhua³

1.
College of Fisheries, Jimei University, Xiamen, Fujian 361021, China
2.
Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture in the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Xiamen, Fujian 361000, China
3.
Fujian Fisheries Research Institute, 361000, China

Received Date: 2026-02-05
Rev Recd Date: 2026-05-11

Available Online: 2026-06-10

Abstract

Abstract

Hippocampus erectus is one of the major seahorse species cultured in China. However, high mortality frequently occurs during the feeding transition period, largely driven by fluctuations in water environmental factors. To date, the microecological diversity and water quality characteristics of its culture system remain poorly understood. In this study, cultivation water from H. erectus was investigated across two developmental stages surrounding the feeding transition period, namely the larval stage and adult stage. Growth performance parameters of seahorses and key physicochemical indices of water quality were systematically measured. High-throughput sequencing based on 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA genes was employed to comparatively characterize the community structure and diversity of bacterial and eukaryotic microorganisms, respectively. Furthermore, multivariate statistical analyses were conducted to elucidate the relationships between water quality parameters and microecological communities (represented by bacterial and eukaryotic microbial assemblages). The results showed that ammonia nitrogen (NH₃–N) and nitrite nitrogen (NO₂^-–N) concentrations were significantly higher in the adult-stage cultivation water than in the larval stage. Microecological analysis revealed that photosynthetic autotrophic algae (unclassified_Eustigmatales) and oligotrophic-adapted bacteria (unclassified_Cyanobacteriia) dominated during the larval stage. Following the feeding transition, the eukaryotic microbial community shifted toward stress-tolerant taxa (Oxyrrhis), while the bacterial community transitioned to nitrogen-tolerant and heterotrophic degrading groups (unclassified_Rhodobacteraceae, Lentibacter). These findings demonstrate a clear succession of microbial communities in response to water quality changes during the feeding transition period. This study reveals the changes in the microbial community structure of aquaculture water during the feed transition in the Hippocampus erectus and their correlations with water quality factors. The findings provide a theoretical basis and practical pathways for developing microecological regulation strategies during this period, and contribute to the sustainable development of seahorse aquaculture.
- Hippocampus erectus,
- feeding transition period,
- water quality parameters,
- microecological community structure

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References(47)

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